October 23, 2020 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 10/22/2020 - 10:00am

To opt-in to receive HCPSS text messges, text "YES" to 67587.
 

Important Dates

November 3            Schools and Offices closed

November 6            Schools close 3 hours early (Details will be sent)

November 16          Quarter 1 Report Cards Issued

November 24-25     Parent Teacher Conferences (Details will be sent)

Forest Ridge News...

Media Matters and Tech Tidbits

  • Technology self-help is available in various places in the communication posted by HCPSS during this virtual time.  HCPSS Connect - Guides offers quick links and information on a wealth of topics, such as Canvas, Synergy, Student Technology, Family File, Parent Conferences, and much more.  Keep this link handy!

  • If you are in need of assistance with your Chromebook after visiting Student Technology Resources and reviewing the Chromebook self-help information, complete the FRES Community: Tech Support Form for assistance from the FRES Tech Team.  This form is also available on the FRES School Website.

  • Battle of the Books- Attention all fifth grade parents. Your students heard presentations this week in their Media class about the reading competition, Battle of the Books sponsored by HCPL and HCPSS. Registration for the competition begins on Oct. 23rd. We encourage you to register on Oct. 23rd to secure your spot. For complete information, please visit http://hclibrary.org/new-a-main/battle-of-the-books/ 

  • Don’t forget about contactless library book checkout at FRES: contactless. Students were made aware of how to checkout and return books this week through their Media lessons.  Please visit your student's library media page in Canvas (Canvas > Library Media > Lessons & Tasks > Other Information)  for complete information. Drop/off and Pickup will occur at the front entrance of the school.
School Meals
A stopgap U.S. government funding bill signed into law last Thursday, which includes almost $8 billion in nutrition assistance, allows USDA to extend the meal waivers, previously due to expire at the end of December, through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Thus, HCPSS will be able to provide meals at no cost to any HCPSS student, and all children 18 and under, through the entire school year, assuming continued availability of USDA funding.  
 
Beginning Monday, October 12, HCPSS will add a snack and dinner to each weekday meal, in addition to breakfast and lunch already being served. Additionally, weekend meals will be included with meals provided on Fridays, and in pre-ordered meals picked up on Thursdays.
 
HCPSS also has adjusted the pre-order process. Meals for multiple days need to be pre-ordered at least two days in advance for pickup on Mondays and Thursdays. Pre-order meal pickups will be offered only on those two days, to enable Food and Nutrition Services to improve service and efficiency while balancing staffing and food resources.
 
Full details on HCPSS student meal offerings can be found online.

Free Food Distribution on Saturdays in October
See the attached flyer regarding free food distribution on Saturdays in October at Ducketts Lane Elementary School.

From the PTA...

Hi FRES Families,

We still have plenty of free pumpkins available! Reserve a pumpkin here.   

  1. Pick up your pumpkin at FRES THIS Sunday, Oct. 25 from 1-3 p.m. 

  2. Carve your pumpkin and drop it off at the school on Oct. 30 before 5 p.m.

  3. Drive through the display on Oct. 30 between 6:30-8:30 p.m. to see all of the carved pumpkins and get a treat at the end.  Let us know you are coming here. 

  4. NEW If you would like to submit a photo of your child in his/her costume to be projected as part of a rolling slide show at the event, please email the photo to president@frespta.org with your child's first name and grade mentioned, by Oct. 29.

  5. Wellness Kits will be available at both the pumpkin pick up and drive through event if you have not yet picked yours up.

Meeting for Halloween Event Volunteers: Google Meet 6-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 https://meet.google.com/abr-mbze-ujz

Upcoming PTA Meetings: (Via Zoom): November 9, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14

Membership Update: We are now up to 62 members! This is a great start. FRES families, staff, and community members can join at www.frespta.org/join Only $10 per year for an individual or $16 for a pair.

Staff Appreciation: We are always looking for new ways to support our FRES staff during our virtual learning semester. A few of our wonderful teachers have shared their Amazon wish lists and some shared their favorite things with us.

We encourage the FRES community to assist our staff with their classroom needs. Any contribution is greatly appreciated! Thank you for your continued support in our staff appreciation efforts!  https://frespta.org/2020/10/13/fres-staff-favorite-things-and-wish-lists/
 

Wellness Night Followup Items
In case you missed it, check out the video for the FRES PTA Wellness Committee hosted Virtual Wellness Night from September.
Speakers and topics included:
Youth and Mental Health with the National Alliance on Mental Health (Howard County) Denise Giuliano and Joseline Castanos.
Center for Children, Tasha Walls
Building Resilience in Children, National Family Resiliency Center, Pam Blackwell, Caroline Wohnsigl
Yoga Stretching Tips by Satyam
Tips for Surviving the Fall by The Family Institute, Lisa Rhodes, Howard County Office of Children and Families
 
Door prize winners of a touchless thermometer and face masks were: Khaleda Hasan, Kisme Williams, David Giles, Mia Hall, and Naeemah Staggs. Congratulations!

Thanks and have a great weekend!