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From our Administrators...
Dear FRES Community,
Well, December is here and has brought the cold weather with it! We hope everyone is staying warm. Just a few reminders this week:
- On Monday night our PTA meeting will begin at 7:00. We will have a county representative there to talk about the new software our staff is piloting, Lightspeed.
- At the Howard County Board of Education meeting this past week, new members were sworn in and we now have a new representative for our school district. Jolene Mosely is our representative and her email address is jolene_mosely@hcpss.org .
- Please plan accordingly for meals during the holiday break. Click here to read the HCPSS adjusted schedule.
Elementary Student Workload During Virtual Instruction
Families, particularly of primary students, have expressed concerns about the virtual elementary workload including the complexity of asynchronous lessons, the number of content areas taught, and the number of weekly asynchronous assignments. In order to support elementary students with successfully navigating during virtual instruction, the following adjustments have been made:
- Students will only have asynchronous assignments in social studies, science, or health during a given week. There will not be an overlap of instruction or assignments for these content areas.
- Health lessons will be taught for one week during the marking period and include two synchronous lessons and two asynchronous lessons instead of five asynchronous lessons as assigned in the first quarter.
- The length and complexity of social studies, science, and health asynchronous assignments have been reduced.
- Related arts asynchronous assignments have been streamlined.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik
Forest Ridge News...
Inclement Weather Policy for 2020-21 School Year
As the weather gets colder, we begin to think about how inclement weather will be handled this year. Please take a look here to get familiar with this school year's inclement weather procedures.
From the Health Room
Check out this flyer about pediatric eye exams with one year of follow-up for uninsured or under-insured children.
Media Matters and Tech Tidbits
- Return Media Books- If you still have HCPSS media books (from any school), you may return them at FRES during school hours in the drop-off bin in the main vestibule.
- 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.
- Students in grades K-5 have been working on computer science and coding units. We are so impressed with their skills! An excellent website to learn access additional coding apps and websites, visit code.org and follow the Learn link.
School Meals - Winter Break
Howard County public schools will be closed for winter break from Thursday, December 24, 2020 through Friday, January 1, 2021. There will be no meal service during this time. To ensure children have access to essential nutrition during the holiday period, families may pick up additional meals in advance of the break.
The following adjustments will be made to meal services:
- There is no meal service Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1. Meal service will resume on Monday, January 4, 2021.
- Meals for December 23–27 will be available for pickup at any HCPSS meal site on Wednesday, December 23.
- Pre-ordering will not be available for meals picked up December 21–23 or January 4–6. Walk up (non-pre-ordered) meals may be picked up those and other days schools are in session.
- Pre-ordering services will resume Monday, January 4 for meals to be picked up beginning Thursday, January 7.
Meals are provided at no cost to any HCPSS student or any child under age 18. More information about 2020-2021 meal services is provided online.
HCPSS is providing 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. HCPSS has added 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.
From the PTA...
It is a time for spirit at FRES! As we conclude Inclusive Schools Week, the spirit continues with a PTA Spirit Week next week and a Spirit Night at Ledo Pizza in Fulton on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Grab some pizza before settling in for our PTA meeting on Zoom.
Teacher/Staff Gifts: Some guidance on gift giving during the pandemic: If you wish to drop off a gift at the school, someone will be in the building each day from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and can meet you in the car loop if you call when you arrive. Online gift cards are also an easy option. For safety reasons, please do not include homemade food items at this time. "Favorite things" lists can be found
here. Students can also send notes, virtual cards, or a video greeting.
Fundraising: The See's Candies sale raised $603! Thank you for your support with this fundraiser. I hope that everyone enjoys their treats!
Reflections Arts Competition: We had four students enter the contest in art (Sahiba B., Uma G., Amina H., and Amara H.) and two in literature (Amelia B., Emory H.) All six students will be moving forward to compete at the state level. Congratulations!
Wellness Kits: If your child hasn't received one yet, it is still possible to arrange a time to pick one up at the school. Please send an email to Ms. Schuck to coordinate a time.
Upcoming PTA Meetings: (Via Zoom) Mon. December 14, Tues. January 12 (Rescheduled date) February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. and have the passcode frespta.
Topic: This month's meeting will have a guest speaker who will be talking about the new LightSpeed platform and instructional support tool that helps teachers keep students on track and safe as they navigate online learning.
PTA Spirit Week: Post a picture on the FRES PTA Facebook daily thread with #FREShasSpirit for a chance to win a treat basket. One entry per day, open to all FRES families and staff. Drawing will be held on Dec. 21. Download a printable reminder at
http://tiny.cc/spiritfres
Dec. 14 - Holiday vacation - wear something that reminds you of your favorite vacation spot
Dec. 15 - Wear your favorite hat or headband
Dec. 16 - Dress like a present
Dec. 17 - Sparkle and shine
Dec. 18 - Wear your favorite holiday colors
PTA Spirit Nights:
Monday, Dec. 14 - Ledo Pizza in Fulton - Information is in this flyer. When placing your carryout orders, please mention the Forest Ridge Spirit Night. This will run from 4-8 p.m.
Jan. 6 - Noodles and Co. Laurel
Feb. 3 - Chipotle Maple Lawn
Save the Date: Virtual Bingo night will be held on January 21.
PTA Request: We are looking for a donation of a newspaper vending type box that we could use at FRES for picking up/dropping off items. If you have any ideas, please email me at president@frespta.org
Feedback: Please let us know if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions either by email or via our suggestion box. Suggestions are anonymous, so if you would like a reply, please include your email address.
Have a wonderful weekend and for those celebrating, I wish you joy, light, and happiness this Hanukkah!
Korin Sharp
In the Community...
Direct Food Support for Howard County Families
Coordinated by the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), the goal of the Holiday Food Support Project is to increase food access and awareness of resources and services during this holiday season for families experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship. The program will provide $100 in direct food support (one per family - duplicate registrations will be cancelled). Registration is required; choose ONE of the following four Howard County locations for pickup between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.:
• Elkridge 50+ Center: 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075
• North Laurel 50+ Center: 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723
• Howard Crossing Apartment Homes: 8732 Town and Country Boulevard, Ellicott City 21043
• Long Reach Village Center: 8775 Cloud Leap Court, Columbia 21045
Community News and Programs
Be sure to check out the Howard County Community News and Programs page here!
Reservoir High School Young Activists Toy Drive
This group of young people at RHS is dedicated to doing good works in the community. Check out the flyer here.