December 4, 2020 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 12/04/2020 - 10:51am

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From our Administrators...

Dear FRES Community,

Welcome back!  We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving break.  We would like to thank all the parents that attended Parent/Teacher Conferences and if you were unable to attend, please reach out to your child’s teacher to set up a time to meet.  As always, we appreciate your partnership as we continue to navigate this virtual world. 

Inclusive Schools Week is celebrated across the country the week of December 7th.  The goals of Inclusive Schools Week are to:

  • Celebrate the progress of schools in educating an increasingly diverse student population

  • Acknowledge the hard work and commitment of schools, families and communities in creating inclusive opportunities for all children regardless of disability, gender, ethnicity, language, health status, etc.

  • Encourage reflection on how culture, policies and practices in schools can promote inclusive education

  • Promote action to increase the capacity of schools and communities to meet the needs of all learners.

Some ways our staff may be highlighting Inclusive Schools Week is by reading books aloud that highlight different disabilities as well as encourage participation from students with special needs.  In addition, Ms. Schuck will be hosting grade level Lunch Bunches each day.  Please mark your calendar now with this schedule:

Code: FRES-ISW
Time: 12:00
Monday, Dec 7 - 2nd grade
Tuesday, Dec 8 - K/1st grade
Wednesday, Dec 9 - 4th grade
Thursday, Dec 10 - 3rd grade
Friday, Dec 11 - 5th grade

Also, we will be having our first Virtual Spirit Week of the year to celebrate this special week.  Please encourage your child(ren) to dress in a special way for each day. 

Virtual Spirit Week:
Monday, Dec 7:  Be a HERO for inclusion. Dress up as someone you look up to or a superhero you admire.
Tuesday, Dec 8:  We are UNIQUE! Dress to show what makes you unique.
Wednesday, Dec 9:  EXERCISE your right to be different! Wear athletic wear.
Thursday, Dec 10:  Let’s “LIGHT IT UP BLUE” for Autism Awareness.
Friday, Dec 11:  Unity Day! We are all INCLUDED in the FRES community! Let’s wear our FRES colors/spirit wear to show how we are one!

Last, we know that many families continue to experience technology issues.  The following link was developed to help students and parents/guardians understand the process for when they are experiencing internet or power outages that is preventing them from engaging in virtual instruction. 

As always we appreciate your support.

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.

In NEED of Holiday Assistance this Year?
We frequently receive donations and opportunities to help families in need during the winter holiday times. If your family is in need of holiday assistance, please complete the Holiday Assistance Form by Monday December 14th.  We cannot make any guarantees, but we do our best to utilize our resources in a way that best supports our families in need!  If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Schuck (School Counselor) at alyssa_schuck@hcpss.org

¿Necesita ayuda este año?
Con frecuencia recibimos donaciones y oportunidades para ayudar a familias necesitadas durante las vacaciones de invierno. Si su familia necesita asistencia para las vacaciones, complete el formulario de solicitud de asistencia lo antes posible o antes del 14 de diciembre de 2020. No podemos ofrecer ninguna garantía, pero hacemos todo lo posible para utilizar nuestros recursos de la manera que mejor apoye a nuestras familias necesitadas. !Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con Alyssa Schuck (School Counselor) at alyssa_schuck@hcpss.org

Esto fue traducido usando Google Translate.

Wish to DONATE for Holiday Assistance?
If you’d like to help support our Forest Ridge families this holiday season, please fill out our Donations for Holiday Assistance Form by December 11th.  This is the virtual version of our “FRES Giving Wall”. Gift cards will be due to the school by December 15th.  The front office is open from 9:00-4:00 Mon-Fri but we can make a plan if those times don’t work for you.

¿Formulario de Donación Para Asistencia?
Si desea ayudar a apoyar a nuestras familias de Forest Ridge esta temporada de fiestas, complete nuestro formulario de donaciones para asistencia antes del 11 de diciembre. Esta es la versión virtual de nuestro “Giving Wall de FRES”. Las tarjetas de regalo se entregarán a la escuela el 15 de diciembre. La oficina principal está abierta de 9:00 a 4:00 de lunes a viernes, pero podemos hacer un plan si esos horarios no funcionan para usted.

Esto fue traducido usando Google Translate.

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

  • Congratulations to all of our Family Coding Night participants.  FRES has ROCKSTAR coders!  Thank you for particiapting and representing our school!

  • 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.

  • In order to be as safe as possible, FRES is suspending contactless pickup of books for the month of December. Books can still be returned in the blue bin at the front of FRES. They will be checked in after being quarantined.

  • We are fortunate to have a great resource with Savage Library.  For more information about how to access their contactless pickup and other services, please go to: http://hclibrary.org/books-movies-music/contactless-pickup/.  If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Tordella (heather_tordella@hcpss.org) or Mrs. E (loreal_edmondson@hcpss.org

School Meals
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...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! The See's Candies fundraiser ENDS TONIGHT. We are unable to offer any extensions once the storefront closes. Visit tiny.cc/frescandy for any last minute purchases. Prices are the same as retail and there is flat rate shipping available or free shipping on orders $70+. Products will be shipped directly to your home. FRES PTA will receive approximately 20% of sales.

Reflections Arts Competition: The Reflections Arts Competition deadline has been EXTENDED to Wednesday, Dec. 9! Students in PreK-12 can submit a work of art in categories such as visual art, literature, music, and more, under the theme "I Matter Because." Prizes will be awarded and winners will move on to compete at the state level. Here is more information. You can also visit www.pta.org/reflections. Please email treasurer@frespta.org with any questions or if your child needs help accessing supplies to create their project. Our friends at Clemens Crossing PTA made a really nice video explaining the program.

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 during free breakfast or lunch distribution. Please send an email to Ms. Schuck to coordinate a time.

Upcoming PTA Meetings: (Via Zoom) December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. and have the passcode frespta

Volunteer Opportunity Spotlight: 

1. Do you like planning events? The Wellness Committee could use help planning a virtual bingo night in January.

2. Do you like facilitating discussions? We are also looking for volunteers to help set up social Google Meets, like lunch bunches, a game, trivia, or discussion, to help students get to know their classmates outside of class time. We can help provide the ideas!

If you wish to volunteer for any of these opportunities, please email president@frespta.org for more information.

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!

Korin Sharp

In the Community...

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.