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March 29th Grades 3-5 students in Group A start back
April 1st Grades 3-5 students in Group B start back
April 2-6 Spring Break - Schools closed
April 12 PTA Meeting
April 14 Schools close 3 hours early - end of 3rd quarter
April 19 Spirit Night: - Maiwand Kabob - Maple Lawn
April 27 Group "A" and "E" Picture Day (more information to come)
April 28 "Virtual" Students' Picture Day (by appointment - sign-up link coming soon)
April 29 Group "B" Picture Day (more information to come)
Dear FRES Community,
We are excited to welcome back our students in grades 3-5 next week. On Monday students in Group A will start, and on Thursday students in Group B will start. In case you weren’t able to attend our Parent Information Night, here is the link to the presentation. Also, if your child is riding a bus please be sure to send them on the bus on the first day of school to help with consistency. Click here to view the bus routes for FRES.
Afternoon Pick Up - A few reminders about car loop during afternoon pick up.
Please be patient. It has been taking about 15 minutes from the time we call the students for dismissal until all students are picked up.
We have more students returning to school starting this Monday. We expect the pick up time to increase a little.
Remember no one is to park in the school parking lot. Please stay in your car or designated walker pick up area.
We promise we will move as quickly as we can in order to keep everyone safe. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
Digital Education Center Virtual Information Center
HCPSS is considering a virtual school option for students in grades K-12 who are unable to attend traditional schools or who wish to remain virtual for the 2021-2022 (upcoming) school year. Students and families are invited to attend a virtual information session on March 31 at 1 or 7 p.m. Registration required
We hope everyone has a great weekend,
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik
From Our Attendance Secretary, Ms. Williams
Hello Parents!
Please remember to email fresabsence@hcpss.org and the teacher when your child will be absent from school. Unfortunately, if we don't have a note, the absence will be coded as unexcused. Also, the email should come from you, the parent, and not from your child. Thanks so much!
On another note, please pack extra clothing for your children. The health room does not have extra clothes to provide for students in case of an unfortunate event.
NEW! Check out this list of mobile COVID testing sites here.
Joni Dorsey RN/School Health Services
Forest Ridge Health Room
News From Mrs. Schuck
Don't forget to check out Mrs. Schuck's Guidance Page Here!
GT Summer Institutes for Talent Development Registration Open
Online registration for the GT Summer Institutes for Talent Development is now open! These enrichment classes for students entering grades 1 through 8 in 2021-2022 include offerings in the humanities, science, mathematics, technology, and the arts. Course lists, registration instructions through HCPSS Connect, costs, and dates are all available on the Summer Programs page. Courses include fully virtual and fully face-to-face (in person) options. The first window for registration requests closes on Monday, March 29 at 6 p.m. Be sure to register today!
From the PE Teachers
Important PE Updates:
If your child is returning to the building for hybrid learning, please have them bring a water bottle that can be refilled for PE.
Picture Days
Students who attend on "A" day and our "E" students will have their photographs taken on April 27; students receiving virtual-only instruction will be photographed on April 28 (appointments will be required; a sign-up link will be sent soon); and those students attending on "B" Days will have their pictures taken on April 29. All orders will be placed online and mailed to parents. Ordering information coming soon.
Media Matters and Tech Tidbits
Grades 2-3 Book Club: The Media Team is thrilled to announce our virtual FRES BOOK CLUB for students and their grownups in grades 2-3 on May 26th at 6pm via Google Meet. We will be reading “ Ellray Jakes is Not a Chicken” by Sally Warner. Register your student for a free book by visiting https://forms.gle/AhwdabcDAyrL4DQh7 . * You must be signed into your student’s account for access.* For more information, please email loreal_edmondson@hcpss.org.
Is your child’s Chromebook glitchy, sometimes dropping the meet, the mic not working, or taking a long time for connection? Below are two suggestions that you can do to speed it up and prepare it for our final few months of school!
Check to see if your child has added extensions (go to the three dots in the upper right corner, down to More Tools, over to Extensions.) Extensions may make the cursor leave fairy dust, look like a unicorn or emoji, or have a colorful background. These should all be removed in order to free up space, eliminate distractions from the screen, and stop interruption of the Google Meet files. Students have not been instructed to add any extensions to their Chromebooks, and we can not support the technology if there are extensions used that were placed there by students.
If your child’s Chromebook is glitchy, please perform a Reset. This is more than turning the Chromebook off then on again. The directions for a Reset, which will put it back to factory settings and the initial HCPSS set up, can be found at this link: Chromebook Reset. Weekends are a great time to follow these steps so that the Chromebook is ready for Monday morning instruction.
Please remind your child that Chromebooks are for instructional purposes only. They should be used between 9:30 am - 4 pm only, then put away until the next school day
Thank you for your support and assistance!
The Media/Tech Team
Clair Wise clair_wise@hcpss.org
Heather Tordella heather_tordella@hcpss.org
L'oreal Edmondson loreal_edmondson@hcpss.org
K-5 2021-22 New Student Registration Open Now and PreK Registration Starts Monday, March 15
Registration is online. Visit www.hcpss.org/enroll for information and to register. Note: If your child is currently enrolled at FRES and will continue to attend next year, you do not need to re-register. Your child will automatically be "rolled over" into the new school year.
Families are encouraged to visit the Grade K Family and Community Resources page for more information about the kindergarten instructional program and ways families can support their children at home.
Pre-K Registration begins the week of March 15, 2021.
The Prekindergarten Family and Community Resources page also contains resources for families and providers for children currently in their prekindergarten year.
Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten
The Forest Ridge Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) Pre-Kindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st or are already 4 may learn more about the program by reviewing the Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (English). Applications will be accepted starting February 11, 2021 and priority will be given to applications received by April 1st.
Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Chinese)
Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Spanish)
If you need assistance to complete the application, please contact Early Intervention Services at earlyinterventionservcies@hcpss.org or at 410-313-7017.
HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person). If you have any additional questions, please contact Tricia Walls at tricia_walls@hcpss.org or 410-880-5950.
Need Food Support?
The North Laurel/Savage Multi-Service Center (9900 Washington Blvd, Laurel) is running a food pantry weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-4, and every third Saturday of the month from 9-1. Please reach out to Ms. Schuck if you need assistance with transportation or have other needs at this time!
View the flyer in English
View the flyer in Spanish
Indoor Recess Materials Drive: If you've started spring cleaning and have found extra coloring books, activity books, or individual brain teasers or games, please consider donating them to FRES for students to use during indoor recess since they will be maintaining physical distancing. Items can be dropped off in the front door vestibule area and will be quarantined before use.
Wish Lists: FRES PTA has compiled an Amazon Wish List to help make the transition to hybrid school as easy as possible for teachers and students. The wishlist can be found at http://tiny.cc/freswishlist and can be directly shipped to the school. You can also purchase from another store and drop items off at FRES. Teachers may have classroom-specific wish lists. Some supplies have already begun arriving. Thank you for your support!
Casting for the Virtual FRES Variety Show – Send Us Your Video Auditions: Mark your calendars for the virtual PTA Variety Show Thursday, May 20, 2021! We are seeking talented FRES performers to cast in the show. Tryouts are open to all FRES students in any performance area, including singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians, poets, solo artists and groups – the list is endless. Send in your video auditions to fresptao@frespta.org. Video auditions should be two minutes or less and will be accepted now through Friday, April 16, 2021. Questions? Contact Tangie Smith at tangelats@gmail.com
FRES Culture Fest 2021: Through Culture Fest over the past few years, FRES PTA celebrated the many cultures that make our FRES community diverse and strong. Due to the pandemic, this year FRES PTA is teaming up with Bushy Park ES PTA to join them for their county-wide virtual International Night over Zoom!! Mark your calendars for April 23, 2021 from 7pm - 8pm! There are many ways to participate and highlight your culture or country of origin! You can make a slideshow about your country/culture or record a dance or special talent unique to your culture. You can share recipes or crafts to represent your country/culture. You can even recommend children's books that highlight your culture/country. To sign up or see more ways to participate, see: https://www.bushyparkpta.org/international-night-2021 For more information, contact Khaleda Hasan at kbhschools@gmail.com.
Spirit Wear: Save up to 30% with code MARCH21 at checkout! New designs have been added, you won't want to miss this new spring gear! Order here and save 20% off $50 with promo code LAYER21. Purchases will be shipped directly to homes. FRES PTA will receive a quarterly donation for 10% of sales. This sale will end March 31.
Grocery Rewards: Great news! Weis Markets has announced that grocery rewards will be retroactive. You can take the barcode into the store and they will link it to your savings card! We are also participating in Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal), BoxTops, and Coke Rewards. Please visit https://frespta.org/ways-to-support/grocery-storeshopping-programs/ for more information on these programs that provide financial support to FRES based on purchases you already make.
Communication: There are several ways to receive communications including www.frespta.org, the FRES PTA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA/, and Twitter @frespta. There is also a group that was formed for discussion and support and is for current FRES families.
Membership: It's not too late to join the PTA. Your membership will be valid until September 2021. Visit www.frespta.org/membership and it's only one $10 payment.
Volunteers Needed: We are looking for volunteers and leaders for several committees. Please check out the list and comment with your name and email address so we can contact you with more information.
Save the Date:
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.
Please email Korin Sharp at president@frespta.org if you have any questions on this week’s update. Thanks and have a great weekend!
New HCPSS Community News and Programs Site:
In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.”
Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.