May 28, 2021 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 05/27/2021 - 12:20pm

 

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Important Dates

May 31                     Memorial Day Holiday - Schools and Offices Closed
June 4                      2:00-3:00 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearing Presentations
June 8                      Last Day for PreK Students
June 9                      5th Grade Closing Ceremony (see below)
June 10                    3-hour Early Dismissal
                                  6:00-7:30 5th Grade End of Year Drive-Through Celebration (see below)
June 11                    3-hour Early Dismissal
                                  6:30-8:00 PTA Take Away Ice Cream Social
June 14                    3-hour Early Dismissal
June 14                    7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting (Open to all)
June 15                    Last Day of School!!!  (3-hour early dismissal)
June 15                    Last Day to Order a Yearbook (see PTA News below)

 

From our Administrators...

Dear FRES Community,

It’s hard to believe that May is already ending!  We know that this year has been like no other; however, it has been nice watching our students grow academically.  We continue to thank you for all your support at home and know that this has not been easy for you, as parents/guardians. We will continue to update you on End of Year activities via Canvas and School Messenger.  Please be on the lookout next week for the Early Dismissal schedules.  

We hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and are crossing our fingers for some nice weather. 

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

We Still Have Quite a Few Picture Envelopes That Haven't Been Picked Up
Hello Parents of Virtual Students - If you brought your child to school for pictures on April 28 and haven't yet picked up your envelope, please call the office to arrange pickup.  Remember, everyone who was photographed on April 28 has an envelope to pick up, whether they ordered in advance or not. 

Grade 5 Closing Activities

1. We’re sure you have been awaiting news about the Grade 5 Closing Ceremony. This year our ceremony will be virtual. On June 9th, we will hold two Google Meet sessions. We split the ceremony into 2 different times due to the size of the grade. During these Meet sessions we will present a slideshow celebrating the students. The slideshow will be available to view after the Meet sessions on the Team 5 Canvas page. Please read over all the details below:

  • Date: June 9, 2021
    Times:
    Mrs. O’Connell’s and Ms. Plunkett’s classes @ 10:00 a.m.
    Mrs. Ports’, Mr. Whiteford’s, and Ms. Yi’s classes @ 11:00 a.m.

  • Parents and Guardians can log on to the Meet with their child. Your child will need to use his/her HCPSS account to log on to the Meet; no outside emails will be permitted to join the Meet sessions.

  • Usually in-person E students are in school on Wednesdays. If your child will be in school that day and you will need assistance with joining the Meet, please contact your child’s teacher before June 4th. 

  • Codes for the Meet will be sent out the week before.

2.  5th Grade Drive-Through Celebration & Marquee Photo-Op - Evening of June 10
All 5th graders and their families are invited to drive through the FRES bus loop between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, to celebrate our wonderful students moving on to middle school! The PTA's 5th Grade Activities Committee is working with FRES Staff on plans for a drive through where students and families can see their teachers and receive a few gifts from the PTA, including 5th grade t-shirts and FRES yard signs. We’ll also have a photo op (with props) at the FRES marquee sign, so families are welcome to park in the lot and stop by the marquee to take a fun photo. Suggested timeframes: Last name A-G arrive 6 pm to 6:30pm; Last name H-N arrive 6:30pm to 7 pm; Last name O-Z arrive 7 pm to 7:30pm. If you need to arrive at a different time than suggested, no problem - this is a guide to regulate traffic flow. We hope to see all of our 5th graders to wish them all the best next year!

Media Matters and Tech Tidbits

  • Summer reading at the Howard County public library is back! The program offers reading events, activities and has weekly challenges for every grade level. Prizes will be given to students who complete the program. Also, FRES students who complete the program will be recognized in the Forerunner and will get a special surprise treat in the fall. To sign-up, visit http://hclibrary.org/summer/
  • Summer Slugger Program with Howard County Library:  Help stop summer slide and satisfy young baseball fans! The Orioles have partnered with Everfi to offer Summer Slugger, a free game-based learning program with online math and reading challenges designed for students entering 4th and 5th grades. Learn how to sign up for this fun and engaging program.  https://howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/events/summer-slugger-online-5
  • Wondering how to care for your Chromebook over summer break? Check out this helpful page. https://www.hcpss.org/devices/chromebook-care/
From the Health Room
Have a student that needs Tdap, MCV4, Varicella, MenB or HPV?
Child immunization clinics at Howard County Health Department
  • When: every Thursday afternoon in June from 1:30 -3:30pm
  • Location: Howard County Health Department
  • 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia MD 21045
  • How: call 410-313-7500 to make an appointment, and please bring your immunization record with you.          

New guidelines form the Maryland Department of Health for Covid like symptoms.  Student that has any ONE of the following symptoms will be sent home

  • fever of 100.4 or higher
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • difficulty breathing
  • diarrhea or vomiting
  • new onset of severe headache (especially with fever)
  • new loss of taste or smell
**Students with chronic conditions such as asthma, the symptoms should change from baseline**  Any questions and/or concerns feel free to contact the health room.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!!
 
Joni Dorsey RN/School health services
Forest Ridge health room

Joni_dorsey@hcpss.org

K-5 2021-22 New Student Registration and PreK Registration Open Now
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.

The Prekindergarten Family and Community Resources page also contains resources for families and providers for children currently in their prekindergarten year.

Hammond High School Boosters Summer Sports Camps
Hammond Boosters is proud to once again offer summer sports camps to rising 4th-9th graders.  Campers will be coached by HS coaches, grouped by age/ability, have drill periods, competitions, and get better!  Each camp is $125 and each participant receives an Under Armour Hammond High School t-shirt.  Please see the attached flier for details and contact information.  

From the PTA...

School of Excellence Survey: FRES is continuing the process towards becoming a National PTA School of Excellence and your help is needed. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Surveys are due by May 28. Here is a letter with some background information on the process. We have not yet reached the minimum number of completed surveys to submit our final application. http://tiny.cc/FRESsurvey2 
 
The deadline to order yearbooks is June 15! The cost is $19.50 plus shipping, taxes and fees. Yearbooks will be shipped to your home address, not the school.   
How to order:
2) Select "Second Chance Order Form" at the bottom of of the home screen
3) The access key for the yearbook is QGPYBPCC
4) Enter your student's name and your contact information. If you want to order a book for more than one child, you'll see a "(order another)" next to your child's name at the top of the page. Chick that link to order another.
5) Proceed to the cart and checkout as you normally would. Note, your full mailing address may not show up on the billing screen, but should be visible on your receipt. 
Expect to receive your yearbook in about four to six weeks.
 
Ice Cream Social to Go: Save the date for the FRES Ice Cream Social to go on Friday, June 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. 
 
Fifth Grade Activities: Save the Date! All fifth graders and their families are invited to drive through the bus loop at FRES between 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, to celebrate our wonderful students moving on to middle school. 
 
Variety Show: The Variety Show will now be held during the last PTA meeting of the year on June 14. 
 
Call for Two New PTACHC Delegates (to start in September 2021): Do you have an interest in playing a key role in the FRES PTA, but don’t have a lot of time to commit? Volunteer to be a county-level PTA delegate for FRES for the next school year! We will need two FRES delegates for the PTA Council of Howard County [PTACHC] for 2021-2022 since our current delegates are moving on. You will hear first-hand about new developments at the county level, and how they may impact FRES and your family. The meetings are typically held the first Monday evening of the month in Ellicott City. Website: https://www.ptachc.org/ With two FRES delegates, you’d alternate meetings, so the commitment would be one meeting every other month to attend and report back to FRES on the highlights. With 70+ PTAs in Howard County, the meetings are large and held in a lecture-type setting. No previous experience is necessary. Please view the FRES PTACHC job description here. If you are interested, please email Korin Sharp president@frespta.org by Friday, May 14 . Thank you!
 
Volunteers Needed: We are looking for volunteers and leaders for ALL committees for next year. Please check out the list and comment with your name and email address so we can contact you with more information. 
 
May Spirit Wear Promotion: New Spirit Wear Promotion for May! Save 10% off orders $50+, 20% off orders $75+ and 30% off $100+ with the code SPRUCE21. https://1stplace.sale/44343
 
Grocery Rewards: We are participating in Weis, Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal in August), 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.

Box Tops – Earn Cash for FRES via App or Send in Physical Clips to School: FRES families can scan their grocery receipts for cash for FRES! Look for Box Tops logos on cereal, granola bars, Annie’s products, Yoplait, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Nestle water, Paper Mate pens, etc. Download the Box Tops app to scan your receipts; FRES earns 10 cents per product! Receipts must be scanned within 14 days of purchase; digital receipts (for online food purchases at Walmart, AmazonSmile, etc.) can be emailed. See boxtops4education.com for instructions and a complete list of participating products. The Box Tops program will continue to honor physical Box Top clips from products until they expire. Send any Box Tops into school with your child in a baggie or envelope. Or stop by the FRES building for contactless drop off in our Box Tops bin in the vestibule during school hours. Thank you for your support

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.

Save the Date:

  • Upcoming General PTA Meetings: June 14 at 7 p.m. (Open to all)

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!

Korin Sharp

President
Forest Ridge Elementary PTA

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In the Community...

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.

Receive HC DrugFree's Free Newsletter: To receive HC DrugFree's free electronic newsletter packed with information for parents and opportunities for students, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/