November 12, 2021 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 11/11/2021 - 1:07pm
  • To opt-in to HCPSS Text messages, text "YES" to 67587 from the device on which you would like to receive messages.
  • Be sure to click on the "Calendar" link at the top of our website for important dates throughout the school year.
  • View the breakfast and lunch menus here.  Please keep in mind that items on the menus are subject to availability.

Important Dates
November 15       Online Book Fair Ordering Starts
November 15       Joe Corbi's Fundraiser Pickup, 4:00-7:00 p.m.  Orders MUST be picked up at this time.  Items cannot be stored overnight.
November 18       4:00 p.m. Conference scheduling closes
November 19       School Spirit Jersey Day!  Wear your favorite sports jersey, FRES spiritwear, or FRES colors
November 22       Schools close 3 hours early (12:40) for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 23       Schools close 3 hours early (12:40) for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 24       Schools closed for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 25-26  Schools closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
December 23-January 2  Winter Break - Schools Closed

Forest Ridge News...

Online Book Fair is Coming!
The Forest Ridge Scholastic Book Fair is ONLINE ONLY THIS YEAR. Ordering will be open from November 15th- November 28th.  Fliers will be distributed for students to preview choices on November 14th. 

Please do not send money for book fair orders to school.  All ordering will be online at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/forestridgeelementaryschool5.

Meet the Authors
Meet author team Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, who will read and discuss their book, And Tango Makes Three. View the flyer here.

Attention Volunteers - Reminder

  • All volunteers and visitors who interact with students, and parents/guardians who are conducting classroom observations are required to use the PinPoint platform to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 of at least five school days in advance.  Learn how to access and use the PinPoint Vaccine Check platform here.
  • Also, before you come to volunteer, please complete the 2 trainings here, and bring the certificates of completion with you when you come to volunteer.  
  • Thank you for your help!

Holiday Help
From Our School Counselor, Ms. Norris

  • If you need assistance for the upcoming holidays (Thanksgiving meals, holiday gifts etc.), please fill out this form so we can provide support in the form of a gift card!  Holiday Help
  • Si necesita ayuda para las próximas vacaciones (comidas de Acción de Gracias, regalos navideños, etc.), complete este formulario para que podamos brindarle apoyo en forma de tarjeta de regalo Ayuda de vacaciones
  • Bridgeway Community Church is holding a Thanksgiving basket giveaway.  The event is being held on Friday, November 19 from 3-7 p.m.  Families may pick up from either the Columbia OR Owings Mills/Reisterstown locations.  View the flyer here.  Please Note: this is a First Come, First Served event.  Recipients are NOT required to register before the event.  However, recipients will be asked to provide their Photo I.D., name, and phone number at pick up.
  • Is YOUR family able to help a FRES family? We are accepting gift card donations in increments of $5, $10, or $25 dollars! Donate as much or as little as you're able. Please put gift cards in an envelope and drop off to the front office staff. Times to donate are 8:35-4:05, Monday-Friday. Thanks for considering!  If you have questions, please contact the School Counselor, alyssa_norris@hcpss.org or Pupil Personnel Worker, heather_graham@hcpss.org

From the Health Room
Would you like your 5-11 year old to get the COVID vaccine?  Here is information about a clinic:

STANDING CLINIC
St John Baptist Church
9055 Tamar Dr., Columbia, MD 21045
Tuesday - Friday 11:00a - 6:00p
Saturday  9:00a - 4:00
(Pfizer 5-11)
No registration required
(Vaccination by FirstCall Urgent Care) 
Call 410-730-3399 to confirm availability
More information
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19-vaccine#health-department-vaccination-clinics

Covid-19 Self Screenings:  All parents/guardians are to perform a COVID-19 health check every day before your student leaves home. Students are not to come to school if they are experiencing any symptom(s) associated with COVID-19 or other communicable disease.  Here's a fun emoji illness chart that can help.

From the PTA...

We have lots of important information to share this week!
Joe Corbi's order pick up day will be Monday, Nov. 15 from 4-7 p.m. in the bus loop.  We cannot store items overnight. 
 
A Reflections Information Session will be held on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. We are collecting entries for the National PTA Reflections Program. The Reflections Program is a County, State, and National PTA Art competition – with prizes. This year’s theme is “I Will Change the World By…” The deadline for entries is Dec. 1, 2021.  More information is on the website https://frespta.org/2021/11/01/calling-all-fres-artists/ Is your student thinking about submitting an entry for the Reflections Program but isn't sure what it's all about? Please join us for an information session November 17 at 7 p.m. via Google Meet.  

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ycq-oaju-rrg
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 219-767-0046‬ PIN: ‪917 030 001‬#

 
The FRES PTA See's Candies sale is open now until December 3. All items are ordered online and shipped directly to the recipient. FRES PTA will receive 10-20% back on orders. Items are priced at retail, flat rate shipping is available, and free shipping on orders $70+. All of See's Candies are naturally gluten free and make great holiday gifts. Visit tiny.cc/FREScandy
 
Our next Spirit Night will be at Tampico Grill, located at 42 Washington Blvd. in Laurel, on November 16 from 5-9:30 p.m. Mention FRES in person or over the phone 301-490-5200. (Online orders not accepted for promotion.)
 
Our new Spirit Wear promotion offers "Black Friday All Month" savings of 25% through Nov. 30. New items have been added. Free shipping on orders $75+. Order at 1stplace.sale/44343 
 
Membership Update: We're at 58 members! FRES families, staff, and community members can join at www.frespta.org/join. It is only $10 per year for an individual or $16 per year for a family. Memberships are valid September through August. 
 
Grocery Rewards: We are participating in Weis, Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal each 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

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. 
 
Communication: Make sure to check out the FRES PTA Facebook page or FRES Parents and Guardians page to connect with other FRES families. 

Upcoming PTA Meetings: November 29, December 20, January 31, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23. 

Volunteers Needed: We are looking for volunteers and leaders for ALL committees. Please check out the list and comment with your name and email address so we can contact you with more information. 

Please contact Korin Sharp with any questions at president@frespta.org

Check out the PTA website here.

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/