December 3, 2021 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Wed, 12/01/2021 - 9:34am
  • 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
December 3   Last Day to Order See's Candies
December 17 School Spirit "Make Kindness a Pattern" Day - Wear patterned clothing to show your kindness!
December 23-January 2  Winter Break - Schools Closed

From Our Administrators...

Dear FRES Community,
We hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with plenty of family time and lots of yummy foods!  December will be a short month with another break on the horizon.  Over the next few weeks we will be busy as usual. With that in mind, please be sure to get your children to school by 9:15 a.m.  Doors open at 9:00 for your convenience.  We have had an increase in late arrivals, which can be disruptive to classrooms and the front office as well as an ineffective start to your student’s day. 

Forest Ridge Elementary will celebrate Inclusive Schools Week December 6th - 10th.  Throughout the week, staff and students will review the importance of building an inclusive school community where all students feel a sense of belonging. 

Temperatures are dropping and cold weather is blowing so please remember to dress your children appropriately for playing outside.  Additionally, please write your child’s name inside jackets, coats, hats, gloves, etc. as our Lost & Found is growing exponentially.  If you have items missing, remind your child to check the Lost & Found.  It is located on a long coat rack in the cafeteria.  

This week we started two new buses so we now have only single bus routes.  Please be patient as the new drivers learn the routes and work on the timing.  

We hope everyone has a great weekend,

Mr. Conroy & Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Lunch Volunteers Still Needed for Grades K-2
We are always in need of lunch volunteers for Grades K-2.  If you can donate some time, please click on this link for more information and to sign up. 

  • 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.

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.

University of Maryland Study
The University of Maryland’s College of Education is seeking children (ages 4-14) to participate in some of our online studies. Participating families will receive a $5 Amazon gift card for each study your child participates in as compensation for your time!
Our research focuses broadly on how children think about fairness, friendship, and their developing reasoning about the social world. Participation typically involves a 15-30 minute Zoom session with a research assistant, and we use either animated stories or surveys to see what kids think.
 
If you are interested in having your child participate, please fill out the following form. Some children may be eligible for multiple studies, which have separate permission forms. Even if you fill out a form, your child is never obligated to participate and can choose to opt out at any point.https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_3Eopkr8zLNFrKmO 
 
If you have any questions, you can find out more about our research lab here: www.killenlab.umd.edu

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.

From the PTA...

See's Candies Fundraiser
Reminder: Today is the last day for the See’s Candies fundraiser! http://Tiny.cc/FREScandy

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:  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/