June 3, 2022 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 06/03/2022 - 9:24am
  • 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
June 10                 5:30-7:30 PTA-Sponsored 5th Grade Mini-Golf (See below under "From the PTA")
June 11                  PTA-Sponsored 5th Grade End-of-Year Party (See below under "From the PTA")
June 13                 Last Day for Girls on the Run Charity Donations

                             1st Grade Author's Tea
June 13                 7:30-8:00 p.m. Special in-person PTA meeting to elect new PTA board and vote on revised by-laws
June 14                 AM Preschool and MINC-PS End of Year Celebration, families welcome to join at 10:30am
                               PM MINC-PS and Pre-K End of Year Celebration, families welcome to join at 2:30pm
June 15                 3-hour early dismissal (12:45)
June 16                 3-hour early dismissal (12:45)
June 17                  Last Day of School!  3-hour early dismissal (12:45)
                               All student medications must be picked up by dismissal or they will be discarded

View the HCPSS Calendar in English
View the HCPSS Calendar in Spanish
View the HCPSS Calendar in Korean
View the HCPSS Calendar in Chinese

***Want to receive HCPSS text messages regarding weather-related closing info, late bus info, etc.?  You must opt-in.  Text "YES" to 67587 from the device on which you would like to receive messages.***

From our Administrators...

Dear FRES Community,

We have one more week to go and a lot to be happy about.  Today was a great day of celebrations.  We celebrated with our Kindergarten students as they performed for all their families.  It was a beautiful day and we couldn’t be more proud of our Kindergarten students.  This afternoon we celebrated with our fifth grade students and their families.  It was a fantastic celebration and it was so nice to see how these students have matured during their time here at FRES.  We are looking forward to a great celebration on Saturday night with our fifth graders. Next week we will be celebrating all of our students with Pumped Up Recess on Wednesday.  Also, just a reminder that the last three days of school are early dismissal days (dismissal at 12:45).  

We hope everyone has a great weekend!

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Moving/Moved?
Please help us keep our records up to date - If you are moving over the summer but staying within Howard County, please use this Address Change form and email it to rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org along with your new residency documents (deed or lease, plus utility bill). We can let you know if your child will stay at FRES or attend a school in a different district.  If you have moved or are moving out of Howard County, please use this Withdrawal Form and email it to rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org.  If you have media books, computers, etc., that belong to HCPSS, please email rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org or christin_traini@hcpss.org to arrange for drop off of those items.

Year-End Reminder from the Health Room
If your student has medication stored in the Health Room, all medication will need to be picked up no later than the end of the school day on Friday, June 17th.  Letters will be sent home with students who have medications here in the Health Room at FRES, so please be on the lookout and check their take home folders or backpacks .  Please make arrangements to pick up your student's medication BEFORE the school year ends.  Our Health Room is open during school hours and medication must be picked up by a parent/guardian or will be disposed of by the end of the school day on Friday June 17th.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Health Room at 410-888-8811

Girls On The Run Charity Project
Our students who participate in Girls On The Run after school are doing a community service project.  They are collecting toys, books, summer clothing, and non-perishable food items for needy Forest Ridge families.  If you have anything you would like to donate, please send it to the FRES office.  Please keep in mind that our families most likely have limited storage space, so please no large items.  Please send them to FRES by Monday, June 13.

Student Chromebook Inventory Continues
As we prepare for the end of the school year, we are conducting our Chromebook inventory process. Students in Grades K-4 will keep their Chromebooks at school over the summer.  Devices will be assessed for damage, and, if needed, tickets will be filed to repair the device over the summer to ensure that all students have a working Chromebook in the fall.  All families are encouraged to visit the Chromebook Responsibilities page for detailed information.

Please make note of this additional information below:

  • All students who will not be enrolled in a HCPSS school next year must return their Chromebook and charger to school  
  • RECC/PreK students will continue to keep their Chromebook at home for instructional needs
  • Grade 5 students will keep their Chromebooks at home for middle school
  • All students enrolled in the Digital Education Center (DEC) will continue to keep their Chromebooks at home for next year
  • Students enrolled in HCPSS summer school will bring their device home for that purpose
  • Students who are assigned loaner devices at school due to outstanding charges associated with damaged Chromebooks will not bring a device home.

Thank you for your support with our Technology program, and have a wonderful summer!

Kindergarten Registration for 2022-2023 School Year is Open and On-Going
If you live in the FRES district and have a child who is or will be 5 by September 1, 2022, please register your child for kindergarten. Our staffing for next year depends on our number of expected kindergarten students.  Check out this link for more information.

From the Health Room

  • HCPSS Daily Symptom Check list:  https://www.hcpss.org/2021-2022/health-and-safety/#health-check
  • What do I need to show as proof of a negative COVID test result?

    Effective April 5, 2022, if a student or staff member exhibits COVID-like symptoms, the parent/guardian or staff may submit any of the following to show proof of a negative test and return to the building:

    • Negative PCR test result - A copy of the test result should be emailed to the school nurse or health assistant
    • Negative rapid test result - A copy of the test result should be emailed to the school nurse or health assistant
    • Negative at-home test result - A photo of the negative test, along with the student or staff member's full name, date of birth, and the date and time the test was taken should be emailed to the school nurse or health assistant, who will follow up with parents/guardians as necessary.

    A negative rapid test result will not require a confirmatory PCR test if the student or staff member has not been identified as a close contact or part of a cohort outbreak.

From the PTA...

**5th Grade Items**
5th Grade Mini Golf
Friday, June 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Laurel Mini Golf at 9801 Fort Meade Rd. in Laurel (by the Amish Market.) Tickets are $5 per child and includes golf, chips, and a drink. They can be purchased in advance on Memberhub or a limited quantity will be available at the door. 
 
5th Grade Glow Dance Party (NEW DATE - JUNE 11)
Due to logistics issues, the party will now be held Saturday, June 11 from 7-9 p.m. at FRES. This event is FREE and for 5th graders only. Permission slips will be collected by the 5th grade team. This is a drop-off event. Volunteers and donations are needed t.ly/5GRparty.  
 
PVMS Principal Meet & Greet Q&A Session

Prior to the special PTA meeting, Mr. Robb, the principal at PVMS, will be holding a Meet and Greet Q&A session for 5th graders and their parents from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at FRES on June 13.Special PTA Meeting June 13
We will be having a special in-person PTA meeting on June 13 from 7:30-8 p.m. at FRES to vote for a new board and to approve the revised bylaws. (Review them HERE.) Prior to the meeting, Mr. Robb, the principal at PVMS, will be holding a Meet and Greet Q&A session for 5th graders and their parents.

Board Nominations Needed!
Nominate yourself or a friend to help keep the FRES PTA going. Nomination form is HERE. No experience necessary.

Auction

Thanks again for participating in the auction. If you still need to coordinate your auction item pick up or redemption, please email president@frespta.org.

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.

HC Drug Free Events
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/