September 2, 2022 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 09/02/2022 - 1:12pm
  • 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
September 5    Labor Day Holiday - schools and offices closed
September 8    Individual Picture Day - See below for more info
September 9    PTA Welcome Back Picnic - view flyer
September 12  6:30 Back to School Night for Grades RECC-2nd
September 13  6:30 Back to School Night for Grades 3rd-5th (6:00 GT Presentation)
September 19  Noodles and Company Restaurant Night - view flyer
September 20  7:00 First PTA Meeting
September 21  Start of Joe Corbi's Fundraiser

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 successfully finished our first week of school!  Students are doing an outstanding job finding their classroom and participating in classes.   The bus transportation is getting better each day.  Thanks to all the parents/guardians the carloop is getting faster everyday as well.  Thank you for your patience and commitment to our students’ safety.  We hope everyone has a fantastic 3-day weekend.  We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 6th.

Thanks for all your help!

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Thursday, September 8 is Individual Picture Day at FRES.

  • All students will be photographed, whether parents place an order or not.
     
  • Attached is a flyer which gives pricing for various packages.  You will get a paper copy coming home tomorrow or Tuesday.  This flyer also contains the payment envelope.  Your child should bring the envelope to school on picture day and give it to the photographer when their photo is taken.
     
  • You can also order in advance online.  See this flyer for information.  Follow this link, and use the code FRESF22. 
     
  • If you don't place an order, you will still receive a wallet-size photo of your child.  There will be a code with the photo that you can use to order additional photos.
     
  • If your child is absent on September 8, there will be a make-up day to be determined.  We will inform our parents of the date via email and our weekly Forerunner newsletter.

Girls on the Run Registration is Open!  Visit gotrcentralmd.org for information.

From Mrs. DeOrio, Our Orchestra Director
ATTENTION ALL 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders!!!  Are you interested in playing a musical instrument? Join us in the Band or Orchestra!!! All information is on our website http://forestridgemusic.weebly.com/  Registration is open from now until September 9th, so don't delay! Here is a direct link to the registration page https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaR0lZXdG-naiKZCGcJQ49Wa8fU_ksHpIkVebubZdZSNIieA/viewfor.  Band and Orchestra is only offered to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, and classes will start the week of September 12th. Contact Mrs. De Orio (Orchestra- patricia_deorio@hcpss.org) or Mr. Pompei (Band- kyle_pompei@hcpss.org) with any questions or concerns.

Do You Want Your Child to Eat Lunch Outside?
We will once again offer parents the option to have their student eat outside.  This will take place on the covered walkway that leads to the bus loop, and under the tent next to it.  We need parents' permission to allow students to eat outside.  Please fill out the survey here.  Please note that once you have filled out the form, your child will be able to start eating outside the following Monday.  As a reminder, outside lunch will only be offered weather and staff permitting.  Thanks for understanding.

Be Sure to Fill Out Your Family File
70% of our parents have completed Family File!  Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect (this is the account you created when you completed the on-line registration.  If you did not register electronically, you may create an account.  Your login name is your email address.) Select the MORE OPTIONS tab on the left and then click on Family File. 

Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following information:

  •  Student Information

  •  Parent/Guardian Contact

  •  Emergency Contacts

  •  Medical Information

  •  Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

  •  Photo Approval Data Confidentiality

  •  PTA/PTSA Directory  

FAMILY FILE USER GUIDE (KOREAN) - https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions-korean.pdf

School Meals
Families are reminded that the federal government has NOT extended waivers allowing free meals for all students. Consequently, for the 2022-2023 school year, students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the daily meal price

Student Breakfast - $2.00
Student Lunch - $2.80

Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees and many others in addition to free or discounted meals. 

Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program are available online. Use the link below to apply.

FARMS Online Application Link:

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Please contact the front office if you have any questions or need assistance with applying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program or help with Family File.

From the PTA...

You did it! Week 1 Complete! Looking ahead…

You’re Invited to a Welcome Picnic on Friday, September 9th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm!
Please mark your calendars and RSVP https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SQQRWZP for our first major social of the year! The PTA will be hosting a Welcome Back Picnic for FRES students and families to come enjoy pizza, dessert, and games together! Of course, to make it all happen, your help is needed! Shift options, tasks, and the volunteer sign up can be found at https://frespta.ptboard.com

You’re Invited to Join the Forest Ridge 2022-2023 PTA!
The Forest Ridge Parent Teacher Association (FRES PTA) is a non-profit charity organization formed to support the FRES community. Its purpose is to promote collaboration, accountability, commitment, respect, and the value of diversity. The goal of the National PTA organization is to engage and empower families and communities to advocate for all children to reach their full potential.

All FRES parents, guardians, and staff are invited and encouraged to join our PTA and get involved in the community support work that it does! A PTA membership must be renewed each year so if you have joined in the past, please do so again for the 2022-2023 School Year! For a general overview, visit https://frespta.org/ or click  https://frespta.ptboard.com/ to go directly to the membership website to create an account and join! 

This video explains why other parents have joined a local PTA. Why Join PTA? https://youtu.be/xzGtGcYdEFs

Este video explica por qué otras familias participan en PTA a nivel local. Por qué Deberías Inscribirse en PTA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCIZVt2gp4

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/