IMPORTANT DATES
October 8 Joe Corbi Fundraiser Ends – All orders due!
October 8 5:00-8:00 PTA Restaurant Night at Silver Diner more info
October 10 6:30-8:00 Hispanic Heritage Night
October 14 Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 16 School Spirit: Unity Day - Wear Orange
October 17 PTA Meeting in the Media Center
October 18 6:30 Professional Work Day - schools closed for students
October 23 Picture Retake Day for absentees and new students (more info to come)
October 26 4:00-7:00 FRES PTA Fall Festival
October 31 Professional Work and Development Day - schools closed for students
View the HCPSS Calendar in English
View the HCPSS Calendar in Spanish
View the HCPSS Calendar in Korean
View the HCPSS Calendar in Chinese
Forest Ridge Family and Friends,
As we begin the month of October, I want to take a moment to highlight two important national observances that align with the core values of our school: National Bullying Prevention Month and National Disability Awareness Month. Both of these initiatives remind us of the importance of fostering a school community that is safe, supportive, and inclusive for every student.
National Bullying Prevention Month:
At Forest Ridge, we are committed to creating a culture of kindness, respect, and understanding. Bullying has no place in our school, and we believe that by working together—students, staff, and families—we can ensure that every child feels valued and protected. Throughout the month, our students will engage in activities that promote empathy, peer support, and positive conflict resolution. We encourage you to have conversations at home about kindness and standing up for others, reinforcing that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.
National Disability Awareness Month:
This month also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of abilities within our school community. At Forest Ridge, we believe that every student brings unique strengths and perspectives. National Disability Awareness Month encourages us to recognize and appreciate those differences, promoting inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all. We will be incorporating lessons and activities that highlight the importance of empathy, understanding, and the celebration of every individual’s talents.
By participating in these observances, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing an environment where every student feels accepted, valued, and empowered. We ask for your partnership in these efforts by engaging in discussions at home and supporting our school's initiatives throughout the month.
Thank you for your continued support in making Forest Ridge Elementary a place where all students can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
~ Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik
From the Art Department
Our art teachers are working with your students to create artwork to be used for our "Art to Remember" fundraiser. See the flyers for more information. Ordering info will come home soon. Art to Remember Flyer English Art to Remember Flyer Spanish
DEAR at Savage Library
FRES students are invited to attend DEAR at the Savage Branch Library the second Monday of the month at 7PM. Dogs Educating & Assisting Readers is a program where kids, K-5th, read to dogs to practice reading and reading aloud in a judgement free space; dogs are great judgement free listeners! Build reading skills and confidence!
From Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity
We are approaching the time to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in our community. This year, there are several exciting opportunities for students to engage with Dr. King’s vision of equality, justice, and community service. Additionally, all the awards come with cash prizes.
The contests include:
Oratory Contest: Open to Middle and High School students, this contest challenges participants to express their understanding of Dr. King's message through the art of speech.
Essay Contest: Also, for Middle and High School students, this competition invites students to articulate their thoughts and reflections on Dr. King's impact and teachings in essay form.
Poster Contest: Open to Elementary, Middle, and High School students, participants can visually express their interpretation of Dr. King's dream through creative poster designs.
Additionally, there is a Living the Dream Award Contest for individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to making Howard County a better place, embodying the principles that Dr. King championed. We believe that these contests not only honor Dr. King's legacy but also inspire our students to think critically about their roles in serving the community.
For more information, including deadlines and submission guidelines, please visit https://bit.ly/2025MLKContests. Thank you for your support in promoting these meaningful contests. Together, we can inspire our students and community to reflect on Dr. King's dream and vision for a better tomorrow.
Silver Diner Restaurant Night
Tired of cooking? Can't agree on what to eat? Join the FRES PTA and staff at Silver Diner from 5:00 - 8:00 on October 8th. Come enjoy a meal with friends and take advantage of the range of menu options from breakfast to dinner that can satisfy the whole family!!!
Joe Corbi's Fundraiser
Joe Corbi's fundraiser ends on Tuesday, October 8th. Online orders can be placed until 11:59 pm. Return all paper order forms with full payment in the form of cash or money order to your child's teacher by Wednesday, October 9th. Thank you for your support!
Online Ordering
Paper orders
PTA Committees
Committees are VITAL to the work of the Forest Ridge PTA! Committees make it possible for many people to carry out the mission of the PTA throughout the year and are a great way to get involved in a specific area of your interests or talents! Click here for more information about the 2024 - 2025 Committees. We hope you will sign up for at least one committee.
Join the Forest Ridge PTA!
ALL Forest Ridge families and staff are invited to join our PTA and get involved in the community support work that it does. There is no "wrong way to PTA" - however you can participate - a lot or a little or somewhere in-between - is welcome and celebrated!
For a general overview, visit https://frespta.org/ or click MEMBERSHIP to go directly to the membership website to create an account and join! A PTA membership must be renewed each year so if you have joined in the past, please renew your membership for the 2024 - 2025 School Year!
Stay Connected with the PTA
Website: www.frespta.org
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA
Instagram fres_pta
X @frespta
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/
Stay Informed about What’s Happening in Howard County: Sign up for HC DrugFree’s newsletter at https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/ to get updates on events as well as information to keep your family safe and informed.