December 6, 2024 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 12/06/2024 - 2:48pm

IMPORTANT DATES
December 7         PTA Holiday Market 11 am - 4 pm
December 11       11 am - 9 pm Maiwand Kabab Restaurant Day
December 12       6:30 PTA Meeting & Cookie Exchange
December 13       Nothing Bundt Cakes Fundraiser Orders Due
December 18       PTA Cookie Cart for Staff
December 21-January 1 - Winter Break - schools closed

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Want to receive HCPSS text messages regarding weather-related closing info, late bus info, etc.? You must opt-in. FRES parents will need to opt-in from the phone that receives messages on the number we have on file for them. Text YES to 67587.
Will your child be absent? Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

From our Administrators...

Dear Forest Ridge Families,

What an incredible week we’ve had at Forest Ridge! On Tuesday night, 55 of our outstanding 4th and 5th-grade students were recognized by the Council of Elders for their academic excellence. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication to learning. This achievement reflects not only their efforts but also the support and encouragement they receive from their families and teachers. Congratulations to all of these amazing students!

On Wednesday night, our talented band and chorus students delivered a phenomenal performance during our winter concert. The evening was a showcase of their hard work, practice, and passion for music. A huge thank-you goes to Mrs. Blough and Mr. Pompeii for their incredible dedication and leadership in guiding our students to success. Their efforts made the evening truly memorable for everyone in attendance.

As we head into the colder months, we’d like to remind families that students will continue to go outside for recess and other activities when the temperature, factoring in the wind chill, is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Please ensure your child comes to school with warm clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. To help prevent items from being lost, please label all clothing with your child’s name.

Thank you for your continued support in making Forest Ridge a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik

FOREST RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Help us raise money to use for materials of instruction and staff support. Have you ever had a Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes? They are so yummy!

Here are the details:

Use the attached sales form to sell to co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family.
Have them give you cash or write you a check (made out to Forest Ridge ES) for their purchases. (Make sure to check your math!) All orders are due to the front office no later than December 13th.
When you turn in your order, it should include the order form and a check or money order made payable to Forest Ridge ES for the grand total that you collected from your sales.
Pick up will be in the front hall of the school on December 18th from 4 - 6pm.
The top two student fundraisers will win being “Principal for the Day” and “Assistant Principal for the Day.” This great day will include the students ordering a lunch of their choice, receiving a name badge and lanyard, assisting Mrs. Lannon and Ms. Pazornik throughout the day, and more!

Thank you in advance for supporting our school!

Forest Ridge News...

From the Media Center
Book Fair Numbers are in! Thank you to EVERYONE who supported Book Fair this year. Seeing the smiling and excited students see all of the new books and getting to read new books: PRICELESS! We had:

27 Parent and HS Student Volunteers

16 Staff Volunteers who helped with setup and Family Fair Night

220 4th and 5th grade students helping younger students and helping with fair prep the week beforehand!

We used Share the Fair donations and Scholastic Dollar Credits to give away:

149 books from the book fairy to students in need, students who receive ELD/reading support, and Pre-K students

22 books for teachers and support staff (in addition to all of the generous families who bought books for staff members)

73 items to fulfill 13 wishlists for family holiday support

We raised:

$226.15 for Share the Fair (change round ups and donations)

$2,100+ in Scholastic Dollars Credits (these were spent on the giveaways listed above as well as 15 new books for the FRES media center)

$2,900+ in cash (we just spent about the same amount to purchase 187 NEW books including all updated NHL, Baseball, Soccer, and Hockey books that will be on our shelves soon!)

Thank you all SO MUCH!

Heather Tordella, Danielle Wilson, and Sumana Harish

Hour of Code is Next Week!
The Hour of Code is returning to FRES! We are preparing for the official Hour of Code which begins on Monday, December 9th, but we have been prepping with introducing students to a variety of coding activities. This will be the 10th year that FRES is participating in the Hour of Code!

During technology classes, all students in grades K-5 will participate in coding stations December 9-20. Students will rotate between stations with online tutorials and games, coding robots, as well as unplugged programming activities. These activities introduce students to basic computer programming skills and help to develop problem-solving skills, algorithmic thinking, pattern recognition, and persistence.

Be on the lookout for Canvas announcements from technology teachers sharing more information about the Hour of Code and how students can work on coding activities outside of school.

Mrs. Matanin & Mrs. Wilson
FRES Technology Teachers

From the ChildFind Office
Attention Parents of Rising Kindergarteners: Don't Wait for Summer to Address Developmental Concerns!
If you have concerns about your child's development - whether it's their speech, motor skills, social skills or learning - it's important to act now. Waiting until the summer for a referral can delay crucial support that your child may need before starting kindergarten.Contact us today to schedule a screening. Let's work together to ensure your child has the best possible start in kindergarten!Call 410-313-7046 or email ChildFind@hcpss.org

WatchDOGS Sign Up Link
Interested in being a WatchDOG? Sign up here.

From the PTA...Get More PTA Info at the PTA Website

FRES PTA Holiday Market
Support the FRES PTA and local small businesses! Come and check out the Holiday Market this Saturday, 12/7 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm and share some of the FRES spirit this holiday season. There will be a variety of vendors with merchandise for all occasions, food trucks, prizes and Christmas Trees for sale. See the flyer for details and a list of confirmed vendors. Holiday Market

Plus, don't miss the FRES Winter Art Show that will also be on display! Art Show

We are still in need of volunteers to support the holiday market. Please sign up here. Volunteer

Restaurant Night - Maiwand Kabab
A FRES fan favorite is back for the December PTA restaurant night!! Enjoy a tasty lunch, dinner, or snack from Maiwand Kabob in Maple Lawn on Wednesday, December 11th from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm. Show the flyer at the restaurant or use the code FRES for online and phone orders. Maiwand Kabob Flyer

PTA Meeting
Please join us for the December PTA meeting & Cookie Exchange on Thursday, December 12th from 6:30 – 7:45. Bring your favorite cookies to share and leave with an assortment of treats for yourself and family!!! Childcare will be available.

Holiday Cookie and Hot Chocolate Cart
It's time to spread some cheer to our wonderful FRES staff! The PTA is putting together a cookie and hot cocoa cart on December 18th to show our appreciation to our staff before the winter break. We are looking for donations of cookies, treats and cocoa to stock the cart. Please sign up here Stock the Cookie Cart

Papa John's Cards - Fundraiser
Papa John's cards are back!!! The proceeds from this year’s sales will support 5th grade activities. This card allows UNLIMITED use of a buy 1 get 1 free on regular menu pizzas through December 31, 2025. They are valid at 150 locations around the DC, MD, VA area. Cards are $15 each & $10 of that goes straight to our school. Cards will be available for purchase at the Holiday Market & December PTA meeting. Orders can also be placed by submitting the order form with payment. Order forms went home with students before Thanksgiving.

WatchDOGS
Interested in being a WatchDOG? Sign up here. Need a WatchDOGS T-Shirt order here.

In the Community...

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.