Important Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, August 25: Teachers and Staff Return (Virtually)
September 1-3: Student Materials pick up and drop off (see below for more information)
Friday, September 4: Virtual Open House and Information Sessions ** Links will be shared closer to the date**
RECC/Pre-K & Kindergarten 9:00-9:50 am
1st Grade 10:00-10:50 am
2nd Grade 11:00-11:50 am
3rd Grade 12:00-12:50 pm
4th Grade 1:00-1:50 pm
5th Grade 2:00-2:50 pm
Tuesday, September 8: K-5 First Day of Virtual School 9:00 - 3:50
Thursday, September 10: PreK and Preschool First Day of Virtual School
Wednesday, September 16: FRES Virtual Wellness Night 6:00 - 8:00
Wednesday, September 23: Pre-K - 2 Back to School Night 6:30 - 8:00
Thursday, September 24: Grades 3 - 5 Back to School Night 6:30 - 8:00
Virtual Open Houses on September 4th
Forest Ridge Elementary will hold a Virtual Open House on September 4th. Grade levels will meet at scheduled times throughout the day for a brief team orientation and opportunity for students to meet their teacher. (Schedule above)
Pick up and Drop off - Save the Date
On September 1st - 3rd, families will come to Forest Ridge to pick up Chromebooks and other grade level learning materials for virtual learning. School pictures from the Spring will also be available if you haven’t already picked them up. The pick-up will take place outside of the school in the bus loop following social distancing and other safety guidelines.
Families should plan to bring media library books, classroom library books, GT textbooks, and musical instruments that belong to Forest RIdge (as long as the student is not playing the instrument at Forest RIdge this school year) when they come to the school.
Kindergarten and Pre-K Only (Siblings too) - Tuesday September 1, 2020
|
Last Name Letter |
Times |
|
A - G |
4:00 - 4:45 |
|
H - M |
4:45 - 5:30 |
|
N - S |
5:30 - 6:15 |
|
T - Z |
6:15 - 7:00 |
Grades 1 - 5 - Wednesday, September 2, 2020
|
Last Name Letter |
Times |
|
A - G |
4:00 - 4:45 |
|
H - M |
4:45 - 5:30 |
|
N - S |
5:30 - 6:15 |
|
T - Z |
6:15 - 7:00 |
Grades 1 - 5 - Thursday September 3, 2020
|
Last Name Letter |
Times |
|
T - Z |
4:00 - 4:45 |
|
N - S |
4:45 - 5:30 |
|
H - M |
5:30 - 6:15 |
|
A - G |
6:15 - 7:00 |
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 and selecting the Family File tab on the left and then clicking 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
Please note if a parent completes the Family File prior to August 10th, the information entered will be attached to the 2019-2020 school year and the Family File will be considered incomplete. Also, parents new to HCPSS in 2020-2021 will not have access to their children in HCPSS Connect until August 10th.
Schedules for Virtual Learning
The 2020-2021 virtual instruction model provides students with, on average, 3 hours of synchronous learning with their teachers four days each week. The remaining instructional time is designated for students to complete asynchronous learning activities and assignments.
Students also have daily opportunities to access additional synchronous supports. Click here to see the schedules for each grade level.
Information and Application for Free and Reduced Meals
HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs which provide families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. If financial circumstances have changed for your family due to Covid-19, please check to see if you are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Meals program.
Families currently eligible must submit a new application each year.
For more information and to apply on-line. Click here.
The HCPSS website provides a list of the benefits provided to children who are eligible for FARMs.
Technology Accounts for New Students and Information if you Forgot Your Password
Beginning August 10, 2020, families with students new to HCPSS and whose registration has been finalized will receive an email from noreply@hcpss.org with the subject “Technology account information for new HCPSS students.” The email below was sent to the email address used during the student registration process. The email contains personalized and important information regarding new students’ technology accounts. If you have a child new to HCPSS and do not receive the email and/or cannot locate the email in the junk/spam folder of the email account you used during registration, you can use the Forgot Password or Username button on the hcpss.me student landing page to retrieve both your child’s username and password. Directions for Account Self Service directions are posted online.
School Supplies
Please see the following link for the most updated school supply list. If you need any assistance with school supplies, please email christin_traini@hcpss.org .
Tips for Creating a Successful and Inviting Digital Experience
We want virtual learning to be a positive experience for both our parents and students. Please read the following tips we created for our families.
Tips for Creating a Successful and Inviting Digital Experience
Covid-19 Community Testing Sites
Howard County General Hospital is bringing testing for COVID-19 to neighborhoods around Howard County. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged. To learn more or register, visit
. For additional assistance call 410-740-7601.
Saturday, August 22 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Glen Mar Church, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City
Saturday, August 29 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
Wednesday, September 2 | 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 6151 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy
Wednesday, September 9 | 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Kittamaqundi Community Church, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia
Sunday, September 13 | 8 – 11 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia
Saturday, September 19 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
Saturday, September 26 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia
Saturday, October 3 | 8 – 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Guilford, 7504 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
Saturday, October 10 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City
Sunday, October 25 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City
Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Celebration Church, 7101 Riverwood Drive, Columbia