Important Dates
October 7 MAP Reading Testing: Grades 2-5 (Details below)
October 14 MAP Math Testing: Grades 2-5 (Details below)
October 16 Schools close 3 hours early - Details below
November 3 Schools and Offices closed
November 6 Schools close 3 hours early - Details below
November 16 Quarter 1 Report Cards Issued
November 24-25 Parent Teacher Conferences (Details will be sent)
MAP Testing Information
Dear 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Forest Ridge Families,
On Wednesday October 7 and 14, students in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The MAP assessment is an online tool that will help teachers gauge where your child is starting the year academically. The assessment is designed to adjust the difficulty of the questions based on student response. It may appear that the test is too hard or easy for your student however as they progress, the test questions will be geared more towards their level. The MAP assessment does not affect your child’s grade. It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly. To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/
Please note that we are offering two time slots for your child to log into the Google Meet to take this assessment. Your child only needs to attend one time slot on each date and you can choose whatever is most convenient for your schedule. Students should work through the assessment independently. Students who require accommodations during the assessment will be contacted by a teacher prior to testing.
If your child is unable to attend, makeup testing will be offered during asynchronous learning times.
In addition, we are not asking for parents to choose a time ahead of time, but rather to just ensure that your child is present at one of the blocks of time each of the testing days.
Please reach out to Ivye Pazornik at ivye_pazornik@hcpss.org or by calling 410-880-5950 if you have any questions regarding the administration of the MAP assessment. Teachers will share Google Meet information and your student’s testing group as we get closer to the Oct 7th date.
Thank You,
Ivye Pazornik, Assistant Principal
Student Testing Coordinator
From the GT Teachers
Information was shared by Mrs. Clawson and Mrs. Hogan at the GT Orientation this week. Links to the information are below.
GT Instructional Seminars
GT Distance Learning
Immunization Clinics
HCPSS, the Howard County Health Department, and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention again this year will offer flu clinics at no cost for both students and staff. Students and staff do not have to go to a clinic at their home school and may attend any clinic. View a Spanish flu clinic flyer here.
Pre-registration is required, during which parents/guardians or staff will schedule an appointment at the clinic of their choice. Register at www.vaccineconsent.com. Please make sure that the clinic states Influenza Vaccine, is the correct school, and the correct date. High School locations will be the most crowded with longer wait times.
Flu clinics will take place outdoors and will utilize a drive-through or walk-through system. Anyone attending a clinic will be required to wear a mask or protective face covering.
All clinics will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the following dates/location
Wednesday, October 7
Atholton HS
Centennial HS
Ducketts Lane ES
Stevens Forest ES
Thursday, October 8
Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL)
Jeffers Hill ES
Glenelg HS
Hammond HS
Wilde Lake HS
Friday, October 9
Hammond MS
Howard HS
Laurel Woods ES
Marriotts Ridge HS
Monday, October 12
Bryant Woods ES
Cradlerock ES
Mt. Hebron HS
Reservoir HS
Tuesday, October 13
Deep Run ES
Harper’s Choice MS
Lisbon ES
Oakland Mills HS
Wednesday, October 14
Gorman Crossing ES
Longfellow ES
Long Reach HS
River Hill HS
Please contact Kay Morris, RN at margaret_morris@hcpss.org with any questions or concerns.
Media Matters and Tech Tidbits from The Media/Tech Team
Clair Wise clair_wise@hcpss.org
Heather Tordella heather_tordella@hcpss.org
L’oreal Edmondson loreal_edmondson@hcpss.org
Congratulations to all of the FRES families for embracing and persevering with challenges faced during our virtual learning!
This week’s helpful hints and reminders:
Schedule Adjustments for Scheduled Early Dismissal Days
The HCPSS 2020-2021 calendar includes four scheduled 3-hour early dismissal days:
Free Food Distribution on Saturdays in October
See the attached flyer regarding free food distribution on Saturdays in October at Ducketts Lane Elementary School.
Supersquads Virtual Cheerleading
After school cheerleading (virtual while schools are closed) starts soon for the Fall Semester! Contact www.supersquads.org, supersquadsinfo@verizon.net or 410-796-2244 to join!
HCPSS Partnerships Annual Report
“Together” is the theme of the just released HCPSS Educational Partnerships 2019-2020 Annual Report. Each school’s partners are listed, as well as system wide (at-large) and curricular and program office partnerships. In the report, you will see examples of how partners help care for students and staff.
From the PTA President, Korin Sharp
It finally feels like fall! What are your favorite fall activities? My family has already been apple picking and I'm now assessing which family traditions we can modify to do safely during COVID and which ones we may let fall to the wayside. I know at FRES the Halloween Dance has been a tradition loved by many of us, so while a dance is not possible, the PTA is working with the school to create an alternate event that is safe for all.
Halloween Event: We are looking for volunteers to help plan an event for Halloween later this month. Options could include a drive through event at the school, a scavenger hunt, a pumpkin carving contest, and/or a virtual costume contest. Would you like to help? Join our planning Band group https://band.us/n/afa449mb53mdR
Planning Survey: We've only had 3 responses so far to our 5 question survey to find out what types of events, topics, and activities would be most helpful to FRES families. Please take a moment to share your thoughts to shape the year.
Future General PTA Meetings (Via Zoom): October 12, November 9, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14
Membership Update: We are now up to 48 members! This is a great start. FRES families, staff, and community members can join at www.frespta.org/join
After School Activities: All of last year's after school enrichment providers now have virtual offerings. Please check out their classes if you are looking for fun kids' activities.
Silver Knights Enrichment (Chess), The Language and Culture Club (Spanish), Pongo's Coding (Coding), KidzArt (Art), I'm the Chef, Too, (STEM/Cooking) and Abrakadoodle (Art).
Communication: There will be several ways to receive communications including school communications, www.frespta.org, the FRES PTA Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA/, and Twitter @frespta. Last year, there was a group formed for discussion and support. That can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2135313649893726/ and is for current FRES families. New this year, we will also be utilizing Band groups. These can be accessed via web or mobile app.
Grocery Rewards:
NEW Weis now has a rewards program.
IT’S EASY!
1. REGISTER *Your school’s barcode only needs to be scanned one time to register.
2. SCAN your Weis Club Card each time you shop on participating products.
3. EARN cash for your school based upon your qualifying purchases.
We are also participating in Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal), BoxTops, and Coke Rewards. Please visit https://frespta.org/ways-to-support/grocery-storeshopping-programs/ for more information on these programs that provide financial support to FRES based on purchases you already make.
Questions and Suggestions: Please email contact@frespta.org with any questions, feedback, or suggestions or contact me directly at president@frespta.org
Have a great weekend!