IMPORTANT DATES
March 9 Daylight Saving Time Begins - time "springs forward" one hour
March 10 School spirit Crazy Sock Day
March 11 Chick-fil-A Day - Johns Hopkins Rd location - all day, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Flier #1, Flier #2
March 13 6:00-7:15 Family Paint Night
March 14 Professional Work and Wellness Day - schools close 3 hours early (12:15)
March 20 6:30 PTA General Membership Meeting – FRES Media Center
March 26 6:15-7:45 Health & Wellness Fair
March 31 Full day for students (originally a workday for staff, but now a snow day make-up day)
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. 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,
We’ve had another fantastic week at school! We’re especially proud of our students whose artwork is currently on display at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City as part of the Youth Art Month celebration. Our talented art teachers and students helped kick off the exhibit at the reception on March 5th—what a wonderful way to showcase their creativity!
Looking ahead, MCAP testing for students in grades 3–5 will begin on April 7th. All testing will be completed on the computer, so we encourage students to continue practicing their typing skills at home using Typing Agent. To access this program, visit www.hcpss.me and have your child log in with their assigned username and password (please do not change the password). The more practice students get, the easier typing will be for them during testing!
Get ready to show off your wildest, wackiest socks! On Monday, March 10th, we’re celebrating Crazy Sock Day at Forest Ridge. Encourage your child to wear their most colorful, silly, or mismatched socks and join in the fun. We can't wait to see all the creative sock choices!
Thank you for your continued support!
Regards,
Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik
Forest Ridge News...
Chick-fil-A Fundraiser to Benefit FRES
Where: Chick-fil-A on Johns Hopkins Road
When: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Be sure to mention FRES when you order. View the fliers: Flier #1 Flier #2
Girls on the Run Registration is Open!
Registration for Girls on the Run Spring 2025 Season is open! Girls on the Run® inspires participants in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using running to teach valuable life skills. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion. Forest Ridge GOTR will meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15pm - 4:45pm starting March 18. The season-ending 5K for Howard County will be on Saturday, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. The program registration fee is $185, which includes lessons, all program materials, 5K and program shirts, a water bottle, and more. Financial assistance is available! Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org to register. Questions? Call 443-864-8593.
A Message from the Health Room
Parents/guardians are asked to please notify the school health room if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease (i.e. Flu, strep, COVID, RSV, norovirus, pink eye). We continue to track illness cases so that we can make the necessary reports to the Howard County Health Department in the event of an outbreak. If you have your child tested for illness and they have a positive result, please email our school nurse, Mrs. Lewis, at kerri_lewis@hcpss.org and make her aware. Thank you for your support in keeping our students healthy!
Incoming Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open now! Families of children who will be five years old by September 1, 2025, should enroll their child in kindergarten or submit a kindergarten waiver. Please share with your neighbors! Families can find more information about enrolling children in kindergarten, as well as resources to support kindergarten readiness, the kindergarten waiver, and more on the HCPSS website here: https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/kindergarten/
Paint Night - New Date March 13
Paint Night has been postponed until March 13. If you purchased tickets they will be honored for the March date. See more PTA News section for more information.
Howard County Recreation & Parks Spring Flier
Check out the offerings being held at Forest Ridge here. Follow this link if you want to register.
Learning Together Program
The FRES Early Childhood classes are making preparations for the 2025-26 school year and are accepting applications for general education students to participate as peers through the Learning Together Program (LTP). These classes include general education and special education students. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1, 2025, applications are available now.
In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, new LTP applications for students turning 4 by September 1 will not be available. HCPSS continues to offer Prekindergarten for income eligible children who will be 4 years old by September 1. For additional information contact the school or visit: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/ .
HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly. If you have any additional questions , please contact Jen Black at jennifer_black@hcpss.org or (410) 880-5950.
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
READ-A-THON STARTED MARCH 1ST
We're thrilled that our Read-A-Thon is underway! This annual event not only raises funds that support our school, it motivates our students to READ!!! 100 students that have already created their personal reader pages and logged reading minutes and donations.
If you haven't already, please take a moment to activate your child’s personal reader page by clicking on the following link: https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/3339353533
It only takes a minute or two, and your support will greatly assist us in meeting both our fundraising goal and our student reading goal! Our 2-week goal was 150,000 minutes read and we just extended our event by another week so let’s see if we can exceed our new goal of 225,000 minutes read!!! Don't forget to include any minutes you read to and with your child! More information is available on the PTA Website https://frespta.org/its-time-for-the-forest-ridge-elementary-school-read-a-thon/
CHICK-FIL-A RESTAURANT DAY 3/11/25 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Please come out and help support the FRES PTA by visiting Chick-Fil-A ALL day on March 11th. We will receive 20% of each order. Be sure to mention you're with Forest Ridge when you order. When placing a mobile order select “Support Community Care Event” and enter code FRES20251. flyer
FAMILY PAINT NIGHT – THURSDAY 3/13 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Come out and paint a canvas with your child and help support the FRES Art Department. Ms. Allen & Ms. Frere will be leading the attendees through painting a snowy owl on canvas. All supplies will be provided. Come in paint-friendly clothes and bring a smock/old t-shirt to cover up. Cost is $12 per person or 2 for $22. Each additional participant in the same family is $10 each. Proceeds will go directly to the FRES Art Department. Purchase tickets here Paint Night Tickets. Previously purchased tickets are valid for this new date. If you purchased tickets for the January date and cannot attend the new date you may request a refund by contacting Barbara at president@frespta.org.
PTA MEETING – THURSDAY 3/20 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Join us for our March PTA Meeting at 6:30 pm in the media center. There’s a lot happening and we would love your help in planning our spring events including the Health & Wellness Fair, Silent Auction, Spring Carnival, Staff Appreciation Week and Fifth Grade Activities.
HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR - Wednesday, March 26th 6:15 pm-7:45 pm
FRES PTA invites our amazing families and community to our Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, March 26th. Bring your whole family and learn more about the many resources available to the community in Howard County and beyond. More details to come!
SILENT AUCTION – COMING IN APRIL!!!
The PTA will host a silent auction via Givebacks this year. We are currently seeking donations for the auction. If you would like to help source items for the auction, make a donation or know an individual or business who would be willing to make a donation please contact president@frespta.org or 443-300-8463. A sign up for basket donations will be available soon.
SPRING CARNIVAL – SATURDAY 5/3
This year we will celebrate “Carnival Around the World” on Saturday, May 3rd, combining elements of our annual Culture Fest with our Carnival. If you are interested in helping with the planning of this event please contact president@frespta.org.
In the Community...
Spring Break Basketball Camp
Check out this new opportunity for a spring break basketball camp.
STEM Village Summer Camp. View the flyer.
NEW! Refer a Friend and Get Free Aftercare!
STEMVillage Leadership Summer Camp offers rising 3rd–6th graders an opportunity to dive into STEM and leadership. Through hands-on projects and fun challenges, campers boost their critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and public speaking—all while making lasting summer memories.
This summer, we’re hosting two sessions:
Session 1 (July 7–11, 2025):
Explore simple machines and design bottle rockets
Sharpen public speaking skills with interactive presentations and group STEM pitches
Session 2 (July 28–August 1, 2025):
Tackle problem-solving challenges like egg drops and bridge-building competitions
Enhance collaboration and innovation through teamwork exercises
Special Offer: Refer a friend, and if they sign up, you’ll receive free aftercare!
Early bird pricing is just $350 per week—now extended to March 14, 2025 due to popular demand.
Don’t miss this chance for a summer full of STEM fun, leadership development, and extra aftercare benefits. For more details and to register, visit tinyurl.com/stemvillage25. Spaces are limited—sign up now!
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 Updates
- Free Parenting/Grandparenting Classes - Open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in Howard County or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in the County. Evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years olds, but we believe it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: March 18, 21, 25, 28 and April 1 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spring2025GGC
- Drive-Thru Medication and Sharps Disposal – Saturday, April 26 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot near the Swim Center from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication, EpiPens and other sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more! Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Giving away 100 medication lockboxes.
For more information: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
To sign up to volunteer: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/4-26-25TakeBack - Teen Advisory Council - Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday May 19, 2025, from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. For more information, visit: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
- 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.