IMPORTANT DATES
April 7-11 National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
April 11 School Spirit "Crazy Hat Day"
April 9 5:30-9:00 Chipotle Restaurant Night
April 9 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Designs Due (see below under "PTA News"
April 10 PTA General Membership Meeting 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
April 12-21 Spring Break! Schools closed
April 18 5th Grade Dedications & Student Baby Pictures Due (see below under "PTA News"
April 25 5th Grade Panoramic Picture
April 25-27 PTA Silent Auction
May 3 1:00 – 4:00 PTA Spring Carnival “Travel the World with FRES”
May 7 Staff Professional Work & Wellness Day - schools close 3 hours early (12:15)
May 16 Staff Professional Learning Day - schools close 3 hours early (12:15)
May 26 Memorial Day - schools and offices closed
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...
Forest Ridge Families,
This week, we had an amazing Family Math Night to kick off National Math Month! It was wonderful to see so many families come together to explore math in fun and engaging ways. Throughout the month, students and teachers will have the opportunity to solve math problems displayed in our hallways—so be on the lookout for some exciting challenges!
Each student also received a Math Facts Calendar to take home. We encourage students to practice their math facts daily and mark their progress. At the end of the month, students who complete their calendar can turn it in for a chance to win brand-new math games, which are currently on display in our school’s display case.
Additionally, next week is National Assistant Principal’s Week, and we want to show our appreciation for Ms. Pazornik! She works so hard to support our students, staff, and school community. We encourage students to give her a high five in the hallway, draw her a picture, or write her a sweet note to thank her for all she does.
Thank you for your continued support in making Forest Ridge a great place to learn and grow!
Forest Ridge News...
Parent Encouragement Program
PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Family Resiliency Classes are being offered FREE of charge. Classes will meet 1 night a week for 8 weeks starting the week of April 22, 2025 for parents/caregivers of children ages 5-18 yrs. Classes will meet online via Zoom, with a video presentation followed by a group discussion led by a PEP facilitator.
Each participant who attends at least 5 sessions and the evaluation session (week 8) will receive a $50 gift card (limit one per family/household).
Classes are offered in English, Spanish, and Amharic. Classes are limited to 25 participants each.
Please visit https://pep-frp.org/ for more information and to register. Contact is FRP@PEPparent.org or (301) 929-8824.
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/
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
5th Grade Opportunities
Would you like to leave an indelible mark at Forest Ridge? If so, then we have three activities you won’t want to miss!
1. 5th Grade Students ONLY: Yearbook Cover Art Contest!
We encourage 5th grade students to submit their own artwork to be used for the front and/or back covers of the yearbook (see the flyer for instructions)! Please note with any back cover entries, do not write inside the number "25" as it will be filled in with student signatures.
All completed art should be submitted to the front office by Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Submissions can also be emailed to yearbook@frespta.org.
A winner will be selected at the April PTA meeting.
2. 5th Grade Parent Submission: Baby Picture Gallery!
Each year 5th grade students are invited to participate in a Baby Picture Gallery! If you would like to submit a baby picture (kindergarten or younger) of your 5th grader, please email photos to yearbook@frespta.org. Please format your submission so that it shows your child's face clearly in a 1 inch by 1 inch square. Your submission must include the student's name. This section is voluntary and absolutely free. Submissions are due by April 18, 2025.
3. 5th Grade Parents and Loved Ones: Dedications!
Family and friends can send their 5th grader a message wishing them success in middle school! This section normally has a fee to help offset the cost of the yearbook, however, this year we are offering a free 25-word dedication. Space is limited, only the first 50 submissions will be accepted! Please send submissions to yearbook@frespta.org. Submissions are due by April 18, 2025.
Any additional questions/concerns can be emailed to: Tia.Furr@gmail.com
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. Donate a basket here auction basket donation
SPRING CARNIVAL – SATURDAY 5/3 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
“Travel the World with FRES” at this year’s Spring Carnival 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.
Young Panthers Training Session is here!
This session is for students wanting to work on their fundamental skills in basketball. Each session is filled with fun ways to work on passing, dribbling, shooting, & and of course defense skills. Register your child to be the first to know when we will have our sessions!
LIFE Elite Athletics is an organization that caters to youth and young adults. We foster the development of leadership qualities through a commitment to education and community involvement. We aim to provide our constituents with versatile experiences through scholastic empowerment, athletic conditioning, and cultural exposure. We believe in guiding our youth to "Seeing Obstacles as Lessons Understanding Trials Induce Opportunities for Next Steps" (SOLUTIONS) mentality.
We create opportunities for youth and young adults to achieve their dreams by providing them with resources, instilling work ethic, and building the confidence needed to be successful adults.
Teaching the game of basketball is an avenue used to achieve said goals. We believe in using basketball as a tool to prepare the players for real life; by instilling discipline, dedication, teamwork, leadership to name a few. In addition, we work on the fundamentals of basketball and enhance the basketball IQ of each player. Lastly, we aim to win, to build confidence in our kids, and learn from losses.
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
- 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.