IMPORTANT DATES
April 25 4:00 Report Cards visible to parents
April 25-27 PTA Silent Auction
April 26 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Patuxent Valley Middle School Yard Sale
May 1 Kindergarten field trip
May 3 1:00-4:00 p.m. PTA Spring Carnival “Travel the World with FRES”
May 6 5th grade field trip
May 7 Staff Professional Work & Wellness Day - schools close 3 hours early (12:15)
May 7 12:00-9:00 p.m. PTA Restaurant Night – Chuck E. Cheese
May 8 7:00-8:00 p.m. Drama Club spring musical - “Junie B Jones”
May 9 1st grade field trip
May 9 4th grade field trip
May 13 Orchestra/Chorus Concert @ Hammond High School
May 14 Pre-K field trip
May 14 Band Concert @ Hammond High School
May 15 3rd grade field trip
May 15 6:30-8:00 p.m. PTA meeting
May 16 Staff Professional Learning Day - schools close 3 hours early (12:15)
May 20 Field Day (Rain Date May 23)
May 22 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearing
May 26 Memorial Day - schools and offices closed
May 29 5th grade middle school visit
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...
Hello Forest Ridge Families,
Happy Friday! Quarter 3 report cards will be available today at 4:00 p.m. in HCPSS Connect. We encourage you to take some time to review your child’s report card together and celebrate their progress so far this year. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s report, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teachers—they’re here to help!
Tonight is the big night—Battle of the Books at Merriweather Post Pavilion! We’re so proud of our amazing student teams who have worked hard to prepare for this fun and exciting event. We’re cheering you on!
As we begin planning for the next school year, please remember to complete the Parent Consideration Form to help us as we thoughtfully build class groupings. Your input is important and appreciated.
Wishing all of our families a relaxing and joyful weekend!
Warmly,
Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik
Forest Ridge News...
Is your 5th Grader Not Attending Patuxent Valley Middle School Next Year?
We assume all FRES 5th grade students will attend Patuxent Valley Middle School next year and unless we hear otherwise, will transfer all 5th grade records directly to PVMS over the summer. If you have moved or your child will not be attending PVMS for another reason, please contact Mrs. Jackson, our registrar at rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org.
Patuxent Valley Middle School Yard Sale View the flyer
PVMS is having an Community Yard Sale to support our end of year events on Saturday 4/26 from 8am-12pm in the Patuxent Valley MS bus loop.
Sellers wanted: Reserve your space early as spaces will be on a first come first served basis. Large spaces are roughly 11ft x 10ft and cost $25 (2 spaces for $40). And Small spaces are roughly 5ft x 10ft and cost $15. Sellers will be able to start setting up their areas at 7:15 am and will be able to park next to their spot in the bus loop to unload. Rain date will be 5/3 if needed.
Shoppers wanted: Bring your cash and get some great deals while supporting PVMS 8th grade students and local community members.
Contact Michelle Langan with any questions or to reserve a spot: michelle_langan@hcpss.org
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/
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
PTA ONLINE AUCTION – BIDDING STARTS TONIGHT!!!
The PTA Online Auction starts tonight, 4/25 @ 6:00 pm. Bidding closes at 6:00 pm on Sunday. In continuing with tradition our amazing teachers and staff have created wonderful opportunities for your children to spend time outside the classroom with their favorite faculty and staff, making memories that will last a lifetime. In addition, we have a number of items and gift certificates that have been donated by FRES families and many amazing community supporters. Please bid on these amazing opportunities and help us raise the funds needed to support our students, families and staff.
http://app.givebacks.gives/fresauction25
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. This year's carnival features games, crafts, cultural displays and performances, music, an inflatable obstacle course, cake walk, glitter tattoos, henna and food trucks. The PTA will provide free water, popcorn and cotton candy. We will end this year's Carnival dancing in clouds of colored powder in celebration of Holi.
TICKETS: $7.00 if purchased by 4/30 and $10.00 the day of for children ages 3+. Tickets are not required for adults. Purchase tickets at: https://app.givebacks.gives/frescarnival
VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are key in making our events a success!!! We will start set-up on Friday 5/2 at 6:00 pm. Come any time after 6:00 to help. Saturday 5/3 set-up will start at 9:00. During the event there are 2 volunteer shifts. Please check in at the volunteer table at 12:30 for first shift and 2:00 for the second. All stations will close by 3:45 for the Holi celebration. Any time you can give is valued! VOLUNTEER HERE to be directed to Sign-Up Genius where you can sign-up to volunteer.
CULTURAL DISPLAYS AND PERFORMANCES: Earlier this year we found it necessary to cancel our annual Culture Fest. This was a huge disappointment to us and the FRES community. We welcome you to share your culture, ethnicity, heritage and/or country of origin at the Spring Carnival. You can create an informational display explaining interesting and important aspects of your culture, bring examples of traditional food dishes, contribute an international dessert to our cake walk, prepare an activity/craft for our crafts area or perform through music, dance or story-telling. We hope you will sign up to share here Sharing our Cultures.
RESTAURANT NIGHT – Chuck E. Cheese Wednesday, May 7th 12:00 pm – 9:00 p.m.
It’s a half day of school on Wednesday, May 7th. Bring your kids to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza, games and lots of fun!!! 20% of all sales are donated to the FRES PTA. English Flyer Spanish Flyer
DRAMA CLUB SPRING MUSICAL PERFORMANCE Thursday, May 8th 7:00 p.m.
Over 30 of our amazing students grades K – 5 have been hard at work rehearsing for this year’s musical – JUNIE B. Jones. This is a one night only performance on Thursday, May 8th from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The performance will be held in the FRES Cafeteria/Stage. No tickets are required; free of charge. Concessions will be available for purchase—cash only.
In the Community...
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.