August 6, 2025
DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 14 School Staff Return
August 22 Grades 1 - 5 New Student Orientation 12:15 - 1pm
August 22 Open Houses
- RECC 10 - 10:45am
- Kindergarten 10 - 11am
- Grades 1 - 5 will be by last name
- Last Name A - K 1 - 1:45pm
- Last Name L - Z 2 - 2:45pm
August 25 1st Day of School for Grades K - 5
August 28 1st Day of School for Preschool/PreK
September 9 K - 2 Back to School Night 6:15 - 7:30pm
September 10 G/T Back to School Night 5:30 - 6:15pm
September 10 Gr 3 - 5 Back to School Night 6:15 - 7:30pm
- HCPSS calendars can be found HERE. They can be downloaded, subscribed to and/or printed out.
- The HCPSS Related Arts Color Calendar can be found HERE.
- FRES School Spirit Days Calendar can be found HERE.
- FRES School Supply List can be found HERE.
- Arrival/Dismissal Map can be found HERE.
Teacher Wish Lists
Please consider helping our teachers out with their Amazon Wish Lists. Our amazing PTA is trying to help our teachers get the items they need for their classrooms and their students. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Help Restock the Staff Lounge!
We are working to prepare for our staff returning, and that means restocking our coffee/tea/cocoa bar for staff! Please consider helping us to do this! Check out our Amazon Wish List to see what staff are in need of. Thank you in advance!
Want to Know Your Child’s Teacher? Update Your Family File!
Parents/guardians must verify and/or update emergency information for each child every school year. This is completed online in Family File, which has several new updates including how and where to access. Full details on updating your Family File are available online.
One exciting new feature is that families now can submit a change of address via Family File, rather than completing a separate form and sending it to their school. Full directions and information for families on this new process can be found online.
¿Quiere conocer al maestro de su hijo? ¡Actualiza tu archivo familiar!
Los padres/tutores deben verificar y/o actualizar la información de emergencia de cada niño cada año escolar. Esto se completa en línea en Family File, que tiene varias actualizaciones nuevas, incluido cómo y dónde acceder. Los detalles completos sobre cómo actualizar su archivo familiar están disponibles en línea.
Una nueva característica emocionante es que las familias ahora pueden enviar un cambio de dirección a través de Family File, en lugar de completar un formulario por separado y enviarlo a su escuela. Las instrucciones completas y la información para las familias sobre este nuevo proceso se pueden encontrar en línea.
Open House Information
Friday, August 22
- RECC 10 - 10:45am
- Kindergarten 10 - 11am
- Grades 1 - 5 will be by last name
- Last Name A - K 1 - 1:45pm
- Last Name L - Z 2 - 2:45pm
Why by last name? With over 600 students and all of the extra family members that attend Open House, we are too crowded in the hallways and the parking lot. Please make arrangements to be here at your scheduled time so that we can welcome everyone back to school!
Bus Locator Information
The HCPSS Bus locator will be updated before school starts. Please be sure to check your child's bus stop location, bus time, and bus number as they may have changed from last year. Please be sure to arrive at your bus stop at least 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. https://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/
Zum RFID Cards
Students who are bus riders will use their Zum RFID Bus Cards to scan on and off the bus each day. Students who were at FRES last year should use their card from last year and attach it to their backpack again. It should be used starting the first day of school, Monday, August 25th. If your child's card was lost, we will note this at the start of the year and request a new one.
If your child is new to FRES, we will request a card for them at the start of the school year. All kindergarten students will begin using the cards later in the year. Communication will come out later with the start date for our kindergarteners.
Info and Application for Free & Reduced Meals (FARMs)
The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. 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. Those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals receive both breakfast and lunch for free.
Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility. Please go HERE to apply.
Birthday Celebrations
Student birthdays are announced on our morning announcements. Students receive a birthday pencil in recognition of their day. Bigger celebrations are encouraged outside of the school building. Class lists are not provided to parents for birthday invitations and school staff do not participate in disseminating birthday party invitations. The School Directory is available in Family File to help families with birthday celebrations outside of school. Balloons, helium or latex, are not allowed in the school building.
Kindergarten Registration Information
PLEASE - if you or someone you know has a student who will be starting kindergarten in the fall, we need you to register your child. Our staffing is based on our registration numbers and we want to ensure that we are properly staffed when the school year begins. Parents/guardians of children who will be 5 years old as of September 1, 2025, must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2025/26 school year. We need everyone to enroll their children as soon as possible. Enrollment is what determines our staffing. Please go HERE to register your child.
Applications for PreK are available online at https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/hcpss-pre-k/
HCPSS Pre-K Program
The HCPSS Pre-K Program is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year! The Pre-K Program is offered at no cost to families that qualify and is made available to eligible children in all attendance areas. Children must be four years old on or before September 1, 2025, to be considered for fall 2025 enrollment and must also meet the eligibility criteria. Families who are interested in applying should submit their completed application along with the required documentation to hcpss_pk@hcpss.org or to their local elementary school. Please visit the HCPSS' Pre-K Program website for an application, information about the program, and eligibility criteria. If you have additional questions about the program, please contact the Office of Early Childhood Programs at 410-313-6836.
Back to School Nights
We are excited to invite you to our Back to School Nights happening in September. These events are an important opportunity for you to connect with our school community and set the tone for a successful year ahead. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to make this school year a memorable and productive one for all our students.
- September 9 K - 2 Back to School Night 6:15 - 7:30pm
- September 10 G/T Back to School Night 5:30 - 6:15pm
- September 10 Gr 3 - 5 Back to School Night 6:15 - 7:30pm
Medication Information
If your child requires medication at school for the upcoming school year, please go to the link below. Here you will find all the information and forms that are needed for students that need medications at school. There are links to the Epi-pen order form, diabetes order form, and medication order form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Kerri Lewis, at kerri_lewis@hcpss.org beginning August 14th.
Learn more information HERE.
FRES Website
We have been keeping our website up to date throughout the summer. Please make sure you check it for the following:
- FRES Calendar - All dates for the entire school year have been added. We will continue to add to it as dates are put on our calendar. Please consider subscribing to it so you have it at your fingertips!
- Staff List - There have been some changes and additions made to our staff. Check out where everyone is and who is new to our team.
- School Supply List - Download the supply list for this school year.
Family Guides: What your Child Will Learn this Year
Do you want to get a head start on the school year? We encourage all parents/guardians to visit the link below to learn what your child will learn this year in grades PreK-5! Once you click on your child’s grade level, use the yellow “course navigation” box in the top right corner to navigate standards, free games, and family activities for each subject area. Happy learning!
https://www.hcpss.org/academics/what-your-child-will-learn-guides/
Community News
In alignment with Howard County Board of Education, the following announcements have been approved by the Public Information Office for distribution. To view upcoming events click: https://community-programs.hcpss.org/
