Greetings!  We had a great week here at Forest Ridge.  We had our Walk to School Day and PTA provided yummy salads and sides to the staff.  Thanks to all who volunteered!  Please read below for this week's updates.

Picture Retake Day - October 25, 2016
You may have your portraits retaken on this day. If you are having the picture retaken, you must return the entire original package. Please have your child bring the portrait package to the photographer on retake day.  

Parents of students who were absent should contact the main office for an order envelope if they wish to order portraits.  Please visit us at: www.schoolpix.com to order additional portraits.

Safety Concern
While all the outside doors at FRES are locked, we have an announcement system for the front door so that the office can monitor who's coming in.  We've recently had children open the front door for someone who might be standing in the vestibule. We realize they were being kind, but please remind your child not to open the front door for anyone, including their parent or anyone else they might know.  Safety is our concern.

Walk to School Day - From the Wellness Committee
Tuesday was  a glorious day for our walk to school event.  It was exciting to see so many people getting extra steps on their way to school.  The line stretching down Gorman Road from the library caught the attention of the drivers, bus riders all strolled around the black top with the before care students and many others walked with family and friends from their neighborhood.  Getting more movement is a wonderful way to start the day.  

Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped at the library, out front and on the black top.  It was a great partnering in our community.
 

Clown Hoax
In the past several weeks a social media message that threatens harm to students in schools has spread across the United States.  The message, known as, “The Creepy Clown Threat,” is a national hoax where a message is posted on multiple social media sites from a “clown” that threatens to harm people within schools.  This hoax has now reached schools within Maryland.  The HCPSS is working with the Howard County Police Department to ensure that any threat is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.  The HCPSS utilizes a threat management process to determine appropriate actions when a threat is received.

The safety of our students is our top priority. Please take this opportunity to encourage your child to immediately contact any adult in his/her school if he/she has any safety concerns.
 

From the FRES PTA
What a Crazy Busy Week at FRES!

Going back to last Friday, it was super exciting to see such a large turnout at FRES's first family skate night. There weren't just kids on skates either. Lots of parents donned the boots on wheels and cruised around the rink as well. Thank you all for coming on out and joining other FRES families for a fun night.  

Then, moving into this week, the weather was amazing for the FRES Wellness Committee's Walk to School. It was so cool to see the large group of children and parents walking up Gorman Road from the library toward the school! That same day, the teachers and staff enjoyed lunch time treats provided by PTA parents. They are always so appreciative for these special yummies! Thank you to all who provided items for the teachers and staff to enjoy.  

Finally, last night was our first ever McDonald's restaurant night.  Before I got there, I heard the drive through was wrapped around the building.  While I was there, it was nice socializing with fellow FRES families.
 

Coming up…
You should have received flyers for our annual Halloween Dance and Movie Night. Both events have become quite a tradition here at FRES.  Please read on for more information about both.

Spiritwear orders also went out yesterday. Please know this is not meant to be a fundraiser and is purely a way for our kids to show pride in our school. Finally, our Be Very Merry Fundraiser ends next week on the 18th. Keep those orders coming in and read on for more details regarding this latest fundraiser.  

Additional PTA News items can be found by clicking this link.

Have a terrific week!

Jennifer
president@frespta.org