From the President
WOW! As much as I am ready for summer to begin and not have to pack lunches anymore, I can’t believe the year is over already. As I complete my second year as PTA President and get ready to pass the torch to Mrs. Gifford, I need to take time to THANK YOU all so much! FRES families are the best around! Due to the efforts, hard work and volunteer hours of SO MANY of you, this year was a huge success. We once again say goodbye to our 5th grade friends as we welcome in a new group of Kindergarten families in the fall.
I am grateful for the many opportunities we had to come together as a community. Besides the restaurant and skate nights, we dressed up for the Halloween Dance and fought off the rain at the Carnival. Who could forget how FRES students and teachers showed off their talents for the Variety Show. Not to mention movie nights, game night and Sport outings with the Dad’s club. BUT the highlight of the year for me was celebrating FRES’s 25th Birthday! What an AWESOME day! And that beautiful amazing wall?!?! Seeing that whenever I walk in the building makes me smile.
As much as fundraisers aren’t really anyone’s favorite thing, we put the money to good use. We once again were able to sponsor each child for their field trips as well as help reimburse teachers for items they purchase for their rooms and our children. Also, this year, I am excited to say we were able to offer teachers an opportunity to give us “wish lists”. Items they wish they had to use in their classrooms that could enhance the wonderful things they already do with our children. So, PTA purchased 15 ukuleles, Speech & Language materials, rolling white board easels, a bass drum stand, Kindergarten math manipulatives to help with decomposing numbers, Counseling materials & curriculum, and robots. We also purchased the Watch DOGS program to be incorporated next year and suggested the proposal for a Drama club become more of a PTA committee. WHEW!!! That was ALL because of all of you and your generous support.
I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed being your president! It truly has been an amazing two years. Thank you for the privilege and honor of serving in such a capacity. Best wishes to Jen Gifford and her new board. They will be amazing!
Jen Renkevens
Box Tops
Please keep clipping this summer! We’ll have another contest in the fall. Visit http://www.btfe.com/ to see where you can find Box Tops. Each is worth 10 cents for FRES, and they add up fast!
Check out These Summer Camp Resources for Parents:
Need information about summer camps? The following list of summer camp options is a great place to start!
Howard County Summer Institute. Summer programs, classes and learning experiences sponsored by HCPSS. These programs and classes are open to Howard County residents as well as out-of-county residents.
Howard County Camps – Schools Out (Facebook). This public Facebook group offers links and information to a variety of local area camps in and near Howard County. Also features actual parent reviews and postings from camp providers. Submit a request to join the group to view and post information.
Howard County Recreation and Parks. A comprehensive guide to summer camps in the area sponsored by the Howard County Recreation and Parks.
Howard Community College Kids on Campus. HCC’s well-known Kids on Campus program provides summer enrichment education and camps for youth ages 7 to 17.
Did You Get the Last Issue of FRES PTA News? You can read it here!
Issue #26 – 4/30/18: https://mailchi.mp/602529bbb287/april302018
Issue #25 – 2/26/18: http://mailchi.mp/8cd01320a8a1/fres-pta-news-feb262018
Issue #24 – 1/29/18: http://mailchi.mp/64c5182e3b48/fres-pta-news-jan292018
Issue #23 – 12/11/17: http://mailchi.mp/df7db40db168/fres-pta-news-dec1017
Issue #22 – 11/27/17: http://mailchi.mp/80ab3ee5a9a9/fres-pta-news-nov2717
Issue #21 – 11/6/17: http://mailchi.mp/026fc3eb158d/fres-pta-news-oct-9-259817
Issue #20– 10/23/17: http://mailchi.mp/6d53015a9f15/fres-pta-news-oct-9-253373
Issue #19 – 10/9/17: http://mailchi.mp/f7512b1cb0c9/fres-pta-news-oct-9-2017
Issue #18 – 9/25/17: http://mailchi.mp/2f808fb4caf2/fres-pta-news-sept-11-238961
Issue #17 – 9/11/17: http://mailchi.mp/9d431b44d5f9/fres-pta-news-sept-11-2017