Important Dates:
February
4 Schools and Offices closed for Special Election Day (see below)
7 6:30 Culture Fest
11 PTA Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
20 FRES Science Fair - 6:30 p.m.
Items of Note:
From the FRES Administration...
Happy New Year! We are off to a great start for the 2020 school year. We hope that you all had a nice winter break and enjoyed time together as a family. Our entire staff wants to thank all of our families that graciously gave us special holiday cards, yummy treats, and holiday gifts.
We hope to see you all for February conferences to meet with your child’s math teacher and learn about their academic performance. We will send information out soon on how you can sign up. Thank you for your continued support.
Car loop Reminders:
Drop off for students begins at 8:55 am. Students are not monitored by school staff prior to this time. Please help us with safe car loop procedures and remember to practice civility. Below are a few reminders:
Drive slowly in the car loop.
If possible, have your child exit and/or enter on the passenger side of your vehicle.
Stay in your car while a staff member assists you and your student with exit and entry.
Please wait in line and do not drive around cars to exit the line. This process takes only a few minutes and waiting in line will ensure safe traffic patterns.
Please stay in the car loop line and avoid dropping students off where the cars are parked. We have had several students walking through the parking lot which can cause an accident.
Thank you for your help!
Forest Ridge News...
From the Front Office
The FRES front office staff would like to thank our FRES community for all the cards, gifts, and well wishes during the holidays and after the new year! We are so lucky to be a part of such a caring community!
Parents, We Need Your Help
We can no longer allow students to go back to the classroom after 4:15 to retrieve items left behind. Thank you for your help!
Winter Recess Guidelines
Students go out for recess if the temperature including wind chill is 20 degrees or higher. Please be sure your child is prepared for the cold.
Watch DOGS
Many thanks to Mr. Gavidia, Mr. Prieur, and Mr. Renkevens, who came in this week to serve as our Watch DOGS!
Schools Closed on February 4, 2019
Schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, due to the special primary election to fill the 7th congressional district seat vacated following the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings.
From the Media Center
Upcoming reading initiatives presented by the Reading/Media Team:
January/February
Howard County Public Library will be visiting the 2nd and 3rd grades to present their program about fairy tales and tall tales.
Book Club is January 15, 2020 and the selection is Seasons of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
March/April Reading Night
March is our annual reading month. This year's theme is Reading Rumble. Many activities are planned including:
May
PTA News...
Hello FRES families!
Earlier this week, the snow fell, it was beautiful, the kids got to play for a bit, we didn’t use up any snow days, and the snow has already melted away. Now, that’s my kinda snow event!
Unfortunately, due to the early snow closing on Tuesday we had to cancel our PTA meeting. I’ve rescheduled the guest speakers from Horizon Foundation to lead the Parent Information Session on Streets for All initiatives for the March 3 meeting. Next month, we will have a Parent Information Session on Summer Camps! Some camps will open up registration very soon and we want you all to be able to get that information before they fill up. Mark your calendars!
Do you have games that you can donate to FRES? The PTA is helping FRES replenish supplies of indoor activities and board games to use during indoor recess. Uno, Connect 4, Head Bandz, checkers, Trouble, Junior Monopoly - to name just a few examples! All games in good shape are welcome! We’ll be collecting the games at Movie Night next Friday featuring the movie Abominable. Feel free to drop off games from 7-9 p.m. even if you’re not staying for Movie Night! Thank you for supporting FRES!!
Finally, be sure to join us at Laurel Roller Skating Center tonight from 7-10 p.m! Eddie the Eagle will be making a special appearance!! Skate for $9 including skate rentals with the special FRES price and FRES will receive a portion of the proceeds. See you there!
Khaleda Hasan, FRES PTA President
More from the PTA
After School Enrichment Activities
The current enrichment classes continue through the winter. Flyers for several course offerings were sent home before winter break. If you have questions, please contact Korin Sharp at iamkorin@gmail.com or Monaca Noble at kojothecat@gmail.com.
Box Tops
Please keep using the Box Top app and scanning your receipts within 14 days of purchase. Here’s chance to win 5000 Box Tops for the school and $50 for you: https://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/sweepstakes/2020/earneasygiveeasy! Also keep clipping the remaining Box Tops out there on products. Thank you!
Culture Fest
Mark your calendars for this year’s 2nd Annual Culture Fest on Friday, February 7 from 6:30-8:30pm! This event highlights the incredible diversity we have at FRES and gives everyone a chance to learn more about each other through activities, food, and display boards. Last year we had 40+ families representing 28 different countries and cultures! Look out for flyers next week for details on how you can participate! We’ll also set up a Google form to sign up online for added convenience. Please contact Khaleda Hasan at president@frespta.org if you’d like to be on the planning committee.
Family Fitness Night
Join Forest Ridge Elementary School and the PTA along with Power Fit and Rise Up Nutrition for a FRES Family Fitness Night. Come in out of the cold for a night of Family Wellness and Activities! It’s time for the FREE Forest Ridge Family Wellness Event! Join other FRES families on Wednesday, January 22, from 6:15-8:15pm. Highlighted Stations to include: Kid Friendly Boot Camp, Martial Arts, Zumba, Core Workout, Yoga, Parent Nutritional Workshop, and Wellness Tables. A Parent or Guardian MUST ACCOMPANY children. While participation is NOT mandatory, we ask that Parents and students come dressed to exercise together! All Fitness Levels Welcome! Registration is not required.
Movie Night
The next movie night featuring Abominable is Friday, Jan 17th from 7-9pm and it’s absolutely free!! Concessions will be available for purchase. Children must be accompanied by adults! Flyers went out this week.
Do you have games that you can donate to FRES? The PTA is helping FRES replenish supplies of indoor activities and board games to use during indoor recess. Uno, Connect 4, Head Bandz, checkers, Trouble, Junior Monopoly - to name just a few examples! All games in good shape are welcome! We’ll be collecting the games at Movie Night. Feel free to drop off games from 7-9pm even if you’re not staying for Movie Night! Thank you for supporting FRES!!
Red Robin Restaurant Night
What is better than not having to cook?!? Not having to cook, meeting friends, AND supporting FRES PTA 5th Grade Activities all at the same time!! Join other FRES families at Red Robin in Columbia Crossing on Thursday, January 30 from 5-9pm. Remember to bring your flyer and FRES PTA and the 5th Grade Committee will benefit. This is a chance to pay it forward, as each year 5th grade has many activities to commemorate their 6 years at FRES.
Watch D.O.G.S
Calling all dads, grandpas, uncles, adult age brothers, or other significant male role models. We are looking to add new dads to our Watch D.O.G.S. program. Male role models, with a presence in our schools, have a positive impact on all children in attendance. If you are interested in supporting this awesome program by signing up for a day, or even part of a day, we are looking for YOU!! Check out on the Sign Up to see which days are available. Keep in mind, you will also need to complete the Howard County child abuse and confidentiality training online, complete the certificate for each, and turn it in. Finally, to help make the Watch D.O.G.S. stand out while you are here, we encourage you to purchase a Watch D.O.G.S. t-shirt. When you arrive at the school, you will be able to purchase one for $15 sizes S-XL, $19 for 2XL and $20 for 3XL. If we are out of that size we will order more and it will be sent home with your child as soon as it comes in. You are also welcome to send in your money ahead of time and we will send your shirt home with your child right away. Send your payment in an envelope with your name, child's name, teacher, and your shirt size. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact Craig Dorsey at dorseypremier@gmail.com or Jen Renkevens at trenkev@juno.com.
In the Community...
Ukelele Play Along