Hello everyone,
We hope you are doing well and you & your family are staying healthy and safe. We have some information to share with you so we have created the "Stay at Home" edition of the Forerunner, in hopes that the regular Forerunner will return soon.
Google Meet Directions
Next week on April 22nd K-5 teachers will be holding Virtual Orientations to explain Phase 3 of the Continuity of Learning Plan. You and your child will be invited to a Google Meet. It is very important that when you are logging into the Google Meet sessions, your child logs in from their account. View the "How To" video here:
Student Device Distribution
We appreciate your patience! Devices are being delivered by FedEx to families of elementary and middle school students who have requested to borrow them, as well as any high school students who have not yet received a requested device. We are working to ensure that as many students as possible receive their devices in time for the start of distance learning instruction. If delivery delays do occur, teachers will be informed and will be flexible with students during the initial days without a device.
HCPSS will continue to adapt to this evolving situation, and appreciates the continued patience of families and staff as we work to implement a thoughtful approach to distance learning.
Please complete this survey as soon as you receive the device or if you have not received a device by April 24:
Birthdays!
We are still wishing happy birthday to our FRES students during this new distance learning phase! Select this link for this past week's celebrations!
5th Grade Yearbook News
Hello, 5th Grade Families!
During this challenging time, the PTA Yearbook Committee has decided it is doubly important to move forward with creating yearbooks for students this year! In an effort to find ways to make this end of year still special for our dear 5th graders, we wanted to alert you that there is an opportunity to submit dedications and baby pictures of your 5th grader to be included in this year's yearbook! We expect to announce more directions about how to order, pay for, and obtain a yearbook next month. For now, please see the attached fliers for directions to submit a special shout-out in the yearbook to your 5th grader from you or another loved one. Additionally, there will be a collage of baby pictures of the 5th graders included on a couple of pages of the yearbook. Please submit a picture so your "baby" is included. Thank you for your support and we hope everyone is safe and healthy.
5th Grade Baby Gallery 2019-20
5th Grade Dedication 2019-20 Flyer
Services from our School Counselor
Beginning Tuesday, April 14, Mrs. Schuck will have office hours every week day from 9:30am-11:30am and then from 12:00pm-1:00pm. You can schedule an appointment by emailing the Mrs. Schuck (alyssa_schuck@hcpss.org) or completing the following request form.
Want to Receive Text Messages from HCPSS?
To receive text messages from HCPSS, please text the word "YES" to 67587 from the cell phone number on file in HCPSS Connect.
Canvas and Canvas Announcements
Teachers have and will continue to send messages to students using Canvas. Visit https://www.hcpss.org/connect/faq/#notify to ensure that your child is set up to receive notifications. This page is also a great resource to make sure that you understand Canvas and Synergy. Parents/guardians unfamiliar with Canvas may find it helpful to review the features in this Canvas Orientation.
Setting Canvas Notifications to receive emails of all Canvas notifications.
Account Self-Service for Students
Students now have the ability to retrieve their usernames and reset passwords, independent of teachers and staff. Directions on using self-service can be found online.
GT Instruction During Distance Learning
As part of the elementary distance learning that will begin in the next few weeks, Gifted and Talented Resource teachers will provide optional weekly enrichment activities in which students may engage in lieu of current Curriculum Extension Units (CEU) and Instructional Seminars. In addition, they will continue to provide instruction for students currently in GT Math. We look forward to resuming regular CEU and Seminar instruction in the future.
Internet Access
Comcast has opened free access to its Xfinity WiFi network, making hotspots across the country available to anyone, including non-subscribers, at no cost. Search by zip code or city to find a hotspot near you at wifi.xfinity.com. Comcast is also providing low cost internet access to eligible families through its Comcast Internet Essentials program.
3rd Quarter Report Cards
Third-quarter grading was previously scheduled to end on April 3. For all students, HCPSS will base third-quarter grades on work assigned on and prior to March 13, the last day schools were in session, as the majority of the quarter had already taken place when schools were closed. The new end to the 3rd quarter is April 24th and the 4th quarter will begin April 27th. Teachers will be completing report cards and they will be available to parents at the beginning of May. Additional details can be found here.
Kindergarten Registration
Parents/guardians of new incoming students and those entering kindergarten in the 2020-2021 school year (who are not already enrolled) are able to begin the enrollment process online, followed by completion of the registration process when schools reopen. Online registration is not required and parents may elect to complete the full registration in person at the time of reopening.
Once school buildings reopen, parents will be contacted to complete the registration at the child’s school. Parents or legal guardians must visit their child’s school and provide proof of parental relationship and any other documents not provided during the online registration process.
2020 Census
Several HCPSS programs rely on funding based on accurate census information, so all families are encouraged to participate in the 2020 census, which may be completed online. Learn more.
Free Grab N Go Meals
Free Grab-N-Go meals are served weekdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to anyone age 18 and under and/or any HCPSS student at Forest Ridge Elementary. Participants are encouraged to bring bags to carry meals home. Please note that parents/guardians may pick up meals for their children, who do not need to be present. Social distancing is in place during meal distribution.
Supporting Language Needs
Find information on the ways that HCPSS is supporting the language needs of families through in-person and online resources.
Special Education Continuity of Learning
This new webpage provides an overview of special education services for continuity of learning, timeline for service delivery and links to online resources for family use at home.
SECAC Awards
The Special Education Citizens Advisory Council (SECAC) annual awards have been postponed until October. Families can continue to nominate their child's fabulous educators, related service providers, administrators, inclusive programs and student leaders at https://forms.gle/DD6phamcmPhGxzU79
Pop-Up Food Pantry in the Long Reach Village Center
Every day from April 19-May 3 from 6pm -8pm. Coordinated by the Indian Origin Network of Howard County. Days and times are subject to change so call 410-340-0529. "Take all you need, and donate what you don't need."