December 2, 2022 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 12/01/2022 - 12:30pm
  • To opt-in to HCPSS Text messages, text "YES" to 67587 from the device on which you would like to receive messages.
  • Be sure to click on the "Calendar" link at the top of our website for important dates throughout the school year.
  • View the breakfast and lunch menus here.  Please keep in mind that items on the menus are subject to availability.
  • Will your child be absent?  Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

Important Dates
December 5-11             Computer Science Week
December 12                 Deadline for Dental Clinic Forms

December 13                 PTA Meeting
December 14                 Professional Work & Wellness Day - schools close 3 hours early

December 14                 Maiwand Kabob Restaurant Night.  View the flyer.
December 20                 1st Grade Gingerbread Night
December 21                 Kindergarten Gingerbread Night
December 24-Jan. 2     Winter Break
January 10 & 11            FRES Dental Clinic

February 24                 Save the Date! FRES PTA Culture Fest (See below - From the PTA)

View the HCPSS Calendar in English
View the HCPSS Calendar in Spanish
View the HCPSS Calendar in Korean
View the HCPSS Calendar in Chinese

***Want to receive HCPSS text messages regarding weather-related closing info, late bus info, etc.?  You must opt-in.  Text "YES" to 67587 from the device on which you would like to receive messages.***

From our Administrators...

Dear FRES Community,
We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!  As we continue to move through the rest of December, please be sure to monitor your children for any symptoms of illness. Please call our Health Room with any questions.  This helps us to continue to keep our school healthy!  

In addition, the weather has gotten much colder.  Students go outdoors if the temperature is 20 degrees or higher with the wind chill.  Please dress your child in a coat, hat, scarf, and gloves to assist them with being warm when we are outside and remember to label all clothing and water bottles.

Enjoy your weekend!
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Can you help?
Are you able to support a family for the upcoming holidays (meals, gifts etc)? Please consider spreading the love to those who need it most. You can…

  • Donate a monetary gift to help a family
  • Gift cards (Weis, Walmart) in $10 increments to the front office staff
  • Any amount in cash to our front office staff
  • Any amount to our donation collection using our counselor's Venmo (@MsAlyssaNorris) (or use this QR Code).

We are also starting a community support group at school, called Feathers for Families! Here are ways you can help ALL YEAR ‘ROUND:

  • Donate non-perishable food and toiletries (boxed and labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate clothing or shoes (bagged or boxed, labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate small toy/game/fun items for kids
  • Donate monetary amounts (listed above)

FRES Dental Clinic
FRES will be hosting the Smiles Dental program at our school on Tuesday January 10th and Wednesday January 11th, 2023.  Permission slips will be coming home with students soon.  We are asking that parents review the permission form and if interested, complete the form in its entirety and return to school as soon as possible.  You may also sign up online at www.MySchoolDentist.com.  A copy of the form in English and Spanish is attached.

The consent form must be filled out in its entirety, signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the Health Room or submitted online no later than Monday December 12th, 2022.  No late forms will be accepted after December 12th, 2022.

Hour of Code
Computer Science Education Week  will take place next week, December 5th-11th. This is an annual event in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, who was born on December 6, 1906. Code.org is the originator of the Hour of Code, which encourages teachers and students world-wide to stop and code for an hour.  Students at FRES will be participating in the Hour of Code in their Tech and Media classes next week, and resources will be shared with classroom teachers to use in the future. 
 
If you are interested in encouraging your child to code at home, there are many free coding resources available from code.org at this link. Additional online activities and free classes can be found through a site called Create & Learn.
 
Happy Birthday, Grace Hopper, and happy coding to our FRES families!

Outdoor Recess Guidelines
Generally, students will be outside for recess when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index reading is less than 95. Children with certain health conditions may need special accommodations during extremely hot or cold weather. Parents of those children should provide medical documentation and may be consulted to determine if other arrangements are necessary.

From the PTA...Get More PTA Info at the PTA Website

PTA Meeting – December 13th
Join us for the monthly PTA meeting in the cafeteria at 7pm.  This month Mission BBQ has generously donated food for this meeting.  We welcome all current enrolled PTA members to join us for some food at 6:30pm, prior to the start of the 7pm meeting.  If you are not currently a member, enrollment on site will be available.  You can also enroll online now at: https://frespta.ptboard.com/.  We look forward to seeing you at the last PTA meeting for 2022!

Maiwand Kabob Restaurant Night – December 14th
Celebrate the ½ day of school with dinner out.  Come out and support the FRES PTA at Maiwand Kabob in Fulton/Maple Lawn.  Did you know that catering orders or office lunches also count towards this fundraiser?  It’s a great way to help the FRES PTA.

Walmart/Weis Market Gift Cards
This holiday season, we have a few FRES families in need.  If you would like to, please consider dropping off a Walmart gift card to the front office anytime before December 15th.  Ms. Norris is accepting Venmo donations also.  Please Venmo her @MsAlyssaNorris

Gingerbread Night – December 20 & 21
The FRES PTA and Kindergarten team will be having a gingerbread night for the kindergartners and 1st graders.  You should have received information regarding this event.  Please email Ms. Lindenmann at Catherine_Lindenmann@hcpss.org with any questions.

Culture Fest - February 24th
Did you know that 28 different languages are spoken by our amazing families at FRES? Just imagine learning so much more about our wonderfully diverse community and experiencing the food, music, and more from so many countries! Would YOU and your student like to share your community with our FRES family?  If so, please email Pratima Lele at pratimalele@gmail.com to join our committee or to share your ideas! We will be having our first planning meeting in December.

Reflections Arts Competition – DEADLINE Extended to 12/5
Does your student love producing art? Sign them up to submit a work of art to the Reflections Program; this nationwide PTA program is available at FRES. Your student should choose a category, review the theme, and then CREATE! We will recognize and display their artwork to the FRES community and they will also have the opportunity to advance to a Howard County competition! This is a low-key and encouraging way to support your child's interest in the arts; everyone's entries are welcome and no prior experience or training is necessary.  Students can choose from six artistic categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts (including 3D Art).  The registration form can be found here: https://frespta.org/resources/fres-reflections-program/  Pieces are due by December 5th so please register today.

In the Community...

From Bread of Life Food Pantry in Savage
Every month the Bread of Life Food Pantry, located at the First Baptist Church of Savage, serves an average of 30 families (112 individuals.)  As we draw closer to the Christmas Holiday Season, the Bread of Life Food pantry prepares to fill the shelves and refrigerators of the families that depend on school lunches as well as those that may not qualify for assistance.

They are collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries that will be handed out to families each Thursday leading up to Christmas.  Items may be dropped off at First Baptist Church of Savage, 8901 Washington St, Savage, MD 20763, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, 9:00-2:00.  Outside of these hours, arrangements can be made by calling (301) 725-3944.  View their flyer here.

HCPSS Community News and Programs Site: 
In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.  Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.

HC Drug Free Events
Receive HC DrugFree's Free Newsletter: To receive HC DrugFree's free electronic newsletter packed with information for parents and opportunities for students, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/

Stay Informed about What’s Happening in Howard County: Sign up for HC DrugFree’s newsletter at https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/ to get updates on events as well as information to keep your family safe and informed.