Important Dates
March 24 FRES PTA Movie Night
March 28 Chick-fil-A Spirit Day Fundraiser to benefit the 4th grade field trip. View the flyer.
March 29 School Spirit "Dress Like a Book Character Day"
March 29 Reading Night at Savage Library
March 31 End of 3rd Quarter. Schools dismiss 3 hours early (12:45 for FRES)
April 1-10 Spring Break!
April 11 Staff and students return
May 18 Save the date! FRES STEAM Fair
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.***
March is Reading Month: We'll be Reading Around the World CUP!
Grade 5 The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)
Grade 5 students will take the MISA Assessment on March 14th & 21st.
The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) is administered to all students in fifth grade, eighth grade, and high school. The MISA is aligned to the Maryland Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS integrates three dimensions necessary to understand science. The dimensions are the Science and Engineering Practices, the Crosscutting Concepts, and the Disciplinary Core Ideas. To assess the three dimensions of the NGSS, a set of interrelated items is required. All items on the MISA are part of an item set.
Test Preparation and Practice
The following link provides resources that can help students prepare for the MISA: Grades 5 and 8 Practice Tests - No username and password required. Click the “Practice Tests” link.
WatchDOGS
Hey DADS, BONUS DADS, UNCLES, GRANDPAS and MALE ROLE MODELS! Have you signed up for a day to volunteer?! Want another go?! Be sure to sign up for a day to help at school!!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4ea8ab2caafc1-watch3#/"
From Mrs. Walls, our RECC Team Leader
The Forest Ridge Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) preschool programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st, applications will be available and accepted in mid February.
In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, new applications for students turning 4 by September 1 will not be available or accepted. The Howard County Public School System continues to offer a prekindergarten program for income eligible children who will be four years old by September 1. For additional information contact the school or visit: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/
HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, in person, or class quarantine). If you have any additional questions, please contact Tricia Walls at tricia_walls@hcpss.org
Girls on the Run Registration is Open!
Who: Girls in grades 3-5.
When: Program Runs March 21 - June 1; 5K on June 3
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays after school
4:00-5:15 p.m.
To register: Visit gotrcentralmd.org
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, Medical Assistance has been automatically renewed since March 2020. With the end of the Public Health Emergency quickly approaching, AUTOMATIC RENEWALS WILL STOP AS OF APRIL 30, 2023. Please call the Howard County Health Dept. Insurance Line at 410-313-5845 to check your status and prevent any lapse in insurance coverage. They will assist you and provide an appointment to renew your coverage, if needed.
Weather Guidelines
Remember: Students go out for recess if the temperature including windchill is 20 degrees or higher. Also, if your student needs to stay inside during recess, you must provide a doctor's note. Thanks!
Help for FRES Families in Need
We are starting a community support group at school, called Feathers for Families! Here are ways you can help ALL YEAR ‘ROUND:
Howard County Recreation & Parks Before & After Care Pre-Registration Dates. View the flyer.
Participants currently attending - March 7-17, 2023
22/23 Waitlist Participants - March 21-31, 2023
New Participants - April 4, 2023
Murray Hill Middle School Spring Musical
Murray Hill Middle School presents "High School Musical Jr." on March 17 & 18 at 7:00 p.m., and March 19 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets: $5.00 at the door. View the flyer here.
Atholton High School Spring Musical
Atholton High School presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on March 23, 24, 25 @ 7:00 p.m., with an afternoon show on March 25 at 3:00 p.m. Use the QR code on the flyer to purchase tickets.
Movie Night - March 24th
The weather is perfect for a Spring Movie Night on the bus loop. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a movie under the stars. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Savage Library Reading Night – March 29th
Come out to Savage Library and join the FRES community in Reading Night. Additional information will be provided soon.
FRES Carnival & Silent Auction – May 6th
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The FRES Spring Carnival is coming up on Saturday, March 6th. A silent auction will also be held during the carnival. We are excited to bring this family fun event back to FRES this year, but a lot of help is needed to pull it all together. We are asking for volunteers to help with the following to prepare for the carnival:
1. Silent Auction
2. Games/activities
3. Cake Walk
4. Making posters, signs, gamecards, etc.
If you are interested in assisting with the planning of the carnival or the silent auction, please email Barbara Gumes at ssgumes@gmail.com.
FREE Clothing Giveaway
When: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Lines may form at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045
Media Production Summer Camp at River HS
Attention aspiring filmmakers! Have you always been interested in the movie-making process? Do you dream of being a YouTube vlogger? There’s a week-long summer camp just for you!
Sign up for Video Production camp either in the morning or afternoon (or both) to learn how to improve your filming and editing skills and how to work as part of a video production team. View the flyer here.
When: Weeks of July 10 and July 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and/or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Where: River Hill High School media center
Who: videographers age 9 to 17
How: Go to https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/camp2023 and find the session(s) of your choice
Why: Because it will be a lot of fun!
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.