• 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.
• Will your child be absent?  Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

Important Dates
September 15   Rosh Hashanah - Schools and Offices Closed  
September 19   Panda Express Restaurant Fundraiser – All Day.  English flyer  Spanish Flyer
September 20   Parent Meet-up @ Roggenart 11:00 a.m.
September 21   Joe Corbi’s Fundraiser Begins
September 21   Standards-Based Instruction & Reporting Parent Info Night (see below)
September 22   6:00 p.m. Back to School Celebration
September 25   Yom Kippur - Schools and Offices Closed
September 28   Watch D.O.G.S. Kick-off Ice Cream Social at 6:30 p.m.
October        5    PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center

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...

Forest Ridge Family and Friends,

We want to thank everyone for attending our Back to School nights. We had a great turnout and it was such a great chance for everyone to get to know one another and learn about FRES.

The PTA has rescheduled their PTA Welcome Back to School Night for Friday, September 22 starting at 6 p.m. You can find all the details about this fun night by going HERE. It really is a fun night for both families and students and we hope to see you all there!

Yesterday, HCPSS communicated adjusted start times for all HCPSS schools. The FRES school time was adjusted by 10 minutes to begin on Wednesday, September 20th.

• Doors will open at 9:05am.

• Late bell rings at 9:25am and our academic day begins.

• Dismissal starts at 3:55pm.

Please double check your child’s bus pick up and drop off times in Synergy on Tuesday evening. Just like we ask for the first week of school, please allow 10 minutes before and after pick-up times for the first few days of the change.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We thank you for your continued partnership in helping us to ensure safe arrivals and dismissals.

~ Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik

FARMs APPLICATION INFORMATION
Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, academic and athletic program fees and many others in addition to free or discounted meals.

Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program are available online. Use the link below to apply.

REMEMBER - you have to apply EVERY year. If you were approved last year, it will expire on October 11th.

FARMs Online Application Link:  https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Did You Know??
Participation in the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program qualifies students for the following opportunities:

• Access to HCPSS Pre-K program.
• Free registration fees for SAT and SAT I subject tests 
• Free registration for ACT tests 
• Reduced AP exam registration fees.
• Up to four free college applications Reduced tuition for HCPSS Summer Programs (High School, G/T Summer Institute, CTE, Summer Institute)
• Reduced tuition for HCPSS Innovative Pathways Program which offers an evening and summer program
• Reduced tuition for HCPSS Digital Education Program which promotes anywhere, anytime learning 
• Free or reduced JumpStart tuition offered through our dual enrollment partnership with Howard Community College 
• Free access to participate in the Outdoor Education Program for 6th graders.
• Contact the sixth-grade team leader at your child’s school for more information.
• Free registration for the NCAA Clearinghouse for DI or DII athletics
• Discounted internet through Comcast Internet Essentials program 

Students may be eligible for these additional opportunities: 

• Reduced health insurance coverage through Maryland Children’s Health Programs
• Reduced Columbia Association (CA) membership fees and access to the CA Youth and Teen Center
• Tuition-based scholarship at Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts
• Reduced Howard County Rec and Park Program fees (applies to before- and after-care; after-school clubs; sports leagues)
• Reduced YMCA fees (applies to before- and-after- school enrichment; preschool; summer camp)
• Free Head Start classes or Pre-K through the Community Action Council (CAC) of Howard County
• Access to Child Care Subsidy program through the Maryland State Department of Education
• Access to Bridges to Housing Stability
• Access to CAC Housing Assistance and CAC Energy Assistance
• Disability resources, food supplement applications, and medical assistance applications through the Maryland Department of Human Resources  

Please contact the front office if you have any questions or need assistance with applying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program.

Forest Ridge News...

From our Gifted and Talented Program Teachers

• The slides from the GT presentation made on 9/13 at Back to School Night can be viewed here.
   
• Mrs. O'Connell and Mr. Whiteford are visiting classrooms and lunches to introduce students to the Fall GT Seminar offerings. Seminars are optional clubs that meet during recess once a week. Each student in Grade 2 will receive an application. For students in Grades 3-5 that are interested, they can ask their homeroom teacher for an application. Any questions can be directed to Mrs. O'Connell (Grades 4 and 5) or Mr. Whiteford (Grades 2 and 3).
   
• La maestra Sra. O'Connell y el maestro Sr. Whiteford están visitando aulas y la hora de almuerzo para mostrarles a los estudiantes los Seminario GT de Otoño. Los seminarios son clubes opcionales que se reúnen durante el recreo una vez a la semana. Cada estudiante en el Grado 2 recibirá una solicitud. Para los estudiantes en los grados 3-5 que estén interesados, pueden pedirle a su maestro de aula una solicitud. Cualquier pregunta puede dirigirse a la Sra. O'Connell (Grados 4 y 5) o al Sr. Whiteford (Grados 2 y 3).

Family Files Need to Be Completed
Please complete your Family File for each of your children through HCPSS Connect. Your Family File needs to be verified and/or updated EVERY school year. As of 9/14/23 we only have 69% of them completed - help us reach 100%!

Your completed Family File provides emergency contact and other critical information for students. Completing your Family File also ensures that you are receiving important information and updates for HCPSS and Forest Ridge ES.

To complete/update your family file information please see the directions below:

• Log in to HCPSS Connect using your parent/guardian credentials
• Select “More Options” from the left navigation
• Select “Family File” at the top of the page
• Complete each page of Family File
• On the last page, select the blue Submit button

Once logged in, parents/guardians will be asked to provide or update all of the following information:

• Student information
• Parent/guardian contacts
• Emergency contacts
• Medical information
• Arrival/dismissal procedures
• Media release (photo approval)
• Data confidentiality

Vision and Hearing Screenings
Our Vision and Hearing Screenings are scheduled for Monday October 2nd 2023 and Friday October 13th, 2023. Screenings will be completed on students in PreK4, Kindergarten, 1st grade and all new students to Maryland Public Schools.  If your child wears glasses, please encourage them to bring them to school and wear them for the screenings.  Please see attached flyers for more information. English flyer   Spanish flyer

BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program invites you to attend the upcoming BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Long Reach High School. This College and Career Opportunities Night invites scholars in grades 8 - 12 countywide to network with working professionals, colleges, and universities, explore post-secondary opportunities, and learn more about HCPSS pathways. The evening will highlight a variety of colleges and universities as well as local businesses and organizations. To register, please complete the Registration Form linked here.

School Spirit Days for 23/24
We are excited to share our school spirit days calendar for the 23/24 school year! We hope this helps families plan ahead. There may be spirit days that pop up here and there based on activities that are going on in the building, but this calendar is what we will be following. You may want to print it out, put the dates on your personal calendar, hang it on the frig - whatever works for you to remember these fun days!

HOWARD COUNTY REC & PARKS - Before and After School Programs
To see what is being offered for students at our school, please go HERE. You can read about the various activities and register your child/children for them. All of these are run solely by HC Rec & Parks.

Standards-Based Instruction & Reporting Parent Night
If you are the parent of a student in grades PreK - 2nd grade, please join us at 6:30pm on September 21st in the media center to learn more about the new report card that starts this school year. We will be sharing with you what it looks like, how students will be evaluated, and how you can support your children at home. Change can be hard, but we are here to support you and make it easier.

Black Student Achievement Program (BSAP) Saturday Math Academy
Registration for HCPSS’ BSAP Saturday Math Academy will offer an in-person enrichment program for HCPSS students in all levels of math for grades 3 through 12 based on course availability. Registration will take place online Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until capacity is reached. Class space is limited.

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

Want to Get Involved with PTA?
Committees NOW Forming Up! Have you considered getting more involved with sharing your ideas and planning the work of the PTA? Check out the committees for the 2023-24 School Year and find which one or two fit your interests, talents, timing, and availability! Please fill out the online interest form to be contacted with more details and to raise your hand to join! https://frespta.org/fres-pta-committees/

Panda Express – Restaurant Fundraiser, September 19th
No Cook Tuesday!!  Visit Panda Express in Laurel from 10am – 9:30pm and mention FRES or place your order online and use code 359550.  This ensures FRES receives 20% of your bill.  English and Spanish flyers:  English flyer  Spanish Flyer

Parent Meetup – September 20th
Are you a FRES parent with a flexible daytime schedule and would like to meet other FRES parents?  Mark your calendars for a casual hang-out at Roggenart Bakery in Savage Mill on Wednesday, September 20th between 11 am - noon! We'll have a table reserved with a FRES sign so we can find each other.

Joe Corbi’s Sales Begin Thursday, September 21st! Order Today!
Joe Corbi’s fundraiser begins! A packet will come home with your child with instructions to participate.  Money raised will be used to fund assemblies, field trips, and our community events but the children also have the opportunity to earn rewards for their saleswork!

Pickup for delivery will be on Saturday, November 18th in the afternoon.  Additional information will be forthcoming.

Welcome Back to School Celebration – Rescheduled to Friday, September 22nd starting at 6 pm!
The PTA will be hosting a Welcome Back Celebration for ALL students and families to come enjoy pizza, dessert, and games together on the playground! Then you're invited to set out your lawn chairs and blankets for an outdoor movie (weather permitting). Of course, to make it all happen, your support is needed!  The volunteer tasks sign up can be found at: https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=umjFZ498SK6mdsOLeXjJy3N___52Nq_8L3___nXa4Ars

Watch D.O.G.S Kick-Off Ice Cream Social, Thursday, September 28th
Are you a Dad Of Great Students?  Watch D.O.G.S is a family and community engagement program for elementary schools.  It helps provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.  Join us in the cafeteria at 6:30PM for an Ice Cream social to find out additional information, receive training, purchase your shirt for $20 and sign up to volunteer. 

Fall After School Activities
Fall 2023 Howard County Recreation & Parks before & after school classes for students at Forest Ridge ES. These classes provide fun, structured, educational and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!  Click here to see the flyer.

Supersquads Cheerleading - Afterschool @ FRES
On 9/18, SuperSquads Cheerleading is back on Mondays 3:45-5:00 at Forest Ridge Elementary for students Grades 2-5!  Visit www.supersquads.org to register!

Please click here to see flyer.

In the Community...

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.

Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples (CAMOM) Fall Consignment Sale, Saturday, September 23nd.
Follow this link for more information:  https://www.camom.org/consignment

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.