May 31, 2024 Forest Ridge Forerunner
Fri, 05/31/2024 - 10:55amIMPORTANT DATES
June 1 6:00-8:00 5th Grade Dance
June 4 School Spirit - Beach Day!
June 4 6:00-7:00 Popsicles on the Playground for incoming (2024-25) Kindergarten students
June 5 Professional Work Day - Schools close 3 hours early
June 6 2:00-3:15 5th Gr. End of Year Celebration
June 7 Full school day
June 10 Full school day
June 10 PTA elections - Dive Bar (see below under PTA News)
June 11 Full school day
June 12 Schools close 3 hours early (12:55)
June 13 Schools close 3 hours early (12:55)
June 14 Last Day of School! Schools close 3 hours early (12:55)
June 19 Juneteenth Holiday - schools and offices closed
July 1 Summer School Begins
July 4 Independence Day Holiday - Schools and offices closed.
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. FRES parents will need to opt-in from the phone that receives messages on the number we have on file for them. Text YES to 67587.
- Will your child be absent? Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.
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 fridge - whatever works for you to remember these fun days!
From our Administrators...
Forest Ridge Family and Friends,
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students and staff who participated in our STEAM night. It was a huge success, and we couldn't have done it without your enthusiasm and dedication. The event showcased the incredible talents and creativity within our school, making it a memorable evening for everyone involved.
In other exciting news, our 5th graders recently had the opportunity to visit their future middle school. They took a tour of the building, met their teachers, and learned about all the exciting things awaiting them in 6th grade. This visit helped ease any anxieties and built anticipation for the new adventures that lie ahead.
Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that HCPSS Pride Week begins on Monday. There are numerous events planned to celebrate and promote inclusivity within our community. You can check out all the exciting activities and get more information by clicking HERE.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We look forward to more events and opportunities to come together and celebrate our students' achievements.
~ Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik
Forest Ridge News...
2024 Free Summer Meals Program
To continue meeting the growing need to feed hungry children and families in Howard County and fill the nutritional gap over the summer months, HCPSS once again will provide free summer meals Monday-Friday, June 24-Aug. 2, at locations throughout the county. Meals will be served only on days schools are open and there will be no meal service Thursday, July 4.
Complete details on the HCPSS 2024 Summer Meals Program are available online.
From our Registrar, Mrs. Jackson
All students moving on to middle school in HCPSS must have records in compliance in accordance with Policy 9000: Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment. Currently, all records are being reviewed for compliance. We ask that if you receive a letter for a missing document/s, you provide the requested documents by June 3. Please feel free to reach out to the front office if you have questions about the request if received.
Not returning to FRES next year?
Please let us know so we can assist in the transition to your child's new school.
- If you are staying in Howard County and your child will attend a public school, please complete this change of address form and return it to FRES.
- If you will have moved out of Howard County, please complete this withdrawal form and return it to FRES. We will put together a transfer packet for you to take with you when you register at the new school.
From the Media Center
G’readings FRES Families,
The Forest Ridge Book Swap is quickly approaching! The Book Swap is an opportunity for your child to reuse books and to get different books to read over the summer. Your student received a form this week; the bottom of the form should be filled out and returned with books that are being turned in for the swap.
Week of June 3rd-June 7th: your child can bring in books that are in good condition (no tears, watermarks, etc.) with the form below. We can accept picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction books that are appropriate for elementary aged students–please no religious books or board books.
Week of June 10th-June 14th: your child will choose a different book(s) to take home, based on the number of books they brought in to swap.We are also accepting additional donations.
If you have any books you would like to donate for the Book Swap we would truly appreciate the contribution. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Tordella, heather_tordella@hcpss.org. Thank you and happy swapping :)
2024-2025 School Year Bus Transportation Registration is Open
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Parents/guardians whose children are eligible for bus transportation are asked to register to receive bus service each year to help the school system plan for student transportation needs. The transportation registration has been extended to June 5, be completed online via HCPSS Connect Synergy. Registration must be done for each eligible child.
To be eligible for bus service, your child’s home address must be outside of a school’s walk zones. You can verify address eligibility in the HCPSS School Attendance Area Locator. After inputting your address, a window will appear that will indicate either bus or walk for each school level. Please note, the attendance area locator also includes a link for the bus stop locator, which is set for the current school year. Bus stop information for the 2024-2025 school year will be available in August.
You do not need to take any action if your child is not eligible for bus transportation, your child receives transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, or your child is a graduating senior.
Details on bus transportation registration, including a guide to register and scenarios families may see when registering, can be found online.
2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration is OPEN!
Registration for the upcoming school year, 2024-25 is now available. All registrations will be completed online, https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/ After submission, the registration will be reviewed, and the registrar will reach out to you to schedule an in-person appointment to complete the registration. Please upload the required documentation if able. Kindergarten is a mandatory grade in Maryland. Children must be 5 years old by September 1 in order to enroll in Kindergarten. Every child who is 5 years old by September 1 must be enrolled in a Kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver on file. (Waiver form for the 2024-25 school year will be available March 1st) Parents or guardians are to register their child at the serving school for their residence.
From the PTA...Get More PTA Info at the PTA Website
2024-2025 School Supply Orders due Sunday!
EPI School supply forms are due by June 2. Please click here to see a flyer. Forms will be accepted through June 2nd. To order online: Ordering link: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks
School code: FOR153 (3 letters/3 numbers) Email: Barbara Gumes with questions at ssgumes@gmail.com
PTA Elections – June 10th Dive Bar, Savage Mill
Join us at Dive Bar on June 10th at 7pm to elect the new 2024-2026 board. Appetizers will be provided, but drinks will be purchased on your own.
Volunteers Needed! Positions are still open!
We need your help!
Are you good with budgets? The FRES PTA needs a Treasurer for the 2024-2026 school years. This is a required position for the PTA to function next year. For more information or to volunteer visit, https://frespta.org/2024/04/24/fres-pta-board-members-needed-for-2024-2026-term/
5th grade activities!!
Reminder! The FRES Fifth Grade Dance will be this Saturday (6/1) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at FRES! If you have not yet returned your permission slip you can fill one out at the dance. All participants must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian. Let’s Glow it up to 6th Grade!
5th Grade Mini Golf Meet-up / Year End Event
The fifth grade PTA committee reserved a couple hours of fun at Laurel Golf (9801 Fort Meade Rd, Laurel 20707) for 5th grade students on Wednesday, June 5th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Let's spend some time together and have some fun! Please RSVP by June 1 to freswebmaster@frespta.org
Want to stay up to date on PTA information? Follow us on facebook at Forest Ridge Elementary PTA (FRES) or visit our website at www.frespta.org for more information.
In the community:
PVMS PTA Board Positions Available:
5th Grade Parents! The PVMS PTA welcomes you and your soon-to-be 6th graders! Middle School will go fast! Are you looking for ways to be involved and informed? Consider joining the PTA! We are currently looking for nominees for the positions of Recording Secretary and PTACHC representative for our PTA board this upcoming school year. If you are interested or would like more information, please email pvmsptamd@gmail.com or come to our next meeting on Thursday, June 6th at 7 pm in the PVMS Media Center.
Hammond High Boosters – Summer Camp Options
Click below to view a list of Boys and Girls Summer Camps for Incoming 5th Graders to Incoming 9th Graders.
In the Community...
Howard County Family Wellness Day
What: Howard County Family Wellness Day
When: Sunday, June 9th from 8am – 1pm
Where: Centennial Park (South Gate entrance off Rt. 108)
Website: www.WePromoteHealth.org
HCPSS joins with other leaders in challenging our community to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into your daily life. Howard County Family Wellness Day brings families together each year to put the focus on wellness in our schools, workplaces and community. There will be lots of interactive booths and activities for adults and children of all ages. This year’s event kicks off with the 20th Annual Matzohball 5k run/walk. Family Wellness Day is free. There is a fee for participating in the 5k and the 1 Mile Fun/Run-Walk. All registration fees, when registering on the official website, benefit HopeWorks, DreamBuilders and GrassRoots.
Take part in our annual CPR Pump-A-Thon at noon and watch the internationally acclaimed ”Kangaroo Kids” Performance at 12:30pm. There is something for everyone, including our kids zone and even an area showcasing the many available resources to help our seniors age gracefully. Visit www.WePromoteHealth.org for information.
Invitation from the County Executive
The County Executive would like to invite you to the 4th Annual STEM Awards program. The program will take place on June 12th from 5:30-7:30pm at the Howard County Community College Smith Theatre located in the Horowitz Performing and Visual Arts Center. Refreshments will be served following the program. Please find a link to the campus map for building location and the West Parking garage. Please RSVP by clicking here or on the link attached in the flyer. If you are a principal/teacher/mentor registering in the student’s name section, please put “teacher”. Any questions please feel free to reach out.
Please note we will accept RSVPs even up to the day of the event; however, we are ordering refreshments, if possible, please RSVP by June 10th.
We are looking forward to seeing you all at the program.
Guilford Park High School Boosters Lacross Camp June 17th-21st
The camp is open to rising 5th graders through 9th graders. Current and former college players are scheduled to come and help work with the girls. We even have equipment that can be borrowed. We really want to help grow the game in the southeastern part of the county! View the flyer.
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.