September 6, 2024 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 09/06/2024 - 2:03pm

IMPORTANT DATES
September 6    6:00 PTA Back to School Celebration (see below under PTA News)
September 10  6:15-7:30 Back to School Night for grades K-2
September 11  5:30 Gifted & Talented (GT) Information session
September 11  6:15-7:30 Back to School Night for grades 3-5
September 18  Professional Work Day - schools dismiss 3 hours early (12:15 for FRES)
September 17  PTA Tampico Grill Restaurant Night
September 19  6:30  PTA General Membership Meeting
September 24  6:30 Watch D.O.G.S Kick-Off & Ice Cream Social (see below under PTA News)
October 3         Schools and Offices closed
October 18       Professional Work Day - schools closed for students
October 31       Professional Work and Development Day - schools closed for students

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.

From our Administrators...

Hello FRES Families!
This was another fantastic week at FRES, with staff and students continuing to settle into the routines of a new school year.  We had our first evacuation drill on Wednesday morning.  Your children did an amazing job; they were quiet and followed their teacher's directions. Today was our first spirit day.  It was great seeing everyone in their football garb

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Lannon and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

DEAR at Savage Library
FRES students are invited to attend DEAR at the Savage Branch Library the second Monday of the month at 7PM. Dogs Educating & Assisting Readers is a program where kids, K-5th, read to dogs to practice reading and reading aloud in a judgement free space; dogs are great judgement free listeners! Build reading skills and confidence! Our first program this school year is on Monday, September 9, 7-8 PM.

Vision & Hearing at FRES
Our Vision and Hearing screening is scheduled for Thursday September 26th , 2024, and Monday October 7th, 2024. Screenings will be completed on all PreK, Kindergarten, 1st grade and new students to Maryland Public Schools. Please see the attached permission letter and flyer for more information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Health Room at 410-888-8811. 

FRES Learning Together Program (LTP)
The Forest Ridge Elementary School Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are still accepting applications for students to participate as peers through the Learning Together Program (LTP). This class includes 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 are being accepted.

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 and/or would like to complete an application, please contact us at jennifer_black@hcpss.org or  (410) 880-5950.

Girl Scout Open House
Is your daughter interested in joining Girl Scouts? 
What:    Girl Scout Open House
Where:  Savage Library
When:   Thursday, September 19, 6:00 p.m.

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

You’re Invited!!! Welcome Back to School Celebration on Friday, September 6th, 6:00 pm

Please mark your calendars for our first major social of the year! The PTA will be hosting a Welcome Back Celebration for ALL students, families and staff to come enjoy pizza, dessert and games together on the playground! When the sun goes down set out your lawn chairs and blankets for an outdoor movie.  Volunteers are needed to help with the event. Click HERE to sign up.

PTA General Membership Meeting: Thursday, September 19th at 6:30 pm
All FRES parents, family members and staff are welcome to attend PTA General Membership meetings. Come meet us, get updates from school leadership, hear an overview of this year's plans and consider your future level of involvement!

Join the Forest Ridge PTA!
The Forest Ridge Parent Teacher Association (FRES PTA) is a non-profit 501-c3 charity organization formed to support the FRES community. Its purpose is to promote collaboration, accountability, commitment, respect and the value of diversity. The goal of the National PTA organization is to engage and empower families and communities to advocate for all children to reach their full potential.

ALL Forest Ridge families and staff are invited to join our PTA and get involved in the community support work that it does. There is no "wrong way to PTA" - however you can participate - a lot or a little or somewhere in-between - is welcome and celebrated!

For a general overview, visit https://frespta.org/ or click MEMBERSHIP to go directly to the membership website to create an account and join! A PTA membership must be renewed each year so if you have joined in the past, please renew your membership for the 2024 - 2025 School Year!

Watch this video to hear why others have joined a local PTA. Why Join PTA? https://youtu.be/xzGtGcYdEFs

Mire este video para saber por qué otras personas se han unido a una PTA local. Por qué Deberías Inscribirse en PTA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCIZVt2gp4

Watch D.O.G.S Kick-Off Ice Cream Social, Tuesday, September 24th 6:30 pm
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. Bring your child(ren) and join us in the cafeteria at 6:30PM for an Ice Cream social and information session. Activities will be available for the children in attendance. Watch D.O.G.S t-shirts will be available for purchase for $20.00. All dad, granddads, uncles and other male role models of FRES students are welcome to join.

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.

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.