To opt-in to receive HCPSS text messages, text "YES" to 67587.
March 24th 7:00 PM Parent Information Session for parents of students in grades 3 - 5 Code: fres35
March 29th Grades 3-5 students in Group A start back
April 1st Grades 3-5 students in Group B start back
April 2-6 Spring Break - Schools closed
April 14 Schools close 3 hours early - end of 3rd quarter
April 27, 28, 29 Picture Days (Save the dates! More info to come)
Dear FRES Community,
It is hard to believe we are halfway through March! This Saturday is also the first official day of spring. We are ready for some warmer temperatures. We are off to a great start with our Group A and B in-person students in PreK through 2nd Grade who started back to school this week. In addition, our virtual students have continued to work very hard and we are very impressed with their organization and hard work. We encourage all parents to review the Canvas assignments that were given in all classes (including related arts) from the end of the 2nd quarter until now. These assignments can still be turned in and are needed for your child's 3rd quarter grades.
Our staff is truly amazing! They are dedicated to reaching each and every learner in person and virtually. We want to thank the families who have been reaching out to them with positive messages throughout the school year. They love receiving them and appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely,
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik
A Message From the School Nurse
As we continue our transition to hybrid learning, it is essential to ensure students are healthy enough to attend in-person instruction. Parents/guardians are to perform a symptom check every day before student leaves home. A student having any of the following symptoms should not be sent to school and may continue to access their classroom virtually, if they are well enough to do so:
Thank you!
Our PTA treated the FRES staff to green doughnuts on Wednesday. Thank you very much!
News From Mrs. Schuck
Don't forget to check out Mrs. Schuck's Guidance Page Here!
Picture Day Will Look a Little Different This Year
The pandemic can't stop us from having Picture Day! Students who attend on "A" day will have their photographs taken on April 27; students receiving virtual-only instruction will be photographed on April 28; and those students attending on "B" Days will have their pictures taken on April 29. All orders will be placed online and mailed to parents. Details will be shared as the dates get closer.
Return Media Books- If you still have HCPSS media books (from any school), you may return them at FRES during school hours in the drop-off bin or book cart in the main vestibule.
Do you have extra Amazon (or other carrier) plastic padded mailing envelopes at home? We are collecting them at school to use for transporting student Chromebooks in backpacks! If you have just one, please have your child use it as extra protection during transport. If you have additional ones to donate to school, your child can give them to his/her classroom teacher to share with other students. We will blacken out names on labels before distributing. Thank you for supporting this Green School initiative that will help our students learn the importance of recycling to keep our planet healthy!
Tech Reminders-
If your student is coming into the school building to learn, please be sure to send their headphones, their Chromebook fully charged, and their charger.
If your Chromebook has been having audio or video issues, try the Refresh and/or Reset process. The link provided has video directions to guide you.
The Media/Tech staff would like to thank our FRES families for taking such great care of their Chromebooks. If you are preparing to come back into the building, or staying virtual, we’d like to remind you of some of the best practices and HCPSS Guidelines for HCPSS Chromebook use.
How to Clean your Chromebook - Please clean your Chromebook every few days to help limit the spread of germs between school and home and to keep the keyboard dust-free.
Chromebook Troubleshooting and Management - This will help you troubleshoot and fix most issues.
FRES Tech Help Complete this form if you have support needs beyond what is listed from the Chromebook Troubleshooting link above.
Parental Controls - If you have concerns about your child’s screen time on applications and sites outside of school time, or even during class time, we suggest that you visit your Internet provider site. There you will find an explanation of parental controls that will help you manage your child’s interaction with Internet use and accessibility.
If you do not have a Chromebook case for your child, an environmentally friendly solution is to use a padded mailing envelope (such as Amazon) for transport in the backpack. This will provide additional protection when being carried back and forth.
At that time, devices may be exchanged or returned at any of the following Technology Support Centers:Old Bushy Park Elementary School, Room E2 (door to the left of the front entrance), 2690 Route 97, Glenwood (Building is between Glenwood Middle School and Bushy Park Elementary School) Old Cedar Lane, Gymnasium (door on the left side of the building; follow the signs), 5451 Beaverkill Road, Columbia (Building shares a parking lot with Harper’s Choice Middle School)
Note! Both locations are in old school buildings that are not located at the same sites as the new schools with similar names. Anyone seeking assistance should go to the locations listed above and not go to or call the current schools regarding the Technology Support Center. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 2-5 p.m. Please note that Technology Support Centers are closed any day that HCPSS offices are closed.
The Media/Tech Team
Clair Wise clair_wise@hcpss.org
Heather Tordella heather_tordella@hcpss.org
L’oreal Edmondson loreal_edmondson@hcpss.org
K-5 2021-22 New Student Registration Open Now and PreK Registration Starts Monday, March 15
Registration is online. Visit www.hcpss.org/enroll for information and to register. Note: If your child is currently enrolled at FRES and will continue to attend next year, you do not need to re-register. Your child will automatically be "rolled over" into the new school year.
Families are encouraged to visit the Grade K Family and Community Resources page for more information about the kindergarten instructional program and ways families can support their children at home.
Pre-K Registration begins the week of March 15, 2021.
The Prekindergarten Family and Community Resources page also contains resources for families and providers for children currently in their prekindergarten year.
Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten
The Forest Ridge Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) Pre-Kindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2021-22 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 or are already 4 may learn more about the program by reviewing the Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (English). Applications will be accepted starting February 11, 2021 and priority will be given to applications received by April 1st.
Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Chinese)
Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (Spanish)
If you need assistance to complete the application, please contact Early Intervention Services at earlyinterventionservcies@hcpss.org or at 410-313-7017.
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, or in person). If you have any additional questions, please contact Tricia Walls at tricia_walls@hcpss.org or 410-880-5950.
Is your Family File up to date?
In preparation for the return of students on March 1, please make sure your emergency information is up to date in the Family File. Follow these instructions:
1. Visit www.hcpss.org/connect
2. Log in to your account. (User name = your email address)
3. You will see a list of options on the left side of the screen. At the bottom of the list, choose "More Options" and then "Family File."
4. Follow the prompts to update the information.
5. You will receive a confirmation upon successful completion of the Family File.
Notes:
* If it is not allowing you to click "Next" on a particular page, there is information missing.
* If you have more than one child at FRES, please be sure to update information for all of your children.
Thank you for your help!
Need Food Support?
The North Laurel/Savage Multi-Service Center (9900 Washington Blvd, Laurel) is running a food pantry weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-4, and every third Saturday of the month from 9-1. Please reach out to Ms. Schuck if you need assistance with transportation or have other needs at this time!
View the flyer in English
View the flyer in Spanish
Welcome Back! FRES PTA (belatedly) welcomes the E and the K-2 A/B student groups back to the building! Hopefully everyone is adjusting well and enjoying the gradual transition to normalcy while still keeping safe.
Indoor Recess Materials Drive: If you've started spring cleaning and have found extra coloring books, activity books, or individual brain teasers or games, please consider donating them to FRES for students to use during indoor recess since they will be maintaining physical distancing. Items can be dropped off in the front door vestibule area and will be quarantined before use.
Wish Lists: FRES PTA has compiled an Amazon Wish List to help make the transition to hybrid school as easy as possible for teachers and students. The wishlist can be found at http://tiny.cc/freswishlist and can be directly shipped to the school. You can also purchase from another store and drop items off at FRES. Teachers may have classroom-specific wish lists. Some supplies have already begun arriving. Thank you for your support!
Casting for the Virtual FRES Variety Show – Send Us Your Video Auditions: Mark your calendars for the virtual PTA Variety Show Thursday, May 20, 2021! We are seeking talented FRES performers to cast in the show. Tryouts are open to all FRES students in any performance area, including singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians, poets, solo artists and groups – the list is endless. Send in your video auditions to fresptao@frespta.org. Video auditions should be two minutes or less and will be accepted now through Friday, April 16, 2021. Questions? Contact Tangie Smith at tangelats@gmail.com
Yearbook: We will be having a yearbook this year! Please send pictures to fresyearbook@hcpss.org.
Fifth Grade Activities Committee: Next meeting date is Tuesday, March 30th, at 6 p.m. Contact psulauren@yahoo.com for Zoom info.
FRES Culture Fest 2021: Through Culture Fest over the past few years, FRES PTA celebrated the many cultures that make our FRES community diverse and strong. Due to the pandemic, this year FRES PTA is teaming up with Bushy Park ES PTA to join them for their county-wide virtual International Night over Zoom!! Mark your calendars for April 23, 2021 from 7pm - 8pm! There are many ways to participate and highlight your culture or country of origin! You can make a slideshow about your country/culture or record a dance or special talent unique to your culture. You can share recipes or crafts to represent your country/culture. You can even recommend children's books that highlight your culture/country. To sign up or see more ways to participate, see: https://www.bushyparkpta.org/international-night-2021 For more information, contact Khaleda Hasan at kbhschools@gmail.com.
Spirit Wear: We have a NEW promo code for the month of March. Save up to 30% with code MARCH21 at checkout! New designs have been added, you won't want to miss this new spring gear! Order here and save 20% off $50 with promo code LAYER21. Purchases will be shipped directly to homes. FRES PTA will receive a quarterly donation for 10% of sales.
Grocery Rewards: Great news! Weis Markets has announced that grocery rewards will be retroactive. You can take the barcode into the store and they will link it to your savings card! We are also participating in Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal), BoxTops, and Coke Rewards. Please visit https://frespta.org/ways-to-support/grocery-storeshopping-programs/ for more information on these programs that provide financial support to FRES based on purchases you already make.
Communication: There are several ways to receive communications including www.frespta.org, the FRES PTA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA/, and Twitter @frespta. There is also a group that was formed for discussion and support and is for current FRES families.
Membership: It's not too late to join the PTA. Your membership will be valid until September 2021. Visit www.frespta.org/membership and it's only one $10 payment for the entire year!
Volunteers Needed: We are looking for volunteers and leaders for several committees. Please check out the list and comment with your name and email address so we can contact you with more information.
Save the Date:
Feedback: Please let us know if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions either by email or via our suggestion box. Suggestions are anonymous, so if you would like a reply, please include your email address.
Please email Korin Sharp at president@frespta.org if you have any questions on this week’s update. Thanks and have a great weekend!
New 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.