January 13, 2023 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 01/13/2023 - 3:54pm
  • 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.
  • View the breakfast and lunch menus here.  Please keep in mind that items on the menus are subject to availability.
  • Will your child be absent?  Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

Important Dates
January 16                       Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Holiday - Schools and Offices Closed
January 18                       Professional Work and Wellness Day - Schools close 3 hours early (12:45)

January 19                     7:00 Culture Fest Committee Meeting (in the Media Center)
January 23                       Professional Work Day - Schools closed for Students
January 24                     Club and Candid Pictures Taken for the Yearbook
January 25                     4:00-7:00 Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Restaurant Night.  View the flyer.
January 26                     PVMS New Student Orientation Night: GT information Thurs., 1/26 at 6 pm
January 26                     PVMS New Student Orientation Night:  General Orientation Thurs., 1/26 at 6:30 pm
January 27                     6:30 Health and Wellness Fair.  View the flyer.
February 1                     6:30 Beginning Orchestra Concert (Group 1)
February 1                     7:30 Beginning Orchestra Concert (Group 2)
February 2                     6:30 4th Grade Advanced Orchestra Concert
February 2                     7:30 5th Grade Advanced Orchestra Concert
February 9th                 Staff Appreciation Dinner
February 24                   FRES PTA Culture Fest
February 28                   FRES Paint Night
March 16                        Save the Date!  FRES School-wide Reading Night - for information to come

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.***

Forest Ridge News...

Weather Guidelines
Remember:  Students go out for recess if the temperature ncluding windchill is 20 degrees of 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:

  • Donate non-perishable food and toiletries (boxed and labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate clothing or shoes (bagged or boxed, labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate small toy/game/fun items for kids
  • Donate monetary amounts (listed above)

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

Culture Fest Committee Meeting-next Thursday, January 19th - 7-8 p.m.
Did you know that 28 different languages are spoken by our amazing families at FRES? Just imagine learning so much more about our wonderfully diverse community and experiencing the food, music, and more from so many countries!

Check out this video from our inaugural Culture Fest from 2019: https://twitter.com/hcpss_fres

Would YOU like to help plan this dynamic event this year? If so, please join the Culture Fest Committee for a planning meeting next Thursday, January 19th from 7-8pm in the Media Center to share your ideas!  Can't make it next week? No problem! Email Khaleda Hasan at kbhschools@gmail.com to join our committee or to share your ideas!

Culture Fest: February 24th - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Crazy Mason Milkshake Restaurant Night – January 25th
Come out to Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Old Ellicott City from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. for this month’s restaurant night.  Click here to see their menu: https://www.thecrazymason.com/our-locations/old-ellicott-city-baltimore/

As a bonus the mason jars will have our FRES logo on them and they also package them up to go, so you can enjoy the goodness at home.  Please visit the event facebook page at: https://fb.me/e/5eN8oAond?mibextid=RQdjqZ for more information.

Health and Wellness Fair - Friday, January 27 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
FRES PTA wants to support our amazing families and community at our Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, January 27. Bring your whole family, help yourself to some food, and then send the kids off to the Media Center for a movie and babysitting. 

Then head back to the cafeteria! We will have representatives from the following organizations and businesses to share with us their expertise, some are offering some raffle prizes and fun interactive ways to help address the stressors of life!

Things to do:

  • Healthy Snacks and Recipes - stop by our food table for FREE snacks and drinks for some sustenance as you walk around the fair. Take pictures of recipes to add to your routines.
  • Tocar Spa - Hear about the benefits of massage therapy and sign up for a FREE 10 minute chair massage from trained massage therapists. A raffle to win 2 (45 minute) massages @ Tocar Spa!
  • Yoga - 2 sessions on the benefits of yoga and an interactive demonstration of chair yoga
  • Art activities for kids and adults to de-stress
  • Options to have your blood pressure checked, have a diabetes screening and learn more about the offerings from the Howard County Health Department and the impacts of COVID

People to Talk to:

  • National Family Resiliency Center
  • Representatives from the many offices of the Office of Children and Families (a kids activity will be here)
  • National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • Valerie Harvey, School and Partnership Engagement Specialist for the Local Children’s Board in the Department of Community Resources and Services
  • Family Therapist - Dr. Karlissa Wise
  • Springboard Community Services
  • 5th grade parent Mia Hall will host a Women's Health Table
  • Howard County Savage Library - Amber Wilson, Children's Supervisor
  • AND MORE
  • Please email Pratima Lele at pratimalele@gmail.com if you want to help set up on the day of or are willing to assist in creating signs and advertising. Spread the word!  To sign up to volunteer, click here.

Staff Appreciation Dinner – February 9th 4 p.m.
Visit our PT Board sign up for the upcoming staff appreciation dinner.  We hope you can contribute in some way to show our teachers how much
we appreciate all that they do. https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw

Family Paint Night – February 28th 6:30 p.m.
Join Ms. Allen from the Art Department and the FRES PTA for a family paint night.  Each canvas is $12 and the proceeds from this event will go directly to the Art Department.  Each attendee will be painting a snowy penguin scene. To register for this event please click here https://frespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=3253&form=5  Registration deadline is Friday, February 17th.

To help prepare for this event, if anyone has any old newspapers they would like to donate please drop them off at a PTA event or the front office before 2/17.

Watch D.O.G.S
Calling all dads, grandparents, male role models.  Sign up today to spend a day or half day with not only your child but the amazing students of FRES.  Unsure what this entails?  Click here to read our FAQ.

Our calendar for the rest of the year is available.  If you would like to sign up, please click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=s.signup&urlid=4090a4ea8ab2caafc1-watch3&view=standard

If you have any questions or need to purchase a shirt, please reach out to Mrs. Norris at Alyssa_Norris@hcpss.org

Before and After School Programs
Registration is open for before and after school programs being offered at FRES in February & March by the Howard County Parks & Rec Department! Offered classes include: chess, art, music, basketball, and golf! To find out more details, please review the flier. To create a Parks & Rec account and register, please visit: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/programs

Amazon Wish List
The PTA has received the following Amazon Wish List from the Related Arts Departments.  If you are inclined, please take a look and see how we can help the wonderful teachers of FRES.

Art Department:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/16C23ZM6FO6R5?ref=cm_sw_sm_r_un_un_catokl1Mm7euF

Health/PE Department:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GHPC9WBCCTBK?ref_=wl_share

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.