IMPORTANT DATES
April 15 School Spirit Day - Inside Out/Backwards Day
April 17 Report cards available for viewing by parents @ 4pm
April 17 Spring Band Concert at Hammond High School
April 19 7:00 Battle of the Books @ Merriweather
April 24 Sweet Frog Fundraiser - View the flier.
April 26 9:30 5th Grade Panoramic Picture
April 26-28 PTA Silent Auction
April 30 School Spirit Day - Dress Like a Teacher/Student Day
May 4 PTA Spring Carnival
May 14 Primary Election Day. Schools and offices closed
May 15 5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearings
May 17 Staff Work Day - Schools close 3 hours early (12:55)
May 21 Field Day
View the HCPSS Calendar in English
View the HCPSS Calendar in Spanish
View the HCPSS Calendar in Korean
View the HCPSS Calendar in Chinese
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!
Dear FRES School Community,
We hope this message finds you all well. We wanted to take a moment to extend a special invitation to all of you to visit the Howard County School's Annual Student Art Exhibit, currently on display at the Columbia Mall until April 29th.
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of attending the exhibit's open house, and I must say, we were truly impressed by the exceptional talent and creativity showcased by our students. It's a testament to the dedication and hard work of our incredible art teachers, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Owens. Their efforts have ensured that our school is well-represented and celebrated in this prestigious event.
I encourage each and every one of you to take some time out of your schedule to visit the exhibit. It's a fantastic opportunity to support our talented students and appreciate the artistic endeavors they've poured their hearts into.
Thank you for your continued support of the arts at FRES. We are fortunate to have such talented students and dedicated teachers contributing to our vibrant school community.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Lannon and Ms. Pazornik
2024-2025 School Year Bus Transportation Registration is Open
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 process will open at 9 a.m. Monday, April 8 through May 31, and will 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:
Details on bus transportation registration, including a guide to register and scenarios families may see when registering, can be found online.
From our School Counselors, Ms. Norris and Mrs. Braxton-Cheek
Hello, FRES parents! We are having a career program on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. We are looking for grown-ups to present information about their careers. If you are interested, please select the following link to complete the Google Form: Career Day Program Interest Form
Attention 5th Graders! It's yearbook time! Please note the deadlines for these items below:
1. 5th Grade Parent Submission: Baby Picture Gallery!
Each year 5th grade students are invited to participate in a Baby Picture Gallery! If you would like to submit a baby picture (kindergarten or younger) of your 5th grader, please email photos to fresyearbook@hcpss.org. Please format your submission so that it shows your child's face clearly in a 1 inch by 1 inch square. Your submission must include the student's name. This section is voluntary and absolutely free. Submissions are due by April 19, 2024.
2. 5th Grade Parents and Loved Ones: Dedications!
Family and friends can send their 5th grader a message wishing them success in middle school! This section normally has a fee to help offset the cost of the yearbook, however, this year we are offering a free 25-word dedication. Space is limited, only the first 50 submissions will be accepted! Please send submissions to fresyearbook@hcpss.org. Submissions are due by April 19, 2024.
Any additional questions/concerns can be emailed to: Tia.Furr@gmail.com
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.
The Forest Ridge Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2024-25 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 years old by September 1st, applications are available and are currently being accepted. Please see the link below for information and link to the application:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16QzgRZdlq0mglYunqo2yFdeQXGJo6Nsx/view?usp=sharing
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, please contact Tricia Walls at tricia_walls@hcpss.org
Income Eligible Pre-K for children who will be 4 years old by September 1, 2024:
In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, Forest Ridge RECC continues to offer a prekindergarten program for income eligible children who will be four years old by September 1. Applications are available in the front office and online. Our program will fill up. All slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants are not processed until all necessary paperwork has been received. To apply, visit: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/
Spirit Wear Sale!
The PTA Spring Spirit wear Sale is open now until Fri, 4/19. Orders will arrive at school and be distributed approximately 3 weeks after the closing date.
https://www.selectspiritwear.com/v5store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=281
Sweet Frog (Laurel) – April 24th, 3pm-9pm
Meet your family, friends, and neighbors every 4th Wednesday of the month from January to May, at Sweet Frog in Laurel for a sweet treat from 3pm – 9pm. FRES PTA will receive 25% of your order.
FRES PTA BOARD ELECTIONS – Nominating Committee Needed
The current members of the PTA Board of Directors will end their 2 year term at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. As we prepare to elect a new board in June a minimum of 3 volunteers are needed to form a Nominating Committee to oversee the nomination and election process. It is required that you be a registered and paid member of the FRES PTA to serve on the Nominating Committee. If interested, please email Barbara Gumes at ssgumes@gmail.com.
Silent Auction – April 26-28
Our online silent auction will be on PTboard again this year. Save the date to bid on items from Kendra Scott, MD Science Center, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Rasing Canes, Sweet Frog, each grade level and many more!
If you would like to help source items for the auction or have a basket to donate to please contact@frespta.org. or click here https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=umjFZ498SK6mdsOLeXjJy3N___52Nq_8L3___nFUKiJ_
Spring Carnival – May 4
The FRES PTA Carnival is May 4th 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Tickets go on sale next week! An online order link will be shared next week and order forms will come home with your child.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We need your help to make this event possible! Please sign up at the link below to volunteer to help out at Carnival. Middle & High School Students are welcome to volunteer and volunteer hours will be verified. Carnival Volunteers
CAKE WALK DONATIONS
Do you love to bake??? Please consider donating a cake, cupcakes or other dessert for the carnival cake walk. Items can be dropped off at school on Friday 5/3 between 6:30 - 9:30 or Saturday 5/4 by 12:00. What's a cake walk? A cake walk is a game played at carnivals, fundraisers, and funfairs where participants walk around a circle of numbers on the floor while music plays. When the music stops, everyone lands on a number and the person that lands on the number called wins a cake. Sign up here Cake Walk Donations
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.
Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples (CAMOM) Spring Consignment Sale, Saturday, March 16th
Follow this link for more information: https://www.camom.org/consignment
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.