IMPORTANT DATES
October 26 4:00-7:00 FRES PTA Fall Festival
October 31 Professional Work and Development Day - schools closed for students
November 16 Joe Corbi’s Pick-Up 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
View the HCPSS Calendar in English
View the HCPSS Calendar in Spanish
View the HCPSS Calendar in Korean
View the HCPSS Calendar in Chinese
Dear Forest Ridge Community,
This past Wednesday, our bus-riding students participated in bus evacuation drills, reinforcing essential safety skills to help keep everyone safe while traveling to and from school. We are grateful for the students' attentiveness and our staff’s efforts to make this a valuable experience.
Next week marks the end of Quarter 1, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students' dedication to reaching their academic goals. We’ve seen their hard work in classrooms every day, and we want to recognize the continued support you provide at home to make this success possible.
As a reminder, parents and guardians have access to Canvas, our online platform, where you can view your child's assignments and grades anytime. If you’re unsure how to navigate Canvas, please click HERE for step-by-step instructions. This is a great way to stay engaged with your child’s progress as we move forward into the year.
We are so fortunate to have parents volunteering in our school to support our teachers and students. While volunteering, please remember that this is not the time for impromptu conferences with teachers. If you wish to meet with a teacher, please reach out to schedule an appointment to respect their planning time. Thank you for helping us create an environment that is supportive and mindful of all.
Thank you for your partnership and commitment to our students' success!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik
Report Card Information
As we are coming to the end of quarter 1, we want to remind families that the PreK-2 report cards were updated last year, and the grades 3-5 report cards are new this year. These report card shifts are due to HCPSS implementing the Standards Based Instruction and Reporting (SBIR) process, per Policy 8010 – Grading and Reporting: Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade 5. With the shift to SBIR, grades are based on the student's proficiency with the grade-level curriculum standards.
The Standards Based Instruction and Reporting Family and Community Resources Canvas course provides important information about SBIR. This includes documents to assist in Understanding Your Child's Report Card.
Academic Performance Codes represent what has been learned - where the student is in relation to the expectation of the grade level standard. It is intended to reflect the progress toward meeting the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards for their current grade level.
For students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), detailed progress toward IEP goals is provided in the Annual Goal(s) Progress Report that is sent at the same time as the HCPSS report card. A student’s IEP goals address the identified skills that support their progress toward meeting grade level standards.
From the Reading Department
The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet submitted as a PDF or hardcopy. Submissions may be emailed to melissa_azzarello@hcpss.org or given to the homeroom teacher by December 20, 2024. Contact any member of the Reading Team (Camille Washington, Megan Ficther, or Melissa Azzarello) with questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information and entry forms are on the HCLA website.
Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.
From the ChildFind Office
Attention Parents of Rising Kindergarteners: Don't Wait for Summer to Address Developmental Concerns!
If you have concerns about your child's development - whether it's their speech, motor skills, social skills or learning - it's important to act now. Waiting until the summer for a referral can delay crucial support that your child may need before starting kindergarten.Contact us today to schedule a screening. Let's work together to ensure your child has the best possible start in kindergarten!Call 410-313-7046 or email ChildFind@hcpss.org
WatchDOGS Sign Up Link
Interested in being a WatchDOG? Sign up here.
PTA Committees
Committees are VITAL to the work of the Forest Ridge PTA! Committees make it possible for many people to carry out the mission of the PTA throughout the year and are a great way to get involved in a specific area of your interests or talents! Click here for more information about the 2024 - 2025 Committees. We hope you will sign up for at least one committee.
Join the Forest Ridge PTA!
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!
To join online click MEMBERSHIP to pay by credit card. If you prefer to pay by cash or check complete this form and submit it with payment to your child’s teacher or the front office.
Stay Connected with the PTA
Website: www.frespta.org
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA
Instagram fres_pta
X @frespta
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.