August 8, 2016
Dear FRES Families,
Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year!!
On behalf of my school team, we hope this Back to School letter finds you enjoying the leisure and laughter a fun summer can offer. We at FRES are busily preparing the building for the students and the teachers, who will be back very soon. Through the efforts of our responsive school system, we have two additional rooms for use in the building. This school year, all homerooms are located in the building while the learning cottages are being used for band/strings and GT classes. Grade level teams have also shifted in the building to accommodate the changing number of classes in each grade.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon. Please note the information and tips that are included in this letter. They will enable a smooth transition into the academic year. Should you have any questions after reading this, please call our front office. We are glad to assist.
NEW ADDITIONS TO FRES - Each summer brings changes to the staff and we have a few to share:
• Lauren Speiser – is new to FRES, arriving from Hammond Elementary School. She will be our new kindergarten teacher.
• Maura Burke – is our new 1st grade teacher. She has taught for many years in Howard County, and came to us from Worthington Elementary School.
• Jennifer Bezilla – is our new grade 1st grade teacher.
• Amber Taylor – is new to FRES, arriving from the Baltimore County Public School System. She will serve as a 3rd grade teacher.
• Andrew Whiteford – is a former FRES intern and is now our new 5th grade teacher.
• Samuel Cassard – is our new PE teacher. He joins us as a full-time staff member after being split between 3 other Howard County Schools.
• Clair Wise – is our new technology teacher. She has taught for many years in Howard County, and came to us from Fulton Elementary School.
• Patricia Blackburn – is our new Reading Support Teacher. She has served the community of Laurel Woods Elementary School for many years.
• Matthew Vaughn-Smith is our new Reading Specialist. He comes to us from Swansfield Elementary School.
• Bobbi Jeon is our new .6 Music Teacher. She is an experienced music teacher returning from leave.
NEW NAMES, KNOWN FACES: A few staff members have changed their names. Congratulations to the newly married:
• Amanda Blustein Farnum - Mrs. Farnum will continue to work with the kindergarten team.
• Connie Lee Hayman – Mrs. Haymon will join the 4th grade team this year.
• Linette Prescott Berkley – Mrs. Berkley will continue to work with the special education team.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS- School supply lists for each grade level are available in the office and also posted on the school's website: http://fres.hcpss.org/messages/2015-16-school-supply-list
TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL- Perhaps the biggest challenge of the new school year is developing before and after school routines. These last weeks of summer are the perfect time to practice getting to and from school safely. Parents are encouraged to chaperone children at bus stops and on walks to school. Transportation is provided only to students who live one mile or more away from school. If you live within a mile and will be picking up your child by car, please follow the exit procedures for car riders.
Dismissal routines at 3:45 are especially important as we have about 700 students all leaving school at the same time.
If your child(ren) will WALK home, summer is a good time to practice the safest route to and from school. It is a perfect time to identify walking buddies as well.
If you live in Emerson or Stone Lake, your child will be a “B” Walker. They will exit the building from the gym door near the gas tanks on the bus loop side of the building. All other walkers (“A” walkers) will be released from the door to the right of the patio in the front of the building.
If your CAR-RIDING child(ren) will be met by a parent or daycare provider, they should wait with FRES staff until the vehicle pulls to a stop. Students should enter the car from the right side only to avoid moving vehicles. Drivers should remain at the wheel.
If your child(ren) RIDES THE BUS HOME, students will walk in the bus line to the bus then follow the driver's directions. Students should know their bus number and where to get off the bus. BUS SCHEDULES can be accessed at: https://hcpss2.securesites.net/SchoolLocator/index.jsp
NEWSLETTER- Weekly we will send home a newsletter sharing what's happening at Forest Ridge. It will also be available on our school website: http://fres.hcpss.org/
UPCOMING EVENTS- We frequently have special events at our school. A list of upcoming events will be posted in each newsletter and on our website. Please visit the website and check out the Google calendar of events that can be downloaded to your personal calendar.
CLASS PLACEMENT - On Wednesday, August 24th, between the times of 2:30pm and 4:00pm, parents may come to FRES to receive their child’s classroom placement. Due to confidentiality concerns we will not post class lists. Parents should plan to present a driver’s license to receive their child’s homeroom placement. Parents unable to make this date should plan to report early for the Open House scheduled on 8/26 to receive this information.
Please be reminded that developing class lists is a very challenging endeavor. Each year we work hard to establish classes that are balanced, taking into account student gender, academic levels and behaviors. Some classroom adjustments may have to occur after the beginning of the year due to student growth. We promise to ensure that each child is appropriately challenged.
HEALTH ROOM INFO AND MEDICATION DROP-OFF Parents are encouraged to drop-off any student medications that should be kept in the health room on 8/24th between 2:30 and 4:00pm. Parents must deliver any medication to the Health room because children are not allowed to bring drugs or medicines onto school premises. You may drop off medication any time during regular office hours. If you know your child will likely need over the counter medication like cough drops, lotion, lip balm, Benadryl or Tylenol, August 24th is the IDEAL time to drop it off. If a student comes to the health room when feeling ill, we have ice and bandages. If your child needs more, we will certainly give you a call. We also call home for every head bump.
Our Health Room is also the place where students are able to get a change of clothing when needed. We have a limited supply so if your child has accidents, you might want to pack an extra set of clothes in the backpack and let your child know how to access them. Accidents are not uncommon during the first weeks of school. Sometimes learning is so exciting that younger students especially just forget to go to the restroom until it's too late. One thing parents can do to help is make sure that kids can easily and independently get in and out of clothing. Sometimes the cute new outfits are a bit tricky. We welcome donations of new pants, tee-shirts, or new underclothes for our Health Room.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION- All students new to Forest Ridge, grades 1 - 5 are invited to attend the New Student Orientation scheduled for Wednesday, August 24th beginning at 5:00pm. Students will get to tour the building and hear interesting information about the forthcoming school year. Our Cluster nurse will be available to answer questions or receive any medication from new parents during this time frame as well.
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION – Kindergarten students and parents are invited to attend their orientation scheduled for Friday, August 26th beginning at 9:00am.
OPEN HOUSE - We are anxious to see 1st-5th grade students at the Open House on Friday, August 26th from 2:00 – 3:00pm. Please feel free to come and go during this time frame. During this time, please bring in school supplies, greet the staff, and join the PTA. We have a very active PTA that needs your help each year to keep all the exciting activities for our students going. Our PTA supports our school in many ways. Please sign up to help with a committee and help support your school.
FIRST DAY FOR STUDENTS -School begins on August 29th for all students. Please feel free to escort your children to their classes, no earlier than 9:00 am. We encourage parents to leave the classroom right away this first day so that the teacher and children can immediately begin their community building. We expect tears to flow freely during this time…. These are critical life moments to cherish. We will have tissue handy as we assist you in starting your day and assist your child in starting his/her new academic experience. Isn’t it exciting? Bring your cameras!
SEPTEMBER 6th (Corrected Date) – PTA MEETING, 7:00 – Everyone is welcome!
SEPTEMBER 6th (Corrected Date) –MEET AND GREET WITH THE ADMIN TEAM, 6:00 (Just before the PTA meeting)
SEPTEMBER 20 BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT, 6:30-8:00 PM- GRADES K, 1 & 2- During this important evening, you can meet the teacher and learn about expectations for the year.
SEPTEMBER 21 BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT, 6:30-8:00 PM- GRADES 3, 4 & 5- During this important evening, you can meet the teacher and learn about expectations for the year.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PACKET - The Back-to-School Packet contains important information about Forest Ridge School. Please fill out all necessary forms and return them to school as soon as possible.
LUNCH PRICES this year will be $2.75 and breakfast cost is $2.00. You may put money on your child’s account for the cafeteria by accessing the following online payment option:
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home
The cafeteria does offer snacks for purchase. Student accounts can be used for these purchases.
Forest Ridge Elementary is a wonderful learning community equipped with a world-class staff who are committed to teaching, nurturing, and encouraging all students to contribute positively to our diverse community and world. We look forward to a fantastic year and your partnership!
ISN’T IT GREAT TO BE AN EAGLE?
Genée Varlack, Ed.D.
Proud Principal