Forest Ridge Forerunner

Trish Lannon | Principal

Ivye Pazornik | Assistant Principal

Website: https://fres.hcpss.org/

Address: 9559 Gorman Rd. Laurel, MD 20723

Phone: 410-880-5950

*For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" at the top of the screen and select the language of choice at the top of this page.

*Para otro idioma, haga clic en "Traducir boletín" en la parte superior de la pantalla y seleccione el idioma de su elección en la parte superior de esta página.

• October 2: Schools & Offices Closed
• October 16: School Picture Day
• October 17: Schools Closed for Students
• October 20: Schools & Offices Closed
• October 22: Unity Day - Wear Orange
• October 22: PTA Silver Diner Fundraiser
• October 27 - 31: School Spirit Week
• October 28: Hearing & Vision Screening
• October 31: Schools Close 3-Hrs Early
• November 1: PTA Fall Fest
• November 4: Hearing & Vision Screening
• November 10: Report Cards Issued
• November 12: Schools Close 3-Hrs Early
• November 13 - 25: Book Fair
• November 14: Gr. 3 Field Trip to Science Center
• November 21: Book Fair Family Night
• November 24 - 26: P/T Conferences
• November 24 & 25: Schools Close 3-Hrs Early
• November 26 - 28: Schools are Closed

*HCPSS calendars can be found HERE. They can be downloaded, subscribed to and/or printed out.

*FRES Academic Schedule can be found HERE.

*The HCPSS Related Arts Color Calendar can be found HERE.

*FRES School Spirit Days Calendar can be found HERE.

*FRES School Supply List can be found HERE.

*Arrival/Dismissal Map can be found HERE.

Dear Forest Ridge Families,

One of the things that makes our school so special is the strong partnership between home and school. When parents and guardians volunteer their time and talents, it makes a world of difference for our students and staff. Whether it’s helping in the classroom, assisting with events, or supporting behind the scenes, every contribution adds to the vibrant community that our Eagles are lucky to call home.

We encourage you to consider volunteering in a way that fits your schedule and interests. Not only does it strengthen our school, but it also gives you a chance to connect with other families and see the joy of learning in action.

Thank you, as always, for your support and partnership. Together, we are soaring to success!

With appreciation,
Trish Lannon, Principal
Ivye Pazornik, Assistant Principal

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 6:30–7:30 PM
Location: Virtual via Google Meet
Audience: Families of elementary school students

Flyer

Join the HCPSS Office of Instructional Technology & Library Media for an informative session where you will discover the HCPSS Digital Citizenship Curriculum and explore effective ways to support your student(s) as they navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Register here: https://bit.ly/DCFamilyNight

Individual picture day will be October 16. Parents may pre-order pictures by visiting schoolpix.com and using the pre-order code FRESF25. A copy of the flyer and price list is attached. The pre-order code will be good until October 17. If parents do not wish to pre-order, an envelope will be coming home with each child during the week leading up to picture day, and students should give the order envelope to the photographer when they go with their class to have pictures taken.

All students present on October 16 will be photographed using a blue background, since these photos will be used in the yearbook. New students and students who are absent on picture day will have the opportunity to have their photos taken at a later date, to be scheduled after the original photos ship to FRES.

We need your partnership in making sure our Eagles are in school every day. At the elementary level, children do not control their attendance—parents and guardians do. Your efforts to get them here on time each morning make a tremendous difference.

When students are absent, they miss out on daily instruction that cannot be fully made up at home. Each lesson builds on the one before, and when students miss class, it impacts their ability to keep up with the curriculum, their grades, and their performance on assessments. More importantly, being in school helps children stay connected to their teachers, classmates, and routines, which supports their confidence and sense of belonging.

Every day really does matter. Even a few absences spread across the year add up to weeks of missed learning. Regular attendance helps children develop good habits that will carry them through middle and high school, college, and eventually into the workplace.

We know mornings can be challenging, but we ask for your continued commitment to sending your child to school every day, on time, unless they are truly ill. Together, we can make sure all of our students have the best chance to soar to success.

Below is our current attendance data here at FRES:

• Overall FRES Attendance: 95.9%
• Percentage of Students Meeting MSDE Chronically Absent Rate: 11.5% (70 Students)
• Overall Percentage of Students Tardy Daily: 3.5%
• Our current attendance rates by grade level:
• Attendance for each grade level can be in the picture.

Just a reminder that per Howard County policy, crocs are not allowed to be worn for PE. Please make sure your child has the appropriate footwear on PE days.

Classes have begun working on Concept 3. Reading the information below to see what they are learning and how you can make connections at home.

At Forest Ridge, we are so proud of the many ways our students show kindness and respect each day. One area where we need your partnership is in reminding students - especially in grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5 - about the importance of treating all adults in our building with respect. This includes their classroom teachers, substitutes, lunch and recess monitors, and every staff member who helps keep our school running smoothly.

When students listen, follow directions, and use kind words with adults, it creates a positive and safe environment where everyone can do their best work. Substitutes and monitors, in particular, step in to support our school community, and they deserve the same courtesy and cooperation as any other member of our staff.

We ask that you take a few minutes to talk with your child about what respect looks like - - listening the first time, using polite language, and remembering that every adult in our building is here to help them.

With your support at home, we know our Eagles will continue to grow into respectful, responsible learners who make FRES a wonderful place for all.

This fall, HCPSS again will offer a no-cost, evidenced based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. Facilitated by HCPSS licensed social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists, the SPACE program (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is specifically designed for parents/guardians of children and adolescents with anxiety issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related concerns. Parents/guardians interested in participating in SPACE should complete the registration form associated with the group they wish to join (see below) by Sept. 26. Please note that space is limited; parents/guardians may be placed on a waitlist if sessions fill up. See flyer at this link.

We are working to build our recess equipment collection so that all students have plenty of fun and engaging options during their play time. To help us stock up, we’ve created this Amazon Wish List with items our students would love to use. If you’d like to support, please consider purchasing an item from the list - every contribution makes a difference in creating a joyful and active recess experience for our Eagles!

We are in need of tissues, as the cold and flu season has seemed to have started at FRES! If you can donate any tissues, feel free to drop them off at school or send them in with your child. Thanks!

As a reminder, our doors open to students at 8:30am. The final arrival bell rings at 8:45am, at which time teachers will begin to take attendance. Students will be marked absent/late beginning at 8:46am.

If you drop your student off after 8:45am, you are required to exit your vehicle and sign your student in as a late arrival. This includes walkers, as a parent is required to sign their student in late at the elementary school level. Please contact the Front Office with questions.

We are very excited to have volunteers to assist teachers and students. We are ALWAYS in need of vounteers!

If you have not already done so, please complete the necessary trainings in order to be a volunteer by going to https://forms.gle/2FT2GTdq41jQtKv99. Once this is done, you will be cleared to both volunteer at the school and to chaperone. This does have to be completed before coming in to volunteer. Thanks.

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals receive both breakfast and lunch for free.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility. Please go HERE to apply.

Parents may occasionally need to change their child's dismissal plans. If you are aware of these changes in advance, please email the following staff members by 10am:

• Your child’s Homeroom teacher

• Front Office staff: kelli_davenport@hcpss.org and rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org.
  

If a change is made without prior notice, please call the school directly at 410-880-5950 after 9am and inform our secretaries. Teachers may not be able to check emails or may have a substitute on that day. You can find our staff directory and email addresses HERE.

Additionally, we kindly ask families to be mindful of early dismissal timing. To help our staff prepare efficiently, please ensure your child is picked up no later than 2:35pm if an early dismissal is needed. This allows us to call and ready your child before the school-wide dismissal begins and helps prevent congestion around our buses. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth and accurate dismissal procedure.

Please consider helping our teachers out with their Amazon Wish Lists. Our amazing PTA is trying to help our teachers get the items they need for their classrooms and their students. Your support is greatly appreciated!

All absence notes should be sent directly to fresabsence@hcpss.org

In your absence email, please include the following:

• Student’s full legal name

• Homeroom teacher

• Dates of absence

• Reason for absence (e.g., illness, bereavement, observance of a religious holiday, lack of transportation)

You can read our attendance letter by going HERE.

Calling all FRES families, teachers, staff and community members. THE FRES PTA NEEDS YOU! You can join by going to this link: https://frespta.givebacks.com/shop

Your FRES PTA is now 90 strong including 30 of our amazing faculty and staff and 60 parents!!! Every membership helps fuel the programs, events and supports that make the FRES community shine! Please help us climb higher on the membership ladder and reach our goal of 100 members by the end of September.

Your membership in the PTA helps support & fund numerous programs, activities and events at our school. With your membership and involvement, collectively the PTA can:

• Supplement the cost of school field trips to reduce the individual expense for families and students
• Supplement learning with an assortment of after school programs, activities and cultural arts that enrich our students
• Organize events such that allow families and staff to connect and have fun as a school community.
• Support classroom activities through special funding and volunteer support.
• Show appreciation for our teachers and staff for the countless hours that go into educating our children.
• Advocate on behalf of the FRES community at the county, state and national levels to ensure our students receive the necessary and appropriate resources.

There are no requirements to being a PTA member. Your membership is the first step to supporting the FRES PTA and after that we encourage you to participate in any way that you can!

Friday, October 3, 2025

6:30 – 8:30

What are we watching? Lilo & Stitch – Live Action

Where? The FRES Bus Loop. In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be shown in the FRES Cafeteria.

Food & Snacks: The PTA will be selling drinks and snacks only; including water, juice, candy, chips, etc. And as also the POPCORN IS FREE! Families are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinner to enjoy under the stars.

What to Bring? Chairs, blankets and the whole family!

***Please note that this is a FRES family event and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers are needed to support Family Movie Night. Please sign up here Movie Night Volunteers

Committees are VITAL to the work of the Forest Ridge PTA! Committees make it possible for us to carry out the mission of the PTA throughout the year and are a great way to get involved at a level the meets your availability, interests and talents. Click PTA Committee Sign-Up for more information and to sign up for at least one of the 2025 – 2026 PTA Committees.

In alignment with Howard County Board of Education, the following announcements have been approved by the Public Information Office for distribution. To view upcoming events click: https://community-programs.hcpss.org/

The Salvation Army again shares the 2025 Angeltree Program in Howard County. To learn more about this program review flyer at this link. Proof of parent/guardianship required for gifts for children 12 and under. Applications will be taken Wednesday,September 24th – Tuesday, September 30th 2025, 10:00am – 2:30pm. See all details at this link.

Howard County's new on-demand rideshare service offering fast and convenient transportation along the Route 1

Corridor, including parts of Elkridge, Hanover, Columbia, and Jessup. Rides are just $2 per trip and are free for

Howard County public school students, Howard County Community College students, and seniors 60+ with valid

ID. Service operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Download the HoCo RapidRide app to book

your ride, or call 443-348-9572 for assistance. Enjoy free rides until April 17, 2025

https://city.ridewithvia.com/rapidride

Howard County has a network of food pantries that provide essential supplies to those in need. Locate the nearest pantry by clicking the button below.