Ridge



Website: phones are answered M-Th 8:30-4:15, F 8:30-4:00School Hours 9:15-3:45 p.m.Students may enter the building at 9:00 a.m.Lunch price: $2.75, Milk: $.50Dates to Remember?December24-Jan. 4 Winter Break – Schools and Offices ClosedJanuary5 ? ? ? ? Students and Staff return15 ? ? ? 7:00 Winter Band & Strings Concert19 ? ? ? Martin Luther King Holiday – Schools and Offices Closed22 ? ? ? Professional Learning Day – All schools close 3 hours early? ? ? ? ? ?5:00-8:00 Chick-fil-A Fundraiser at Johns Hopkins Road location23 ? ? ? End of 2nd Quarter – All schools close 3 hours earlyFrom the Principal's Desk…Greetings FRES Families,This week, our FRES students participated in a global project called “Hour of Code”. ?Tens of millions of students of all ages and backgrounds around the world have tried an “Hour of Code,”?an introduction to demystify computer science and show that anybody can learn the basics, even in elementary school. ? ?Here is a sampling of the activities FRES students engaged in this week . . .???? ?Kindergarten?– Students used algorithms to get a pot of gold?through the Hour of Code Lesson,?"Happy Maps.”??? ?First Grade?– Students watched video clips to learn about algorithms and how to code on a computer. ? Later in the week, they were able to explore these concepts in the computer lab through games, discussing why and how the games work.? ? ?Second Grade?– Students had a discussion about technology that uses codes (ie., apps, games, & computer websites). They then used a code to make a bracelet with their initial in the code and a necklace with their name in the code. ?Another class used code to create paper chains of their names. ?Students had to use coding to find each letter of their name, then color the code to match and put it together in order. Before working, students watched a few videos to show them how other students all over the world are using and creating technology.??????Third Grade –?Third graders did “Hour of Code” in math classes.?Students used the symbaloo webmix to link to online coding activities such?as scratch, frozen, flappy birds, and tynker.? One math class also completed?an unplugged activity of making a paper airplane using an algorithm.??? ?Fourth Grade?- Students participated in coding games online throughout the week. Mrs. Jackson, the para-educator, has background in computer coding from her previous profession. Mrs. Jackson went into classes to talk to students about how she used coding at in her previous work, the importance of coding, and its influence on our everyday lives. Students also completed some informational reading and paper and pencil coding activities from their weekly “Time For Kids” magazine publication.??? ?Fifth Grade?– 5th graders had an introductory lesson on writing code from a “Time for Kids” video. ? 5th grade also discussed if coding and computer science should be taught in elementary schools. ?Students looked at the debate from both sides and then wrote an opinion essay to support their position. ? They also participated in some online exploration of “Hour of Code” websites.???? ?Primary (K-2) Technology Classes?- Used area carpets with the squares on them to "code" a student (flappy eagle) to a target on the other side of the carpet. Obstacles (students) were placed in squares in between the target and the flappy eagle so that the coder had to 'program' ?the flappy eagle around the obstacles to get to the target. Students took turns writing or speaking the code that allowed the flappy eagle to maneuver around the obstacles to get to the target. ???? ?Physical Education?– Students learned about the role and definition of a “Programmer” and played a game of robot tag in groups where one student is the programmer and sets commands for the other student robots to move through an obstacle course.??? ?(K-5) Technology Classes?– All students began participating in a leveled 20-hour coding course. This course introduces students to coding vocabulary and takes students through numbered stages where they have to complete different tasks. Login information was provided to students this week, giving them the option to continue the course work at home. ?We will spend additional time in technology class working through these activities next week.??? ??? ?Our students are learning how things are created in a technological world that’s their world and their upcoming world.?? ??? ?Here’s a link to give you a little more information about this ?project:? ? ? ?? yours,?? ??? ?Anne Swartz, Danielle Shanks, Jason Ortega?Student News...Eagle Egg NewsWe'd like to give a "shout out"?to the following students who were our Eagle Egg winners this week: ?Gabriel Delgado, Abner Britez, Madihu Yarmah, Connie Rogers, Daniel Adeyokunnu, and Hussain Masood.Our grade level totals were:K - ?5171 - ? 2652 - ? 3623 - ? 233 ?4 - ? 4815 - ??148 ?Forest Ridge News...Recess Toy Drive Thanks!!Thank you so much for all the?items that were sent in this week for indoor recess! ?They will get lots?of use this winter!Parking Lot RemindersParents & Visitors:??We realize that parking spaces in our lot can be limited.? (Remember:? Cars can park along the side of Gorman Road if the lot is full.)For the safety and benefit of our students, please help us with the following?. . . .-DO NOT park your car in a handicapped parking spot to drop off or pick up your child. Please use the carpool process. ? We have students at FRES with physical disabilities for whom the handicapped parking spaces are needed.-Do NOT park your car along the red painted curbs (fire lanes) beside the trash bins and B walker/bus loop area.?at dismissal time.? Students who come out that door are designated as B Walkers.? If you need to change their dismissal plan to make your student a carpooler, please send in a note to your child's teacher so that your child can be dismissed through the front door and you can use the carpool lane.-Do not park your car in a spot designated as RESERVED.? Thank you.-Parents dropping off your Before Care Students - Please DO NOT park in the fire lane.? This presents a safety concern in the case of an emergency inside the building.? Emergency vehicles need to access to the fire lane areas, and they would not be able to if unoccupied cars are parked. Please park in a regular parking spot.? We know that this takes a couple of extra minutes, but we appreciate your courtesy.Thank you for your cooperation!?PTA News...From the PresidentIt snowed!! I know many aren't very excited like I was with our quick little blizzard yesterday, but it totally helped get me in the mood for the holidays.?I am so thankful for our wonderful staff at "The Ridge." ?I'll try and let each of them know how appreciative I am for creating such a positive?environment for our children during this holiday season.? If you have a chance, please?drop a note?in your child's backpack to let them know how much you appreciate them as they spend the bulk of the day with your child. ?Remember, it's?not only your child's teacher, but the principals, nurses, secretaries, specialists,?and recess/lunch monitors.? There are so many people that help your child throughout the day, I know a "thank you?for your help and guidance" goes a long way.I hope you all get?some rest and relaxation as we move in to the holiday break and I look forward to what the new year has to bring.Warmly,Amanda FieldsFRES PTA PresidentNeed Volunteers for Lunch and RecessIf you are able and willing, the staff at FRES is in need of a few helping hands at lunch and recess. ?The lower grades especially, since the children are still learning how to open food pouches and drinks. ?Recess is the same. ?There are large groups of children to keep an eye on and more volunteers are always welcomed. ?Please call Ms. Shanks for more info. This doesn't have to be an every day event, but as much time as you're able to give is greatly appreciated.Movie Night TonightDue to the holiday week we are going to (this once) allow walk-ins. ?Each person will need to sign in and all children MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times. ?They cannot be dropped off. ?Also, you must have a student that attends FRES in order to come to this event. ?The price of admission is a new hat or mittens per family to be donated to a local charity. ?If you sent in your ticket request already your name will be at the door. ?If you have any questions please feel free to call me Jennifer at 301-659-3728.Yankee CandleYou can still order online until January 15th and FRES will get the credit. ? Shop now for those last minute holiday gifts. ?Online orders over $100 will receive "FREE" shipping, under $100 is a $5.99 Flat Fee. ?This is a perfect way of sending gifts and supporting our organization. ?Click on this ?link to shop: ??? Enter in our group number: 990029363.Contest for Labels for Education – Deadline: January 12, 2015?Please clip Campbell's Labels for Education (LFE) points during your holiday cooking! All students who turn in at least 10 LFE points will receive a pencil.? The student with the most LFE points in each grade will get to be PE teacher for one class activity.? Anyone who already turned in LFE points since the start of the school year will automatically be entered and those LFEs will count toward your total.?The contest deadline is January 12, 2015. Submit in a baggie or envelope and include your name, teacher, and grade.? HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" . Thank you for your support of the Related Arts Team at FRES! Reminder - Shop at AmazonSmile instead of this Holiday SeasonJust follow a few easy steps to have AmazonSmile donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to our school. Prior to shopping, start at from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. When visiting for the first time, search for Forest Ridge and then choose: “Pta Maryland Congress Forest Ridge Elementary School Howard” from the options provided. Or copy this direct link into your browser:?. Works with Amazon Prime Accounts too!After School ActivitiesWe have set the schedule for after school classes that will start after the winter break until Spring Break. ? Visit our website for updated links and information. () ?There will be more classes offered after Spring Break like Drama and foreign languages.Little Scholars Whiz Kids--Grades K-2.??Mondays Starting January 26th. $104. ? Grab your goggles and lab coat…we are heading on a scientific discovery mission! In this class we’ll explore the world of science through everyday objects, experiments and encounters. ?Whiz Kids is designed to enhance the STEM education philosophies taught in your child’s science class. Sign up at?. ? Questions? Contact Leslie at lseay@Little Scholars Newspaper Writing--Grades 3-5.??Mondays starting January 26th. ?$104. ?Ladies and Gentlemen, get it hot off the press! The second edition of the school newspaper needs your help! ?Students will enjoy this creative and exciting class as they create authentic newspaper stories. As they are transformed into reporters and editors, the outcome will be to publish their own school newspaper. Various aspects of newspapers are covered, including parts of a newspaper, writing an article, reading habits, advertisements, and layout and design techniques. Sign up at?. Questions contact Leslie at lseay@**NEW**Jr. Minecraft Programming--Grades 1-3.??Tuesdays starting January 27. ?$185. ?Using a custom mod called "Computercraft", students will learn how to program robots called "Turtles" inside the world of Minecraft. ?Kids will utilize problem solving skills by learning how to program their robots to complete various tasks and objectives such as programming their turtles to automatically build, mine and craft items and structures. ?They will be introduced to programming if-then-else statements, for while-loops and implement their own functions using Lua, a simple scripting language. ?Looking for a fun way to introduce your child to programming? Why not do it using a game they love! ?Note: Basic reading skills required. ?Experience playing Minecraft preferred, but not required. ?Sign up at: ? HYPERLINK "" ?**NEW** Minecraft Programming--Grades 4th & 5th.??Tuesdays starting January 27. $185 ?In this class, students will learn how to create and program their own custom robots using the popular game Minecraft. ?Introduce your child to some Lua and learn how to program robots to complete various tasks like automatically build mine and craft items and structures! ?Determine how each of your own robots behave. ?They will write if-then-else programming statements, for-while loops and implement their own functions using Lua, a simple scripting language. ?Does your child love playing Minecraft? Introduce some programming basics in a game they love! ?Sign up at?Kidzart--All grades? Wednesdays. Next session starts February 4. ?$170. ?Start building a lifetime love of art with KidzArt! Developed with the philosophy that learning to draw creates confidence, focus, and perseverance, our students engage their imagination in a whole new way! Our curriculum never repeats and enables students to confidently create their own masterpieces each week. We keep it simple and FUN by creating an environment where there is no right or wrong way to do art. Younger children practice following directions and using fine motor skills. Older children love having the freedom, guidance and encouragement to further their drawing skills. Within each session, students will explore a variety of artist grade media, such as Prismacolor Markers, ArtStix, Oil Pastels, Chalk Pastels, Charcoal, Watercolor, Clay, Copper, Textured Papers and much more! KidzArt means FUN and brings out the creativity and “KidzArtist” in all of our students. ?Sign up at?Bricks for Kids--All grades? Thursdays starting January 15. ?More details to come. ?There will be two sessions. ?One will be a Junior Robotics class for those the meet the prerequisites and there will also be a pre-robotics class for those who don't but can start getting their experience. ? Stay tuned for more information.In the Community...Chick-fil-A Spirit Dine - Hope for John Fundraiser?This holiday, show support for the fight against cancer by enjoying a delicious meal at the Chick-fil-a located on Route 198 in the Corridor Marketplace Shopping Center on December 18th. For your convenience, the Spirit Dine will be held all day from 6am-10pm. You are not obligated to dine inside, you are welcome to carry-out or enter the drive-thru. Please just be sure to mention "Hope for John" at the time of purchase. Your support is greatly appreciated. ?See the flyer attached to this newsletter.From the HCPSS:Inclement Weather InformationWhen inclement weather or other events result in school closings or delays, the HCPSS website,? HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" , is the first and most complete source of information.?Notifications are also made via?email and text message services, social media and more.? Road to Kindergarten WorkshopsHCPSS will present a series of free workshops for parents with children preparing to enter kindergarten next fall. The workshops will cover expectations for school readiness, details about the HCPSS kindergarten program, support resources and registration details.Child care will be available at each session for children ages 2 and older.Tues., January 20, 20156:30 – 7:30 p.m.Wilde Lake High School5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia, 21044Thurs., January 29, 20156:30 – 7:30 p.m.Long Reach High School6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, 21045Wed., February 4, 20156:30 – 7:30 p.m.Marriotts Ridge High School12100 Woodford Drive, Marriottsville, 21104Mon., February 9, 20156:30 – 7:30 p.m.Hammond Middle School8110 Aladdin Drive, Laurel, 20723SNOW DATE – **Will only be held if one of the above sessions is canceled **Tues., February 17, 2015 Howard High School6:30 – 7:30 P.M.700 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City, 21043? ................
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