SRES ROO NEWS
"Strong Alone, Unstoppable Together"
#Unstoppable Roos
November 2022
Spring Ridge is a positive, collaborative environment where students are kind, confident problem solvers
prepared for the future.
SRES Calendar
November:
1: 4th grade field trip to Weinberg Center, 9:30am-12:00pm
7: Roo Awards - Grades 2 & 3, 9:30-10:15am; Pre-K, 2:30-3:00pm
7: Report Cards Issued
8: Schools Closed - Election Day
10: Roo Awards - Grades K & 1, 9:30-10:15am; Grades 4 & 5, 2:10-2:55pm
11: PTA International Night, 5:30-7:30pm
17: Picture Retake Day
17: Mobile Dentist at SRES - Day 1 (See "Parent News" for info.)
18: Mobile Dentist at SRES - Day 2
10/21-11/9: SRES PTA Texas Roadhouse e-Gift Card Fundraiser (See "PTA News" for info.)
23, 24, 25: Thanksgiving Break; Schools and Offices Closed
30: Mid-Term - 2 Hour Early Dismissal
News from our Admin Team
Dear Students and Families,
Please welcome Laura Mendez to our front office!! Laura has accepted our 10-month school secretary position. Please see "Welcome New Staff" for more on Ms. Mendez!
Roo Awards: We are excited to have our first Roo Awards next week. If your child has been chosen for a Roo Award for first quarter, you would have received an email from Ms. Nori.
Eating lunch with your child: You are welcome, on occasion, to come eat lunch with your child. We ask that if someone other than a parent, who is not on the emergency card, comes to eat lunch that you notify us in writing that you are giving permission for them to come. If that person is NOT on the emergency card and we can not contact you, they may be denied entry.
Transportation Changes: We have approximatley 633 students that arrive into our building each day. We have that many that leave at the end of the day. We ask that you select one way in and one way out for your students. Mananging even one student who has multiple days with multiple dismissal changes in a week can be difficult. As best you can-one way in and one way out is the best way to ensure consistency for your child.
Student Birthdays
At SRES, we acknowledge and celebrate student birthdays:
Due to student/staff allergies, SRES does not allow sharing of treats within the school. Please refrain from bringing in cupcakes, candy, treats and latex balloons.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to come and have lunch with your birthday child (you may bring a special lunch for your child).
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and continuing efforts to make SRES a safe place for all!
COVID Protocol
If a student is diagnosed with COVID, we ask that you notify the school in writing; Students should remain home for Days 1-5, with Day 1 being the first day following the onset of symptoms, and may return on Day 6 as long as the student is fever-free and symptoms are getting better. Students must remain masked for Days 6-10, except for eating at lunch. Our building is thoroughly cleaned with appropriate sanitation measures in place. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building.
Looking for Substitutes!
Substitute? I don’t have a degree in education! You don’t need a degree in education!!
You can work in education and support the children and staff in your community. There are so many reasons to help!
· Job flexibility – choose the days you can work and the schools you would like to go to.
· Get your foot in the door at FCPS by networking with staff.
· Add some valuable skills to your toolbox (problem solving, flexibility, etc.)
· It’s never boring!!
· Schools are exciting places to be and you can learn amazing things from the students and staff
· The demand is real, the appreciation is overwhelming
· Following the lesson plan and working with students helps to make the day go by quickly
· Gain an appreciation of how much work goes into running a school
· Your community needs you – we can’t do this alone
· Make a difference. What could be more valuable than being a positive influence to the children of Frederick County
Apply now at Substitute Application
Teacher Substitute; must have 60 college credits. $21/hour
Special Education Instructional Assistant; must have a high school diploma. $15.36/hour
We also have opportunities for long term Substitute positions that last at least 11 days. Join our team and see the rewards!
Important Reminders:
Address change: Please provide a new proof of residency (a copy of a property tax bill, gas bill, electric bill, water/sewer, cable bill or a signed current lease/rental agreement; NO phone bill or mortgage statements).
Custody change: If there is a change in child custody, please make sure you share that information with your child’s teacher and the office. It is extremely important that a copy of the court document be delivered to the school and placed in the child’s permanent record folder. Should the school not have this documentation, we have no recourse but to release your child to either parent upon request.
Weapons: Possession of any firearm or other weapon by a student on school property is strictly forbidden. This also includes look-alike weapons. The penalties for violation are detailed in the Discipline section of the FCPS handbook. Please remember it is a serious offense to possess a weapon of any kind on school property.
Volunteering In FCPS
Children thrive when families are engaged in their educational life. Research accumulated over more than three decades irrefutably demonstrates that children whose families are involved in their child's education tend to have higher SAT scores, better grades, a higher rate of high school completion and a more positive school experience.
FCPS is excited to launch our new FCPS Volunteer Center. This new management system features the ability to self-serve for volunteer opportunities in our schools. To begin, you must complete the registration and training as required in our policies. If you are a new volunteer, please create your account registration using the following link: Create an account. If you are an existing volunteer in our Volunteer Center, please access your account here: Sign into your account.
With Roo Pride,
Mr. Bowser, Principal & Mrs. Copen, Assistant Principal
Parent News:
Smile Maryland!! The Mobile Dentist Is Coming To School!
The Mobile Dentist will be at SRES on Thursday, 11/17 and Friday, 11/18. Click here to download a form OR click the link to sign up Online! www.MySchoolDentist.com. If you have any questions, please email Debbie Shaw, Community Liaison, at Deborah.Shaw@fcps.org.
SRES is supporting the Veterans Club at Oakdale High School with a Halloween candy drive!!
The Veterans Service Club at OHS is working with Operation Shoebox to ship off leftover Halloween candy to deployed troops. Please see below for more information:
The OHS Veterans Service Club is dedicated to supporting and boosting the morale of our troops at home and overseas, whether retired or active service. As part of our club activities, we have taken the initiative of starting a candy drive to donate unwanted or surplus candies. This operation is going to occur from October 31st all the way through November 9th.
We would greatly appreciate students, students’ families, and possibly school staff/teachers to participate in this candy drive. Look for the donation boxes that have been specified by your school administration!
Some important details and reminders:
Community News
Sleep in Heavenly Peace - "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in our Town"
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an all-volunteer 501(C)(3) non-profit that builds twin beds, and delivers them, FREE of CHARGE, to families in Frederick County, Maryland, whose kids, ages 4-17, are sleeping on the floor, a couch, or with their parents or siblings. See the flyer for more information. Click here for English and Spanish flyers.
*The links that are mentioned in the attached PDF flyers are not live links. Please copy the links and paste into your browser.
Laura Mendez - School Secretary
Hello Roos! My name is Laura Mendez and I am happy to say I am officially part of the SRES team. I was born in México so Yo hablo español. My family and I moved to Maryland about 2 years ago after being overseas for 3 years. I have two boys and a girl and have been married for almost 17 years. One of my favorite things to do is travel. We've been to 12 countries in Europe and West Asia and hope to visit more in the future. I am very excited to be here and be part of the Spring Ridge community.
Recognizing Our Wonderful Teams/Staff:
Each month, our parent newsletter will focus on a team/staff members at SRES! This month highlights our fifth grade team:
Tyler Pierce: This is my third year teaching in Frederick County and my second year at Spring Ridge Elementary. I did my student teaching with 1st grade at Butterfly Ridge Elementary, then was hired as a fifth grade teacher for Deer Crossing Elementary before being transferred to Spring Ridge.
My husband is a former Marine and we were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC where I worked as a Veterinary Technician while earning my Elementary Education Degree at night. I still call NC home and miss it dearly!
My husband’s name is Blaine and we have a son who’s name is Lucas. We have two dogs, a German Shepherd named Johnny Cash and a Pitbull named Waylon Jennings.
I enjoy spending my time at the horse barn, fishing, hiking, at the gym, or doing movie nights on the couch with my family!
Matt Purper: This is my 16th year of teaching. I’ve taught in both Baltimore and Carroll Counties before having the opportunity to work in Frederick. During these years, I have taught 1st grade through 5th grade and enjoy working with different age groups.
My wife Tracy and I have a 9 year old daughter named Lena. We also have 2 cats, Hank and Hallie, a dog, Lilly, and a hamster, Lulu. I enjoy spending time outdoors and watching my favorite teams, the Orioles and Ravens.
Lori Titus:
This is my 38th year of teaching. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to teach in diverse communities in TX and MS. I also taught children on US military bases in Naples, Italy and Ramstein, Germany. I love helping students become their best self!
My husband, Tom and I have 4 children, Jeremiah - 33 yrs old, Nikki - 28 yrs old, Allie - 24 yrs old, and Jessie - 22 yrs old. My hobbies have been watching my daughters play college soccer, and traveling.
PTA News
The staff at SRES would like to thank the PTA, volunteers and J&Ps for the generous dinner (along with all the preparation and service) provided to us for conferences! Everything was delicious and much appreciated!
SRES PTA Texas Roadhouse Online e-Gift Card Fundraiser
Please help support Spring Ridge PTA! Purchase a Texas Roadhouse e-Gift Card from October 21st - November 9th using the link (below) or QR Code below and 10% of every gift card purchase will be donated. There are fundraising prizes: Click here for more information. Click here for flyer.
Click to order e-card: https://bit.ly/TXRHSRESPTA
International Night, November 11, 5:30-7:30pm
Join SRES in a celebration of our diverse world and community. Families will volunteer to display a country, culture, and/or heritage. It could be something from their family ancestry or heritage. Or it could be a country they have visited or are simply interested in learning more about and sharing with the rest of our community!
If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up for International Night on our Committee and Volunteer signup genius!
Counselors Corner
Hello Roos! October has come and gone very quickly and we are so excited to have so many students commit to preventing bullying at Spring Ridge! Classroom lessons are continuing into November and each grade will be learning about the following:
The Circle of Care Team will also be running small groups in various content areas beginning in November. Please be on the lookout for permission slips and return them to us as soon as possible if you receive one! We're looking forward to another great month of learning and fun here at Spring Ridge!
-Mrs. Hanko and Mr. Drews
Media Center News
Please click the link for Media News: Newsletter
From Last Month's Newsletter
Attendance Notes: All attendance emails should be sent to Robin Fasnacht (Robin.Fasnacht@fcps.org), Laura Mendez (Laura.Mendez@fcps.org) and Debbie Shaw (Community Liaison) at Deborah.Shaw@fcps.org.
Attendance is very important. Please make sure you child is to school on time each day. We start instruction at 9:15 each day and continue with learning until 3:15. We are required to send attendance letters at 3, 5, 10+ days absent.
Front Office Notice: Our front office will be closed for dismissal between 3:30-4:00pm. Thank you for patience as we focus on dismissal and the safety of our students.
Message from the Registered Nurse
Dear Parents/Guardians: As the registered nurse for Spring Ridge Elementary School, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself.
I am employed by the Frederick County Health Department, School Health Program. I am also the registered nurse at Green Valley Elementary School. My responsibilities include health assessments, health counseling, communicable disease prevention, crisis intervention, health education and referrals for health needs. I work closely with school administration, faculty, medical providers and parents/guardians to develop plans of care for students with medical needs. I am responsible for ensuring that medications and treatments can be safely administered during the school day.
The health room has been notified of an increase of students bringing medication to school in their back packs. This is against school policy. Please read the following procedure regarding how to safely provide medication for your student while in the school building.
In order for a student to receive a medication during the school day you are required to follow the FCPS Medication Administration Regulation. (Reg. 400-23)
The following checklist ensures regulation compliance:
Please note Epinephrine, Diastat, Glucagon and inhalers have an expiration date printed on the device in addition to the pharmacy label. Therefore, the container expiration date must be equal to or exceed the expiration date on the pharmacy label. Please make sure the expiration date on the individual medication container exceeds the expiration date on the label before leaving the pharmacy.
All forms can be obtained from Health Room staff or by going to https://www.fcps.org/student-services/forms. For further questions, you may contact the Health Room staff.
Kristin Meinberg, RN, Registered Nurse
Spring Ridge Elementary 240-236-1562
Green Valley Elementary 240-236-3404
Kristin.Meinberg@fcps.org
KMeinberg@frederickcountymd.gov
FCPS Bus Delay Information
A quick and easy resource to check if your child's bus is delayed is to visit https://apps.fcps.org/transdelay/ This site is updated in real-time to reflect any bus delays.