Counselor Connection

Make sure to check out our monthly newsletter for important information for all grade levels. The newsletters cover a variety of useful information such as dual enrollment info, important events, senior information to help with applications and scholarships, and so much more!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!!!

ForesthsWildcats

This is just a reminder to our families that student drop off and pick up is only permitted in the designated car line in front of the gym. For our students’ safety, please do not drop off or pick up your student in the front office parking lot, on the side of Maricamp Road or in the Student Parking Lot. Parents, as you approach the pick-up location in the carline, please pull all the way up so that we can provide access to as many cars as possible. Please also encourage your student to keep an eye out for your arrival.

MCPS Transportation is utilizing a new mobile app for bus transportation called “My Ride K-12” starting with the 2026-27 school year. Please see the below flyer for instructions.

Transportation Contact Info:

CALL CENTER: 352-671-7050

Email: Victoria Miller for questions.

I will have a senior parent email list that I send information to each month so if you wish to be on my parent email list, email me with "please add to parent email list c/o 2027 and I will add you.

As we begin our Fall athletic competition schedule, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all Forest families about the security measures at all Marion County Public Schools events. These measures apply to all school facilities including football stadiums, gymnasiums, auditoriums and other congregating areas. The security measures are as follows:

• Beginning this year, the Open Gate metal detection system will be utilized at events throughout the school district. Forest High School will utilize these at large events, including varsity football games.
• Only small bags will be allowed, no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches, and all bags are subject to being searched. No backpacks are allowed.
• No admission tickets will be sold after halftime.
• There is no re-entry once a spectator leaves a facility. Once spectators leave an event, they must leave the venue.
• Loitering is prohibited outside of facility gates and doors or in parking lots before, during and after events.

In addition to these security measures, this is a reminder that all athletic event tickets are now sold online through the Go Fan website at www.gofan.co. Tickets for all Fall athletic events are now on sale. As always, Wildcat fans are encouraged to show good sportsmanship before, during and after each game.

In accordance with Florida state statute and Marion County Public Schools policy, a Forest High School student may possess a wireless communications device while the student is on school property or in attendance at a school function. However, a student may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time.

Each teacher will designate an area for cell phone storage in their class and communicate their expectation to the students. Refusal to follow classroom procedure is considered to be insubordination and is subject to progressive discipline.

Student phones are to be used only for instructional purposes when in class, and only with the specific direction of the teacher. This includes headphones and ear buds.

Assistant Principal of Discipline: Mr. Christopher Scanlon Email: christopher.scanlon@marion.k12.fl.us
9th Grade: Mr. Linell Jefferson Email: linell.jefferson@marion.k12.fl.us

10th Grade: Mr. Ferris Bates Email: ferris.bates@marion.k12.fl.us

11th Grade: Mrs. Victoria Fountain Email: victoria.fountain@marion.k12.fl.us

12th Grade: Mrs. Tanya Gomez Email: tanya.gomezmontanez2@marion.k12.fl.us

Attendance Reminders

Please review these important attendance procedures and deadlines:

Early Checkouts & Excuse Notes

• Email fhsattendance@marion.k12.fl.us for early checkout requests or to submit excuse notes.
• Early checkout requests sent by email must be received no later than 1:15 p.m.
• No student checkouts will be permitted after 2:30 p.m.
• Excuse notes must be submitted within three school days of the student returning to school.

Parent Notes & Absences

• Parents may submit up to 10 parent excuse notes per school year.
• If a student is absent for 5 consecutive school days, a doctor's note is required.
• Students may use up to 3 parent notes per nine weeks for tardies and/or early checkouts.

Planned Absences

• Advanced Absence Forms are available in the Attendance Office.
• Completed forms should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the planned absence.

Thank you for helping us maintain accurate attendance records and ensure a safe and efficient checkout process.

Welcome to October, Class of 2027!

October is a great time to pause, check your progress, and make sure you are on track for graduation and your plans after high school.

Bright Futures & Community Service/Work Hours
If you are applying for Bright Futures or other scholarships, be sure to submit your community service and/or paid work hours as soon as possible. Bright Futures allows qualifying students to meet the service-hour requirement through approved volunteer service, paid work, or a combination of both.

Online Course Reminder
If you are taking an online course through Marion Virtual School (MVS) or Florida Virtual School (FLVS), it is your responsibility to stay on track and monitor your course progress. Be sure your information is correct and up to date, including your grade level! Check your course regularly, communicate with your instructor, and make sure you are meeting all deadlines.

Check Your Graduation Status
Take time this month to review your credits, GPA, test scores, and all other graduation requirements. Make sure you know what you still need to complete and address any concerns with your counselor as soon as possible.

Senior-Year Grades Matter!
Your senior year is not the time to coast! Colleges and scholarship programs may review your final transcript and senior-year performance. Stay focused, attend regularly, complete every assignment, and finish the year strong. Every grade matters.

Your May Graduation Goal Starts Now!
If you are unsure whether you are on track for graduation, please see me now—not in May. We want to help you identify any requirements that need attention while there is still time to address them.

Stay focused. Stay on track. Finish strong!

With Wildcat Pride,
Shirley Thomas
Senior Counselor
Shirley.thomas@marion.k12.fl.us

Juniors,

School is officially in full swing! As you settle into the school year, make sure you are staying on top of your classes and keeping track of your graduation requirements.

I also highly encourage all juniors to take the SAT and/or ACT before the end of December. This gives you an opportunity to see where you stand and identify areas where you may want to improve. Plan to test again in June if you would like another opportunity to improve your scores.

Don’t forget about your GPA! Your grades are important and can impact your ability to graduate, as well as your participation in sports, dances, and other school activities. Make sure you are checking your grades regularly and asking for help when you need it. Staying on top of your grades now can make a big difference later.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please see Mrs. Peek or Mrs. Chapman before school, after school, or in between classes. Please do not come during your scheduled class time, as it is important that you remain in class and make the most of your instructional time.

Let’s make this a successful and productive school year! I’m looking forward to supporting you throughout your junior year.

Mr. Telford
Guidance Counselor

The end of Quarter 1 is just around the corner. Students should be settled and confident with their schedules. If grades are lower than expected, students should speak with the teacher to discuss a plan. Many teachers provide before or after school tutoring. Our National Honor Society offers Homework Help after school every day.

Mark your calendar for PSAT day – Oct. 21!

Honesty is our Resiliency Skill for October. Students frequently encounter scenarios that may cause them to think twice:

• A wallet containing money is found. Do you take the cash before turning it in?

• When applying for college do you exaggerate your achievements?

Honesty and empathy build relationships and should be considered when making daily choices.

My goal is to help every student reach their full potential and achieve success. I'm here to encourage, support, and help make the most of sophomore year.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me:

Lisa.Sprung@marion.k12.fl.us

Start strong, work hard, and finish proud!

Hello, Class of 2030!

Welcome to October!

I will be doing classroom visits in your English classes, where I’ll have an opportunity to meet with you all and share important information. In the meantime, please make sure you are checking your graduation requirements and staying on top of your classes.

A reminder about grades: Please make it a habit to check your grades regularly and reach out for help if you are struggling in any of your classes. Your high school GPA will take effect after the first semester, so the grades you earn now are important. A low GPA could impact your ability to graduate, as well as your participation in sports, dances, and other school activities.

Stay focused, ask questions, use your resources, and don't wait until the end of the semester to address concerns about your grades.

I look forward to visiting your classes, meeting everyone, and supporting you throughout your high school journey!

Go Wildcats!

Mrs. Joseph
Guidance Counselor

Hello, CCAP Juniors and Seniors!

October is a big month for college planning! Seniors, this is the month to move from thinking about it to getting it done. Applications, financial aid, and testing are all happening at once!

College Applications
October is THE time to submit applications, especially knowing how important it is to apply by the Early Action deadline.

• October 15: FSU, UCF, FAU
• November 1: UF, FAMU, FGCU, New College
• November 2: FIU, USF

Don’t wait until the deadline! Give yourself time to review your application, complete essays, send test scores if required, and make sure all required materials are submitted.

FAFSA & Florida Financial Aid
October 1 is an important date! Both the FAFSA and the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) open October 1. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid, while the FFAA is where Florida students apply for Bright Futures and other state financial aid programs.

Keep Testing!
Still working toward your SAT or ACT goal? Keep testing! Fall test dates provide another opportunity for juniors and seniors to improve their scores before application and scholarship deadlines. Be sure to check registration deadlines and allow enough time for scores to be received by colleges.

Juniors, Your Turn Is Coming!
While juniors may not be submitting college applications yet, now is the time to start preparing. Build your college list, research admission requirements, explore scholarships, and continue working toward strong SAT/ACT scores.

October can feel busy, but you don’t have to do everything at once. Take it one step at a time, stay organized, and ask for help when you need it!

Mrs. Kelley Harriss
CCAP School Counselor (11th & 12th)

CCAP Freshmen and Sophomores,

It has been so much fun meeting with our freshmen during minute meetings and getting to know you as you begin your high school journey! As we get the school year started, there are a couple of important reminders: If you attended a private school and earned high school credit, please make sure you have submitted your transcripts to the school so we can make sure your credits are properly recorded. Also, if you completed any FLVS courses over the summer and don’t see those credits showing on your record, please let me know so we can get them updated. Let’s make sure you’re starting the year with everything in place for a successful year!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email or stop by the CCAP office downstairs in room 153.

Go Wildcats!!

Hazel.loera@marion.k12.fl.us

9th Grade Counselor: Mrs. Rachel Joseph rachel.joseph@marion.k12.fl.us

10th Grade Counselor: Mrs. Lisa Sprung lisa.sprung@marion.k12.fl.us

11th Grade Counselor: Mr. Ecliff Telford ecliff.telford@marion.k12.fl.us

12th Grade Counselor: Mrs. Shirley Thomas shirley.thomas@marion.k12.fl.us

CCAP 9th and 10th Grade: Mrs. Hazel Loera hazel.loera@marion.k12.fl.us

CCAP 11th and 12th Grade: Mrs. Kelley Harriss kelley.harriss@marion.k12.fl.us

ESE: Ms. Katherine West katherine.west@marion.k12.fl.us

If you would like to schedule a conference with your counselor or with teachers, please call the office at 352-671-4715 and speak to Caroline Peek.

Thank you to all of our senior students and parents who attended FAFSA Night. Financial aid is an important piece of the college planning process, and we are grateful to the College of Central Florida for sharing their expertise. If you were unable to attend and would like information, please contact Jennifer Hatchett at jennifer.hatchett@marion.k12.fl.us.

Ringling College of Art and Design will visit Forest High School on October 20 during Mr. Y's AP Art classes. Students who are interested in learning more about Ringling but are not enrolled in those classes should contact Mrs. Hatchett about attending the presentation.

Students interested in the College of Central Florida (CF) should plan to attend an on-campus presentation on October 21 at 3:00 p.m. CF representatives will return in November for a free application day for seniors.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Florida Southern College on October 28. This free college tour is available to juniors and seniors currently enrolled in an AP course. Students will depart Forest High School at 5:00 a.m. and return at approximately 7:00 p.m. Space is limited, so interested students should complete the interest form that was emailed to them as soon as possible.

Students interested in technical and workforce education pathways will also have an opportunity to visit Marion Technical College in November. Students should watch their school email for additional information and the interest form.

As students prepare for life after high school, remember that scholarship opportunities are regularly shared through student school email accounts. Students who are not checking their email may miss important deadlines and opportunities. One scholarship to watch for is the Rotary "Service Above Self" Scholarship, which recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding volunteerism, leadership, and commitment to serving their communities. Students are encouraged to continue documenting their volunteer service hours and seeking meaningful ways to make a positive impact both at Forest High School and throughout Marion County.

Taking a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Course? 📚

If you are signing up to take an FLVS course, please make sure you select the correct school, grade level, and guidance counselor when completing your registration. This ensures that your counselor can approve your course request, monitor your progress, and add your final grade to your transcript.

If you have any questions or are unsure which information to select, please see your guidance counselor for help.

Seniors, this is especially important! Incorrect information could impact your transcript, credits, and graduation requirements, so please double-check everything before submitting your request.

Attendance matters! Students perform their best when they sit for exams during the scheduled administration.

For those unavoidable absences that must be planned during the school year, please use the 2026-2027 MCPS Assessment Calendar to ensure that your child doesn’t miss an important test date.

*** Please note when signing up for ACT, you will select "I want to use a computer provided by my Test Center".

Attention Class of 2028, the test requirements for Bright Futures have increased for your class. Please see the graph for information on the requirements so you can plan ahead for your financial future. You will want to plan on taking your ACT, SAT, or CLT during your junior year so you can work towards getting money for college. Please make an appointment with your counselor if you have any questions.

Students interested in pursuing dual enrollment with the College of Central Florida are invited to an on-campus information session scheduled for Friday, October 30th, at 10:00 a.m. Attendees must register in advance using the link below.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/hg94ahYV9K

If you are interested in Dual Enrollment, please see Megan Chapman in Guidance Office. Below are the important deadlines for the 2026-2027 year.

Forest High School offers the following career and technical programs, including career academies wherein students may earn industry certification:

Culinary Arts

Certifications: Certified Food Protection Manager (ServSafe)

Entrepreneurship

(Career Choice Academy)

Certifications: Entrepreneurship for Small Business

Landscape Operations

Certifications: Agriculture Associate, Agriculture Systems Associate, FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional

Digital Design

Certifications: Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design

Digital Video Technology

Certifications: Adobe Certified Professional In Video Design

Computer Science Principles

Certifications: WordPress Certified Editor, Python Coding Specialist

Principles of Teaching

Certifications: FTCE Professional Education Test

Game Simulation, Animation, and Visual Design

Certifications: Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design, Wordpress Certified Editor

Electrocardiograph Technician

Certifications: Certified EKG Technician

Applied Robotics

Certifications: Autodesk Certified User, Certified Solidworks Associate- Academic

Technical Design

Certifications: Autodesk Certified User, Certified Solidworks Associate- Academic

Animal Science and Services

Agriculture Associate, Agriculture Systems Associate, Animal Science Specialist

Criminal Justice Operations

The district’s career and technical programs are open enrollment to all eligible high school students in the district with no pre-requisites required and are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational opportunity. If Career Choice Academy programs are full, a lottery system with no pre-requisites is used to determine placement.

The district prohibits discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment, and in access to educational programs and activities, and prohibits harassment of any individual or group on the basis of race (including anti-Semitism), ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, religion, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes").

A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation. The District may assess each student’s ability to benefit from specific programs through placement tests and counseling, and, if necessary, will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation. Complaints or inquiries regarding Title IX or 504 compliance may be submitted to the designated compliance officer at 1614 E. Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471:

District Compliance Officers:

ADA, Title IX, and Employment Compliance

Dawana Gary, Ed.S., Director of Employee Relations

Phone: (352) 671-7711

Email: dawana.gary@marion.k12.fl.us

Section 504 Compliance

Anna Williams-Jones, M.Ed., Director of Exceptional Student Education

Phone: (352) 671-6832

Email: anna.williams-jones@marion.k12.fl.us

Student Title IX Compliance

John Kerley, Ed. D, Director of Student Discipline

Phone: (352) 671-7790

Email address: john.kerley@marion.k12.fl.us