Forest School News (9.8.25)
👍 September PBIS Focus
What is PBIS? PBIS is a school-wide framework that helps students develop positive behaviors and learn in a safe environment. Forest continues to be a PBIS school. Each month, there is a different school-wide focus and goal.
August/September Goal: To learn, practice, and follow The Falcon Way. This means that students are working on learning, practicing, and demonstrating how to be respectful, responsible, and safe across all settings at school. Forest's school-wide goal for the months of August and September is to earn 7,000 Fine Feathered Friends. As of Friday, Forest students had earned 3,516 Fine Feathered Friends. We are already over halfway to meeting our PBIS goal to earn a school-wide celebration!
Fine Feathered Friends: All staff members have Fine Feathered Friend tickets that they are encouraged to use to recognize individual students for meeting expectations. Students put their name on their ticket and place it into their classroom's bag. At the end of each week, one student from each classroom is pulled from the bag, is announced as a PBIS winner for that week, and can claim a small prize from the office.
Master Falcons: All staff members have Master Falcons that they are encouraged to give to to use to recognize an entire class for meeting expectations. Master Falcons are often displayed in the classroom or on a classroom door. At the end of each week, the classroom that earned the most Master Falcons from each grade level is announced as the winner for that week. Winning classrooms get to host one of the stuffed animal falcons for the week.
🛝 Right at School Program
Interested in learning more about Right at School? Right at School is a paid before and after school program available to all Forest families. Learn more on the Forest Right at School website!
💙 MaineStay Youth & Family Services
MaineStay Youth & Family Services provides FREE or affordable programs for youth of all ages, with a focus on social-emotional learning opportunities that aim to maximize each child's full potential. There are also opportunities for adults, couples, and families. To learn more about the range of events and activities MaineStay has to offer, check out their August 2025 Flyer Catalog! You can also reach out to any of the Forest SEL staff members with questions.
💟 In Need of Resources?
District 62 has so many wonderful resources available for families. To help the Forest SEL Team better understand what resources to connect you with, please fill out the Forest Family Resources form for us to follow up and share any resources needed! Responses are kept confidential unless you give permission otherwise.
🍎 Free & Reduced-Price Meals
Students may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. To be considered for the Free & Reduced-Price Meal Program, families must submit a new application each school year.
- If your family submitted a meal application last school year that was approved for free or reduced-price meals, that status will expire on September 26, 2025. After that date, you will begin to incur meal charges unless a new application has been submitted and approved for the current school year.
- Any D62 family that believes they may qualify based on income is encouraged to apply.
- To submit an application, log in to Infinite Campus Parent Portal and follow the Meal Benefits Application Directions.
📘 D62 Student Handbook
Looking for details on district policies, expectations, and more? Check out the 2025-2026 Student Handbook on the district website. You can also download a PDF version for easy future access.
🤝 September 9: September PTC Meeting
Our first PTC meeting of the year is this Tuesday, September 9th at 7:00 PM. We will meet in the TILE room at Forest. All Forest caregivers are invited. Babysitting is provided for children 3 years and up. Hope to see you there!
📚 September 16-18: Literati Book Fair
We are partnering with a new company for our Book Fair this year. The Literati Book Fair is September 16th-18th! Students will shop with their classrooms during the school day. Don't want to send cash with your student? Literati offers the option to purchase e-gift cards. Click here to see the flier for more details and to translate!
Want to help students during the Book Fair? We still need help during the day as students select books and check out. We also need help setting up after school on 9/15. You can sign up to volunteer here.
📆 Save the Dates!
- The Friends of Forest Parents' Night Out: Will be on Friday, October 3rd at Beacon Tap in Des Plaines! Book a sitter, come meet other Forest families, and relax! Registration details coming soon.
- Fall Fest: This year's Fall Fest will be held on Friday, October 17th. More details coming soon!
Join the PTC!
Contact Us
Website: Forest Elementary School
Address: 1375 South 5th Avenue Des Plaines, IL. 60018
Phone: (847) 824-1380
Social Media: Facebook & Instagram
Principal: Ms. Amber Soike
Assistant Principal: Ms. Traci Reiner