• Cars are expected to pull all the way up to the stop sign. 🛑
• Students are expected to get in and out of the car independently on the curb (passenger) side.
• Family members must stay inside the vehicle at all times. 🚗

• ✅ Parking is permitted/allowed on 5th Avenue between Forest School and Algonquin Middle School.
• 🚫 Parking is NOT permitted/NOT allowed in the Forest Staff Parking Lots or on 5th Avenue in front of Forest. The Des Plaines Police Department will begin ticketing those who are parked or idling in an area where parking is not permitted.

As the weather is beginning to warm up, we love to see so many students and families connecting after school at the playground! We also need to make sure that everyone is safe. To increase student and family safety at dismissal, please refrain from using the blacktop area while there are still one or more buses in the bus lane. Once all of the buses have left, families are welcome to use the entire blacktop area in addition to the playground and field.

If your child is entering kindergarten, 2nd grade, 4th grade, or 6th grade (at a middle school), you need to prove your residency. Please call Forest and talk to Mrs. Powell to coordinate a time for you to come in. Check this off your to do list now so that you can spend your summer soaking up family, friends, and good times!

Just a reminder that D62 Board Policy states that all personal electronic devices must be kept powered off and out of sight during the regular school day. Students should not be texting or calling anyone, even parents, from school. This includes texting from a phone, watch or any other mobile device. Student can keep their devices in their lockers or wear them if they are turned off!

Information about this can be found on page 31 of the 24-25 Student Handbook under "Mobile Phones/Messaging Devices/Wearable Computing Devices" and states:

Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior, provides that “All electronic devices must be kept powered-off and out of sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP) or health plan; or (c) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.”

Parents are requested to use the main office to communicate with their child during the school day, not through personal electronic devices. In turn, when students need to contact families, they should use the main office or get permission to use their personal devices.

Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Check out the calendar below for daily ideas of how to be kind to your mind. 🙂 Reminder, to wear GREEN on Thursday for Mental Health Day!

All incoming 6th graders for the 2025-2026 school year are invited to attend an orientation day at their middle school on August 12, 2025 from 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM. Algonquin will be hosting Panther Prep so that incoming students can learn more about daily life at AMS before the first day of school.

Please fill out the digital AMS Panther Prep 2025 form to register or to indicate that your child(ren) will not be able to attend. Check out the digital flyer below!

Did you know that the District 62 website has a Virtual Bulletin Board? Check out the community flyers that are updated regularly. When you go to the Virtual Bulletin Board, be sure to click the flyer or link to get more information about whichever community flyer(s) you're interested in!

It's already time to start thinking about school supplies for next year! We're using a school supply kit company again to help make your life easier. Please see the flyer for information on how to purchase a kit for your student(s), or click this link. The deadline to purchase supplies is June 1st.

This Week:

• 5/28: Final session of Mental Health Club from 8:00-8:45 AM
• 5/28: Kindergarten Field Trip to Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley
• 5/28: 5th Grade Patrol Field Trip to the Chicago Dogs game at Impact Field
• 5/28: Final session of Sports Club from 3:30-4:30 PM
• 5/29: Des Plaines Public Library visits Forest during the school day
• 5/29: Final session of Art Club from 3:30-4:30 PM
• 5/30: Kindergarten Field Day for AM and PM sections during the school day
• 5/31: Kiwanis Cup Race at Lakeview Center in Des Plaines from 8:00-9:30 AM
• 5/31: Family Day at Lake Park from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• 6/1: Des Plaines Community Concert Band from 3:00-5:00 PM at Prairie Lakes Theater

Next Week:

• 6/2: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Forest Playground during the school day
• 6/3: Field Day (Grades 1-5) & Student vs. Staff kickball game during the school day
• 6/4: 5th Grade Awards Assembly from 9:30-10:30 AM
• 6/4: 5th Grade Picnic at Prairie Lakes
• 6/5: Field Day Rain Date (Grades 1-5) during the school day
• 6/5: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
• 6/5: Trimester 3 Report Cards released on Infinite Campus at 3:45 PM
• 6/5: MAP Family Reports (Grades 3-5) & Fastbridge Family Reports (Grades K-2) sent home
• 6/5-6/6: West Fest Carnival at Maine West High School from 6:00-10:00 PM
• 6/6: NO SCHOOL - Enjoy summer break!!
• 6/7-6/8: West Fest Carnival at Maine West High School from 2:00-10:00 PM

In Two Weeks:

• SUMMER BREAK!

Website: http://forest.d62.org

Address: 1375 South 5th Avenue Des Plaines, IL 60018

Phone: (847) 824-1380

Facebook: Forest Facebook

Principal: Ms. Amber Soike

Assistant Principal: Ms. Traci Reiner