Principal Schachner's Notes
Some thoughts for the starting school year
Introducing the Forest Park Family School Guide
Families asked for one reliable place to find important school information. In response, we created the Forest Park Family School Guide, a practical A–Z resource for the 2026–27 school year.
The guide includes information about:
- Arrival, dismissal, attendance, and school hours
- Curriculum, assessment, WIN, intervention, and student support
- Multi-grade classrooms, TAG, counseling, ELD, and special education
- Safety procedures, meals, transportation, and child care
- ParentSquare and family communication
- Volunteering, Room Parents, FOFPE, Site Council, and other ways to participate
- Who to contact when you have a question or concern
The guide provides information that families may need throughout the year. It does not replace classroom communication or the Community Newsletter. ParentSquare will remain our primary communication platform, and this newsletter will continue to provide current dates, staffing news, reminders, and time-sensitive updates.
View the Forest Park Family School Guide
New Librarian
Families strongly expressed the importance of having a librarian and maintaining access to our school library. We have hired a new librarian, and she will begin working at Forest Park soon. I look forward to introducing her to students and families once her start date is confirmed.
Student Learning Information
Families asked for clearer information about how their children are doing academically. Fall i-Ready assessment information is available in ParentVUE. These results provide one source of information about student learning and will be considered alongside classroom work, teacher observations, discussions, and other assessments that will be discussed at Fall Conferences.
Room Parents
Families shared strong support for Room Parents as a way to strengthen classroom community and coordinate communication and volunteer support. The Room Parent program is organized through Friends of Forest Park Elementary. Room Parents may help coordinate teacher-approved volunteers, classroom celebrations, activities, and family reminders.
Room Parents support communication and classroom community, but they do not replace direct communication between families and teachers or handle confidential student concerns. FOFPE will share additional information about the Room Parent program.
Playground Slide Repaired
Families raised concerns about timely repairs and safe access to playground equipment. The playground slide has now been repaired and is available for students to use.
Right-Sizing Updates
Families asked for clear, ongoing information about the PPS Right-Sizing process and how it could affect Forest Park. I will continue including Right-Sizing information in the Community Newsletter each week as new information, engagement opportunities, or decisions become available.
Some parts of this process are determined at the district level, but I will continue to share what is known, what remains undecided, and how families can participate.
Our Continued Commitment
Not every question raised during the listening sessions can be resolved immediately, and some concerns require district-level decisions or additional information. I will continue using the Community Newsletter to report progress, provide updates, and identify opportunities for family participation.
Thank you to everyone who shared experiences, concerns, and ideas. Your feedback is helping identify where we need clearer communication and where we need to keep working together.
For the rest of September, our school is focusing on community. Children build a sense of belonging through small, everyday moments: learning a classmate’s name, inviting someone to join a game, asking for help, and helping someone else.
At home, you might ask, “When did someone help you feel included today?” or “How did you help someone feel welcome?” These conversations remind children that each of us has a part in making Forest Park a place where everyone belongs.
Please feel free to contact me: wewilliams@pps.net
On September 30, Forest Park will recognize Orange Shirt Day, a day to honor Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential and boarding schools. We remember the children who never returned home, honor Survivors and their families, and acknowledge the lasting harm these schools caused Indigenous communities.
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the experience of Phyllis Webstad. When Phyllis arrived at residential school at age six, the new orange shirt her grandmother had given her was taken away. Her story helped create the message Every Child Matters—a reminder that every child deserves to feel valued, safe, and connected to their family, culture, and community.
Students, staff, and families are invited to wear orange on September 30. Families can also recognize the day by learning about Indigenous history, listening to the stories of Survivors, and talking with children about why every person’s culture, language, family, and identity matter.
Learn more at orangeshirtday.org.
October 2nd, 1:45-2:15pm
Why are we running?
The Forest Park Fun Run isn't just a fun day for our kids. It's one of the ways our community helps provide experiences and resources beyond what's covered by the regular school budget.
Your Fun Run donations help support:
Enrichment programs
Field trips
School supplies
School beautification
Other programs and activities for our students
And because FOFPE is organizing the Fun Run this year, more of the money we raise stays right here at Forest Park.
Our school-wide goal is $30,000.
Share your student's page by accessing it through your My Account page or via the main campaign page.
Thank you for supporting our students and our school!