Forest School News

Hello Families,

Last week marked a fantastic first full week of school! Despite the heat, we smoothly managed our first indoor recesses for the school year. Thank you to all of the families who attended our Parent Information Night. Please take a couple minutes to fill out the Parent Information Night Feedback form to provide us with feedback for future events. If you couldn't make it, please reach out to your child's teacher for important details you may have missed. A special thanks to our PTC for volunteering and setting up an information table at the event. Their support truly makes a difference. It was wonderful to see our strong family connections in action and to welcome new families into the fold!

In our classrooms, students and teachers have been getting settled into the new school year. Last week, students in grades K-2 completed their FastBridge testing, while students in grades 3-5 wrapped up MAP testing. We're off to a strong start!

Thank you to everyone who shared your preference for receiving the weekly newsletter. With 60% of families favoring Mondays, we'll be sending it out every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) when students are in session.

As you browse this newsletter, enjoy some photos from the school year so far (with more available on the Forest Facebook page). Also, take a moment to review reminders about arrival and dismissal procedures, read important updates from our SEL team, and check out the PTC's upcoming events!

We hope to see everyone at the Kona Ice Truck 'Pop up' Dine & Share event tomorrow at dismissal!

Sincerely,

Ms. Soike & Ms. Reiner

Please DO NOT park in these areas:

• Staff Parking Lots: The parking spots in parking lots are for staff members only. This applies to both the parking lot in the front drive and the parking lot near the playground.
• On Fifth Avenue in front of Forest: Parking is not permitted here. If you choose to park in this area, you may be ticketed by the Des Plaines Police Department.

You CAN park in these areas:

• On Fifth Avenue between Forest & Algonquin Middle School: Parking is permitted here.

If your child(ren) will have a different dismissal plan than normal, please call the Forest Office at (847) 824-1380 and communicate the change to Mrs. Powell for that day. Doing this helps to ensure that dismissal goes as quickly and smoothly as possible so that we can support with sending students where they need to be at dismissal.

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.

District 62 has so many wonderful resources available for families. To help our SEL team asses what resources to connect you with, please fill out the Forest Family Resources Form for us to follow up with you and share any resources needed! The responses to this form will only be seen by Gina Biancalana (Social Worker), McKenna Corcoran (Social Worker), and Mary McInerney (School Psychologist).

As a school community, we are focusing on helping students to become more independent problem solvers. Our Second Step SEL program provides helpful tips you can reinforce at home.

• Say the problem without placing blame: Use of I statements can help to keep all those involved calm and understood, restating what each person wants in each scenario
• Think of solutions: As many as you can think of (even silly ones), decide if this is a problem that needs an adult to help solve, which meet the wants of each person?
• Explore the outcomes: Weigh the pros and cons of each solution, consider what potential consequences may be a result (positive or negative)
• Pick a solution: Choose one that best suits all parties involved.

Home Links: English & Spanish

Interested in joining the PTC? Membership gives you our meeting minutes and the first opportunity to volunteer at school events! You can join us here: Membership Form. Check out the upcoming PTC events below!

• 9/4 - Kona Ice Truck 'Pop Up' Dine & Share Event: The PTC will be hosting a Kona Ice Truck on the blacktop at dismissal from 3:30-4:30 PM TOMORROW! The weather forecast shows a sunny 80 degree day, so please join us to purchase a sweet, cold treat after school. See flyer for the event below.

• 9/10 - PTC Meeting: The first PTC meeting of the year will be at 7:00 PM at Forest. All Forest family members are invited. Babysitting is provided for children 3 years and up. Hope to see you there!

• 9/20 - Parents Night Out: See flyer below for more information!

• 11/15 - Pool Party: At Prairie Lakes from 7:00-9:00 PM

9/4: Kona Ice "Pop Up" (a PTC Dine & Share!) from 3:30-4:30 PM at Forest

9/4: Right at School Open House from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lake Park - South Pavilion

9/5: 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Recruitment Night from 4:00-7:00 PM at Plainfield Elementary

9/6: 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Registration Forms DUE

9/9: 5th Grade Orchestra Lessons begin (during the school day)

9/10: 5th Grade Band Lessons begin (during the school day)

9/10: PTC Meeting from 7:00-8:00 PM at Forest

9/11: Picture Day - more information coming soon

9/15: Hispanic Heritage Month begins

9/17-9/19: Scholastic Book Fair

9/19: PTC Parent Night Out from 7:00-11:00 PM at Club Casa

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