Forest School News (10.25.26)

π§ Construction Updates
You may have noticed some new construction work recently happening outside at Forest! We are expanding our current play space with an additional playground and new play structures for our students.
As work continues, please use extra caution during arrival and dismissal. There may be additional construction vehicles and equipment in the area, and buses may need extra room to maneuver. We're excited to see this project taking shape and can't wait for our students to enjoy the new play space soon!
π Halloween Parade and Schedule
Schedule for Halloween Activities on Friday, October 30
- 10:00 a.m. - Halloween Sing Along (for students and staff only)
- 10:30 a.m. - Halloween Parade (outdoors, weather permitting) - Families are invited!
- 11:00 a.m. - Classroom Parties - Thank you PTC volunteers!
- 11:45 a.m. - Students prepare for dismissal
- 12:00 p.m. - EARLY DISMISSAL for all students!
If you would like to opt your child out of any Halloween activities, please email Ms. Soike by Tuesday, October 27 at 3:30 PM so that there is time to plan and prepare alternate activities.
π» Halloween Costume Guidelines
On October 30, students are invited to come to school in their costumes. For the safety of all students, costumes must meet the guidelines listed below. If an inappropriate item is brought to school and/or an inappropriate costume is worn, the student will need to remove the item and/or may need to call home for a change of clothing.
Costume Guidelines:
- All costumes must meet the D62 Dress Code rules, based on the Student Handbook.
- No weapons or weapon look-alikes. This includes swords, guns, clubs, lasers, etc.
- No blood or gore.
- Masks may be worn during the parade if they allow for students to have a clear line of vision.
- Face paint may be worn, but we must be able to identify the student easily.
- Costumes should not portray a stereotypical image of any group of people or culture, or be offensive to any racial, ethnic, or religious group.
π D62 Treat Policy
Per the D62 Student Handbook, students, families, and staff are not allowed to bring and distribute food treats for any occasion during the school day. However, families could send non-edible treats such as stickers, pencils, erasers, or books. Families may reach out if they have any questions.
π§ *FREE* Parent Education with Love and Logic
D62 will be hosting a series of the parent education course, "Parenting the Love and Logic Way."
- Who: All D62 families are invited to participate
- What: A series of parent education events
- When: Six Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 PM (dates listed below)
- November 4, 11, and 18
- December 2, 9, and 16
- Where: Virtually from the comfort of your home! A link will be sent to families once registered.
- Why: This parent education series will teach families about the two rules of love and logic, the anticipatory consequence, ways to neutralize arguing, and much more.Cost: FREE for all D62 families
To sign up, or for more information, please contact D62 Social Worker Peter Martin via phone (847-824-1532) or email (martinpe@d62.org).
π» by 10/30: D62 Website Survey
D62 families are invited to take a few minutes to participate in a brief survey so we can better understand what is working well and what could be easier to find on the D62 website.
Please take a few minutes to participate in our survey. Thank you in advance for your honest feedback. The data we gather will inform our strategy and help us make our website more intuitive, accessible and useful.
The survey will close on October 30.
πΈ Fall Fest Photos
Weβd love to feature some photos from fall fest in this yearβs yearbook! If you have any pictures you took please add them to this google photo album for the PTC Yearbook Committee.
π 11/10: November PTC Meeting
The next PTC meeting will be Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 PM at Forest. All Forest family members are invited to attend. Childcare will be provided for children ages 3 and up. We hope to see you there!
π NOW - 11/12: Little Caesars Fundraiser!
Deliciousness is here! NOW through November 12th, we're selling Little Ceasars Pizza Kits and In-Store Meal Deals. to raise money for the Forest Parent Teacher Council. $7 from item comes back to the Forest PTC!
Pizza Kits are delivered directly to your home via FedEx, so you can share the link with family and friends across the U.S.!
Promo Codes for In-Store Meal Deals can be redeemed at your local Little Ceasars restaurant. Codes expire one year from the date of purchase.
π Go to the Little Caesars & Forest PTC Fundraising page to order now!
π« 11/14: Forest Family Hot Chocolate Run/Walk
SAVE THE DATE for our first-ever Hot Chocolate Family Fun Run on Saturday, November 14th from 11am-12pm!
Join us with your family to walk/run with your Forest family and enjoy Hot Chocolate after! We will have a 1 mile course. A $5 registration fee per participant includes the run/walk and hot chocolate after the course (max $20 per family)! Registration info coming soon!
π‘ Staff Spotlight
The October Staff Spotlight winner is Ms. McInerney!! Thank you for all of your hard work!
Want to recognize a teacher or staff member for doing a great job? Submit your nomination on this form.
Week of October 26
- 10/25-11/1: Little Ceasars Dine & Share Fundraiser
- 10/28: Bus Evacuation Drill (during the school day)
- 10/28: Makerspace Club Group 2 begins from 3:30-4:30 PM
- 10/29: SAEBRS Family Letters will be sent home digitally via email
- 10/29: October High Flier Award Recognition during lunch
- 10/29: 4th Grade Game Club begins from 3:30-4:30 PM
- 10/30: Halloween Parade at 10:30 AM (weather permitting) - Families invited!
- 10/30: Early Dismissal at 12:00 PM for ALL students K-5
- 10/30: Family Spooky Swim from 6:30-9:00 PM at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center
- 10/30: DUE - D62 Website Survey
Week of November 2
- 11/1-11/8: Little Ceasars Dine & Share Fundraiser
- 11/2: Fire Drill
- 11/3: NO SCHOOL - Election Day
- 11/4: 5th Grade Friendship Club begins during lunch/recess
Week of November 9
- 11/9-11/12: Little Ceasars Dine & Share Fundraiser
- 11/10: PTC Meeting at 7:00 PM in the Forest TILE Room
- 11/11: 4th Grade Sports Club begins from 3:30-4:30 PM
- 11/14: SAVE THE DATE - PTC Hot Chocolate Family Fun Run at Forest
- District 62 Community Partnerships & Resources - A full list of D62 community partnerships.
- District Community Resources - A full list of various community resources.
- Virtual Bulletin Board - View community flyers on the D62 website. Updated regularly.
- MaineStay Fall Program Guide - Click to see flyers for current fall 2026 programming options.
- MaineStay Youth & Family Services - Click on the MaineStay tab for Youth Programs.
- Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines - Learn more about available community resources.
- Community Backpack Project - Weekly backpack program - Contact Forest if interested.
- Des Plaines Public Library - A calendar of events at your local public library.
π In Need of Resources?
District 62, Forest, and the Des Plaines community have so many wonderful resources available for families. If you are experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, looking for community resources, or exploring opportunities for parent learning, we are here for you!
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 with you about any resources needed. Responses are kept confidential and will only be seen by the SEL team unless you specify otherwise. Options include resources for utilities, food, housing, finances, mental health, parent education, etc.
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