Forest Elementary Newsletter

Forest families,

It is so nice seeing family members helping in our school! We have had a number of Watch D.O.G.S., popcorn, Boo Bash, field trip and classroom volunteers. The staff has commented about how kind our guests have been and, also, how helpful it is to have them here. Thank you to everyone that has signed up or plans to sign up this school year. Your giving and helpful nature is what makes our school and community a great one!

We are now entering our fall festivities and holiday season. As the weather cools down, please make sure that your child comes to school properly dressed for the weather. Layering is a good option, as we know the mornings are cool and the afternoons can get a bit warmer (at least right now). Also, make sure your child brings cold weather gear such as gloves, hats, ear muffs, scarves, etc. as we enter into November. They will be going outside for recess up to three times per day. We want them to be prepared for the coldest days that will soon be here.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, call the office at (734) 479-2550 or email myself (gmeli@riverviewschools.com) or Ms. Annie (aprusakiewicz@riverviewschools.com).

Happy Fall!

Gianina Meli

Important Upcoming Dates:

NOVEMBER:

11/2- Daylight Saving Time Ends

11/4- Professional Development for Staff (No School for students)/Election Day

11/11- Veteran's Day Observed - Yes, there is school today.

11/11- Picture Retake Day

11/12- Parent Club Meeting @ 6:00 PM

wk of 11/17 - Vision & Hearing Screening

11/19 - Mentoring (10 AM)

11/25- Early Release (12:40 PM Dismissal) Teacher Records Day

11/26- NO SCHOOL

11/27- Thanksgiving Day/NO SCHOOL

11/28- NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER:

12/9 & 12/10 - Santa Shop

12/10 - Parent Club Meeting @ 6:00 PM

12/12 - FPC Holiday Event 6-8 PM

12/22 -1/4/25 - Winter Break

JANUARY:

1/1 - 1/3/26 - Kalahari Fundraiser

1/5/26- Classes resume

1/14- Parent Club Meeting @ 6:00 PM

1/15- 2nd Grade Music Concert 6:00 PM // Forest Gym (Students should report to

music room at 5:30 PM)

1/19- Martin Luther King Jr. Bday - No School for Students

1/21- Mentoring 9 AM

Halloween Costume & Parade Information

Halloween Celebration, grades K thru 5th, will be Friday, October 31st.

To maintain the spirit of Halloween and yet provide for the safety of our students, Forest Elementary School recommends the following guidelines:

I. Halloween Parade Guidelines

1. Our parade will begin at 2:30 PM, Friday, October 31st and proceed around the school . . . weather permitting. In case of rain, the parade will be cancelled. Please DO NOT call the office.

2. Families who want to see the parade are requested to stay outside the front door area or around the campus surrounding the school.

3. For the safety of all siblings who are NOT Forest School students, we request they always remain with a parent and MAY NOT participate in the parade or classroom parties.

4. If for some reason you do not want your child to participate in the parade outside, please send a note to your child’s teacher.

II. Halloween Costume Guidelines:

1. Students in Grades K-5 MAY wear costumes and/or make-up to school for the morning session. Wearing of costumes is voluntary. We encourage costumes that are easily put on over school clothing. DO NOT BRING HAIR SPRAY, GLITTER, OR MAKE-UP TO SCHOOL.

2. Masks may ONLY be worn during the parade and classroom party, and MUST BE CARRIED to and from school.

3. No hand-carried items (weapons, swords, holsters, etc.) are allowed.

4. Costumes depicting violence or violent acts are not permitted.

5. Shoes must be proper fitting, no extra-large/floppy shoes, etc.

6. No blood, guts or gore that might scare our littles.

We appreciate your cooperation with these guidelines to ensure the safety of all of our children.

Classroom teacher-classroom concerns, peer-to-peer or friendship concerns, classroom behavior concerns, playground or hallway concerns, and grading concerns

Office Staff-attendance (absences, early releases), health needs (medications, illnesses), school events, volunteers and Watch DOGS, general school questions: Annie Prusakiewicz (734) 479-2550, APusakiewicz@riverviewschools.com
Transportation Department-Bussing and transportation concerns: Derek Campbell (734) 285-3900, DCampbell@riverviewschools.com

Grounds/Maintenance -Building/facility concerns, cleanliness, grounds concerns: Sharon Mathews- (734)285-3900, (secretary to Gary Kennedy) or gkennedy@riverviewschools.com
Student Services-enrollment questions, please contact Julie Karl at Central Office jkarl@riverviewschools.com or 734-285-9660

Principal- major safety concerns; policy concerns; request for 504 services; concerns already addressed by the teacher, yet still not resolved. gmeli@riverviewschools.com
School Social Worker- Social/emotional support and concerns. Stacey Woggon, SWoggon@riverviewschools.com

Students are expected to be in class on time and to remain at school for the entire school day.

There are three types of attendance infractions: absent, tardiness, and early departure. These incidents cost the student valuable instructional time and disrupt classroom instruction. Tardiness and early departure will be classified under the same criteria for absences.

ABSENT: Student is not physically present in class.

TARDINESS: Student is not in their class when the bell rings.

EARLY DEPARTURE: Student leaves or is removed prior to the dismissal bell.

These attendance infractions can be documented, called-in, or unexcused.

DOCUMENTED ABSENCE • An absence that is accompanied by a third party/professional document. • Documented absences are the only absence which will not count toward truancy.

CALLED-IN ABSENCE • Any absence that is called in by the parent or legal guardian but is not accompanied by documentation as listed under documented absences. • Called-in absences are included in truancy. • Attendance record will show “C”.

UNEXCUSED • Any absence that is not called-in by the parent or legal guardian and is not accompanied by documentation as listed under documented absences. • Unexcused absences are included in truancy.

Parent Notification and Truancy Early notification and intervention provide the greatest opportunity to improve student attendance. Monitoring and addressing your student’s attendance is a direct way to show that you consider their education important and worthwhile.

Halloween Family Fun

Boo Bash 2025 sponsored by Forest Parent Club was a huge success. Students along with their families had a great time trick or treating from stations set up on the campus grounds. Food trucks were on hand to serve hungry customers. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible.

Students of the Month for October (Respect & Responsibility)

Mrs. Sandefur - Rani P.

Mrs. Peterson - Calum B.

Ms. Schock - Oakleigh G.

Mrs. Coleman - Savannah B.

Mrs. Uhse - Cole Z.

Mrs. Masters - Nora S.

Mrs. Taft - Isaac S.

Mrs. Avery - Adelynne M.

Mrs. Kissel - Ella G.

Mrs. LaFehr - Martha W.

Mrs. Curry - Emmy C.

Mrs. Grunwald - Jackson B.

Mr. Snyder - James W.

Mr. Newland - Paisley S.

Ms. Fraczek - Willow T.

Mrs. Gajewski - Amelia B.

On October 17th, Forest Elementary kindergarten students attended their first field trip to Kackleberry Farms. It was the perfect fall day for exploring. Students and chaperones saw farm animals, walked through a pumpkin patch, and went on a hayride. Everyone had a lot of fun on the farm and each student was given a pumpkin to take home.

All three kindergarten classes have been practicing for the Halloween concert. Here is a preview from Mrs. Sandefur's class that we wanted to share with you.

Art Club brings color to Forest Elementary

The halls of Forest Elementary are bursting with color and creativity this month as the school’s Art Club unveils a vibrant collection of student artwork now on display for the entire school community to enjoy.

Under the guidance of Mrs. Coleman and Ms. Garnetti, the Art Club students have spent the past two weeks exploring different artistic techniques — from watercolor and paper collages to digital illustrations. Each piece reflects the unique imagination and hard work of Forest’s young artists.

“The students have shown incredible dedication and creativity,” said Ms. Annie “They’ve learned how to express their ideas in new ways, and seeing their pride as their artwork goes up on the walls is the best part.”

The exhibit features close to 50 pieces of artwork created by students in grades 3-5, replicating apple trees from Gustav Klimt and Reed’s Fish by Jo Dunnick. Visitors can view the display in the school’s main hallway and by the teacher’s lounge.

Students and staff alike have stopped to admire the colorful creations during the school day. “It’s amazing to see what everyone made,” said Gianna Garnetti a member of the Art Club. “We all worked really hard, and it’s exciting to have our art on display for everyone to see.”

Principal Meli praised the Art Club for their efforts, noting that programs like this help foster creativity, confidence, and collaboration among students. Art Club reminds us that learning isn’t just about academics — it’s about imagination and expression.

Are you in the KNOW?

Are you receiving email/text blasts from Forest Elementary School? Are you receiving Schoology messages from Forest Elementary school? If you are not, you are NOT getting valuable school information.

For Schoology - add the Forest Elementary Code listed above to your Schoology app.

For email/text blasts - Log into PowerSchool, make sure your current email address and cell phone numbers are correct and flagged to received SMS messages. You can also make any updates to your emergency contact list as well.

Visit our "Lost & Found" inside the vestibule

Our Lost and Found rack is overflowing with found items. If you feel your child has lost any items, please feel free to check out the items located in the vestibule at the main entrance before or after school.

ONLINE SAFETY TIP:

Are your children safe while online? Michigan families, especially minors, are becoming inundated with advertisements from alcohol, tobacco, pornography, illegal drugs and gambling marketers through different internet and cell phone inboxes. Thankfully, the State of Michigan offers a free program to stop adult advertisements from reaching e-mails, text messages, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. The Michigan Child Protection Registry, is a free do-not-contact service for Michigan’s families and can be located at www.ProtectMIChild.com.

As a strong supporter of this Registry, I would like to encourage you to sign your entire family up for the Registry and inform your friends and colleagues about how they can protect children and families from unwanted adult advertising. To sign up only takes seconds. Just go to www.ProtectMIChild.com and keep your family safe.