Central Woodlands
01/30/26
9/3/2026
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!
From Your Principal
Hello Central Woodlands Families!
We have had an exciting start to the school year! Our staff members and I are thrilled to have your children back in the building! The kids’ energy, smiles, and curiosity bring our halls to life every day.
Here are a few updates on what's been happening at school:
Building Strong Connections: Relationships are the foundation of learning. As school has gotten underway, our teachers and staff have focused on getting to know your children as individuals and building strong, supportive classroom communities.
PRIDE Positive Behavior Expectations: Students have been learning and practicing our PRIDE positive behavior expectations across all areas of the school, from the classrooms and hallways to the cafeteria and playground. Ask your child what PRIDE looks like in action! Students have begun earning PRIDE Tickets by showing their positive behavior, and they’re already entering the tickets in our monthly raffle!
Beginning of Year Assessments: Fall NWEA/MAP testing and mClass/DIBELS assessments are currently underway or coming up soon. These check-ins give us valuable insight into your child's academic strengths so we can support their growth right from the start.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are looking forward to a fantastic year together!
~Amy (Mrs. Major)
Picture RE-Takes Sept 25
Remember to Order Your Yearbook!
Getting To and From School
Bus Cancellations
Should any cancellations occur, we will use SchoolMessenger text and email, and the bus ride app to communicate a cancellation. It is also posted on the FHPS website.
Car Riders
We made this video when our school got a new parking lot a few years back. The traffic flow remains the same, several years later! Please review the helpful CW dismissal video below to ensure a safe and smooth pickup! Share with your carpool and any friends or family members who will pick up your child from school, too!
Work at School!
We are hiring!
We are hiring for Lunch/Recess Aides- 2 hours a day!
Attendance
Email cwattendance@fhps.net
Please Notify the OFFICE prior to 10AM if Leaving Early, Coming in Late or Absent:
Email: cwattendance@fhps.net
or call 616-493-8798 (24 hour attendance voicemail)
You may also report via Parent Portal
Car pooling to a sporting event?
You must notify the Office (not the student's teacher) if someone not listed
as an emergency contact will be picking up your student early for any reason.
We can not release students to anyone not listed in PowerSchool.
Early Dismissal
If you need to pick up your student prior to 3:45 dismissal, please call or email the attendance line. If it is an emergency, notify the office as soon as possible (not the child's teacher).
There will be no early dismissal passes given after 3:30.
CW Events
Sept 4-7 No School for Labor Day
Picture Retakes Sept 25
REMEMBER TO ORDER A YEARBOOK WHEN ORDERING PICTURES!
PTO Information
We are still looking for two very important committee chairs - Conference Meals & Staff Appreciation Week! We would love to have these filled asap to ensure they don’t get missed.
Sign Up Here
Athletic Event Expectations
Please see the attached letter in regards to behavior expectations at athletic events.
Meet Kai, Our Pride Pup!
Working Dog on Campus!
FHPS is excited to have a working dog at CW. FHPS PRIDE Pups are a beloved part of our staff. They support students' academic and social-emotional well-being.
If students want to say hello to Kai, they must ask the handler first! He is excited to be back to work!
School Hours
*School Begins - 8:45 a.m.
*Dismissal - 3:45 p.m.
First bell for students to enter school is at 8:35 a.m. Instruction begins daily at 8:45 a.m. Breakfast is served 8:35-8:45 a.m.
*Outdoor supervision is not provided prior to 8:30 a.m. or after 3:55 p.m.
When to Stay Home From School
When to keep your student home from school due to illness:
Please see the attached guidance from our district nurses on when to keep your child home from school due to illness.
Communication
SchoolMessenger will be our primary method of communication with families. School Messenger alerts will be sent to you via email. You must "opt in" to recieve text messages.
Opt-in to receive SMS messages from Forest Hills. Text “YES” to 67587 from the cell phone or mobile device we have in PowerSchool.
Go to the website for additional information.
Food Service Information
CW PRIDE
Art & Music Information
6th Grade Music Shirts
6th Grade Students will need a Music Shirt (Band, Orchestra, and Choir) for performances. They will be for sale in the office for $10.
Volunteer at CW!
Fill out a volunteer form to help in classrooms, work with the PTO, or go on field trips!
Electronic Devices & Handbook
Electronic Devices
Students will not be allowed to carry or use cell phones during the school day, district-wide. Phones are available in the office should a student need to contact their parent/guardian. If families believe that their child needs access to a cell phone before or after school, it will be the student's responsibility to ensure that his/her phone remains powered-down and stored in a backpack/locker during school hours. This includes smart watches. Thank you, CW Families, for your support with this!
CW is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal electronic devices.
K-6 Student/Family Handbook
Our handbook provides a wealth of information including important annual notices from FHPS.
Families and students may access the handbook on www.fhps.net under "Students”.
EFunds Parent Guide
District Calendar
Opportunities Outside of School
FHC Pom & Dance Clinic: Saturday, Oct. 24, FHC gym. The clinic is for grades JK-6th grade; registration is $55 per student. Students will learn dance techniques, receive a t-shirt, create a craft project, and more. All proceeds benefit FHC’s Pom & Dance team to travel to the national competition in Orlando. The morning session runs from 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. and the afternoon session runs from 1:45-5 p.m. For more information and to register, go to fhcdanceteam.ludus.com/200540380.
Middle School Girls’ Softball: Would your student (in 7th or 8th grade) be interested in playing middle school girls’ softball in the spring of 2027? If so, there is an interest form to note your student's level of interest in softball. Additional information will be shared later, but right now they’re gathering information on interest level. Complete the Google form for middle school softball if you have a student who might be interested in playing this spring.
Cub Scouts Pack 3634: For boys and girls in grades JK-5th grade. The pack meets on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at Cascade Christian Church. Two fun programs are coming up in September: boat building on Sept. 9 and boat race day on Sept. 16. For additional information about scouting, contact Patty Clifford, Cubmaster of Pack 3634, hessx111@gmail.com.
Calvin University Math Circle: An opportunity for 6th-8th grade students (typically 11-13 years old) to engage with exciting problems and topics in mathematics. Meetings are led by a professor in the Calvin math department and typically begin with a warm-up activity or game that leads into the day's problem or topic. The Math Circle seeks to generate enthusiasm for problem-solving in mathematics. Students also discover applications of mathematics and participate in a community that nurtures critical thinking, communication, and abstraction. This fall, the meetings will be on Tuesdays at Calvin University, 4-5:15 p.m., from September 29 to November 17. (Altogether 8 sessions.) Cost is $80/semester. Information and Registration: https://calvin.edu/go/mathcircle. For additional information, email Calvin professors Mike Bolt (mike.bolt@calvin.edu) or Jan Koop (kooj@calvin.edu).
Girls in Aviation Day: The Great Lakes Chapter of Women in Aviation International is hosting its annual Girls in Aviation Day. The day is designed to introduce students (primarily ages 6-18) to the many educational and career pathways available in aviation and aerospace, including pilots, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, engineering, airport operations, aviation business, unmanned systems, and many other fields. The event is Saturday, Sept. 19, at AVFlight near the Grand Rapids International Airport. Registration is FREE and you can do so online.
Girls Choral Academy: This program is for students in grades 1-12 and is a place where she can be seen, heard, challenged, and celebrated. Through exceptional music education, meaningful friendships, and confidence-building experiences, girls develop skills that extend beyond the stage. Whether your child is an experienced singer or simply loves music, Girls Choral Academy provides a welcoming environment where she can grow as both a musician and a leader. For more information and to enroll in a choir program, visit their website, www.girlschoralacademy.org.
Please visit the FHPS website for additional opportunities, information about other nonprofit organizations, and community flyers. The school district does not sponsor/endorse or otherwise take a position on non-profit entities that exist separately from FHPS. We simply provide this service to our community in an effort to inform them of events/activities that may be of interest to school-aged children.
Assessmemt Information
Contact Information
Principal: Amy Burton-Major amajor@fhps.net
Website: https://www.fhps.net/5-6-buildings/central-woodlands/
Location: 400 Alta Dale Avenue SE Ada, MI 49301
Main Phone Line: 616-493-8790

