Forest School News (1.6.25)

• Cars are expected to pull all the way up to the stop sign. 🛑
• Students are expected to get in and out of the car independently on the curb (passenger) side.
• Family members must stay inside the vehicle at all times. 🚗

• ✅ Parking is permitted/allowed on 5th Avenue between Forest School and Algonquin Middle School.
• 🚫 Parking is NOT permitted/NOT allowed in the Forest Staff Parking Lots or on 5th Avenue in front of Forest. The Des Plaines Police Department will begin ticketing those who are parked or idling in an area where parking is not permitted.

With our first snow of the season before Thanksgiving break and cooler temperatures in the forecast, please be sure to send your child to school with winter weather gear!

• Students should expect to have outdoor recess, unless it is deemed that the conditions are too cold or unsafe for students and staff. Please be sure to send your child to school with winter gear! If you are in need of winter accessories, please connect with Ms. Soike (Principal), Ms. Reiner (Assistant Principal), Ms. Biancalana (Social Worker), Ms. Corcoran (Social Worker), or Ms. McInerney (School Psychologist).
• If there is snow on the ground, recess supervisors will require students to have a minimum set of winter accessories in order to play in the snow. Students will need to have a winter coat, snow pants, winter boots, and mittens or gloves.

Forest's Bird's Eye Newspaper Club is looking for 3rd graders to join the club! Newspaper Club is on Tuesdays and Thursdays during recess starting Thursday, January 16. Please see the permission slip below and sign your child up if they are interested. We are looking forward to the first issue of the Bird's Eye to come out soon!

This fall, students completed the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavioral Risk Screener (SAEBRS) as part of District 62's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process. SAEBRS has two components: a staff rating for all students and a self-assessment for students in grades 2-8. The purpose of the screener is to help identify students who may be in need of additional support.

On Wednesday, January 8, all families will receive a digital letter from District 62 which shares more information about your individual child's screening scores. Please feel free to refer to the information shared in the September 30 Forest School News or click here to learn more about SAEBRS. If you have any questions after receiving the letter, please reach out to Ms. Soike or Ms. Reiner.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, looking for community resources, or exploring opportunities for parent learning, look no further. Our SEL team created a Google Form you can fill out so they can be notified to follow up with you about any/ all areas you are looking for support. The responses to this form are confidential, and will only be seen by the SEL team unless you specify otherwise.

You can contact them here:

• Gina Biancalana, School Social Worker
• McKenna Corcoran, School Social Worker
• Mary McInerney, School Psychologist

Our next PTC meeting is Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 PM.

• We will be joined by guest speakers District 62 Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Dr. Romy DeCristofaro, and Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, Amy Cengel.
• 3rd Ward Alderman, Sean Oskerka, will also be stopping by with an update to his visit from November.

We are so excited to announce that sign-ups are now open for the 2nd Annual Forest Family Arts & Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 PM!

Are you passionate about sharing your culture? We’re looking for families to:

• 🎉 Host a table to showcase your traditions, heritage, and pride!
• 🎶 Perform a cultural dance, song, or musical piece!

• 📷 Photos, maps, or flags
• 👗 Traditional clothing or artifacts
• 🎲 Games or crafts
• 🍬 Pre-packaged snacks or candy
• ✨ Ready to join the celebration? Fill out this form to host a table.

🎤 Interested in performing? Sign up here.

Let’s celebrate the amazing diversity of our Forest School community together! 🌟

📅 Mark your calendar for April 10 and stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to see you there!

Save the date! The Winter Pool Party is coming up on Friday, January 31st at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center. More details will be coming soon!

Spirit Wear is a great way for your family to show their Forest pride. Spirit Wear is available to purchase on our website, and it will be delivered straight to your child's classroom.

Do the events above sound fun but don't line up with your schedule? Or would you like to learn more about what we can do for our students? Please consider 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 You can also check out our website: https://forest-ptc.square.site

Did you know that MaineStay has a variety of FREE or affordable programs for children ages 3-17? Programs range from cooking classes, to family fun nights, to play-based parenting programs. Check out the graphic below for more information and visit the MaineStay website!

This Week:

1/7: Back to School for all K-5 students

1/7: Permission Slips for 1st Grade Sports Club sent home

1/8: SAEBRS Family Letters sent home

Next Week:

1/13: Munch Madness (ages 9-12) at Des Plaines Public Library from 4:00-5:00 PM

1/14: PTC Meeting at 7:00 PM

1/15: Before School Orchestra Rehearsals resume at 8:00 AM

1/16: Bird's Eye Newspaper Club begins with new 3rd grade members - Sign up if interested!

1/17: DUE TODAY - Permission Slips for 1st Grade Sports Club

1/17: Trimester 2 Progress Reports & Winter MAP Reports released

1/17: Movies in the Corner at Des Plaines Public Library from 6:30-8:30 PM

In Two Weeks:

1/20: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/21: Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 PM

1/22: ACCESS Testing begins for students in grades K-5 identified as English Learners

1/22: 1st Grade Sports Club begins from 3:30-4:30 PM

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