Forest School News (1.18.26)
Trimester 2 Progress Reports
We are officially halfway through Trimester 2. If you haven't already, please be sure to check Infinite Campus Parent Portal and/or your child's backpack to review their progress so far this trimester. Please reach out to your child's teacher with questions!
🎶 Save the Date: 2nd & 3rd Grade Concert
Who: 2nd & 3rd Grade students and their families
What: Musical adaptation of Giraffes Can't Dance
When: Thursday, February 26th at 6:30 PM
Where: Forest Multipurpose Room
Why: Come see your 2nd and 3rd graders perform their musical adaptation of the picture book Giraffes Can't Dance
🧤 Winter Weather & Outdoor Recess
With our first snowfall last week and colder weather on the way, please be sure your child comes to school with appropriate winter gear.
- Students will go outside for recess unless conditions are too cold or unsafe.
- When snow is on the ground, students may play in the snow, but only if they have a winter coat, snow pants, boots, and mittens or gloves.
- Students without full snow gear will still go outside but will be asked to play on the blacktop.
If your family needs help securing winter gear, please fill out the Forest Family Resources Form or reach out to any member of the Forest SEL team (Ms. Biancalana, Ms. Donnelly, Ms. McInerney, Ms. Soike, or Ms. Reiner).
🌎 1/22: Virtual SEPAC Event
Join D62 SEPAC on January 22 at 6:30pm via Zoom for an informative presentation on Strengthening IEPs through Home-School Partnerships. This session will help families better understand the IEP process, including meeting types, key components of an IEP, parental rights, and how students and families can meaningfully participate. We’ll walk through what to expect before, during, and after an IEP meeting and share practical strategies for maximizing collaboration with your school team. Whether you’re new to IEPs or looking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this session is designed to support families as partners in their child’s education.
Zoom Link: http://tinyurl.com/57v4bz6h
ACCESS Testing
In the state of Illinois from January 14 through March 3 students identified as ML (Multilingual Learner) will participate in the state-mandated ACCESS assessment. The ACCESS assessment is designed to measure students’ academic language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Academic language proficiency will be measured using items in the areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies.
All students identified as Multilingual Learners (MLs) who have not met the state identified exit criteria must participate in this assessment. This includes students whose parents have refused ML services.
District 62 students will begin this testing next week. At Forest, ML students will begin testing on Wednesday, January 21.
Here are a few tips that can help your child do their best on the test:
Make sure that your child attends school on the days of testing
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing
Have your child eat breakfast on the mornings of testing
Remind your child to ask the teacher questions if they do not understand the test directions
Let your child know that you have confidence in their ability to do their best
Advise your child not to worry about the test, but to simply do the best they can
⛄ Winter Programs at MaineStay Youth & Family Services
*FREE* Programs for Children
- Hooked on Crochet (grades 4-9): Begins January 20. Runs for 8 weeks from 4:00-5:00 PM.
- NEW Crochet Club (grades 4-9): Begins January 20. Runs for 8 weeks from 4:00-5:00 PM.
- Seeds of Friendship: Fostering Healthy Relationships Among Girls (girls in grades 2-5): Begins January 20. Runs for 8 weeks from 4:00-4:50 PM.
- Art in the Town (ages 6-8 or 9-12): Begins January 26. Runs for 10 weeks.
- Ages 6-8 from 4:00-4:50 PM
- Ages 9-12 from 5:00-6:00 PM
- Magical Moments: Play Therapy Group (ages 3.5-5.5): Begins February 10. Runs for 8 weeks from 3:15-3:45 PM or 4:00-4:45 PM.
- Mentoring (ages 8-12): Every other Tuesday from 6:00-7:30 PM
Low Cost Programs for Children
- Clay Creators: Beginner Pottery (ages 10-12): Begins January 22. Runs for 10 weeks from 4:30-6:00 PM. $20
- Tutoring (grades 1-8): Begins January 28. Runs for 10 weeks from 4:30-6:30 PM. $50
Free Programs/Events for Adults and/or Families
- EMDR Therapy Group for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids (ages 18+). Begins February 5. Runs for 6 weeks from 4:00-5:30 PM.
- Family Fun Nights (families with children ages 5+) : On February 5, March 5, and April 2 from 6:00-7:30 PM.
💚 Thank You!
💡 Staff Spotlight
Want to recognize a teacher or staff member for doing a great job? You can email jamikolonski@gmail.com or michelle.marlega@yahoo.com with the staff member name and reason for the nomination. You can also submit your nomination on this form.
🍕 1/20: Dine & Share at Avanti Caffe
Our next Dine and Share will be this Tuesday, January 20th at Avanti Caffe! Check out the details below.
😎 Join the PTC!
💟 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.
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