Forest School News (11.2.25)

๐คฉ Spotlight on Specials: Music ๐ฅ
Ever wonder what your child is up to in specials? This year, weโll give you a peek inside. Each month this school year, one of Forest's specials teachers or departments will be featured in Forest School News. Our goal is to highlight the fantastic learning happening in our specials classrooms throughout the year.
October was an exciting month for music!
4th and 5th grade students have been working hard to get ready for their performance of The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors. Each class is working on a different instrument feature with songs you'll be sure to recognize. As a reminder, the performance will be on Wednesday 11/19 @ 6:30 PM. 4th and 5th grade students are asked to arrive back to school at 6:15 to check in.
Forest School has a wonderful tradition of a Halloween Sing Along. Students across grade levels have been working on singing, dancing and playing instruments to songs all about autumn and Halloween. 3rd grade worked on a song called Autumn is Here that featured seven different types of instruments at once!
1st graders have been learning about the four different ways we use our voices: whispering, talking, singing, and shouting. Here they are featured using their singing voices on the song Five Perfect Pumpkins.
Thank you for supporting your students! It's so exciting to watch them grow as musicians and creators.
๐ต Des Plaines Choral Festival ๐ค
The 4th and 5th Grade Chorus recently performed at the Des Plaines Choral Festival. These musicians did a great job representing Forest both during the school day as they visited Maine West and during the evening performance.
๐ฒ Screens, Digital Use, and Addition Presentations
Presentation Recordings:
- English: Screens, Digital Use, and Addiction
- Spanish: Screens, Digital Use, and Addiction
The picture of the Screen Time Recommendations by Age Chart included here is just one small piece of learning from the presentation. Check out the whole presentation to learn so much more!
๐ฌ 11/4: Virtual Parent Information and Input Session
The Student Services Administrative Team is offering a virtual family information and input session on November 4th from 7:00-8:00pm. This will be an opportunity to provide information about special education goals, the review process and timelines, as well as seek your input regarding special services in District 62.
Submit a question in advance so we can be sure to address it in our presentation.
Zoom Meeting Link: https://d62-org.zoom.us/j/88676050150?jst=2
๐ 11/6: SEPAC Family Night & Open Gym
D62's SEPAC is hosting a Family Night and Open Gym. Families can connect with other parents of students with IEPs and 504s and enjoy a fun evening together!
๐ Thursday, November 6
๐ From 6:00-7:00 PM @ Iroquois Community School Gym
๐ 11/12: D62 SEPAC Town Hall Meeting
D62's SEPAC is hosting a Town Hall Meeting this month. This event will give families the opportunity to:
- Learn about SEPAC's mission and goals
- Access valuable resources and information
- Explore ways to make a difference for their children and all students with IEPs and 504s
๐ Wednesday, November 12
๐ At 7:00 PM via Zoom
๐งช 11/8: Maine West Science Day (all ages)
The Maine West Science National Honor Society is hosting a Science Day on Saturday, November 8, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Maine West High School. Children of all ages are invited to take part in fun hands-on science activities conducted by our student members of the NHS. This event is free to attend and the Maine West students really hope to see you there!
๐ 11/8: Elks Club Hoop Shoot Contest (Ages 8-13)
The Des Plaines Elks Club is hosting the annual Hoop Shoot competition on Saturday, November 8th at Chippewa Middle School. This is a free throw shooting contest for both boys and girls ages 8 up to 13 years old. The event is free to attend and participate in. Click here for more information!
๐ 10/24-11/23: Little Caesars Dine & Share
Our Little Caesars Fundraiser is live! Now through Sunday, November 23rd you can purchase a Pizza Kit or In-Store Meal Deal and $6 from your order will come back to the Forest PTC! You can place your order at this link. Thank you for your support!!
๐ Join the PTC!
๐ Forest Spirit Wear
Spirit Wear featuring the new Falcon logo is now available on our website.
Week of November 3
- 11/4: D62 Student Services Team Virtual Information & Input Session from 7:00-8:00 PM
- 11/5: Family Storytime at Des Plaines Public Library from 7:00-8:00 PM
- 11/6: Munch Madness (ages 9-12) at Des Plaines Public Library from 4:00-5:00 PM
- 11/6: D62 SEPAC Family Night from 6:00-7:00 PM at Iroquois Community School's Gym
- 11/8: Elks Club Hoop Shoot Contest at Chippewa Middle School starting at 9:00 AM
- 11/8: Maine West High School Science Day (ages 3-12) from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM @ MWHS
- 11/8: Des Plaines Pumpkin Smash from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM @ Prairie Lakes Community Center
Week of November 10
- 11/10: PTC Meeting at 7:00 PM
- 11/11: NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
- 11/12: D62 SEPAC Virtual Town Hall at 7:00 PM
- 11/12: Family Storytime at Des Plaines Public Library from 7:00-8:00 PM
- 11/14: PTC Pool Party at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center from 7:00-9:00 PM
- 11/16: Chorus Club performance at the Chicago Wolves Game at 3:00 PM
Week of November 17
- 11/17: Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 PM at Central Elementary School
- 11/19: 4th & 5th Grade Concert at 6:30 PM at Forest in the Multipurpose Room
- 11/21: Trimester 1 Report Cards available in Infinite Campus
- 11/22: Maine West Warrior Con from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Maine West High School
- District 62 Community Partnerships & Resources - A full list of D62 community partnerships.
- Virtual Bulletin Board - View community flyers on the D62 website. Updated regularly.
- MaineStay Youth & Family Services - Click on the MaineStay tab for Youth Programs.
- MaineStay Fall 2025 Catalog - Click to learn more about a range of fall events and activities.
- 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.
๐ In Need of Resources?
District 62 has so many wonderful resources available for families. 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 and share any resources needed! Responses are kept confidential unless you give permission 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