Forest School News (4.19.26)
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Multicultural Night!
What an incredible evening! Seeing our community come together to share heritage, stories, and traditions was a powerful reminder of what makes our school so special. Thank you to those who shared traditional dishes, hosted cultural tables, performed, or volunteered.
Events like this help us build a more inclusive, welcoming, and connected school community for all students. We are so proud to celebrate the diversity that makes Forest such a vibrant place.
A special thank you to Susan Chavez for organizing this wonderful event again this year!
📸 If you have photos or videos from the event, we would love for you to share them here: Multicultural Night Photos 2026
- Forest PTC
🧠 4/20-4/24: Illinois Science Assesment
Forest students in 5th grade will take the Illinois Science Assessment test on the dates listed below. Students who miss any of the tests will have an opportunity to do make-up testing.
Testing Dates:
- Monday, April 20 - Science #1
- Tuesday, April 21 - Science #2
- Wednesday, April 22 - Science #3
- Thursday, April 23 - Make-up Testing
- Friday, April 24 - Make-up Testing
🦷 Due 4/20: Applications for FREE Dental Care for ALL Students
Preferred Dentistry Associates, P.C. (located in Evanston) is coming to Forest Elementary School to provide free dental care for any student who wishes to participate. It doesn't matter whether you have dental insurance or not - all students qualify!
Please refer to the Free Dental Care newsletter for all of the details.
🚨 In order for your child to participate, you must complete a permission slip by Monday, April 20.
💙 Lunch & Learn Parent Series
District 62 and SEPAC are offering an informative virtual mini-series on AAC and Assistive Hearing led by Erin Ballman, D62's Assistive Technology Specialist (Sessions 1 & 2) and Beth Parker from NSSEO (Session 3). These sessions are free, virtual and designed specifically for families and open to any D62 parent/guardian. All sessions will be held on the following Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 12:45pm.
April 22nd (Session 2 link) - Strategies for implementing AAC at home
April 29th (Session 3 link) - Assistive Hearing - NSSEO
We hope you can join us! Recordings will be available upon request for families not able to attend.
📝 D62 Parent Engagement Survey
District 62 is in the process of developing our Consolidated District Plan which outlines specific supports, training, and resources that we will put in place to improve outcomes for all of our students. Your voice is important in this process! Please take 2-3 minutes to fill out a very brief to share your thoughts with us! Thank you in advance for your time and your partnership!
🍎 Full Day Kindergarten Webpage
District 62 has launched a brand new Full Day Kindergarten webpage! Beginning next school year, all elementary schools in the district will transition to a full day kindergarten program. Families are encouraged to explore the webpage, which will continue to be updated throughout the spring, summer, and into next year.
On the site, you can learn more about:
- The transition from a half day to a full day program
- The benefits of purposeful play
- What the full day program will include
- How to prepare your child for kindergarten
🏆 by 4/24: Deadline to Sign up for Kiwanis Cup!
Calling all Forest students to participate in the 5th Annual Kiwanis Cup! Students will have the opportunity to compete alongside their classmates to race against challengers from other local schools. Race distance is approximately 1 mile around the beautiful Lake Opeka.
Each runner will receive a t-shirt representing their school color. Let's make a Forest team!! Register by the April 24th deadline to receive a shirt. Click here to register now!
💚 May PTC Meeting
🤩 Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Berger
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.
🚨 DONATIONS NEEDED for Staff Appreciation Week!
Staff Appreciation Week is May 4-7. Please help celebrate our staff by donating food and/or gift cards. Each day we will treat the staff to goodies, and provide them each with a $10 gift card and small gift item. Take a look at the sign up sheet to see the items being requested. Please note there are multiple categories on the bottom of the sign up form.
The Hospitality team will reach out to everyone that signs up to donate items to coordinate drop off the week/weekend before Staff Appreciation Week. Please be sure to include an email or phone number. Thank you for your support!
🎤 5/14: Talent Show
Thank you to the students who auditioned for the Talent Show. The Forest community is in for a great show this year!
Talent Show important dates:
- Tuesday, May 12th: Tech Rehearsal
- Thursday, May14th: Talent Show Day
🎨 DUE 5/11: Student Art and Stories Show
Talent is found in many places! We want to showcase student talent in art and writing during the Talent Show. Submit your artwork, short stories, and poems to the Student Art and Stories Show which will take place in conjunction with the Talent Show on Thursday, May 14th.
For this exhibit:
- Please have students submit work we can hang up!
- Artwork should have the student name and teacher name on the back so it can be returned after the Talent Show.
- Submissions are due to the Main Office by Monday, May 11th.
💟 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