Forest School News (10.5.25)
🦅 Forest Office Update
💻 October 6-9: SAEBRS Survey
District 62 schools will continue to use the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavioral Risk Screener (SAEBRS) as a universal screener to help us better understand students' SEL skills. SAEBRS has two components: a teacher rating for all students and a self-assessment for students in grades 2-8. Please review the SAEBRS Family Communication to learn more.
Forest will be administering SAEBRS from October 6-9, 2025.
📝 October 9-10: Fall Conferences
Fall Conferences are just around the corner! We strive to have 100% of our Forest families visit us during Fall Conferences. Information for how to Sign Up for Fall Conferences was previously shared with all families. Please visit that link for more information and step-by-step instructions.
Fall Conference Schedule
- Thursday, October 9 from 12:00-3:00 PM and 4:00-8:00 PM
- Friday, October 10 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎃 October 30-31: Halloween Activities
Thursday, October 30th
- 10:00 a.m. - AM Kindergarten Parade (through the school)
- 10:30 a.m. - AM Kindergarten Party
- 2:00 p.m. - PM Kindergarten Parade (through the school)
- 2:30 p.m. - PM Kindergarten Party
Friday, October 31st
- NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN
- 10:00 a.m. - Halloween Sing Along (for students and staff only)
- 10:30 a.m. - Halloween Parade (outdoors, weather permitting) - Families are invited!
- 11:00 a.m. - Halloween Parties
- 12:00 p.m. - EARLY DISMISSAL
If you would like to opt your child out of any Halloween activities, please email Ms. Soike by Tuesday, October 28th at 3:30 PM so that there is time to plan and prepare alternate activities.
PBIS Expectations Reminders
Last week, Ms. Soike and Ms. Reiner visited all classrooms to review a few school-wide expectations. During our visits, we talked with students about how expectations can look different in various settings (for example, at school, home, the park, a movie theater, or a library). We reminded students that part of our job at school is not only to help them learn academically, but also to support their growth as kind, responsible members of the community. All of the expectations we reviewed connect back to our school-wide PBIS focus on Being Respectful, Being Responsible, and Being Safe.
PBIS Expectation: Be Respectful - Use kind words and actions.
- Addressing Others: We discussed the importance of addressing others by their names respectfully. For staff, this means using Mrs./Mr./Ms./Miss and their last name. For students, this means using first names rather than nicknames or informal terms like bruh, bro, or dude.
PBIS Expectation: Be Responsible - Use materials appropriately. Stay on task and ready to learn.
- Toys vs. Tools: We talked with students about the difference between toys and tools. Toys are fun but can become distractions at school, so they should stay at home. Tools are items that help us learn, such as the items found on the school supply list.
- If students bring items such as Labubus, stuffed animals, skincare products, “fun” pens, prizes, or small purses/bags to class, they’ll be asked to keep them in their locker during the school day.
PBIS Expectation: Be Safe - Respect others’ personal space. Keep hands, feet, and body to yourself.
- Personal Space: We reminded students that respecting each other’s personal space helps everyone feel safe and comfortable. When giving reminders, like helping a classmate find their spot in line, we encouraged students to use words or nonverbal cues (like pointing), instead of using their hands to move others.
🚨 School Safety Drills
Over the next few weeks, Forest students and staff will be practicing emergency procedures by engaging in our safety drills. These drills include fire, severe weather, and law enforcement drills. These important drills help students know what to do in any type of emergency. Forest, and all of District 62, use the Standard Response Protocol for emergencies.
Forest will be completing the Law Enforcement Drill (otherwise known as a lockdown drill) on Monday, October 6th. Please refer to the Law Enforcement Drill communication for more information.
🚲 Bicycle Safety
To ensure everyone's safety, it is imperative that everyone follows the guidelines below, which are outlined in the D62 Student Handbook (screenshot included).
- Students and family members must walk their bicycles across intersections and when on school property.
- Gas-powered bicycles and mopeds are prohibited.
There has been a significant increase in the amount of students and families using e-bikes and scooters. While the Student Handbook may not specifically address e-bikes and scooters, please use extreme caution when riding these. These modes of transportation should be walked when on school property.
D62 SEPAC News
Check out the recent Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) newsletter.
- 10/27: A virtual event for parents/guardians to learn about screen use with children.
- Coffee Chats: Share input to help the SEPAC plan Coffee Chats for families.
- Screen Time Resources: Check out some resources with tips to reduce screen time at home.
- Be a Voice for Your School: Join the SEPAC! Ensure all schools are represented. =)
- SEPAC Updates: Click to read some other updates shared.
To learn about how you can get involved, visit the D62 SEPAC website.
🏀 DPPD - Youth Basketball Leagues (Grades 1-6)
The Des Plaines Park District is hosting a Youth Basketball League for boys and girls in 1st–6th grade.
- For more information and/or to register? Click here.
- Questions? Reach out to Chris Nesterowicz.
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🙂 Thank You!
We also want to recognize those who donated items for the Parents' Night Out raffle:
- Avanti Cafe
- Beacon Tap
- BTK Construction
- Des Plaines Park District
- Des Plaines Youth Baseball
- Forest PTC Ways and Means Committee
- MBD Martial Arts
- The Statema Family
- The Wozniak Family
Your generosity has helped to raise money to support all of the events and activities that the PTC organizes throughout the school year. Thank you!
🎃 10/17: Fall Fest
Fall Fest is coming on Friday, October 17th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm! There will be lots of fun for the entire family! Please see the flyer for more details about the event and how to register. The deadline for early registration is Tuesday, October 14th.
We are looking for volunteers to help at Fall Fest. If you would like to volunteer you can sign up here.
🎨 Fall Fest Art Contest (DUE by 10/15)
🥳 Room Helpers Needed for Classroom Parties
Twice a year the Hospitality Team organizes classroom parties. Room Helpers plan activities with other volunteers and coordinate with the classroom teacher. The PTC has a variety of different ideas for games and activities to share!
The following classrooms still need additional volunteers:
- Kindergarten: Mrs. Bergstrom's PM needs 1-2
- 2nd Grade: Ms. Clavien needs 1
- 2nd Grade: Ms. Lucas needs 1
- 4th Grade: Mrs. Berger needs 1
- 5th Grade: Mrs. Klemundt needs 2
- 5th Grade: Mrs. Schar needs 2
If you would like to sign up to volunteer in your child's classroom or you would like more information, you can email Jami Kolonski at jamikolonski@gmail.com or Michelle Marlega at michelle.marlega@yahoo.com. Please include your name, your child's name, and their classroom teacher.
😎 Join the PTC!
💟 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