Forest School News (2.8.26)
❗5Essentials Survey - Family Feedback Needed!
Your voice matters! The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is open and family participation plays an important role in shaping our school’s improvement efforts. Parent participation is critical as it continues to be aligned with federal legislation, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Participation directly affects individual school ratings.
Parent Survey
- Is confidential
- Takes about 15-20 minutes to complete
- May be completed once for each child enrolled at a given school. If you have more than one child at Forest Elementary School, please consider filling out the survey for each child.
- Only one parent response is expected per child.
Completing the Survey
- Visit the 5Essentials Survey website
- Choose the Parent Survey (English or Spanish) on the right side
The deadline to complete the survey is March 13, 2026. Thank you!!
Stay tuned for more information about how participation rates will "unlock" fun activities for Forest students!
👟 Reminder: Gym Shoes Needed for P.E.
To ensure student safety and full participation in P.E., students must wear proper footwear on P.E. days. Sneakers or gym shoes are required for safe participation. Families may choose to send an extra pair of gym shoes to be kept in lockers or have students wear them to school on P.E. days.
Students without proper footwear will not be able to fully participate in P.E. activities and families may receive a phone call or message home if this becomes a pattern or concern. Thank you for helping keep our students safe and active!
🎨 Community Art Fair - Student Artwork Needed!
Details:
- Who: The GENCenter invites children to submit their artwork for the Community Art Fair.
- What: The GENCenter (formerly The Frisbie Senior Center), in partnership with the Des Plaines Art Guild is inviting District 62 students to participate in their Community Art Fair.
- When:
- Friday, February 13: Students must drop off their artwork between 4:00-8:00 PM
- Saturday, February 14: Art Fair from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday, February 15: Art Fair from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Where: GENCenter - 52 E. Northwest Highway in Des Plaines
- How: To participate, students should sign up via the Community Art Fair website.
Additional Information:
- This opportunity is *FREE* - There is no fee for artists to exhibit.
- Students must sign up in order to be featured in the Art Fair.
- Students do not have to be present at the Art Fair, but the artwork must be dropped off between 4:00-8:00 PM on Friday, February 13.
- Artwork can be for sale, but that is not necessary.
Questions? Call 847-293-8431
🍿 Movie Night Thank You!
💚 2/10: February PTC Meeting
The February PTC meeting is Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00pm at Forest. Babysitting will be provided for children 3 years and older. Hope to see you there!
💡 Staff Spotlight Nominations
Don’t forget to submit your Staff Spotlight nominations! The next winner will be chosen at the February meeting this week.
Staff Spotlight is a way to recognize any Forest staff member that makes students feel welcomed, cared for, and supported. Let us know the name of the staff member and what they did/are doing for their student or family at Forest. Any adult can be recognized, so in addition to classroom teachers, don't forget paraprofessionals, custodians, interventionists, and more!
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.
😎 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