Forest School News (1.21.25)

• Cars are expected to pull all the way up to the stop sign. 🛑
• Students are expected to get in and out of the car independently on the curb (passenger) side.
• Family members must stay inside the vehicle at all times. 🚗

• ✅ Parking is permitted/allowed on 5th Avenue between Forest School and Algonquin Middle School.
• 🚫 Parking is NOT permitted/NOT allowed in the Forest Staff Parking Lots or on 5th Avenue in front of Forest. The Des Plaines Police Department will begin ticketing those who are parked or idling in an area where parking is not permitted.

As we are halfway through the school year, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind our families to review and update your contact information including your phone number (home, work, cell), email and emergency contact information.

Having accurate and up-to-date information contact information is crucial for us to:

• Communicate effectively: We rely on this information to send messages and updates regarding school closures, emergencies and other important events.

• Ensure student safety: In case of an emergency, we need to be able to reach you quickly.

To update your contact information, please do so via the Campus Parent (Infinite Campus) website or use the Campus Parent app on your smartphone. Should you have any additional questions, please contact the school office.

The PTC is asking that families of 5th graders please send one baby picture to be included in this year's yearbook. There is also an option to include a brief parent note. Please refer back to the special newsletter from the PTC to 5th grade families for more information. Pictures are due ASAP!

Save the date for an upcoming Family Game Night at Forest. Ms. Zienty, Forest's very own LMC Specialist, wrote a proposal and won a grant from the D62 Education Foundation which will go toward funding this exciting event! Please see the flyer below for more information.

With our first snow of the season before Thanksgiving break and cooler temperatures in the forecast, please be sure to send your child to school with winter weather gear!

• Students should expect to have outdoor recess, unless it is deemed that the conditions are too cold or unsafe for students and staff. Please be sure to send your child to school with winter gear! If you are in need of winter accessories, please connect with Ms. Soike (Principal), Ms. Reiner (Assistant Principal), Ms. Biancalana (Social Worker), Ms. Corcoran (Social Worker), or Ms. McInerney (School Psychologist).
• If there is snow on the ground, recess supervisors will require students to have a minimum set of winter accessories in order to play in the snow. Students will need to have a winter coat, snow pants, winter boots, and mittens or gloves.

Our next SEL Parent Night is just a few weeks away. Please join us at Forest on Tuesday, February 11 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Ms. Biancalana and Ms. McInerney will be ready to share information about students' attention and focus, answer any questions you might have, and provide a space for families to connect with one another and share ideas.

Please click here to RSVP to let us know that you will be joining us!

If you are experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, looking for community resources, or exploring opportunities for parent learning, look no further. Our SEL team created a Google Form you can fill out so they can be notified to follow up with you about any/ all areas you are looking for support. The responses to this form are confidential, and will only be seen by the SEL team unless you specify otherwise.

You can contact them here:

• Gina Biancalana, School Social Worker
• McKenna Corcoran, School Social Worker
• Mary McInerney, School Psychologist

Thank you to everyone who came out for the January PTC meeting. Thank you to District 62 Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Dr. Romy DeCristofaro, and Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, Amy Cengel for coming to share more about what they do in District 62. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 11th. We hope you can join us!

Ms. Fortier, a first grade teacher, is our January Staff Spotlight winner! Her interview and picture will be up on the website and Facebook soon. Thanks for all you do, Ms. Fortier!

You can nominate a staff member anytime by emailing Kristin Vana at vanakristin@gmail.com explaining why that staff member deserves to be recognized. Winners are randomly chosen at PTC Meetings.

Tickets for the PTC Winter Pool Party being held on Friday, January 31st at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center are now on sale! Please see the flyer below for more details!

Options to Purchase Tickets:

• Option 1: Click here to purchase.
• Option 2: You can go directly to our website Forest-ptc.square.site and then click on "Ongoing Events."
• Paying with Zelle: You can use Zelle as a payment method as well. You can use Forestfalconsptc@gmail.com to send payment. You MUST put that the money is for the pool party, and the name you want on the registration sheet in the memo section. We need this information to ensure you are registered correctly.

Movie Night is back! Join us Friday, February 7th, we will be showing the movie Wish. This is a free event. Please see the flyer for more details.

We are so excited to announce that sign-ups are now open for the 2nd Annual Forest Family Arts & Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 PM!

Are you passionate about sharing your culture? We’re looking for families to:

• 🎉 Host a table to showcase your traditions, heritage, and pride!
• 🎶 Perform a cultural dance, song, or musical piece!

Hosting a table is easy and fun—your display could include:

• 📷 Photos, maps, or flags
• 👗 Traditional clothing or artifacts
• 🎲 Games or crafts
• 🍬 Pre-packaged snacks or candy
• ✨ Ready to join the celebration? Fill out this form to host a table.

🎤 Interested in performing? Sign up here.

Let’s celebrate the amazing diversity of our Forest School community together! 🌟

📅 Mark your calendar for April 10 and stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to see you there!

Spirit Wear is a great way for your family to show their Forest pride. Spirit Wear is available to purchase on our website, and it will be delivered straight to your child's classroom.

Do the events above sound fun but don't line up with your schedule? Or would you like to learn more about what we can do for our students? Please consider joining the PTC! Membership gives you our meeting minutes and the first opportunity to volunteer at school events! You can join us here: Membership Form You can also check out our website: https://forest-ptc.square.site

Did you know that MaineStay has a variety of FREE or affordable programs for children ages 3-17? Programs range from cooking classes, to family fun nights, to play-based parenting programs. Check out the graphic below for more information and visit the MaineStay website!

This Week:

• 1/20: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 1/21: Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 PM
• 1/22: ACCESS Testing begins for students in grades K-5 identified as English Learners
• 1/22: 1st Grade Sports Club begins from 3:30-4:30 PM
• 1/25: Free Yoga for Kids from 10:00-11:00 AM at Maryville Academy - Contact Amy for info!

Next Week:

• 1/31: Movies in the Corner at Des Plaines Public Library from 6:30-8:30 PM
• 1/31: PTC Pool Party at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center from 7:00-9:00 PM
• 2/1: African American History Month/Black History Month begins

In Two Weeks:

• 2/3: Forest Food Drive begins -- More information coming soon!
• 2/4: Before School Band Rehearsals begin again at 8:00 AM at Forest
• 2/4: PTC Dine N Share at Chipotle from 4:00-8:00 PM
• 2/5: 100th Day of School for Grades 1-5
• 2/7: 100th Day of School for Kindergarten
• 2/7: PTC Movie Night at 6:30 PM at Forest

Website: http://forest.d62.org

Address: 1375 South 5th Avenue Des Plaines, IL 60018

Phone: (847) 824-1380

Facebook: Forest Facebook

Principal: Ms. Amber Soike

Assistant Principal: Ms. Traci Reiner