Forest School News (3.8.26)
💻 by 3/11: 5Essentials Survey - Your Voice Matters!
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey has been open. Family participation plays an important role in shaping our school's improvement efforts. Your voice matters! We need to reach a minimum parent participation rate of 20%. We are currently at a 23% participation rate, so thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. If you haven't yet, please consider sharing your feedback. The survey is open until March 13, 2026.
To complete the survey:
- Visit the 5Essentials Survey website
- Choose the Parent Survey (English or Spanish) on the right side
The flyer below should have come home with your child. After you complete the survey, you may choose to send the bottom portion back to school for your child to earn 3 raffle tickets for an upcoming raffle!
🧠 4/1-4/8: Illinois Assessment of Readiness
All Forest students in grades 3-5 will participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing after we return from spring break. Students will be tested in Reading and Math. Please refer to this communication for more information.
Forest students will test on the dates listed below.
- Wednesday, April 1
- Thursday, April 2
- Monday, April 6
- Tuesday, April 7
- Wednesday, April 8
💟 Kids Heart Challenge
Thank you to everyone who participate in the Kids Heart Challenge! The challenge has ended and Forest families raised over $6,500 for children with special hearts. This is truly amazing!!
Students who participated in the challenge by raising funds or completing Finn's Mission should receive their prizes at school this week!
🍎 3/10: Registration Opens for 2026-2027!
Online registration will open for all families, including incoming students, beginning March 10 for the 2026-2027 school year. We ask that you register your child(ren) by May 6.
District 62 will begin collecting next year's fees during registration. Our fees remain unchanged, however the cost to ride the bus for 2026-2027 is $430 per student each school year. For example, a family with two students riding the bus would pay $860 per year to transport both children.
Information about District 62’s online registration process can be found on the Enrollment page, including:
- Annual Online Registration (returning students)
- New Student Enrollment (new to D62 students)
- Kindergarten Registration (kindergarten students)
📆 School Calendar for 2026-2027 School Year
At the February Board of Education meeting, the school calendar for the 2026-2027 school year was approved. Important dates are listed below:
- Tuesday, August 25: First day of school for students (Grades K-8)
- Wednesday, August 26: First day of school for Pre-K
- Friday, June 4: Last day of school for students
🏆 5/30: Kiwanis Cup - Registration Now Open!
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!
💚 3/10: March PTC Meeting
The March PTC meeting is Tuesday, March 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 March meeting.
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.
🌊 3/13: Pool Party
🎤 Talent Show Important Dates
Talent Show is back for 2026!
Talent Show important dates:
- Thursday, March 12th: In-Person Auditions
- Friday, March 20th: Video Auditions Due
- Tuesday, May12th: Tech Rehearsal
- Thursday, May14th: Talent Show Day
🐔 3/19: Dine & Share - Raising Canes
📸 until 4/17: Yearbook Sale
🌏 Multicultural Night - Families Needed to Host Tables!
Save the date! This year Multicultural Night is on Friday, April 16th. We’re seeking families to host a table representing their culture. Hosting a table is a wonderful way to share your heritage, traditions, and pride with others! Your display might include:
- Photos, maps, or flags
- Traditional clothing, artifacts, or crafts
- Interactive games or activities
- Pre-packaged snacks or candy reflecting your culture
To host a table, please fill out this form. Together, let’s make this evening a meaningful and memorable celebration for everyone!
😎 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