Forest School News (11.11.24)

• 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.

Kindness Spirit Week is coming to Forest from November 18-22! Check out the calendar below to learn more about each day's theme. Students can participate by dressing up as the theme and/or by engaging the kindness activities planned for each day! Please look for more information to come from your child's classroom teacher.

Students in 4th and 5th grade have been working hard to prepare for their musical performance. There will be two performances - one during the school day for grades K-3 and one at night for families!

Families are encouraged to attend the evening performance on Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 PM. 4th and 5th grade students should arrive early at 6:15 PM to get ready for the show. Please review this flyer for more information.

As a reminder, students are expected to wear opaque (not see through) clothing that covers them from shoulder to mid-thigh while at school. This policy applies to all District 62 students. More information can be found on page 29 of the Student Handbook.

We want to hear from YOU! 😁

As we plan family engagement and parent education events for the rest of the school year, your input is invaluable. Please take a few minutes to fill out our short survey and let us know what kinds of events and topics you would be most interested in attending. Your feedback will help us create meaningful and enjoyable experiences that support our students and families. Click one of the links below to share your thoughts! Thank you for being an important part of our school community!

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Does your child ever experience BIG FEELINGS? Do those big feelings ever lead to a meltdown at home? Are you looking for some tips and tricks with how to support your children in managing their emotions better? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then we have just the thing for you!

Join us on Monday, December 9 from 6:00-7:00 PM at Forest for a Parent Education Night! You'll learn from our SEL staff about how to manage meltdowns and big feels and even have a chance to connect with other parents who may be experiencing the same at home.

Click here to RSVP!

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

The November PTC Meeting is tomorrow, November 12th at 7:00pm in the TILE Room at Forest. Babysitting is provided for children 3 years old and older. Our guest speaker will be Des Plaines 3rd Ward Alderman, Sean Oskerka. Feel free to bring any questions you may have for Alderman Oskerka.

Tickets are still on sale for the PTC Fall Pool Party being held on Friday, November 15th at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center! Please see the flyer for more details!

Options to Purchase Tickets:

• Option 1: Click here to purchase. For some people there does seem to be a glitch with the link that is causing them not to be able to add tickets to their cart. It is a Square glitch that can't be resolved. It is happening to some people, but not all. It does seem people are having more luck purchasing from a laptop.
• Option 2: You can go directly to our website Forest-ptc.square.site and then click on "Ongoing Events."
• Paying with Zelle: Due to the glitch, we will be offering 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.

Sorry to those inconvenienced by the glitch. We look forward to seeing everyone at the pool!

Save the date! The PTC Ornament Decorating event will be held on Thursday, December 5th after school in the Multi-Purpose Room. More details coming soon.

Want to recognize a teacher or staff member for doing a great job? Nominate them for Staff Spotlight! 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! The next winner will be chosen at the November PTC meeting and featured on our website. Nominees stay in the drawing month to month. Email Kristin Vana at vanakristin@gmail.com to nominate!

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

11/12: PTC Meeting at 7:00 PM

11/15: Trimester 1 Ends

11/15: PTC Pool Party from 7:00-9:00 PM at Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center

11/17: Chorus Club performs at the Allstate Arena during the Chicago Wolves game

11/18: Trimester 2 begins

11/18-11/22: Kindness Spirit Week

11/18: Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 PM

11/21: 4th & 5th Grade Musical, The Adventures of Beekle, from 6:30-7:30 PM

11/22: Trimester 1 Report Cards released

11/23: Yoga for Kids from 10:00-11:00 AM at Maryville Academy -- For more info, email Amy Kendal

11/25-11/29: No School - Thanksgiving Break

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