Forest School News (11.1.2026)
💬 Monthly Principal Read Aloud: A Day with No Words
Each month, Ms. Soike and Ms. Reiner visit every classroom to share a read aloud and an activity. In October, we read A Day with No Words, a story about a child who communicates using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). We chose this book in recognition of National AAC Awareness Month and to share an important message: There are many ways to communicate with one another!
During our visits, we also introduced students to core boards, which are communication boards featuring frequently used words that help people express themselves. Students learned what core boards are, how they work, and had opportunities to practice communicating with them. Many students and staff at Forest and in the community use tools like core boards and communication devices. These tools have become an important part of our school environment.
One of the best parts of our visits was seeing how curious and engaged students were! They asked thoughtful questions and were eager to learn and practice. Many shared that they had spotted core boards at parks, museums, zoos, and other schools. One class even asked for mini boards (like the ones many staff wear on their lanyards) so they could practice, while other classrooms requested larger boards of their own.
Ask your child to tell you about A Day with No Words, what they learned about core boards, or where they've spotted them at Forest this year!
🦅 Falcon Focus
Have you heard your child reference Falcon Focus? Falcon Focus is something we started last school year at Forest. It is an opportunity for students to receive extra support during the lunch/recess time block as they learn and practice school-wide expectations of being Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind. With guidance from a staff member, students may practice school expectations, talk through a frustrating situation, reflect on how their choices affect others, or take steps to repair relationships and make things right. Students may also attend Falcon Focus to complete missing assignments or unfinished work.
Falcon Focus is not a punishment. It is a support available to all students with the goal of helping them reflect, grow, and develop strategies for making positive choices that they can practice at school and transfer into all aspects of their lives.
If your child is recommended to attend Falcon Focus, a staff member will communicate with you. Something new this year is that after your child has Falcon Focus, they will bring home a Falcon Focus Form outlining the expectation they worked on, the skills they practiced, and/or the work they completed and one commitment for moving forward. The form also includes space for your signature and any notes you would like to share, along with conversation starters to help you talk with your child about their experience and next steps.
If you are interested in learning more about Forest's behavior expectations, please take a few minutes to look at our PBIS Behavior Matrix below.
🧠 *FREE* Parent Education with Love and Logic
D62 will be hosting a series of the parent education course, "Parenting the Love and Logic Way."
- Who: All D62 families are invited to participate
- What: A series of parent education events
- When: Six Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 PM (dates listed below)
- November 4, 11, and 18
- December 2, 9, and 16
- Where: Virtually from the comfort of your home! A link will be sent to families once registered.
- Why: This parent education series will teach families about the two rules of love and logic, the anticipatory consequence, ways to neutralize arguing, and much more.Cost: FREE for all D62 families
To sign up, or for more information, please contact D62 Social Worker Peter Martin via phone (847-824-1532) or email (martinpe@d62.org).
📚 Des Plaines Public Library - November Programs
The Des Plaines Public Library has so many amazing programs for children and teens - many of the programs are *FREE* to participate in. Please check out the program guides linked below to see what opportunities your child(ren) may be interested in this winter!
- Youth Programs: The first two pages include an overview of all youth programs for the month of November, followed by seven pages of flyers with additional information.
- Teen Programs: The first page includes a calendar of all teen programs for November, followed by six pages of flyers with additional information.
📸 Photos for the Yearbook: Fall Fest, Halloween Parade, and Halloween Parties
The PTC Yearbook Committee does our best to capture photos from events throughout the year to be considered for the yearbook. We would love to feature YOUR photos also. If you have any photos you'd like to share from the events below, please click on the event album and add them. Thank you!
📆 11/10: November PTC Meeting
The next PTC meeting will be Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 PM at Forest. All Forest family members are invited to attend. Childcare will be provided for children ages 3 and up. We hope to see you there!
🍕 NOW - 11/12: Little Caesars Fundraiser!
Deliciousness is here! NOW through November 12th, we're selling Little Ceasars Pizza Kits and In-Store Meal Deals. to raise money for the Forest Parent Teacher Council. $7 from item comes back to the Forest PTC!
Pizza Kits are delivered directly to your home via FedEx, so you can share the link with family and friends across the U.S.!
Promo Codes for In-Store Meal Deals can be redeemed at your local Little Ceasars restaurant. Codes expire one year from the date of purchase.
🔗 Go to the Little Caesars & Forest PTC Fundraising page to order now!
💟 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. Options include resources for utilities, food, housing, finances, mental health, parent education, etc.
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