Mustang Round Up Home and School
January 2026
We are almost 100 days into the school year! 2025 was such a great school year for our students and staff! We look forward to so much more fun and learning! Please read below for highlights, upcoming events and opportunities to get more involved!
Mighty Mustangs!
📅 Important Dates
January 19 & 20 – No School for students
January 21 – School Improvement Team Meeting 3:05pm (virtual meeting)
January 23 – Report Cards
February 9 – Undesignated Teacher Workday - NO School for students
February 19 - Title 1 Math Night 100 Years School Birthday Celebration - 5:00 - 6:00pm
March 3 – Election Day - NO SCHOOL for students
March 20 – Teacher Workday - No School
GRADE LEVEL UPDATES:
Kindergarten
Here in Kindergarten we are excited to announce that before break, we completed our unit focused on letter names and sounds, took a field trip to The Children's Museum, celebrated academic growth with an Alphabet Parade, and engaged in many shape hunts. Now that we are back, we are looking forward to reading and writing words, comparing numbers, reading sight words, and writing short sentences. One way you can help your child at home is by counting aloud to 100, reviewing letters and numbers regularly, reading stories to them and discussing the characters and setting. We are enjoying watching the Kindergarteners become independent learners! Thanks for all your support.
1st Grade
As we arrive at the middle of the year, first grade is learning about the life science of animals and their attributes through stories and writings. We now begin reading and writing about the Earth sciences, especially the wind. Remember to continue reading with your child. Another way to help your child is to review the math activities that come home. We are currently working on addition and subtraction through 20.
2nd Grade
In 2nd grade, students have been learning about life in the American West for our Wit & Wisdom unit this quarter. It's important that students are reading at home often. Students get books weekly from the library and they can also read our FUNdations fluency packs & stories that are sent home as we complete them in class. In math, students are learning how to add and subtract 2 & 3 digit numbers using place value models and number lines. Students should be practicing their basic math facts to 20 using flashcards or online with Reflex math. All login information has been shared. Be sure to contact your child's teacher if you need help.
3rd Grade
Third grade is learning about space exploration! Students have been focusing on answering questions with details from the text as well as opinion writing with reasons to explain their thinking. We are also working on reading and spelling words with a schwa vowel (please ask your students what a 'schwa' is!). In math, students are learning about shapes and how to calculate their area and perimeter. There are lots of terrific things happening in third grade! One way you can support your student is to read to them and/or have them read to you at home (ask them a question or two about what you read). Another good way to support your student's learning is to practice their multiplication facts at home. Please remember that attendance in class is so important to success; we just love seeing our students learn and grow everyday!
4th Grade
In reading, we are wrapping up Module 2, where students will finalize their narrative stories focused on how people react to extreme environments. As we begin Module 3, students will take a closer look at the American Revolution and how it served as a foundation for American history. By identifying and understanding perspective and how it shapes our understanding of events and the decisions people make, students will strengthen their critical-thinking skills as both readers and writers. Throughout this module, we will explore the guiding question: Why is it important to understand all sides of a story? We are beginning our Fractions Module in math. In this unit, students will focus on decomposing fractions, generating equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions. They will then move on to adding and subtracting fractions, including mixed numbers, and will end the module by learning how to multiply fractions by a whole number. This is an important and foundational unit that builds skills students will continue to use throughout the year. One of the best ways you can support your child is by making sure they are at school every day and arrive on time. We are providing crucial instruction each day, and consistent attendance will help ensure your child’s success.
5th Grade
Fifth grade students wrapped up their wordplay unit by reading The Phantom Tollbooth, where they explored figurative language, vocabulary, and deeper meaning within the text. As we begin the third nine weeks, students will explore both fiction and nonfiction texts. We will continue to build vocabulary, use Thinking Maps to organize ideas, and work in collaborative groups to strengthen comprehension, higher-order thinking skills, and fluency. In 5th grade math students are currently learning to solve problems focused around decimals. Students need to add, subtract , and compare decimals to the thousandths place, multiply and divide decimals by whole numbers and whole numbers by decimals to the hundredths place. The next 9 weeks we will be working on volume of 3 dimensional shapes. In science fifth grade students are exploring the human body and ecosystems through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Students are building their understanding of key vocabulary and new concepts through interactive activities and investigations. These experiences allow students to apply their learning in meaningful ways while strengthening scientific thinking and curiosity.
Please remember to read nightly, practice math facts, and study science vocabulary words at home. Consistent practice helps reinforce the skills students are learning in class. We also want to emphasize the importance of daily attendance, as every day makes a difference toward student success.
Highlights Since November -
NHHS Service Learning class provided multiple days of treats for staff!
Pajama Jams - new pajamas for every student!
Every 3rd grade student got a bike!
12 days of Christmas for staff - various treats and lunch for staff
Largest percentage of parent turnout in the past 4 years for our Title 1 Reading Night/Winter Concert/Book Fair (parents provided all the cookies and drinks!)
Every child in 4th and 5th grade got to pick out and take home 2 new free books from Cape Fear Kids Get Books Inc! (K-3 received earlier in the year)
Readers are Leaders partnered with the NHHS Cheerleaders to read with 4th/5th grade students and perform cheers!
HOME AND SCHOOL CONNECTION!
Parent Survey - please click the link below to fill out a brief survey to help us help you!
Your input is important to us!
Are you interested in learning more about how you as a parent or community member can get more involved?
The best way to start is to contact your child's teacher/s to volunteer your time or resources.
We also encourage you to attend our monthly School Improvement Team meetings the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Please contact your child's teacher or Mr. Lehocky for more information. The meetings are virtual and start at 3:05pm every 3rd Wednesday (January 21 is the next meeting).
We also have a Community/Teacher/Parent Organization -
THE FRIENDS OF FOREST HILLS ELEMENTARY
Learn how you can get involved by volunteering your time or resources at the school or at our Title 1 Parent Nights/Fundraisers and help make the school a better place to teach and learn!
Here are the ways you can get involved to help our school -
1. Get trained on how to teach a child to read by our Mrs. Heinze (MTSS Coordinator) and volunteer during the school day to support a student or small group of students on a schedule that works for you.
2. Volunteer to eat lunch with a class on a schedule that works for you.
3. Assist at one of our four Title 1 Parent Nights.
4. Help catalog books in our library.
5. Read a book to students during the school day on a schedule that works for you.
6. Help the school by organizing local restaurant school night fundraisers.
The 1st step is getting certified as a volunteer as required by NHCS. Please see the link below to get started.
https://www.nhcs.net/community/all-hands-on-deck
If you have any questions about the volunteer process, please reach out to Mrs. Biagini (our School Social Worker).
We are holding 3 separate brief information sessions (you are NOT required to attend in order to get involved - simply reach out to your child's teacher if you are able to get more involved)
Tuesday January 27th - 8:00am-8:20
Wednesday January 28th - 3:00pm-3:20pm or 5:30pm via virtually via Google Meet (link will be shared via email the day before)
