FR News 5/10/24
Message from Mrs. Stamer
During the month of May we celebrate Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. We recognize the contributions and influence they have made to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. This year our 4th grade students decorated our main hallway bulletin board to spread awareness of those we are celebrating this month.
Curriculum Corner
Our chicks are here…this week our chicks in first grade hatched. This is always a highlight in first grade and amongst the whole school. The first graders can tell you so much about them and many other students love to stop by and visit. You can hear them chirping when you walk down the hall and the pure enjoyment they bring the children is so wonderful to see.
In 6th grade they dissected owl pellets which is also a highlight for the students when they are in 6th grade. I hope to be able stop in next week as they build the skeletons from the bones they found during the dissection. It has truly been fun to watch our children continue to be engaged in learning during our last month of school.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you Forest Road Families, Community & PTO!
The families, community and PTO of Forest Road School helped provide a week long of celebrations for Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you to the following businesses for helping make the week so special!
Hop District Community Brewing Co.
Sweet Ride Bakery LaGrange Park
Massage Envy LaGrange
Starbucks LaGrange
Panera LaGrange Park
Carla Thomas Med Spa LaGrange
El Churro Bueno
Jimmy John’s Broadview
Lunch Time Trivia provided by: Mic Drop DZ Entertainment https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556602065206...
Message from Mr. Ontiveros
Wrapping up Teacher Appreciation week, saying “thank you” almost understates the true gratitude we have for who our teachers are and what they do for our students. It’s a uniquely emotional feeling to begin developing a connection with a group of students in August, then having them move on when the school year ends in June. To do so year after year, making it a career is no small task is and is certainly admirable.
This week, we concluded our 4th grade SEL lessons on Friendship and Sportsmanship by attending a field trip to Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton Illinois. The entire fourth grade group carried itself very well and was a model representative of the Forest Road community. The students demonstrated collaboration and communication through team-building activities along with geocaching. The Forest Road staff is certainly proud of our fourth grade group for their commitment and participation over the past few weeks.
A Happy Mother's Day if that’s on your weekend agenda. Feeling my own mom’s absence during recent years, I’ve recognized the privilege of being able to share with her the value and the impact of her influence. If that opportunity presents itself for you and your mom this weekend, I’m hoping you're able to do so.
Have a great weekend Roadrunner families!
Smartwatch Communication
Dear D102 Families -
Beginning in May, D102 will be asking students to leave their smartwatches in their lockers or backpacks. We recognize that many families have made a significant investment in purchasing one of these devices to help provide connectivity and access between the family and their child. However, we have also begun to see how this level of connectivity has been used to cause harm and become distracting to students during the school day. While D102 schools first tried to work with students to put all watches into "School Mode", various incidents have persisted and have required teachers to divert their time away from instruction to address these types of issues.
For example, in recent weeks there has been a significant increase in the number of bullying reports that upon investigation stem from texts and chats being made through messaging and social media during the school day. Some of these texts and chats have contained racially-based and sexually-based comments that are being shared inside of group chats during class time. This has caused teachers and principals to spend time focusing on student conduct and discipline that should be used to support student learning.
We understand this change may cause students and families some frustration, but we are asking for support in helping our students and teachers minimize distractions and potential incidents of bullying for the safety of all students. As you already know, D102 currently has students keep their cell phones in lockers and backpacks during the school day and, beginning in May, will extend that practice to smartwatches as well. Connectivity is here to stay and provides many benefits to us all. However, in the interest of keeping students safe and our primary focus on learning, we are putting this practice of keeping phones and smartwatches in lockers and backpacks in place.
Respectfully,
Christopher L. Finch, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
School Hours & Lunch Hours
8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Lunch Hours: 11:20 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Wednesday
Lunch Hours: 10:55 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. | Wednesday
Upcoming Dates to Remember
May 11 - D102 Race to the Finish
May 17 - 6th Grade Party
May 27 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 31 - Field Day and Fun Lunch
Parent Ambassadors
We are looking for current parents and guardians in our schools to serve as volunteer special education parent ambassadors. This is a new and exciting development in our district that is intended to provide interested families with family-to-family camaraderie and support. Any interested parents/guardians of current special education students can apply.
Become an Ambassador! Conviértete en Embajador
If you have any questions, please reach out to Emily Crohn, Assistant Director of Special Education (crohnem@dist102.k12.il.us).
SHOP NOW - School Supply Kits for 24-25 School Year!
SHOP NOW for your 2024-25 school supplies. Avoid the stores and get all your school supply shopping done online. EPI school supply packs contain all the items and brands our teachers require. Not only is this convenient for you, but it is a fundraiser to help our school.
Order now with our School ID of FOR175 at https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/.
Park Jr. High Supply Kits for 7th & 8th Grade
Don't Forget to Sign Up for Summer Programs! Registration closes TODAY!
May Lunch Menu
Arbor Management has changed the way it delivers monthly lunch menus to D102. You will now have the ability to click on a link and view the lunch menu and any changes it may have on a daily basis.
Follow this link and instructions to view the lunch menu:
Bus Routes 23-24
Before & After School Care Info.
Forest Road offers two different before and after school programs. Although they run independently from us, they are serviced here in our school. Below is the contact information for BASE and Right At School:
BASE: Leanna Hartung - Manager LeannaHartung@pdlg.org
Right At School: Chelsey Mazariegos - Area Manager chelsey.mazariegos@rightatschool.com
Right at School and BASE drop off security reminder:
Parents when you drop off your child off at Right at School or BASE and for some reason need to walk your child into the building, please then exit the building immediately after dropping off. Please do not take your child to the classroom or go to the classrooms on your own to drop off or pick anything up. I appreciate your attention to this.
PTO Corner!
PTO Website: https://forestroadpto.org
PTO Newsletter: HERE
Questions? Email PTO Co-Presidents:
Arlene Avalos: aavalos86@hotmail.com or Christine Zmuda ckzmuda@gmail.com
Barnsdale PreK Program Enrollment
Open spots available for the Barnsdale PreK half-day program for ages 3-5 (child who turns 5 by September 1st)
Register using the registration webpage link or contact the Barnsdale School Office with any questions
Parking Reminders
Please do not park in the Barnsdale School parking lot for drop-off, pick-up, and when dropping off items during the day. Thank you!
Safe School Tip Line
In our continuing effort to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment, District 102 provides each school with an online Safe School Tip Line found on the District and School websites. The Tip Line can be found on a tab located on the District or School homepage. Reports made to the tip line are reviewed and addressed during official school hours, typically within 24 hours of notification. Information provided in the tip line is kept confidential and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Park Patriot 2024 Summer Basketball Camp
SIGN UP HERE