FR News 5/3/24
Message from Mr. Ontiveros
What you see in the picture above started two weeks ago with just a couple of signatures from students saying “hello”. It has grown considerably since then and I’ve felt it's a good example of a collective effort by our Roadrunners to spread positivity. Since we're focusing on kindness this month, I felt it was worthy of sharing so, thank you to each individual who has made it a great way to brighten up the day.
A resounding thank you to those who chaperoned our third grade field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry this week. Our students had a great time at the Idea Factory, U-505 Submarine, and the Baby Chick Hatchery because you helped make that experience possible.
On our district website, you may have seen the announcement of Mrs. Lisa Cavaliere, Forest Road’s current instructional coach, as the new assistant principal of Forest Road. I indeed will be leaving District 102 at the end of the school year. I’ve made many positive connections with students, families, and staff during my four years here and I’m tremendously thankful for the support along the way. Mrs. Cavaliere will bring an invaluable quality of leadership to Forest Road and the District 102 community through her long-standing personal and professional commitment. Congratulations Mrs. Cavaliere!
If you're heading outdoors over the next day or two, please enjoy the warmer weather. I know my family and I are looking forward to some pre-mother’s day garden center shopping…if the babies will allow of course! 👶🏻👶🏻
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 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6 - Guitar Club Recital 5:45pm-6:30pm
May 7 - Piano Club Recital 5:45pm-6:30pm
May 27 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
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/.
Don't Forget to Sign Up for Summer Programs!
April / 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
Spring Running Club
Spring is here and Running Club is starting back up again on Friday, April 12!
Running Club meets on Fridays during lunch recess. Students will have the opportunity to earn fun charms for the miles that they run. All grade levels are welcome and participation is free!
For more information and to signup Click Here
Looking forward to a great spring season of running!
Amy Bocian & Arlene Avalos (Co-Chairs of the Running Club)
Books & Bundt - Our PTO has partnered with Nothing Bundt Cakes for a Reading Incentive
Log reading minutes with our reading log tracker
Once the student has read 400 minutes this month bring your tracker to our bakery for a FREE bundtlet.
Attention 6th Grade Families
It's a tradition at Forest Road School for sixth graders to wear a special class t-shirt to the end-of-the-year party and on the last day of school. Don’t delay, orders are due Thursday, May 2nd! Color options are blue and gray.
Yearbook Order Information
Deadline to Order 2023-24 yearbook is May 3, 2024
Don't miss out on the Forest Road Yearbook, order today! Books ordered after May 3rd will be charged for shipping and sent to the school for distribution.
New to TreeRing?
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
Community Corner
