Spring is officially here, but we're waiting for the
flowers and trees to come back to life.
This is by far my favorite time of year. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do (soon!)
Forest is a School of Promise!
I am pleased to announce that Forest School was
recognized as a School of Promise in the state of Ohio this year, based on our
building report card from the 2011-2012 school year. Hard work, effort from our students, and an amazing school
community help make this happen.
The letter from the state superintendent is at the end of this
report. Less then 5% of the
schools across the state receive this honor. We have much to be proud of. Thanks for your continued support!
State Reading and Math Assessments
On April 29th and 30th, our 3rd grade students will be
taking the Ohio Achievement Assessments in Reading and Math. Our students and staff have been working
hard to prepare for the upcoming tests.
Please plan to do the following to help us prepare:
1. Make sure your son or daughter gets a great night
sleep the night before each test.
Nothing beats a well rested child.
2. Make sure that your child eats a good breakfast, as
they always should. Offer to make
them something special this morning.
(I like eggs and bacon myself!)
3. Offer encouragement to your son or daughter, letting
them know that they will do great.
Just let them know to take their time and try their best.
4. The purpose of the test is for them to show what they
know.
5. Thanks for your support!
Mrs. Phillips Class and the Cleveland Cavaliers
On March 19th, Mrs. Phillips' 3rd grade class at Forest
found out in a big way how reading and fitness have their benefits. All classrooms at Forest participated
in the Cleveland Cavaliers' Read to Achieve and Fit as a Pro Fitness
Challenge. School all across
Northeast Ohio had the same opportunity.
Once they completed their challenge, the Cavaliers donated backpacks to
the students, as they were very generous.
Next, we didn't expect what was to come. On Thursday, March 14th, Mrs. Phillips
was contacted by the Cavaliers.
She was told that her class had been selected to come on down to the
Cleveland Cavaliers' practice facility, in Independence, to participate in a
reading and fitness challenge with some of their players. They even offered to take the students
from Forest, round trip, in their limo bus! Their name was chosen at random from all classes who
participated during the school year in their programs.
Needless to say, our students, and Mrs. Phillips, were
really excited. They pulled out of
Forest at 2:30pm on Tuesday, and arrived at the practice facility shortly after
3:00pm. They were led into the
gym, where they were met by several Cavalier employees, and 4 basketball
players (Kyrie Irving, Wayne Ellington, Luke Walton, and Omri Casspi.) For the next hour, the students
conducted 6 relay events involving reading and fitness, competing with another
3rd grade class from a school in Cleveland. The basketball players stayed with the players for the full
hour, and the kids had a blast!
Once completed, the students were given some gifts to go
home with, including hats, t-shirts, and tickets to a future game. This was an afternoon the kids will
never forget! Congratulations to
Mrs. Phillips' 3rd grade class!
Transportation Variances:
Transportation Variances only last for a year. If you
wish to have your child transported to another location, other than home, you
need to fill out a Variance form (found on line, or at the school office) for
the upcoming school year. We need one variance form for each child. If you have any questions, please
contact Kathy Alm at 779-3582.
Gifted Referral Updates:
Annually our district seeks children in grades K-12 for
possible gifted identification.
Gifted children in Ohio are those who "...perform at remarkable
high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience,
or environment..." A child may be reffered for gifted identification
assessment in the following area(s): Cognitive Ability, Academic Ability
(Reading/Writing, Math, Social Studies, or Science), Creative Thinking, Visual Arts
and/or Performing Arts (Music, Drama, Dance). Referral forms are available in the main office of each
school or on the district web site
http://www.northolmstedschools.org/PupilServices-LearningResourceDept.aspx
. Referral forms received after
April 9, 2013 will be held for assessment during the fall identification period
of the 2013-14 school year.
Blood donations
A big thanks goes out to our families and staff who came
to donate blood on Tuesday, March 12th. We don't know what the grand total of
pints donated was, but no matter what, we helped save some lives by the
generous gift. You are permitted to donate every 56 days or so. Keep this in
mind, as blood drives pop up all over the area weekly.
Here are a few dates for you to keep on your calendar:
April 19 Right
to Read Week kicks off (April 19-26!)
April 29 3rd
grade State Reading Test (Ohio Achievement Assessment)
April 30 3rd
grade State Math Test (Ohio Achievement Assessment)
May 3 Cultural Arts Day
May 8 Ohio School Pictures
here for class pictures
May 8 Open House / Ice Cream
Social @ 6:30pm
Updated 4/12/13