FPE Community Newsletter 09/20/23

October 02, 2024

Principal's Message:

Greetings Forest Park Students and Families,

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Tomorrow: Please join walking groups Thursday, November 14th at 7:35am at one of two locations:

NW Miller and Spencer (walking team heads to school at 7:45am)
Jim & Patty’s Coffee at Forest Heights Village (walking team heads to school at 7:45am)

State of the School: Please join us tomorrow at 6pm, online or in-person; GoogleMeets link. Light refreshments served in-person at the school library for our presentation!

Report Cards: Report cards are available through ParentVUE link (printed-copies available upon request to sgleeson@pps.net). Please provide your students full name, grade and teacher name.

Conferences: Teachers are providing sign-up opportunities for Parent/Teacher Conferences, available both in-person and virtually. Please confirm your preferred conference time. Some onference times may be scheduled on Thursday, Nov 21st from 3pm to 7pm. Most will be held on Monday, Nov 25th and Tuesday, Nov 26th, from 8am to 7pm. There will be no school for students from Monday, Nov 25th through Friday, Nov 29th; Fall Break.

Superintendent’s Art Gallery: Please join me tomorrow for the Superintendent’s Gallery walk, Thursday, November 14 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, at Prophet Education Center (link to map). Four FPE students’ artwork (from visual arts classes with Ms. Pugsley) will be on display. Families of these four students have been invited. I hope to see you there.

Lost & Found: Please check for your students belongings. Don’t forget to label your child's belongings and clothing and we can reunite belongings easily.

Weather appropriate clothing: The weather has changed and it is important to ensure your child has appropriate clothing for the season including a waterproof coat and shoes for those wet-recesses!

Attendance: School doors open at 7.52am and your student should be at their desk at 8am (breakfast is available from 7.45am for students who wish to participate). Attendance is taken by teachers at 8.05am. If your student arrives on campus after 8.05am, they will need to come into the office for a Tardy Note before going to class. Don’t forget in addition to our Attendance Line (503) 916-5400, you now have the option to send an email to Forestpark Attend ParentVue is also available for you to update your students' attendance.

Reminders:

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day - Thursday, November 14th. Meet at two locations at 7:40 am and walk into school together (in front of Jim and Patty’s coffee shop, or at the corner of Miller and Spencer)
Superintendent’s Gallery Walk - Thursday, November 14 at 4pm (PEC)
State of the School - Thursday, November 14th at 6pm (in-person in the school Library and online - GoogleMeets link). Please RSVP here if you intend to attend in person in the Library (headcount needed for refreshments).
Fox Assembly - Wednesday, November 20th at 8.05am
Early Release - Wednesday, November 20th at 11.50am
Coat Drive: - Wednesday, November 20th at drop off, FPE begins collecting coats, hats, gloves, and warm sweaters; details in FOFPE Insert.
No School for Students - Monday, November 25th – Friday, November 29th (Parent/Conference week along with Thanksgiving/Fall Break)
2nd Grade on-campus field trip Portable 6: Friday, November 22nd from 12-2.30pm - OMSI Pacific NW Habitats & Mammals, Teacher Johnmichael & Mrs. Smith
Native American Heritage Day - Friday, November 29th

Thank you, Dr. Martini

Counselor Corner October 2024

Friends of Forest Park Elementary (FOFPE)

Friends of Forest Park Newsletter! [read our entire newsletter HERE]

Important FOFPE Links For This Week!

· Fall Drive: Happening now! Every dollar we raise goes directly to our school and helps us set our annual budget. Our goal for our Fall Drive is $40,000, which will go toward school beautification, additional field trips, and classroom supplies. We are at $29,500 so far!

o This week’s raffle surprise: DONATE any amount between 11/11 – 11/17 to be entered to win a $40 gift card to Brave Collective!

o CONGRATS to Megan Landrum who was our winner from last week’s raffle. Megan won a tasting for 4 at Amaterra Winery!

· DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME? SEE BELOW!

o Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. Please help us organize the first-ever Forest Park Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14, 2024 to honor the courage of Ruby Bridges, who was six years old when she became one of the first students to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. Meet outside of Jim and Patty’s or at the top of the hill on Miller toward the back of the school at 7:40 a.m. to walk to school together! Special thanks to school counselor Ms. Wendi for organizing!

o Coat Drive: Please bring coats, hats, gloves, and warm sweaters in new or good used condition next Wed/Thurs/Friday at drop-off (7:45 - 8:15) to go toward our coat drive!

o Potluck for Teachers and Staff during early-release and conferences: Please help us feed our teachers and staff on early-release day and parent-teacher conferences. November 20, 21, 25 and 26.

o School Beautification: We are excited to share that we had three classes of children participate in planting flower bulbs last week! They had a lesson on the life-cycle of a flower bulb and instructions on how to plant. Thanks to the kinder classes and Mr. Shaw’s 1st grade class for helping plant 150 bulbs! (We have 1,300 more to go!) It’s going to be a beautiful spring! If you’d like to help make FPE a more beautiful place to learn, please complete the form or reach out to Jenn Colbach directly: 415.310.0244

o Lunch Recess Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer at recess.

o Visual Arts Volunteer: Sign up to help our visual arts teacher in class.

o Volunteer Form: Interested in learning what we do throughout the year and helping out with what interest you? Fill out our form!

· SAVE THE DATE!

o Get your sitter now…. Our Spring Auction is Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Nines. More details to come soon!

o Interested in helping with the auction or classroom art projects? Email our auction chair, Cynthia at cynthiaglausi@gmail.com

· ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS! Winter sessions are enrolling now! Don’t miss out on some great after-school activities for your kids!

o Winter Yoga: Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Forest Park Elementary. Grades K-5. January 9 - March 20. 11 classes for $264. Register now!

o Rose City Chess Club is Back! Grades: 2-5; Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm; September 11th - December 11th (They are happy to prorate for late joiners!)

o Journey to STEAM: Registration is now open for the Journey to STEAM after-school program at Forest Park! Winter Term: January 24, 2025 to March 21, 2025; Spring Term: April 11, 2025 to June 3, 2025. Time: Fridays 2:30 PM -3:30 PM. Location: Forest Park Elementary. Cost: $255 per term.

§ Program Description: The theme for their upcoming program is LEGO Architects! Students will embark on a creative journey where they will explore the world of design and construction. Each week, students will be given a design prompt such as building the tallest tower, the strongest bridge, a fantastic castle, or a collaborative town. Students will work together to bring their architectural ideas to life.

§ Learning Objectives: Students will build and improve the durability of their structures using key elements such as foundations, supports, and strong shapes. Students will be able to build designs using the simple machines wedges and inclined planes. Students will understand and apply sustainability concepts including limited resources, renewable energy, and waste management. They will build solutions to real world problems

§ Collaboration and Soft Skills: Students work together to collaborate, test, and refine their designs. They will also practice explaining their build process, how their build relates to the daily theme, and ways to improve their design.

o Electronic Music Club: Grades 2-5. Tuesdays 2:30 - 3:30pm. January 7 – March 18. Sign up now!

o Rock Dojo: Students will master epic riffs, boost their confidence, and become part of our Rock Dojo community. Grade K-5. Mondays 2:30 - 3:30. January 6 - March 17. Forest Park Elementary, room 120. Cost is $259 for winter session.

o Shared Spark Arts Academy: Family-based performing arts experiences for parents and children. This fall they will be performing a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.