Forestdale School News

Welcome back to a brand new school year! We are thrilled to have students, families, and staff returning for what promises to be an exciting and inspiring year ahead. If you are new to Forestdale...Welcome to our Forestdale Family!

As we step into this new chapter, let’s embrace the opportunities for growth and learning, support one another, and work together to make this year truly exceptional. Here’s to a year filled with curiosity, achievement, and a strong sense of community. Welcome back, and let’s make this year the best one yet!

Parent Pick-Up

Please review the Parent Pick Up documents sent out from my last communication on Friday, August 23rd. I understand this is not an easy process for families, but I need to be sure all students are reunited with their families in the safest manner. Please have an ID available and use the Pick Up Patrol (PUP) app to identify who will be picking up your student.

Families of Red Placard rooms, all grade 1 and the following K rooms: Dimmick, Kent, Duvall, Balkam, and Elliott will begin. Families will line up at the gymnasium doors at 3:20 pm (2:20 pm on Wednesday's). Yellow Placard rooms, all of grade 2 and K rooms: Tedeschi, Hickson, Crociati, and Maki will be dismissed from the gymnasium starting at 3:30 pm (2:30 pm on Wednesday's).

Buses

Usually the 1st few weeks of school buses run 5-10 minutes late as drivers and students get used to bus routines and protocols. Drivers are also learning new bus routes, as routes change each year with new students. Please be patient...*There must be an adult to receive students when getting off the bus. If not, students will be returned to school for families to pick up.

One Other Quick Note:

Construction on Route 130 and Quaker Meetinghouse Road is nearing completion. Final adjustments to the traffic signals are pending and full functionality of turning and pedestrian phases will be established at the earliest opportunity. Drivers are advised to continue to use caution negotiating turns, yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalks and to obey the instruction of safety officers when present.

I am a native of Buffalo, NY entering my 37th year in education and 34th with the Sandwich Public Schools as a teacher, coach, and administrator. I began my Sandwich career in 1993 at Forestdale School (K-8). Three years later I transitioned to Wing School (K-8) before returning to Forestdale School (Prek-2) in 2014. I am a big New England sports fan who likes to spend time in the outdoors with my family. I have just celebrated my 37th wedding anniversary with my wife Alison. We have 5 children ages 21-35 yrs. old, with 3 grandchildren and another on the way. I also lend a small hand in tending to our 14 chickens, 5 ducks, rabbit, and beloved dog Dalton.

I’m thrilled to be in my second year at Forestdale School and in the Sandwich Public Schools. My over 30 years of classroom experience in Silver Lake District and Hingham Public Schools with ages 3 to 8 has prepared me well for our early childhood grades here at Forestdale. I am the proud Mum of two college students - Ian, age 23 and Finley, age 21, and dog mom to Lulu (beagle/dachshund) and George (dalmatian/pointer). When I’m not at school, you’ll find me and my partner Rick outside- playing beach volleyball, kayaking, hiking, biking, running, rock climbing, or playing with the pooches in my backyard.

I am one of the Administrative Assistants in the Forestdale Main Office. I am beginning my 25th year in the Sandwich School District. I started at Henry T. Wing school and moved to Forestdale in 2007. My husband Kevin and I have two children who were raised in Sandwich. Our son Michael, lives in Medway, MA with his wife, Megan and their daughter Maggie (1 year old). Our daughter, Kate lives in Annapolis, MD with her husband Brendan and their son, Rory ( 2 years old). When I am out of the office, it usually has something to do with babysitting the two little ones in our lives. I enjoy the hectic, fast-paced environment of our office and the hysterical things that come out of the mouths of our students. Things are rarely dull in the Forestdale Main Office!

Hello, My name is Sydny Shaw and I am thrilled to be one of the administrative assistants here at Forestdale Elementary. I have been with the District for 13 years, many of those I spent as an ESP with the Spinnaker program. I have been fortunate enough to have grown up in Sandwich. My husband and I raised our three children here and we continue to enjoy all that Sandwich has to offer. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my two dogs, family and friends. A fun fact about my family is that 4 out of 5 of us work for the Sandwich School district.

At the end of last school year students participated in creating "kindness rocks" courtesy of our Elementary PTA. The kindness rocks are displayed in our front garden, which received a makeover from local landscape company Coastal Roots. They are also placed around trees in the front of the building. These rocks display positive messages for all who view them.

With the recent demolition of Wing School, memorial stones and benches were brought to Forestdale to continue to memorialize some of the late teaching staff from the Sandwich Public Schools. This area is located beside the Outdoor Classroom inside our bus loop area.

Here are some important events and dates families should be aware of in September

First day of school: Grades 1-12. No school for kindergarten.

*Students will bring home car placards on Tuesday

Kindergarten Family Day-1 hour meet and greet w/ the student, family, and teacher. Here are the times:

Last names:

A-H 9:15 am-10:15 am

I-N 10:30 am-11:30 am

O-Z 11:45 am-12:45 pm

*Families will receive car placards and name tags for students to wear for the 1st few weeks of school

First Full Day of School for Kindergarten. All kindergarten students arriving should meet at the outdoor flagpole.

First day of school for Integrated Preschool...There is a new start time of 9:15 am

Picture Day Prek-2/Geskus Photography

Kindergarten-4:30 pm-5:30 pm

Grade 1-5:30 pm-6:30 pm

Grade 2-6:30 pm-7:30 pm

*Each session will start in the Multi Purpose Room

There will be weekly communication coming from either myself or Ms Schofield. We try to email at 6:00 pm on a Sunday or just prior to the 1st day of each month. I am looking forward to another amazing school year!