August 9

Welcome back, Rangers!

My name is Dr. Matt Thompson, and I am excited to begin my new position as principal at Forest Park Senior High School.

As we embark on this new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to our returning students and families and a special greeting to those who are new to our Forest Park community. Together, we are building on a legacy of excellence, and I am excited to continue this tradition while also exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation.

This year, we will focus on fostering a supportive and secure environment where every student can thrive academically. Our dedicated team of educators is here to inspire and challenge all students to reach their fullest potential. We are committed to providing the tools and resources necessary to achieve their goals and prepare for the future.

I encourage our students to get involved in the many activities, clubs, and events that make our school so exceptional. We are off to a great start with several of our students already participating in athletics, marching band, and the FFA. I’m excited to see the results of their hard work as we begin the school year.

Let’s make it a great year!

A huge thank you goes out to our students, staff, and families for a great first few days of school. Our students have done a great job navigating our building, mastering the art of opening lockers, and working with our staff. As we move through the school year, do not hesitate to reach out to our teachers, counselors, and administration when you have concerns or questions about the junior high experience.

As shared at our Open House during the seventh grade meeting, our students need parents and guardians along with the school staff to stay engaged throughout their academic experience and beyond. Being engaged with your child can be as simple as sparking a conversation about their day, or asking them how they are doing.

There are many influences that our children are exposed to throughout their teen years. In my short time at Forest Park, I've observed social media having a negative influence on our students, their relationships with other students, and initiating thoughts of low self-esteem. But, it is the most easily obtained. Our children need as much positive influence as we can offer, and putting the device down for 15 minutes in exchange for a conversation can go a long way.

August 14

• Picture forms will go home to Jr High Students
• Freshman Banner Signing at study hall in the Auditorium

August 20

• Jr High and High School Photo

August 30

• Freshman Class Ring meeting during study hall (Auditorium)
• Senior Grad Product Meeting at study hall (Jr. High Gym)

September 24-27

• 8th Grade Washington D.C. trip

October 4

• Football Homecoming

December 13

• High School Holiday Ball

January 17

• Basketball Homecoming

All schedule changes must be made by Wednesday, August 14 at 3:05 PM. Students in grades 10-12 should contact Mrs. Thimling. Students in grades 7–9 should contact Mrs. Fleck.

Any female students interested in attending this event should contact Mrs. Dilger for details.

The Washington D.C. trip is September 24-27; it will be here before we know it! Here is some upcoming and helpful information regarding the trip that will be shared with students.

Washington D.C. Trip Meeting: Parents and students are encouraged to attend the Washington D.C. trip meeting on Wednesday, September 4 at 6:30 PM in the auditorium.

D.C. T-Shirt Design Contest: 8th grade students are encouraged to submit a design for the D.C. T-Shirt Contest. We will be wearing a T-shirt on the trip that someone in the class designs. Click here for more information. Entries are due Thursday, August 15 by 3:05 PM to Mrs. Fleck.

Rooming: We will be signing up for roommates Thursday, August 22 during lunch in the cafeteria. There is a limit of four students to a room per hotel policy. Students should see Mrs. Fleck with questions or concerns.

Packing List: Here is a recommended packing list.

Saturday, August 10

• Boys Jr High Soccer at Jasper Middle School

Tuesday, August 13

• Girls Varsity Golf vs Southridge- 4:30
• Girls Jr High Soccer @ Dubois Middle School- 6:30 PM
• Boys Jr High Soccer @ Dubois High School- 7:30 PM

Wednesday, August 14

• Girls Varsity Soccer @ Floyd Central Jr-Sr High School- 6:00 PM
• Boys Varsity Soccer @ White River Valley- 6:00 PM
• Girls Jr High Soccer @ Washington Varsity- 6:00 PM

Thursday, August 15

• Girls Varsity Golf @ Jasper Buffalo Trace Golf- 5:00 PM
• Varsity Volleyball @ Perry Central 6:00 PM

Friday, August 16

• Varsity Football vs Paoli- 7:30 PM

Forest Park All-Sports Passes are for sale on the Forest Park Athletics website. Please visit gorangersathletics.com and select "MORE" from the dropdown menu to access the link to purchase. Thank you for your support and Go Rangers!

I would like to welcome everyone back to school. Together we can make this a great year!

I would like to address a couple questions that have come up. I will start checking for parking pass stickers the week of August 20th. This should give our drivers plenty of time to get them from the office. I frequently get questions about the rules for probationary drivers licenses. Here is what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles states.

Restrictions on a Probationary Driver's License

Telecommunication devices

You may not use any type of telecommunication device while driving except to make emergency 911 calls.

Driving restrictions

You may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for 180 days after getting your license.
After you have driven for 180 days, and until you become 18 years of age, you may not drive during the following hours:

• Saturday and Sunday, between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• Sunday through Thursday, after 11 p.m.
• Monday through Friday, before 5 a.m.

You may drive at any time if you are traveling to or from work, a school-sanctioned activity, or a religious event; or if you are accompanied by an individual in the front seat of the vehicle with valid driving privileges who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse with valid driving privileges at least 21 years of age.

You may not drive with passengers for 180 days after getting your probationary license, unless you are also accompanied in the front seat by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid driver’s license who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse who is at least 21 years of age. You may transport your child, stepchild, sibling, step or half sibling or spouse during the hours allowed by law without another accompanying individual.

Court diversion programs

You will not qualify for court diversion programs.

If you have any specific questions. Please feel free to contact me.

All High School Agriculture Students

If you are a high schooler and enrolled in an agriculture course, you will need to bring in your social security number by Friday, August 9th to register for dual credit through the university offering dual credit.

Upcoming Calendar of Events

8/7 - All Summer SAE assignments are due!

8/17 - St. Anthony Kiddie Pedal Pull - we need several members to volunteer to work

8/19 - First Soils Practice at 7:15 am in Mrs. Applegate's room (will continue every Monday/Friday)

8/20 - First Livestock Skillathon Practice at 7:15 am in Mrs. Atkins' room (will continue every Tuesday/Thursday)

Congratulations to the following FFA members for summer success

The Dairy Judging team of Madison Lindauer, Maddi Miller, Carter Giesler & Ben Rasche won FIRST PLACE at the state contest!

The Dairy Judging team of Clayten Seger, Jace Wright, Lance Boeglin, and Tucker Wathen received 4th place at state!

Individually Madison Lindauer placed 4th in the state, Maddi Miller placed 5th, Clayten Seger placed 7th and Carter Giesler placed 8th.

Miranda Rickelman competed in the Freshman Extemporaneous Public Speaking contest at the state convention and placed 3rd overall, she also competed in Freshman Creed Speaking, and Freshman Prepared Public Speaking.

Jace Wright competed in the Discovery Extemporaneous Public Speaking contest and earned 4th place honors.

Preslie Jochem competed in the Discovery Creed Speaking contest and Bailey Anderson designed and created an educational display for the state Chapter Exhibit contest.

5 Forest Park Students received their Indiana FFA State Degree. Those students were Blake Beck, Halie Jochem, Aubrey Luebbehusen, Maddi Miller, Andrew Verkamp.

Forest Park was named the Top Fruit Sales Chapter, Gold Emblem Donor Chapter, Superior Chapter and Silver Emblem National Chapter.

Dear families,

We are going to Ireland on an agricultural tour in the Summer of 2025 and you’re invited to join us! We have limited spots remaining, you can view our full itinerary and enroll on tour at www.eftours.com/2678264FD.

Prior to enrollment, please view the Parent Guide to Travel from EF Educational Tours, our travel partner. This guide covers all the details about EF, including options for academic credit, payments plans and what to expect on tour. Additionally, once you enroll, you will have access to your individual fundraising page and will be able to apply for EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship.

Still have questions? EF's Traveler Support Team can help through their online chat at https://www.eftours.com/contact-us or by phone at 800-665-5364. And if your student has friends who have not signed up yet, feel free to pass this message along to their families too.

Thanks everyone!

Annette Applegate

P.S. Check out this video to learn what parents & guardians like you thought about their own children's EF tour experiences.

* A couple of Mrs. Widolff's classes, along with the FACS club, have been working the past couple of years to remodel and reorganize the student closet. What was once a pile of clothing in the corner of a dingy old classroom is now a bit more cheerful. Students started this project with the hopes that both students and staff could shop the room without a stigma being attached and feel good about finding some great items!

* Please reach out to anyone in the office or administration if your student is in need of something, we would love to help out.

* Also, we are always in need of socks, underwear, hygiene products for the guidance office, if you are able to donate or send a monetary denotation we would greatly appreciate. If you send a monetary donation please send in an envelope labeled FACS Club.

We are very appreciative for Mrs. Widolff and FACS club for organizing all of this.

• Uebelhor and Sons have a part-time receptionist position available that would like to fill with a high schooler who is over 16 years old. The hours would be two evenings per week from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and one to two Saturday’s per month 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Anyone who is interested may email jillking@uebelhor.com or call at 812-482-2222.

• Rosie’s Tavern is looking for someone 13-18 years old. Jobs can vary from dishwasher, table bussing, frying, answering phones etc. Friday and Saturday evenings. Please call 812-326-2201 and speak to Savannah.

• Touch of Class in Huntingburg has part time positions available in our sales and customer service call center. Call center agents work to assist customers who are wanting to place an order. Computer and typing skills are required. The call center operates 7 days per week and hours are flexible. You can request an application or submit a resume by emailing resume@touchofclass.com.

For information about your child's bus route, please contact Ryan Haas at ryan.haas@sedubois.k12.in.us.