FR News 10/27/23

Message from Mrs. Stamer

It has been a wonderful start to the 2023-24 school year, and we hope your transition to the new school year has been a positive experience. It’s hard to believe that November is a few days away and that parent-teacher conferences are quickly approaching. Parent-teacher collaboration is a valuable part of your child’s education, so we hope you are able to attend parent-teacher conferences. Please click the link below for a letter with more information regarding parent-teacher conferences.

FR Fall Conference Letter 2023

Important: Arrival & Dismissal

There have been many reminders sent and directions regarding parking on Homestead for drop off and pick up. Unfortunately, many are still using the street to park, drop off and pick up. This is causing unsafe situations for our children when they are walking to school. You may have noticed police presence this week. They were here to help enforce what has been sent out in newsletters. There will be continued presence next week and new barricades with signs notifying you that you may not use the street for parking, drop off or pick up during arrival and dismissal.

Families are encouraged to use the carline for drop off and pick up. There are staff members there to greet students and there is supervision for students while they walk to the blacktop.

Please follow the directions provided in this newsletter for safe drop off and pick up during arrival and dismissal.

Message from Mr. Ontiveros

Hello Roadrunner Families,

This week, our 1st through 3rd grade Roadrunners learned about fire safety, courtesy of the LaGrange Park Fire Department. The presentation included a discussion on the importance of having a fire escape plan, a video featuring Sparky the Fire Dog, and an appearance by Sparky themself! The students were also treated to a tour of a department fire truck. Our Roadrunners were great audience participants with their attentiveness and engagement throughout the entirety of the demonstration.

Also this week, the LaGrange Park Police Department supported us in conducting a school-wide lockdown drill. Students and staff practiced our school-wide safety protocols with the LPPD providing feedback. The drill went as planned and the students were back to classroom activities in just under 15 minutes.

With it being Halloween this coming Tuesday, there may be more excitement getting to and leaving from school. Please be extra cautious next week if you’re driving through the neighborhood to ensure the safety of our students.

Enjoy any activities or festivities you might have planned this weekend!

Fire Prevention Assembly

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

October 31 - Halloween Parade & Classroom Parties

November 11 - Veteran's Day

November 20 - Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break - NON-ATTENDANCE for Students

Halloween 2023

It is already that time to start getting ready for Halloween. As a reminder, students should not wear their costumes to school. They will have an opportunity to get dressed during lunch time or they can go home for lunch and get dressed. If your child is going home to get dressed, please let us know beforehand via this link:

Halloween Going Home for Lunch 2023

We want our students to be safe, especially during our Parade. Please be sure that a mask does not obstruct your child’s view and that costumes are not too long or difficult to manage staircases. Please know that we want this Halloween to be an enjoyable time for everyone. It is in this spirit that we ask you to make sure costumes are school appropriate - no weapons, celebrations of violence or gore. If any part of a costume is deemed inappropriate or unsafe, the teacher will keep it in their possession until the end of the day.

If you would prefer for your child to not participate in the Halloween parade or activities, please notify your child’s teacher. We will make alternate arrangements.

Our parade will begin at 12:30 (more details coming in the following weeks). Halloween parties will take place in the afternoon and will be organized by the room parents.

I am also linking a great article with tips for a healthy halloween experience. We’re looking forward to a great celebration and continuing this District 102 tradition! Halloween Tips

Forest Road Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive - Nov. 1 - 15

It's that time of the year! Forest Road School helps the Westchester Food Pantry make "Thanksgiving Baskets" for many families in need! Please consider donating!

Candy Wrapper Collection

Veteran's Day Assembly

Forest Road will be holding an all-school assembly to honor Veterans Day. We will honor those who have served, or may currently be serving our country. If your child knows of someone who is a veteran or someone who is currently serving, we would appreciate it if you could share a picture with us for a slideshow. Include the name of the individual your child/children know. Just scan and email the picture to Mrs. Roche by November 7th.

With your picture, please include the following:

Name of your child
Name and branch of your veteran
Veteran’s relationship to your student
If they died, the year they passed

Mary Kate Roche rochema@dist102.k12.il.us

Mary Kay Masterson

Forest Road Clubs

CHORUS - SIGN UP DEADLINE IS NOV. 10TH

The Forest Road Chorus is open to all students in grades 5-6. Rehearsals are split between 5th and 6th grade, and each grade-level Chorus practices once a week: 6th Grade on Tuesday and 5th Grade on Wednesday. Both groups practice during Lunch Recess.

Some musical skills we practice in Chorus include, but are not limited to, vocal warmup techniques, vocal tone production and projection, singing vocal exercises, singing harmonized exercises, music score sight-reading, and learning new repertoire.

The Forest Road Chorus performs at all school concerts (usually 3 concerts) and will sometimes perform outside of school as opportunities arise. ($25 to join, free/reduced to those who qualify). Link to Sign Up below:

https://store.dist102.k12.il.us#!/products/2RI2AZZR5U

GUITAR & PIANO

Guitar and Piano is now live in PushCoin ($25 to join, free/reduced to those who qualify). If you would like to enroll, please use the following links. 40 spots available in each class. Don't miss out!!

Guitar: https://store.dist102.k12.il.us#!/products/KHDUTPXSZX

Piano: https://store.dist102.k12.il.us#!/products/P5QXSYK46J

4TH GRADE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

Battle of the Books runs from October through March. Students will independently read the selected Battle Books and attend ten practices with their homeschools. Practices will take place during lunch under the supervision of the homeschool Battle Coach. Detailed schedules will be distributed at the homeschool.

After homeschool Battles, the winning team will be invited to participate in the District-level Battle that takes place at Park Jr. High. All are welcome and encouraged to attend to cheer on all participants.

A participant T-shirt is included in the activity fee.

https://store.dist102.k12.il.us/#!/products/C6OQA3FF5I

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

$25 to join, free/reduced to those who qualify.

You can pay and sign up HERE.

23-24 Bus Routes and Schedule

Car Rider Drop-Off & Pick-Up Guidelines

Guidelines will remain the same as last year:

Please do not park, drop off or pick up on Homestead between Monroe and Jackson.

October & November Lunch Menu

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

https://mailchi.mp/b05a237370c4/your-pto-news-letter-is-here-15524589

Questions? Email PTO Co-Presidents:

Arlene Avalos: aavalos86@hotmail.com or Christine Zmuda ckzmuda@gmail.com

HALLOWEEN CLASSROOM PARTIES VOLUNTEER/DONATE SIGN UP

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C49AEAE2BA31-44786157-halloween?useFullSite=true#/

ART ENRICHMENT - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Our PTO is searching for a few more volunteers to make sure that all of our kiddos get to participate in our new Art Enrichment program. No art experience necessary. All lessons and materials are provided.

Currently, we are still in need of volunteers for the following classrooms:

Foster (4th), Duffy (5th), Krysa (5th), Roche (6th), Gorman (6th).

Sign up HERE!

Trivia Night - Thank You!

Thank you to all of our sponsors and everyone that attended Adult Trivia Night on October 20! Be sure to support the supporters in our community the next time you are looking for new services, a bit to eat, host a party, workout, or pick up some goods, and make these places your first stop!

The competition was fierce and the teams went all out with their participation in the theme! Congrats to our HOLIDAY Trivia Night winners "Labor Day" who took home Best Theme and 1st Place in Trivia and we can't wait for next year's event! If you have not attended before, definitely save the date for next year to join in on the fun and awesome raffles.

Special thanks to our Gold Sponsors BIG Gymnastics, Thermal Chem and Mother's Day Restaurant.

Park Jr. High Tutors

Park Tutors 2023/24

The Park Tutor Program is an after school program where Park Students tutor and mentor elementary students.

Mondays and Thursdays 3:30PM until 4:10PM

PROGRAM DATES:

Tutoring Sessions:
November 6th - informational meeting for Park Students only November 9,13,16,27,30
December 4,7,11,14,18,(no tutors on the 21st)
January 8,11,18, 22, 25, 29
February 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 22, 26, 29
March 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
April 3, 4,8 11th is the last day

Meet in front of the Main Office of Park Junior High School... then go to the LRC. - Permission Slip HERE

Order your Yearbook! Early Discount

Order your 2023-24 Yearbook before October 31st and save 10%!
See the flyer for all the details on how to order your yearbook.
¡Vea el folleto para obtener detalles sobre cómo pedir su anuario!

TreeRing Yearbook Order Info

Detalles en Espanol

Community Corner

We are still collecting brown paper bags with handles for the pantry. As a reminder Trader Joe's and Mariano's brown paper bag with handles are preferred.

VISIT SITE HERE