Forest Elementary School   

Parent Bulletin

Summer 2010

Note from the Principal

            I want to take this opportunity to thank you for making this a wonderful school year.   Special thanks go to Sharon George and the PTA Board, all of our parent (and grandparent) volunteers, and to the superior staff here at FES.  Most of all I’d like to thank our students for doing their best and being their best!

            The VA SOL preliminary scores have arrived.  Our students and staff did a remarkable job!  Please note the following pass rates for each grade level and subject area:

3^rd Grade:  Reading-94%, Math-96%, History-100%, Science-99%

4^th Grade:  Reading-95%, Math-92%, History-92%

5^th Grade:  Reading-97%, Writing-93%, Math-98%, History-82%, Science-94%

Thank You to our Business Partners

Every year we look for opportunities to enhance our instructional program through grant programs.  This year we were able to purchase a variety of technology items through a grant provided by Randolph College.  Teachers receiving these items were required to participate in a one week science instructional program.  Mrs. Danaher, Mrs. Harris, and Mrs. Davis were able to earn a document camera, a microscope and 7 iPod Touches.

Another document camera was purchased for Mrs. Middleton, who applied for a grant through the Bedford Area Education Foundation.  Suntrust Bank, again this year, was the sponsoring business for the purchase.

            And because you purchase school pictures, class pictures, and yearbooks, we were able to purchase 6 more Smart Boards. We were able to take advantage of a discounted price through Blue Ridge Public Television.  Our goal is to have one for every classroom, but for now, several teachers have to share.  If you, or a group of parents, would like to purchase one for your child’s classroom, please let me know. All contributions are tax deductable.

AR Summer Schedule

            The computer lab will be open again this summer for students to take Accelerated Reading tests on Wednesdays from 9:00-12:00.  The dates are:  June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4.

If you had to guess, how much did the students at FES reading during the 2009-2010 school year?  Enough to earn 269,921 AR POINTS!  WOW! That’s Awesome!

SCA Update

            Ms. Watson and the Student Council Association continue to do an outstanding job for the Forest community and surrounding area.  This year they. . .

·         Collected 4 boxes of school supplies for needy children in Bedford County,

·         Collected $665.00 for the Susan G. Comen Cancer Research Fund,

·         Collected over 1,173 canned foods to benefit Salvation Army,

·         Provided lunch for 8 Veterans during our Veteran’s Day Celebration,

·         Spent $101.00 to ship gifts to the soldiers in Afghanistan in honor of Veteran’s Day,

·         Purchased $250.00 worth of Toys for Tots using the money from the candy cane sales,

·         Collected 140 cans of soup during the “Soup”er Bowl for Bedford Christian Ministries even though we were closed due to snow most of the month of January,

·         Collected 994 pounds of dog and cat food, plus toys, towels, and litter, for the Lynchburg Humane Society,

·         Collected over 55,000 aluminum cans to benefit Habitat for Humanity,

·         Collected 10 cases of water and over 10 boxes of health and beauty aids to help with the Haiti relief efforts through Gleaning for the World,

·         AND purchased flowers to beautify the entrance to the school.

Can you believe it?  WAY TO GO, KIDS!

Important PTA Membership Information

            Be watching your mail for PTA Membership information.  We plan to mail out membership envelopes during the summer so that you can have one thing checked off your list before school starts. This past school year we were so close to 100% membership with 94.5%.  Both parents can join for $10.00.  Included in every membership is a copy of the school directory.

            Next time you are in the neighborhood, stop by and take a ride on the X-Wave 2, our modern day see-saw.

Reflections 2010-2011

The new theme for the upcoming school year is “Together we can”.  Students can participate in the following areas:  Literature, Visual Arts, Film Production, Photography, Musical Composition, and Dance Choreography.

Entry forms and official rules are available on-line at www.ptareflections.org .

Good-bye to Mrs. Wiley

            We would like to say good-bye to Mrs. Martha Wiley.  She retired after 27 years of teaching.  Mrs. Wiley is known for her calm, soft voice and sweet personality.  She will be greatly missed by the FES community.

Staff Changes for 2010-2011

With the continued growth in the Forest area, FES has recently qualified for a part-time Assistant Principal.  The School Board recently appointed Jeanie Floyd to this position.  She has served as our Principal’s Designee and Lead Special Education teacher for eight years and is no stranger to the duties and responsibilities of administration.  She will also continue to work with students with special needs.

Mrs. Donna Davis has decided to join the first grade teach, taking the place of Mrs. Wiley.  She is excited about this new challenge.

Taking on the bulk of the case load for special education will be Amanda Barclay.  She joins us from Bedford Elementary School.

Jessi Chaffin Owen, one of our former students and a resident of the FES community, has been transferred to us from Body Camp Elementary and will be teaching Kindergarten.

Please be sure to congratulate the new members of our staff and make them feel welcome!

VA Readers’ Choice

            Each year we encourage our 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th graders to read the VA Readers’ Choice Books by spring to earn a ticket to the annual VA Readers Celebration, along with other prizes and recognition.

            Listed below are the books selected for 2010-2011.  Visit your local library or book store and begin reading now.  Be sure to visit the computer lab Wednesday mornings during the summer to take the AR tests.  Students must score a 70% or higher on the AR test to get credit for reading the book.

1. Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things.  Lenore Look, Schwartz, 2008.
2. Blown Away.  Joan Hiatt Harlow, Simon & Schuster, 2007
3. Chicken Feathers.  Joy Cowley, Philomel, 2008.
4. The Dragon in the Sock Drawer.  Kate Klimo, Random House, 2008. 
5. The Gollywhopper Games.  Jody Feldman, Greenwillow, 2008.
6. Gully’s Travels.  Tor Seidler, Scholastic, 2008.
7. Lady Liberty: A Biography.  Doreen Rappaport, Candlewick, 2008.
8. The Magic Half.  Annie Barrows, Bloomsbury, 2009.
9. Martina the Beautiful Cockroach.  Carmen Agra Deedy, Peachtree, 2008.
10. Masterpiece.  Elise Broach, Henry Holt, 2008.

Nurse Notes

            If your child takes medication at school on a daily basis at school or has an inhaler or epi pen, be sure to download the medical form from the Bedford County Public School website and have your physician sign it sometime over the summer.  This will save you the hassle of doing this in the fall when everyone’s schedule is so hectic.  Thank you and have a wonderful and safe summer!

Allison Almond, R.N.

Calendar of Events

August 2 – Physicals & Immunizations Due

August 12 - School Board Meeting

August 17-20 - Parent Volunteers needed for Teacher Work Week, call Stephanie Blankenship

August 19 - Open House, 12:00-7:00pm (Dinner Break for teachers, 3:45-4:30)

August 23 - First Day of School

August 26 - School Board Meeting

September 6 – Labor Day, School Closed

September 9 – Volunteer Orientation, 9:00

September 9 – School Board Meeting

September 16 – Vision Screenings

September 20 – PTA Meeting, 7:00, “Back to School Night”