• From the Principal's Desk
• From the PTA President
• 180 Degrees
• Aim for Success
  
• Last Chance for Reflections!
• Forestwood Teachers Need Your Assistance
• Buy One Get One Free Book Fair
• "Sunset on Summer" Dance Makes Big Wave
• Forestwood Choir News
• Calling All Available Volunteers!
• Forestwood PTA Still Needs You
• PTA Directory Update
• Falcon Fiesta
• NJHS Activities
• Yearbooks on Sale Now!
• Eighth Grade Message Pages
  
• Spirit Wear Still Available

            During the first six weeks of the school year we have seen some very significant successes.  Students and teachers alike have been pouring their hearts out to make each day count.

            Our primary foci, the students, have accomplished a great deal during the first part of the school year.  The first six-week grade reports revealed 70% of the school on the Honor Roll and we have achieved a 98.7% attendance rate to date, an outstanding indication that our students are making the effort to take advantage of what we have to offer.  During the week of October 15^th we went into the Teaming period for each grade level and recognized students who achieved "A" Honor Roll status, "A/B" Honor Roll status, perfect attendance and those who were selected by their team of teachers for a special recognition in our "Falcon Fiesta" program, sponsored through the generosity of the PTA.  Selection of students for Falcon Fiesta is based on academic achievement reflective of a consistent and diligent work ethic, growth and/or improvement, participation in class, consistent completion of work, citizenship that reflects the student's efforts to put forth the best effort and follow the school's rules, and participation in extracurricular activities.

            In addition, our athletic teams have experienced both success and heartbreak on the field of competition, however throughout each contest they have made us proud as they remained competitive and played with heart and determination.  If we are able to teach our athletes competitiveness, commitment, and team spirit, we have been able to make them winners regardless of the score.

Band, orchestra and choir have performed or are preparing their fall concerts as we write.   In addition they are preparing contest music, for which goals are set and the ground laid for our students to achieve great results.  Extracurricular organizations have been extremely active.  Student Council has begun projects within the school, conducted one dance and scheduled more throughout the year, and chosen additional members.  National Junior Honor Society is conducting a routine recycling program and will soon launch additional service projects.  The Cheerleaders have made us proud by setting a positive example with their exuberance at football games and pep rallies.  All of these organizations continue to represent the school well at public events.

The entire school community is looking forward to making a significant contribution to L.I.S.D.'s district-wide service project aimed at supporting PediPlace.  Our Student Council is spear-heading the fun activities with the goal of making a record contribution to this important organization.

Since the first day of school, our dedicated staff has been here to support, challenge, cajole, and otherwise encourage your children.  Day-in and day-out they work to mold our students into the future of our world.  It is the daily commitment of each of these talented people that makes the school function smoothly every day.  Together we will continue the traditions of excellence, success and growth that are at the core of the Forestwood Middle School community.

David Tickner
Principal

Forestwood Parents, Students and Staff,

It's hard to believe that we have been in school almost two months.  It's even harder to believe that we might finally have fall weather for more than a couple of hours a day!  The most unbelievable thing of all is that in three months when it has been 45 degrees for a week, you'll start hearing "I can't wait until it is summer again".   I can.

We would like to thank all of the teachers and staff of Forestwood for having 100% participation in Forestwood PTA!  It's never too late to join PTA!  One goal of our PTA is to have one member for every child at Forestwood.  We are currently just a little bit short of that goal and ask parents to think about becoming a member.

Your support of PTA with your membership, donations of snacks for events like dances and Falcon Fiesta and participation in events like book fair help make it possible for us to bring great programs to and sponsor other events at Forestwood.  The school and PTA also heavily depend upon your volunteer time.  Take a peek at our volunteer form link on the website and see if there is something you would like to do.

I want to remind everyone that there are two great programs this week for 7^th and 8^th grade parents: 180 Degrees Sexual Abstinence Program parent preview on Monday night (Oct 22 at 7:00pm) for 8^th grade parents and Aim for Success on Thursday night (Oct 25 at 7:00pm) for 7^th grade parents.  There will be PTA Meeting on Thursday October 25^th, immediately prior to the program.  These previews are available to all parents; we really hope to see many 7^th and 8^th grade parents so you will have an opportunity to hear valuable information about presentations your children will see later in the week.  (Watch for permission slips being sent home this week.)

Finally, I would like to thank Kroger at FM3040 and Morriss Road for their generous donation of a case of individually wrapped saltine crackers for use by the nurse.  They went out of their way to order them for us through their deli.  These are invaluable for queasy stomachs and the individual packets are much easier to use.  If you are a Kroger shopper, please don't forget to use your Share Card when shopping.  PTA receives a 1% rebate from Kroger and Tom Thumb for dollars spent on groceries.  Kroger cards are available in the Forestwood office and you simply fill out a form at Tom Thumb to link Forestwood with your Reward Card.

Julie Rael
PTA President

180 Degrees is an abstinence education program that presents the startling reality of the consequences of premarital sex and the benefits of healthy relationships.  The student presentation will include: staggering statistics, how to set physical boundaries, and how to start over if necessary and make better sexual decisions.  This is NOT your typical sex education class - this is an interactive discussion that allows students to ask all the questions they never felt they could ask.   You know a lot has changed, and parents, you may just learn something that you never knew!  This presentation is created to turn our children's thinking about sex around a whole 180 degrees.  It's harder than ever to make good choices, but students can stand for purity and SAVE sex for marriage,
but first they have to

GET THE FACTS!

PARENT PREVIEW for 8th grade:

AIM FOR SUCCESS
Abstinence Education

We are pleased to announce that Aim for Success will be presenting their program, "AIM FOR SUCCESS" to our 7^th grade students. Aim for Success is a nationally acclaimed educational organization that promotes sexual abstinence until marriage.  This program addresses the health reasons for choosing sexual abstinence including pregnancy, STDs, and emotional scars.

The parent meeting includes a preview of the student program so you can know firsthand what the students will be seeing.  This program equips parents with the tools and medical information needed to communicate effectively with their children without embarrassment.  Parents learn how, when, and why to talk to their children (toddlers to teens) about sex.  Aim for Success believes parents should be their children's primary sex educators, but they have found that many parents don't know how to approach this critical subject.

Aim for Success is the largest provider of sexual abstinence programs in the United States. They present about 2500 programs each year.  Ninety percent of these programs are in public schools across the nation, reaching about 200,000 students and their parents each year. This is a must see event for family members, youth workers, counselors, nurses, school administrators and anyone who is concerned about teenage sexual activity in our country.

PARENT PREVIEW for 7th grade:

Come and learn more about the Aim for Success Abstinence Program.
WHEN:      Thursday, October 25
                      7:00pm
WHERE:   Forestwood Cafeteria

Aim for Success, Inc, PO Box 550336, Dallas, TX75355, 972-422-2322 www.aimforsuccess.org

Students may submit as many entries as they like in any of the following six areas -
Literature
Musical Composition
Photography
Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Film and Video

All entries are due Friday, October 26

(In the lobby of FMS before class starts)

After an entry has been submitted it is viewed by a panel of judges at each of the following levels:  Local (Flower Mound); Council (LISD); Area (Area 16 of Texas PTA);  State (Texas); National (United States).

All entries are judged based on the following criteria:  Interpretation of the Theme; Creativity; Artistic Merit

ARE YOU . . .

                         ???????

The Reflections Program is in need of parent volunteers and judges.  Judges must have knowledge of one of the six artistic categories and have no affiliation with Forestwood Middle School.

For more information contact:
Michaelanne Cangelosi
fcangel@verizon.net
972-355-3747
www.myspace.com/reflectionsfms

Marty Ross, 6th grade science teacher, is calling all potato heads!
Mrs. Ross' science classes are in need of several Mr. or Mrs. Potato Heads.  If you have one you could let us borrow, send them with their eyes, ears, nose and mouth to room 306.  Please have them labeled so they can be returned to you later in December.  If you happen to have any you are thinking about throwing away, please consider donating them to the Science Department.  Thank you for your help!

Paula Dudark, Computer Education, wants to let everyone know that Forestwood recycles ALL ink cartridges, laser cartridges and cell phones.  Recycle bins are located in the computer lab, room 301, and the office.  Help out the environment and send in yours for recycling!

The first dance of the year brought students together for an evening of fun, festive dress, and serious dance moves.

Mr. Simon & Ms. McMichael turned the cafeteria into a Southern Cal Coastline and the surfboards made by his students were great props for the photo booth.

DJ Austin played awesome tunes and students showed off what they've been practicing in front of the mirror all summer! 

A special thanks to the many parents who donated sodas and their time to chaperone.  We had more chaperones than ever before and the night ran quite smoothly.  Also, a big thanks to Mr Tickner, Mr Girardi and Mrs. Garvin who stayed until the very end!

Everyone is looking forward to the next dance which will be on Friday, February 1^st.  We will start gearing up for that one as soon as we come back from the holiday break.

Hope everyone has a safe, enjoyable holiday season and remember to practice those dance moves!!

Kat Jackson-Reddell
Forestwood Dance Chairman

This year has gotten off to an awesome start for the Forestwood choir with over 50 new 6^th graders joining the choir program!  The new students were welcomed with a pizza party, games and each student was paired with a "big brother/big sister" to help feel a part of FMS Choir.  This year's officers are:

There is an important date change for the choir's Holiday Concert - it has been moved up one night from December 13 to December 12. It is still at 7:30 and still in the FMS cafeteria.  We will have a mandatory rehearsal after school on December 11, 4 - 6:00 PM.

 Take a look at the rest of the dates for the choir for the fall semester:

• October 20 - LISD District Choir auditions, all day, Hedrick MS
• October 30 - Fall Choir Concert, 7:30 PM, FMHS auditorium - students should report at 6:45.  There will be a morning field trip to FMHS for rehearsal.
• November 3 - Regional Choir auditions (7/8^th grade only), all day, Cross Timbers MS - Grapevine
• November 10 - LISD District Choir clinic and concert, all day, FMHS.  Concert at 5:00 PM
• December 12 - Holiday Concert, 7:30 PM, FMS cafeteria

Last, but certainly not least, let us give special thanks to the fantastic parents who volunteer their help to the FMS Choir.  Our Booster Club officers this year are:  Larry O'Hara, president, Osbert Lassberg, vice president, Jill Phillips, secretary and Padma Devaraju, treasurer.

We would love to invite the entire Forestwood community to the Fall Concert, October 30 and the Holiday Concert, December 12.  See you then!

The school year has been a great one so far - thanks to everyone who helped with the first dance and Book Fair and to those who work in the workroom, library and office.  You are appreciated!

Events such as Circle of Friends and Falcon Fiesta are beginning to occur and it's not too late to sign up to donate food and supplies for our students to enjoy!

The FMS staff and PTA want every parent to feel welcome in our school and volunteering even a little of your time is a great way to stay connected.  Even if you can only spare a small amount of time there is a place for you.  Click here to download the volunteer form (via the FMS website). Thank you!

Carolyn Ditsworth
Volunteer Coordinator
c.dits@verizon.net

The FMS PTA directory information is almost completed and will be taken to the printer soon.  Expected delivery date is November 5.  Directories are provided exclusively to PTA members only.  Only students of PTA members will be printed in the directory.

Kathy LeMaster
PTA Student Directory

National Junior Honor Society has a busy semester planned. The Officers are doing a phenomenal job running the show at each meeting! Along with Group Leaders these members put in extra time and effort to ensure the meetings are successful.

Officers for 2007-2008:

• President- Ben Barclay
• Vice President - Sidney Stratton
• Secretary- Shelby Booth
• Treasurer- Katie Jeanes
  

 2007-2008 Group Leaders:

Elizabeth Adams, Nicolas Boudreaux, Kathryn Choe,  Lauren Hawkins,   Maggie McMahon, Sam Moore, Kaitlyn Pound, Cubie Mesecher,
Stephanie Ruffner, and Cassie Walker

Faculty Sponsors:    Ms. Curtis and Mrs. Derow

NJHS members are volunteering in a variety of ways to make our school a better place.  Members began the month of October volunteering at the Scholastic Book Fair.  The Recycling Program is underway with the direction of Mrs. Derow and officers, Ben Barclay and Katie Jeanes.  Each Wednesday and Friday volunteers collect paper items from classrooms all over the building!

During teaming we have students volunteering with Mrs. Jones' students.  They read stories to the students in her class.  We also have members ready to begin the Peer Tutoring Program during teaming, under the direction of officers Sidney Stratton and Shelby Booth.  In November, we will be helping out our feeder school, Forest Vista, with box top collections.

Currently, the students are in the process of planning our Fall Service Project.  Stay tuned for more details coming soon!