How is it possible that we are already writing the final issue of the "Falcon Flyer?"  The year has been full of successes for the Forestwood Community.  Academically our students have consistently performed well; in extracurricular activities we have seen champions across the board from athletics to Band, Choir and Orchestra.  In each issue of this newsletter we have been able to say we are proud of our students and that has not changed.  We look for a strong conclusion to an incredibly successful year!  In addition, this has been a banner year in bringing to life the age old mantra that parent involvement makes the difference in education.  All of the research on effective schools includes significant parent involvement as one of the vital points toward the success of a school.  During this year we have had parents supporting teachers in their workroom, helping in the library and front office, tutoring, monitoring the Peer Tutoring rooms, chaperoning dances, serving on the PTA Board and on the various booster clubs.  Parent involvement is not only alive and well here at Forestwood, it is a model for all middle schools!  Thank you for all you do support and work with us in the critical mission of educating your children.

At press time we have placed the final touches on our efforts to prepare for the TAKS test.  This year our 7^th grade has taken the writing test, all grades will take the math and reading tests, and the 8^th grade will take the science and social studies tests.  Results will come back to us before the end of the school year and an individual score report will be included in your child's final report card.  We fully expect to celebrate great achievements on this important measure of our work.

There will be much activity as we close out the school year.  Check the school's website for year-end concerts, trips, and meetings.  Award Recognitions will be conducted during our "Teaming" period (1:50 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.) on May 16^th for 6^th grade, May 17^th for 7^th grade, and May 21^st for the 8^th grade.  We will conclude the academic year with exams on Tuesday, May 22^nd, Wednesday, May 23^rd and Thursday, May 24^th.  Please note that we must make up the snow day we missed earlier this year, therefore May 24^th is a day on which students must report to school.  Students will be released at 12:30 p.m. on the 24^th.  The school's website has a detailed exam schedule for the last week of school.

In the event questions or concerns arise on any topic during the summer months, our offices will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning Monday, June 4^th and continuing to August 9^th.  The offices will be closed July 2^nd through the 17^th and re-open on the 18^th; we will return to the five-day week, 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. schedule on August 13^th.

Student Orientations are scheduled for Friday, August 17^th; 8:30 a.m. for 8^th grade, 10:30 for 7^th grade, and our "FlightSchool" for 6^th graders will begin at 1:30 p.m.  The Fall Open House is still in the planning stages but information about that event will be disseminated prior to the end of the school year as well.  Of course we will run the abbreviated bell schedule on the Open House evening as has been tradition in previous years.

Historically, summer vacation for schools was a necessity to allow children time to assist with work on the family farm.  The evolution of our society has changed that need; however we have learned the importance of the family on the overall well-being of our culture.  The summer vacation from school is a time to relax, have fun, take trips and do those things which bring the family together as a cohesive unit.  Those activities strengthen your children; they improve your child's "learning capital" and better prepare them for success in education and in life.  It is the wish of ForestwoodMiddle School that your family has a safe, fun, relaxing and educational summer!

David Tickner

Principal

Forestwood Middle School

 Nominating Committee Report

Congratulations to Katherine Choi and Jaclyn Clark, whose Environmental Contest entries were awarded First Place within their grade level by the LISD Council of PTAs!  Their entries have advanced to the Area PTA competition.

Also, a special nod to Brooke Del Tufo and Haley Orton; their joint entry earned them an Award of Merit by the LISD Council of PTAs.  

Lisa Viscusi

Environmental Committee    

The 2006-2007 results for the PTA Reflections Program are in!

This year 16 students submitted 24 entries in the visual arts, photography, literature, and film/video categories.  Listed below are the names of the students that submitted entries.  Each level of judging is listed in the top column and the names of the students that advanced to that level of judging are listed below.  

Forestwood                            Council                  Area                      State                       National

Lucy Krohn                            Kelly                        Jacob                     Jacob                      (None)

Kaye Kvance                         Jacob                       Nikita                     Nikita

Kelly Klein                             Nikita                       Jason

Nikita Yogeshwarun             Cody

Katherine Chow                    Jason

Brittany Weiland                  Sophie
Bridgette Mack

Maddie Smit

Heather Neckritz

Kelsey Viertel

Austin Moss

Cody Phifer

Jason Suess

Charlie Wright

Sophie Cangelosi

Congratulations to Jacob Fowler, a 6^th grader at Forestwood, who received Awards of Excellence in the Forestwood, Council and Area levels of judging and an Award of Merit in State judging.  His piece was a Film/Video entry named "Jacobz Skateboard."

Congratulations to Nikita Yogeshwarun, an 8^th grader at Forestwood, who received Awards of Excellence in the Forestwood, Council and Area levels of judging and an Honorable Mention in State judging.  Her piece was a visual art entry named "Behind My Mechanical Eyes."

Parents, Please Join Us for Coffee and Curriculum News!

Want to know the latest on what's happening in our school district? Here's a great way to start your day on April 25! Dr. Penny Reddell, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, will be the guest speaker at our PTA meeting on April 25 at 9 AM in the Forestwood cafeteria immediately following the election of the 2007-2008 PTA officers.  Come hear the latest on vertical teaming instruction between the middle schools and high school. Get the scoop on our future 9^th grade campuses!  Bring your friends and neighbors, enjoy a cup of coffee and refreshments on us, and come hear it straight from Dr. Reddell.   

Vendor Fair

Are you a PTA volunteer, 5th grade teacher, soccer coach, scout leader or church member? Do you need to raise funds for your organization?  If so the Vendor Fair is for you!!  Come and get a chance to see what over 100 area vendors have to offer.  

Congratulations to Susanne Hutchinson on her election as President of Area 16 PTA!

The election was held during the business meeting of the PTA Spring conference April 14th held locally at Shadow Ridge Middle School. While serving as the LISD Council of PTAs President for the past two years, Susanne is Forestwood PTAs Program chairman.  She has held many leadership positions in PTA at over the years at Donald Elementary, Forestwood and the Council of PTAs.  Susanne and Jeff Hutchinson are the parents of Adam, an 8th grader at FMS.

Texas Area 16 PTA was organized on June 1, 2006. 

This new Area includes: Argyle ISD, Aubrey ISD, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Callisburg ISD, Coppell ISD, Denton ISD, Gainesville ISD, Irving ISD, Krum ISD, Lake Dallas ISD, Lewisville ISD, Little Elm ISD, Pilot Point ISD, Ponder ISD, Sanger ISD, Valley View ISD, and Walnut Bend ISD.  It also includes the following Council of PTAs:  Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Denton, Irving, LakeDallas, Lewisville and Little Elm.  Area 16 provides training, information and services to Council and Local PTAs through a variety of communication styles with PTA leaders.

Area 16 is affiliated with both the Texas and National PTAs

I would like to thank all of the great students who have attended and been on their best behavior (especially while eating in the library).  It is easy to see why their teachers chose them in the first place!

I would like to thank all of the wonderful parents who have supplied cookies, brownies, candy and chips to the delight of all of the students in attendance.  Thank you also to the staff and administration of Forestwood for supporting this program.

Falcon Fiesta is a recognition and reward program during which students selected by teachers have an opportunity to attend a short PTA sponsored reception in their honor.

Students are selected by teachers from the six teams at the end of each six week grading period.  (3 girls and 3 boys from each team are selected.)  The selection criteria are based upon positive attitude toward school work, consistent effort, excellent behavior, hard work, and attention is given to those who may have shown significant improvement.  This is a program every student has an opportunity to attain and should work toward.

Flower Mound High School is having their annual Midnite Madness Party!

This is a party that starts right after the prom ends. It provides a safe and fun place for the kids to "party" and hang out instead of being somewhere else. This function is supported by the school, community and parents. The parents of the Jr.s and Sr.s do all the prep work and the parents of the other grades work the party. This is to encourage the Jr.s and Sr.s to come to this party and not to have their parents looking at them (this is why we are sending out pleas for volunteers to work that night).

If you can help please see the info below:

FMHS Midnight Madness Party

         (After Prom Party)