Falcon Flyer
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Forestwood Middle School
December, 2007
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 From the Principal's Desk . . .
As we conclude the second six-week
grading period, the students of Forestwood Middle
School continue to make all of us proud
with their academic and extracurricular achievements. On Friday, November 30th you will
receive your child's report card and during the following week we will take
time out of the Teaming period to congratulate students who have achieved the
"A" Honor Roll, "A/B" Honor Roll, and recommendation for Falcon Fiesta. It is our hope that this celebration not only
recognizes those who have achieved exemplary performance but also encourages
others to take the necessary steps to be recognized in the future.
Extracurricular activities have also
built an outstanding record. In the fine
arts, Forestwood students achieved over and above the crowd in the All-District
Orchestra competition, All-District Choir competition and at the All-District and
All-Region Band auditions. We have ended
both football and volleyball seasons with much of which to be proud. Most importantly, in each area Forestwood
Middle School students showed great character and integrity by preparing and
performing to their best ability and accepting the results with pride and
dignity.
To top off the record of incredible
success for Forestwood, the Texas Education Agency announced the schools that
would receive the Gold Performance Recognition based on the 2006 - 2007 TAKS
test scores. The purpose of this
recognition is to spotlight schools that have significant numbers of students
in the "commended" category of performance.
We will be recognized for our attendance rate and the percentages of
students achieving commended status in reading, math, writing, and social
studies. It is clear there is a
tradition of excellence at Forestwood that is alive and prospering!
One quick calendar note: classes
will conclude prior to the Winter Break on Friday, December 21st;
the 21st will be an early dismissal day on which students will be
dismissed promptly at 12:30 p.m. Regular
bus routes will be run at that time and we ask that all other transportation be
arranged so every one may leave campus at 12:30 to begin the
Winter Holiday. Classes will resume on
Thursday, January 3rd at 8:45 a.m. as
usual. The first semester will conclude
with exams on Tuesday, January 15th, Wednesday, January 16th
and Thursday, January 17th.
The 17th will also be an early dismissal day and the same
procedures will be followed; we ask that all transportation be arranged so
every one may leave campus at 12:30. The 18th and 21st of
January will be student holidays, with classes resuming on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008.
The previous paragraph brings to
mind the fast approaching holiday season.
Listen for opportunities for you and your child to come to the aid of
the less fortunate with holiday toy drives and the "Christmas Angel" program
sponsored by Communities in Schools of North Texas. Both of these efforts are focused on families
within L.I.S.D. who find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Each of these events underscores our effort
to educate the whole child and emphasize the responsibility we all have toward
our fellow man. We thank you in advance
for anything you might be able to do to assist us in the endeavor.
Finally, thank you for your continued support of Forestwood Middle School. Words do not adequately
state our gratitude for the support our parents provide the school, not only
through assisting in the education of our students, but the incredible number of
volunteer hours in the library, office, teacher workroom, dances, trips, and on
and on . . . As always, do not hesitate to call or come in to the school
office with any questions or concerns; we are all here to serve the best
interests of our students. We wish each student and family a safe and
peaceful holiday season!
David Tickner
Principal
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Dear
Forestwood Parents and Students,
I hope
everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving break! One thing we can all be thankful for is the
dedicated teachers and staff at Forestwood.
We see how hard teachers work every day, not just by teaching classes,
but also by being available to tutor before and after school and by volunteering
to sponsor student clubs and activities.
Many parents and staff members also volunteer countless hours throughout
the school year by helping with the preparation of school and PTA activities as
well as chaperoning events.
Once a
year, PTA recognizes those individuals who "give it their all" by choosing new
Texas PTA Life Members. If you know
someone you think deserves this distinction, please let me know by sending a
short email with their name and why you are nominating them. The committee will be taking nominations
through early January.
It won't
be long before we are out of school again for a relaxing(?) winter break. I wish safe travel to all those who will
be "going over the river and through the woods"
and patience to those just making a trip to the mall!
Julie Rael
Forestwood
PTA President
julie.rael@verizon.net
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Get in the Holiday Spirit!
 This
year at Forestwood, we are working to fulfill the Christmas wishes of less
fortunate children in our community. We
have agreed to adopt a number of families from DeLay Middle School and Hedrick Middle School. Our
students and staff have been participating in fundraising efforts and would
greatly appreciate any additional support your family would like to
provide. If you are interested, we are
accepting cash or check donations with which our volunteers will shop for
specific students and wrap donated gifts. We can use some
volunteers to help wrap gifts too!
If you
are interested or would like more information, please contact Julie Walton waltonjd@lisd.net or Jennifer Bradley bradleyjc@lisd.net. Both teachers can also be reached at the
Forestwood main number. Happy holidays
to you and yours!
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Forestwood Middle School
Science Olympiad
Forestwood
will be holding its Science Olympiad on Friday, January 25,
2008, from
8:00 am - 12:00 pm.
All Pre-AP students are required
to participate. Other students are
welcome to participate.
There will
be 3 categories:
1) Do It
Ahead (individual)
2) Write
It/Do It (3 person team)
3) Do It
There (2 person team)
ALL students will participate in 2
events. One event MUST be the Do It Ahead project. The second event will be either
the Write It/Do It or the Do It There.
The Do It
Ahead project guidelines will be given to students the week of November 26 - 30. The other events will be done on the day of
the event and no information will be given before that time.
If a
student places at the Forestwood Olympiad, they will move on to the District
Olympiad. The District Olympiad is
scheduled in February. Specific
information with time, map, driving directions, etc. will be provided to those
students advancing at least two weeks prior to the District Event.
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CHOIR NEWS Twenty-two students from Forestwood
participated in the LISD District concert on Nov. 10 at FMHS. They had a wonderful day of learning and
presented a fabulous concert. They are:
6th Grade
Choir:
Zoe Bardin
Natalie
Ramirez
Sydney
Rapp
Rachel
Shuster
Teresa
Rupard
Chandler O'Hara
Paige
Perkins
Cassie
Perez
Rachel
Toney
7th Grade
Girls Choir:
Genie Na
8th Grade
Girls Choir:
Meredith
Payne
Brianne Robbins
Sydney
Waldroop
Allyson
Phillips
Amber
Herndon
Guys Choir:
Tommy
Urrutia (first chair!)
Jordy
Sloan
Ben Hladky
Ben
Barclay
Daniel
Stephens
James
Kuang
Jason
Suess
Nine choir students advanced to Region
level in a tough competition on November 3rd in Grapevine. They are:
Allyson Phillips, Meredith Payne, Cassie Walker, Maggie Donald
(alternate) , Jason Suess, Ben Barclay, Daniel Stephens, and Tommy
Urrutia. They will participate in a
concert on January 12 at LHS.
The choir would like to welcome all to our
holiday concert on December 12, in the
Forestwood cafeteria at 7:30.
It will be a delightful evening of traditional holiday favorites,
including music from Charlie Brown, and ending with a beautiful candle-lighting
ceremony. We hope to see you all there!
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We Still Need Volunteers!
The
school year has been a great one so far - thanks to everyone who has already donated time or materials and to those who work in the workroom, library
and office. You are appreciated!
Events
such as Circle of Friends and Falcon Fiesta are continuing throughout the year 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
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December Press Release from the Special Ed PTSA
December
Meeting - The Greater Lewisville Special Education PTSA is
hosting a program on Legislative
Advocacy presented by Rona Statman
of the ARC of Texas on Thursday, December 13th
from 6:30 to
9 pm at
the LISD Special Services Building
located at 400 West Main
Street in Lewisville. Hear
answers to your questions about IDEA, information about the Texas Legislature,
and ways you can impact positive policy change for students with
disabilities. Social time with
refreshments begins at 6:30
pm, with the program beginning promptly at 7 pm. Details and a link to RSVP can be found at www.lisdseptsa.txpta.org
or by calling 469-293-6343.
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December
Brown Bag Lunch - The SEPTSA and the Special Ed Department are
hosting a talk on Changes in TAKS
Testing on December 6th at noon in
the small classroom in the Student Services Building. Please RSVP to Stacey Amick at stacey.amick@verison.net.
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The
Special Ed PTSA announces new Playgroups and Friendship Groups for students
with special needs! We have
2 new groups forming. One is a Motor Skills Playgroup for parents and
children dealing with motor challenges such as Cerebral Palsy or Spina
Bifida. Contact Michelle Fox at (972) 219-0169 or
tchelle05@yahoo.com for information.
The other is a High School Boys
Group for teens with Aspergers Syndrome.
Contact Tracie Owens
at (972) 874-7191 or
fmaspergersgroup@verizon.net. We
also currently have playgroups for preschoolers in PPCD or PPCD Comm Class, Elementary-age
children with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism, and two Friendship
Groups for Middle School Girls and
Middle School Boys with Aspergers or High Functioning Autism. All contact information and details can be
found on the Playgroups and Friendship Groups page at www.lisdseptsa.txpta.org.
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PTA Life Membership Award
The Texas Life Membership
Award is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an individual by
Texas PTA for outstanding contributions to the well being of children and
youth. The Forestwood PTA Life
Membership Committee will meet soon to select the individual(s) to honor this
year. Your input is valuable. If you would like to recommend a parent or staff
member for this honor, please send a note or email to committee chair, Gena
Mann, gena.mann@verizon.net, or drop
a note in the school office marked PTA.
The deadline for nominations is January 11 th.
The following individuals
have received the PTA Life Honor from Forestwood PTA:
Sandy Atkinson, Janet Bass,
Ken Boren, Connie Carlson, Marsha Crawford, Karrie Day, Carolyn Ditsworth, Tami
Fitzpatrick, Mary Gentry, Gary Gibson, Linda Gibson, Ann Handren, Jill
Hennessey, Bette Herbst, Annette Hernandez, Rosemarie Lawson, Kathy Le Master, Joann
Manke, Karen McGinnes, Lori McKinney, Marlene McNemar, Cindy Means, Brooke
Munro, Jan Murphy, Joi Pratte, Marty Ross, Ollie Smith, David Tickner, Lou
Todd, Tracey Vulpitta, Leigh Williams and Lyn Zeller.
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BOGO Book Fair!
Buy one, get one FREE!
- WHEN: TUESDAY, December 11 through THURSDAY, December 13.
- WHERE: Forestwood Library, 8:00am - 4:15pm.
Get
ready for our annual "BOGO" book fair. This is a great opportunity to
purchase gifts for teachers, friends and family for the holidays.
Students are welcome to shop before school or during lunch. Parents
can come any time during this 3-day sale. Purchases can be made with
cash, credit card or checks made out to Forestwood PTA. Remember to
include 7.25% sales tax. Don't miss it!!
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer call Anila Dhanam at 469-261-6067 or email kdhanam@hotmail.com.
A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped at the fall book fair!
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LISD Special Education PTSA Shopping Fundraiser
Do your Holiday Shopping at LISD Special
Education PTSA's online mall! For
every purchase you make, LISD Special Education PTSA receives up to 30% cash
back. Choose from more than 360 merchants, including Target, Nordstrom,
Lands End, iTunes, eBay, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Netflix, Home Depot,
Travelocity, The Body Shop, Gap & Old Navy. Plus, shop in the holiday
specials category with merchants such as Hickory Farms, My Wines Direct,
Omaha Steaks & Starbucks. Plus, we receive an extra 10%!!
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 LISD
PTA Council Bowling for Scholars 2008
Dust off your bowling balls and polish your shoes! It's time to start
planning for Bowling for Scholars 2008. This year marks the fifth annual
scholarship fundraiser for LISD PTA Council and we need your help. Each year the Council awards two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors at each LISD high school. Without your support, these scholarships are not possible, so mark your calendar for January 26, 2008 and draft your best bowlers now - don't forget to bring your kids! The tournament will include a Junior Division for ages 6 to 12. Registration fees are $25 per bowler
($20.00 for juniors), with 4-person teams, and include 3 games, shoe rental, and a Bowling for Scholars t-shirt. Three game starting times will be available.
Trophies will be awarded to the top teams, as well as prizes for the school
with the most teams. There will also be door prizes and a prize for the best
team name.
See you on the lanes!
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 FALCON FIESTA
Our second Falcon Fiesta will be held on Friday,
December 7th in the library. There will be three more this school year; the
next Fiesta is scheduled for February 1st.
Falcon Fiesta is a PTA
sponsored student recognition and reward program during which selected students
have an opportunity to attend a short reception in their honor.
Students
are selected by the teachers at the end of each six week grading period. 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. Go for it Falcons
and make it hard for the teachers to choose!!
Once selected, the student
is invited to the library for snacks during teaming at which time they may
socialize and just have fun!! This is a reward for a job well done!
If
you would like to help by donating snacks for one or more of the Fiesta's, and
are not already on the Falcon Fiesta Volunteer list, please contact Melanie
McCoy, (972) 355-9092 or jomelkel@aol.com.
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Student Directories
The
2007-2008 PTA student directories were delivered to students and teachers the first week of November. Please check your child's
backpack if you have not received yours.
Directories were given to those who were PTA members only. If you have two or more children, the directory was sent to the oldest child
(or to one twin if you have twins). If you would like a directory, simply fill
out a membership form in the office or click here to download the membership form via the Forestwood website.
Your child will not be listed however, since the cut- off date for inclusion in the directory was Oct 15. Please utilize the sponsors that financially
supported this directory.
Kathy
LeMaster
kathy.lem@verizon.net |
Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Taskforce
Regina Bennett, Director of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities,
gave a presentation to the LISD Council of PTAs on November 14th regarding
the taskforce's scope and mission. Committees on Awareness, Education,
Support and Enforcement have worked for the last six months on ideas and
initiatives to keep our schools and communities drug-free.
There will be an application period in the spring for new committee members.
Ms. Bennett welcomes students on the committee and encourages more student
involvement. Students who are interested in serving their community
through
membership can contact Regina Bennett at sdfsctaskforce@lisd.net.
Additional information (including a power point presentation) regarding the
task force is available on the LISD website, www.lisd.net
under Community or
Students and Parents.
Lyn Ray
Council Delegate
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 Children's
Advocacy Center of Denton County
Executive Director Dan Leal of the Children's Avocacy Center of Denton County also made a presentation to the LISD Council of PTAs. He told the
Council that CACDC is making a difference in children's lives in Denton County. They provide justice and healing for
more than 1,500 clients who are victims of child sexual abuse or are non-abusing family members of victims. Prior to 1997 less than 10% of
accused sex offenders were convicted in Denton County, now more than 70%
face convictions. The Center's building campaign is moving forward and
they
look forward to breaking ground in the spring.
The Center's staff welcomes opportunities to speak to groups about keeping
children safe, signs of child sexual abuse, and general information about
the Center's mission.
For more information, their website is www.cacdc.org.
Lyn Ray
Council Delegate
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There were a total of 32 entries from 25 students for this year's PTA
Reflection's contest. We would like to thank the following for taking the time
to judge this year's entries: Pixels in Coppell judged Film and
Video; Art House in Flower Mound judged Arts and Photography; and
Primrose School of Old Orchard's Pre-K Lead Teachers judged
literature. All entries were judged the week of November 5th.
The following entries earned Awards of Excellence:
- Thomas Urrutia, Film/Video, "Be Yourself"
- Brittany Weiland, Visual Arts, "A Helping Hand"
- Katherine Choi, Visual Arts, "Sharing My Love"
- Kelley Klein, Photography, "Helping My Environment"
- Rebecca Kuang, Visual Arts, "One Tree"
- Leslie DeRossi, Literature, "Pollution Solution"
- Kendall Semones, Literature, "All Around the World"
Awards will be presented on a future date. Congratulations to all who entered!
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It's never too late to join PTA! Every year our goal is one membership per student enrolled at Forestwood. Help us reach our goal! A mere $6.00 gets you an individual membership for the year; or pay $40 and you will receive two memberships, plus provide a donation to the PTA which eliminates the need for further fundraisers.
