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 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
this has been a banner year as our students have consistently
performed at levels beyond those of previous years. In
extracurricular activities we have seen unsurpassed effort and
commitment across the board from all of the athletic programs, Band,
Choir, Orchestra, Theatre Arts, Circle of Friends and the NJHS.
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! The age old
mantra that parent involvement makes the difference in education is a
way of life at Forestwood. 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, chaperoning dances, attending the Circle of
Friends functions, contributing snacks endlessly to all of our
events, 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 to support and work with us in the critical mission of
educating your children.
The TAKS testing is complete and we expect results from all of the
testing before the end of the school year; an individual score report
will be included in your child's final report card. The 8th
grade reading and math results are in showing 99.5% of our 8th grade
meeting standards on the TAKS reading and 96% meeting standards on
the TAKS math. We fully expect to celebrate similar great
achievements on the tests administered in late April.
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 27th for
6th grade, May 28th for 7th grade, and June 1st for the 8th
grade. We will conclude the academic year with exams on
Wednesday, June 3rd, Thursday, June 4th and Friday, June 5th.
Students will be released at 12:30 p.m. on the 5th. 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 12:00 noon
and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning Monday,
June 8th and continuing through August 7th. The offices will be
closed June 29th through the July 10th and re-open on the 13th; we
will return to the five-day week, 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. schedule on
August 10th.
Student Orientations are scheduled for Friday, August 14th; 8:30 a.m.
for 8th grade, 10:30 for 7th grade; "Flight School" for 6th
graders and "Parent Boot Camp" for 6th grade parents will
begin at 1:30 p.m. The Fall Open House is set for Monday,
August 31st (6th grade) and Tuesday, September 1st (7th & 8th
grades) both beginning at 7:00 p.m. and concluding at 8:30 p.m.
We will run the abbreviated bell schedule on the Open House evenings
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 Forestwood Middle School that your family has a safe,
fun, relaxing and educational summer!
David Tickner
Principal
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 As
unbelievable as it seems, we're almost at the end of another school
year. Many look at this as a mixed blessing. On one hand,
no more early morning band sectionals, rehearsals, sports practices
or last minute efforts to finish projects and homework. For
parents it's the carpooling, study sessions and volunteering, all of
which we do with love but still look forward to the break.
On the other hand, now they are home all day usually
accomplishing surprisingly little compared to the previous nine
months.
With the end of the school year comes the end of being pulled in so
many directions, which is generally welcomed by most of us- until the
end of that first week of the summer break when parents, working and
stay at home, hear those dreaded two words, "I'm
bored." And I guess when you been multitasking at the
level of a CEO or a working mother and suddenly the biggest decision
of the day is when to get up or should I clean up my room now or wait
until mom's head starts spinning, you would be bored.
This has been a very interesting month. Due to the district
closure, we were unable to honor our teachers with a luncheon on May
8th as planned but it has been rescheduled for May 29th
Falcon Fiesta was delayed but still took place a week later. However,
in April, the last dance of the year was cancelled due to conflicts
with both Donald and Forest Vista's Family Carnivals the same
night. Behind the scenes, we have worked on a design for the
FMS Spirit Shirt for next year and arranged for the shirt and school
supplies to be available during orientations and Flight School on
August 14th.
So take a well-deserved break from the race we call our lives and try
to enjoy some time off this summer before all of the activities
start. This is the end of my second year as PTA President and
although I am looking forward to a break from that responsibility, I
have been honored to hold this position and to have the opportunity
to work with such an incredible board, administration and staff and
will miss Forestwood. My youngest starts high school next
year and I look forward to having both of my children in the same school
again.
I would like to thank (and you should as well) the wonderful PTA
board with which I have been associated this past year. Their
dedication to the positions in which they served made my job so much
easier. So thank you to Forestwood parents Patti Pollok,
Marilyn Voss, Amy Burroway, Laura Davidson, Jennifer Klein, Anne
Heller, Lyn Ray, Eileen Shuster, Jana Bevill, Lety Quiroz, Melanie
McCoy, Cristie Glazner, Cheryl Jackson, Sue Cozza, Gena Mann, Karen
Hazboun, Carolyn Ditsworth, Lisa Viscusi, Kelly Spirit, Jayne Suess
and Kathy LeMaster. And thank you to our teacher representative
Marty Ross and to one fantastic principal Dave Tickner.
We hope you will be able to join us for the final PTA Regular meeting
of the school year on May 21st at 9:00 am in the FMS
Cafeteria. In addition to honoring our volunteers we will be
approving Bylaws (previously presented at the April Regular Meeting)
and approving the 2009-10 PTA Budget. Have a great and safe
summer!
Julie Rael
PTA President
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A Big THANK YOU for
Community Support
 Forestwood PTA
would like to thank Kroger for their
support this past year.They have generously donated individually
wrapped packages of crackers for our Health Room which are essential for
use by the nurse and not something we can go out and purchase.
Additionally, last fall during a Back to School promotion they had
with Glaceau (Vitamin Water), the Kroger at FM 3040 and Gerault named
Forestwood PTA as the recipient of a $1500 cash award. This spring,
the award was given to the store with the highest sales volume during
the promotion and they could name any organization they chose to be
the recipient. And they chose us!! Take a moment to thank
the managers of the store the next time you shop.
We would also like to thank Baibrook McDonalds for supplying
us with coupons for Free McCafé beverages for our volunteers which
will be distributed at the last meeting of the year on May 21st.
This is the second year that Chick-fil-a (3040 & 2499) has donated coupons for free food
to give to all of our students as a recognition of a job well done
following the TAKS testing. Owner Jason Driscoll is a wonderful
community partner and by making such a donation has saved the PTA
over $600. The coupons will be distributed this week.
Time to renew your Kroger Community Partner Association
We have ended our first year with the new Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor
Program. This program does require that you renew your FMS
association with your Kroger Plus Card each year. Beginning June 1st, you can
register with Kroger for the next year. You will need to go to
the FMS website and print a
copy of the Customer Letter with a bar code attached to FMS.
You only need to show the barcode once, then the number will be
associated with your Kroger Card and you're done for another year!
Thank you for shopping Kroger and supporting FMS PTA!!
And for Tom Thumb Shoppers, please continue your support with their
Community Partners Program. Forestwood's number is 7187 if you
are not already registered. Simply fill out their registration
form and your Tom Thumb purchases earn a rebate for FMS!
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New Spirit Wear for
2009-2010
The student
voting for next year's Spirit Wear t-shirt design was held on
Wednesday, May 13th. Here is the winning design! Thank
you to everyone who participated in the design contest and to the 6th
and 7th grade students for voting for their favorite design.
T-shirts will be available for sale at all orientations and open
houses at the beginning of the school year.
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National Junior Honor
Society
 On March 27,
2009, Forestwood's National Junior Honor Society students, sponsors,
and parent volunteers, visited Sterling House Assisted Living Center
in Lewisville. Students visited with the residents, supervised bingo,
worked puzzles, and provided new landscaping for the facility.
Students planted over 600 plants as well as potting window boxes.
This was made possible by the Meadows Foundation Grant received this
school year. The Meadows Foundation awarded the group $500 for a
community service project. Ms. Curtis and Mrs. Derow are very proud
of their students. They represented FMS with honor and service and
made a real difference in our community! Also, much thanks goes to
parent volunteers Mrs. Gorham, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Hodapp, and Mrs.
Kenney, for volunteering their time to help make this such a success!
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Forestwood
MS PTA
Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
&
Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 21 9:00 a.m.
Forestwood Cafeteria
RSVP if attending
c.dits@verizon.net
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H1N1
Flu
Whew, we were lucky! Thank you all for working with LISD in
dealing with the H1N1 Flu. It was a bit confusing and
frustrating for many, especially with the early return to school.
Please know that at all times LISD's focus and decisions were based
on what was best to ensure our children's health. Luckily, the
flu was not as virulent as it could have been. Hopefully, we'll
be better prepared during our regular flu season next year.
FMS Annual Health Fair
A Huge Success!
It was a fun and festive evening. Over 500 people attended, and
over 50 local and national organizations participated. The Care
Van provided 158 children with 497 free immunizations. Several
local doctors and the Lewisville Medical Center provided free health
screenings. People enjoyed free massages and stopped in for
free samples of yummy bread. Last but not least, Falco was
there hanging out with Mr. McGruff.
A huge thanks goes out to our PTA and student volunteers who helped
make this year's health fair the best. Carolyn Ditsworth
coordinated our parent volunteers and was our "runner", and
Christine Dennis helped the entire evening with our immunization
clinic. Our other fantastic parents were Ellen Leach, Pam
O'Bar, and Kelly Spirit. Teachers Jill Jones, Melissa Rabjohn,
Marty Ross also helped out, as did Mr. Tickner and Mr. Girardi.
We had students from FMS, Lamar and FMHS. They included Joseph
Campos, Ariel Leach, Sandra Jovanic, Brandon O'Bar, Shannon Spirit,
and Dot Wright. Our vendors were grateful for their assistance
and commented on how courteous and enthusiastic they were.
Thanks!
Newly Required Immunizations for 2009-2010
Don't forget that the new immunization requirements for incoming 7th
graders go into effect on August 1, 2009, and are required for
students to enter school in August. A letter was sent to
parents/guardians of all current 6th graders in March. As
stated in the letter, please provide FMS a copy of your child's shot
records with these new immunizations by May 29th. This will
ensure your child's school record is updated and he/she will receive
a class schedule at Orientation on August 14th.
If you do not go through your doctor, you may obtain immunizations
from the Denton County Health Department (DCHD) or through the Care
Van. For a listing of the required immunizations and contact
information for DCHD and Care Van, please go to the school website or contact me at deguilioj@lisd.net
or 972/350-2712.
Sun and Summer
Texas summers are bright and hot. Remember to apply sunscreen,
drink lots of water, and wear hats and sunglasses. Eight
graders, good luck at FMHS! And the rest of you, see ya in
August.
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Students: sign up for May teaming activities! 8th graders
can sign up for Mondays and Tuesdays, 7th graders can sign up for
Wednesdays, and 6th graders can sign up for Thursdays and Fridays.
Our last Circle Of Friends social will be Wednesday, May 27th
from 4:00 to 5:00 in the cafeteria. Come join us for karaoke
and food and also sign banners for each of our special friends.
We will hand out COF t-shirts to those who ordered them.
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WOW - The
Reflections program this year at FMS was outstanding. With over
100,000 entries just from the State of Texas we were thrilled to have
had so many exceptional entries from Forestwood.
That being said, we wanted to update you and congratulate Katherine
Choi for receiving an "Award of Excellence" from the
State of Texas for her art entry named
"Bilingual Talking Parrots".
Now it's time to start preparing and thinking about next year's
entry! Yep, it's never to early for art!
The new theme for the 2009 - 2010 school year will be "Beauty
is..."
As Albert Einstein once wrote "The most beautiful thing we can
experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and
science."
Have a great summer, and I eagerly anticipate all the creative and
mysterious entries next year!
Here are more of the great entries from Forestwood:
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Do You Like to Read? Do you have lots of paperback books you no
longer need? Would you like new ones? Join the Paperback Book
Exchange 2009 at the Forestwood Library!
The exchange is a great way to get books at no cost to you!
You can have new books to read after the library closes for the
year. Recycle your paperback books for an even exchange.
May 11-22
Bring in books, get book bucks
May 26-29 Choose new books, 1 for each buck
Must present Falcon Book Bucks to choose books-NO EXCEPTIONS!
SAVE YOUR BOOK BUCKS!
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The last Falcon Fiesta of the school year was
held on Thursday, May 14th. The students really seemed to enjoy
the opportunity to have a few snacks and socialize with their
friends.
Falcon Fiesta is a PTA sponsored recognition and reward program
during which selected students have an opportunity to attend a short
reception in their honor. Every six week grading period a group
of ten students from each grade level is chosen by their teachers to
be served, soda and snacks. 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 reward every student
has an opportunity to attain and should work toward.
A special thank you goes out to all of the PTA volunteers who
graciously donated snacks to Falcon Fiesta this school year.
Your continued support of this reward program is greatly appreciated!
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Environmental Awareness
Award
 A big
CONGRATULATIONS to Katherine Choi! Her entry into the
PTA Environmental Awareness program was a Print Advertising
piece. The theme this year was "I've Got Energy!"
Katherine's piece advanced to state competition and she won First
Place for 8th Grade Print Advertising. Nice job
Katherine!
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Info for New Sixth
Grade Students
ATTENTION
ALL INCOMING 6TH GRADERS!
Are you nervous about starting middle school this year? Do you
want to make new friends before the first day of school? Would
you like to see your new schedule and check out your locker? If
you have answered yes to any of these questions then you won't want
to miss the biggest event of the summer...
FLIGHT SCHOOL!
WHO?
This event is for our new 6th grade students only!
WHEN?
Friday, August 14 from 1:30pm-4:30pm
(Check-in will begin at 1:15pm.)
WHERE?
Forestwood Middle School
Check-in will be outside the main gym.
(Please enter the school through the old band hall doors
to the left of the entrance)
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Info for Incoming Sixth
Grade Parents
PARENTS...wondering
how you're going to survive your child starting middle school?
We can help! Make plans to attend Forestwood middle school's
FALCON PARENT BOOT CAMP!
Are you nervous about your student starting middle school this
year? Would you like to meet our administrators, counselors,
and many of your student's teachers? Do you wish you knew more
about the classes we offer, our policies & procedures, the
resources we have made available to our parents, or how to get
involved with the PTA? If you have answered yes to any of these
questions then you won't want to miss this event!
WHO?
Parents & guardians of incoming 6th graders only!
WHEN?
Friday, August 14 from 1:30pm-4:30pm
(Check-in will begin at 1:15pm.)
WHERE?
Forestwood Middle School
Check-in will be in the foyer outside the main office.
(Please enter the school through the front doors!)
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 The Greater Lewisville Special Education PTSA will be holding
our Second Annual Special Needs Activities & Resources Fair on
Saturday, May 30th, 2009 from 10 am until 1 pm at
Killough High School North Cafeteria, 1301 Summit Avenue,
Lewisville. (Note that the date has been changed from May 9th to
May 30th due to the swine flu closures across LISD.)
The event is
free and open to all families and educators in LISD and surrounding
communities! There will be something for all ages and
abilities, and everyone is welcome. Exhibitors include various
activities, sports, therapists, summer camps, lawyers, financial
planners, medical and health care providers, and professionals that
serve the Special Needs community to come share their information.
For more details, please see our website at www.lisdseptsa.txpta.org
or call (972) 355-7413 or (469) 293-6343.
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Athletic Information for
2009-10
Be prepared for next year! Visit Coach Gibson's website for
answers to all your questions about physical education, athletics
program requirements, physical examination forms, summer camps and
download forms for pre-ordering uniforms. Here are links to some
of the specific items on her website:
Fitness and Physical Education
information, including "Athletics or PE?", an article
designed to help you and your student choose.
Summer Sport Camps that
are available in our area.
Paperwork and forms,
including a parent checklist, uniform order forms, rules, and code of
conduct.
Flower Mound High School will again host their annual
pre-participation athletic physicals, Saturday May 30th, 1009 in the FMHS gymnasium. LISD policy requires an
annual UIL physical examination prior to participation in UIL
athletics for all students entering grades 7 through 12.
The cost of each examination is only $20 (made out to FMHS Football
Booster Club) and will benefit the Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
program at FMHS. The time set aside for Forestwood boys and
girls is 1:00pm. However, if this time is inconvenient, you
may arrive earlier. Be sure to have paperwork completed before
you arrive and do not consume any caffienated beverages before the physical.
DOORS WILL CLOSE AT 1:30PM AND NO MORE STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO
CHECK IN.
Please click here for full
details.
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School Supplies Available at
Orientation
 School Supplies for
2009-10
Will be Sold At Orientation!
Instead of spending time this summer running from store to store
buying school supplies, just plan on purchasing your pre-packaged
supplies at orientation. All supplies are hand picked by the
teachers and pre-packaged for each child.
This is a tax free event with little to no mark up. Plan on
saving time and helping your PTA earn money. We donate a
percentage of our rebate to a school in our district with need.
This is a great way to help our community and our school.
If you have any questions please email
Gena Mann, School Supply Coordinator, or call 214-513-3167.
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Once again the PTA thanks you for reading the Falcon
Flyer. We hope you have gained some knowledge from the
information we provide. Keep your eyes open for the
Summer 2009 printed issue which will be mailed to all 2009-10
students at home.
Have a safe & happy summer break!
Forestwood PTA
Forestwood Middle School
See you next year!
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Final PTA Regular Meeting of the Year
Please join us on Thursday, May 21st at the special time of 9:00am, for a
Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. We are hoping to thank in person
as many of
our volunteers as we can and will take care of approving a couple of
minor
bylaws amendments and next year's PTA budget.
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Teacher Appreciation
Teacher Appreciation week was originally scheduled
for the first week of May. However, because of school closures,
we were unable to do any organized activites to show our teachers
thanks.
The PTA Hospitatlity Committee will host a luncheon on Friday, May
29th. If you are interested in helping out please contact Cristie
Glazner via email or at
972-539-1390.
Take a moment to send a card or note of appreciation to a teacher who
has made a difference in your student's life!
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Please welcome the new officers for the 2009-2010.
President:
Chere Vinson
Vice President:
Marilyn Voss
Secretary:
Kristen Wolff
Treasurer:
Cindy Wagner
Parliamentarian:
Laura Davidson
Historian:
Ellen Templar
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Thank you!
. . . to all the volunteers who helped with the three book
fairs this year.
. . . to all
the parents and students who supported the book fair by purchasing
books.
The book fairs were a huge success! We received $2750 in
cash profit as well as $1220 in books for the
library. Thank you again for your support.
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It has been my pleasure to serve these past 2 years as Volunteer
Coordinator. Many of you I have met in person, helping with a PTA or
school activity; some just through email as you contributed by sending
in items for, perhaps, Circle of Friends or a dance. THANK YOU to
everyone who volunteered their time or resources in any way - you are
very much appreciated! Forestwood is and will continue to be a great
school because of its entire community: staff, students and families.
Carolyn Ditsworth
FMS PTA Volunteer Coordinator
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