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Falcon Flyer
Forestwood Middle School
September
21, 2009
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Why
Join PTA?
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WHY JOIN PTA?
Research has shown that kids perform better in school when parents are
involved. Grades are higher. Test scores improve. Attendance increases.
Involved parents are informed parents. For more information about PTA
and benefits that are exclusive just to PTA members, visit the Texas
PTA website at www.txpta.org.
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Forestwood
Makes the News
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CONGRATULATIONS
FORESTWOOD!
Click here to read an
article from the Dallas Morning News on the top ranked schools in
Texas. The lists of the top 20 elementary, middle and high
schools was compiled by Children at Risk, a Houston nonprofit
group. Forestwood Middle School is the only Lewisville ISD
middle school campus to be included in the top 20!
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Unsubscribing
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Has your family moved
on? Scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter and click on
"SafeUnsubscribe" to be removed from the mailing list.
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From the
Principal's Desk
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As you read this, you have already received the most
important stories about how the school year began; the informal reports
from your son or daughter. The faculty and staff at Forestwood
Middle School hope the reports were positive and the year has begun
well for your child.
From our perspective the year has begun on a very positive note and we
expect this school year to be productive and successful. We could
not be more proud of the way in which our students have begun the year;
their apparent eagerness to get back in the routine could be a model
for all schools!
The first round of Progress Reports came home on Monday. September
14th, the first school dance on the 11th of September was a great
success, and the first six-week grading period ends on the 2nd of
October. The year is in full swing and you will hear regularly
about games, social activities, band, choir and orchestra events as
well as other activities. We encourage and welcome the support
and participation of the parents of our community.
The student response to our after school program, Homework Haven,
continues to encourage us as students are focused on doing a
conscientious job on their school work. It begins at 4:00 p.m.
each day and concludes at 5:00 p.m. We provide bottled water and
a snack for all attendees with our primary goal being the completion of
homework that is due the next school day. Of course, students who
have run into problems completing work on time have the chance to use
Homework Haven to finish work not completed on that day for 90% of the
credit. We are seeing students make very productive use of this
opportunity and expect to see a continuation of the significant results
in grades, test scores and overall levels of success as we did this
past school year.
A letter from the Denton County Health Department offering
recommendations for the prevention of the spread of the all too
well-renowned H1N1 virus is included in another section of this
newsletter. Please take a close look at that so you may be
well-informed in the event your child must contend with this virus.
Some brief reminders about our attempts to keep traffic flowing - in
the front of the building, the two curb lanes are for student drop-off;
please move as close as possible to the north gym entrance before
pulling over for drop-off or pick-up. The center lane is always
reserved for cars that are moving, so we ask that you not stop in that
lane. Also, please remind your children to ONLY cross the
driveways at one of our brightly marked cross walks. For safety
purposes we are asking that no pick-up or drop-off take place in the
back of the school; we are reserving that area for bus, pedestrian and
bicycle traffic. It is our hope to move cars in and out of the
campus as quickly and safely as possible, and we thank you for any
efforts you make to assist with this initiative.
We would like to further express our gratitude to the parents of
Forestwood for the vital role you play each day in ensuring students
get to school, supporting teachers by checking homework, meeting with
teachers to cement communication, and supporting the school through
attendance at the various events. Our PTA is working extremely
hard to plan events that will interest and involve a broad cross
section of our school community and we look forward to some fun and
enlightenment.
If there are any concerns about any aspect of your child's schooling,
please feel free to contact a teacher, a guidance counselor or an
administrator; we welcome all of your inquiries and the opportunity to
partner with you in the education of your children.
David Tickner
Principal
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From
the PTA President
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Dear Students and Parents,
Forestwood PTA was very busy at Orientation and Open House. We
helped many parents sign up for PTA memberships, the directory, and
electronic newsletter. Our school supply sale as well as spirit
wear sales were very successful. It's not too late to join PTA
and be listed in the Student Directory! The deadline for
inclusion in the directory is in October.
Our first school dance was held and we appreciate all of the volunteers
who helped out. If you would like to volunteer at other events
this year, please remember to complete your background check through the LISD
website.
Looking ahead, we have our next regular PTA meeting on Thursday,
October 22nd at 6:45pm. Immediately following the short
meeting, we will have the "Aim for Success" parent
preview. "Aim for Success" is a sexual abstinence
program for our 7th graders. A similar program, "180
Degrees", is available for the 8th grade students. We are
confirming the dates for the "180 Degrees" parent preview, and
are planning for it to be held in October as well. Please be on
the lookout for more information on this upcoming date.
Parents, you don't want to miss these great presentations!
Thank you for your support of the PTA. We hope to see you at the
PTA programs and sponsored events this year!
Chere'
Vinson
President, Forestwood PTA
vinsonc@mac.com
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Attention
Boot Camp Parents!
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Did you attend
Boot Camp for Sixth Grade Parents this year? Did you attend in
previous years? We want to keep our content up-to-date and
meaningful. Please take a few minutes and complete a survey for
us! Thank you so much for your cooperation.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9fsPIdHPTqpist3Va5oejA_3d_3d
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Denton County Health
Department Information
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 Dear Parent or Guardian,
Last spring there was a flurry of activities to prevent the spread of a
new influenza virus (the "swine flu" or "H1N1 flu")
in the schools. Some schools closed because of flu. We want to keep the
schools open with normal activities this flu season. We need your help
to do this.
Please remind your child to wash his or her hands often. Teach your child
to cough or sneeze into his or her elbow.
Please do not send your child to school if he or she is sick. If your
child has symptoms of the flu (such as a fever and a cough or sore
throat), you must keep your child home until he or she does not have
fever for 24 hours without the use of medication (such as Tylenol
or Motrin). Please keep your child at home except to go to the doctor
while he or she is sick. While your child is sick, he or she should not
hang out with friends, participate in school or other social activities,
or be sent to a daycare.
If your child becomes sick with a fever (100 degrees or higher) and a
cough, sore throat, or other symptoms of the flu at school, he or she
will be separated from other children. Your child may be asked to wear a
mask. You will be called to pick your child up from school.
If your child is sick with the flu, please tell the attendance clerk that
is why your student is absent. If your doctor does a test for flu and it
is positive, please tell the attendance clerk. This information is used
to watch for how much flu is in a school.
Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people. Children under 5 years old,
pregnant woman, people with chronic health conditions (like asthma or
diabetes), and people older than 65 are more likely to get complications
from the flu.
We do not know what the flu season will be like this winter. The Denton
County Health Department is working closely with school districts across
the county to protect the health of our children. Please make back-up
plans in case your child is sick or in case your child's school closes
because of flu.
Ed Thornton, DO , Denton County Health Authority
Jessica Gullion, PhD, Chief Epidemiologist
Denton County Health Department Influenza Hotline:
940-348-2584
www.dentoncounty.com/health
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Reflections
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6th
Grade World Cultures
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Using GPS units purchased by the PTA, the 6th grade World
Cultures classes reviewed their geography vocabulary and how
to read latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes and seconds. After a
day spent learning how to use the GPS units, students participated in Geo
Vocabulary Geocaching. Following the compass on the GPS, student
located 6 different caches, answered the riddle in the geocache and used
a digital camera to take a picture of what they found. Back in the
computer lab students created Geo Vocabulary Fan Decks that included the
answers to the riddles along with their definition and the images
taken. What a fun way to learn and review vocabulary and
technology! Thank you PTA for your generosity and support.
 
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Yearbooks
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Yearbooks for Sale
Get
your book full of memories - order a yearbook today! Click here for the order form,
or pick one up in the office.
ATTENTION: 8TH GRADE PARENTS!
Make your 8th grade student's yearbook even more memorable
- purchase a message space and personalize it! Click here to download the
message space order form from the FMS website. Contact Daniela
Fontana at fontanada@lisd.net for
more information. Hurry, space is limited! Forms must be
received by November 2nd.
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Article
Headline
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To all 6th, 7th, or 8th graders interested in Circle of Friends:
Sign up for membership in Circle of Friends was the week of September
14-18 - if you missed it, and would still like to participate, come by
Ms. Jones' room, either 106 or 208.
The week of September 21-26 members can sign up as COF readers, lunch
buddies, pep rally buddies, etc. Please listen to announcements for
further information.
Our first COF social will be Wednesday, September 30, 4:00 to 5:00
in the cafeteria. Please contact Ms. Jones or Ms. Campbell if you
have questions.
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Breakfast
for the Band
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 Join us for Breakfast
at Applebee's!
Saturday, October 3rd is the day for Applebee's Flapjack
Fundraiser. For only $8.00 you will be treated to a breakfast
buffet, including scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, pancakes, bacon, fruit,
muffins and beverages. This is a ONE-TIME-THROUGH breakfast
line. For each $8.00 ticket, $5.00 will be given to the band.
Tickets can be purchased from a band member or at the door on Saturday.
WHAT: Breakfast!
WHERE: Applebee's restaurant, on 407 in Highland Village (near
2499)
WHEN: Saturday, October 3rd, 8am to 10am
**BAND PARENTS: If you are able to volunteer to help out with
breakfast, please contact Band Boosters President Kristin Klisch at kmk6468@verizon.net.
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LISD
Health Advisory Council
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Lewisville ISD
School Health Advisory Council
is seeking new
members
The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) assists the district in
ensuring that local community values are reflected in the health
education program. The council will address the continued implementation
of a coordinate health program including health education, physical
education, health services, nutrition services, counseling, healthy
school environment, staff health promotion and family/community
involvement. No experience required!
The SHAC meets at least 4 times during the school year.
If you are interested in serving on the SHAC, please contact:
Stephanie Gage, R.N., BSN, MS
Director of Health Services
gages@lisd.net
972-350-9469 (fax)
469-948-2005 (office)
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FMS
Health, Art & Craft Fair
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 FMS Health, Art & Craft Fair
Saturday, October 24th
10AM - 3PM
Free and Low Costs Immunizations
$20 Flu Shots for Adults: 10 AM - 3 PM
Free Immunizations (includes Flu): Kids 6 mo.s - 18 yrs: 11 AM -1 PM
- Bring Shot Records
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TX
PTA Centennial Celebration
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 Texas PTA Centennial Celebration at the Cotton Bowl
Texas PTA will be having its 100 year celebration at
the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair. The celebration
will take place on Sunday, October 18th from 2:00pm-6:00pm.
To purchase tickets please visit the Texas PTA website-
www.txpta.org. The
tickets provide entry into the State
Fair and the Centennial Celebration. Tickets are offered at
two prices: $15.00 each or four or more for $12.50 each.
Tickets must be purchased by October 7th.
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Destination
Imagination
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Once again we anticipate a great year for Destination Imagination!
If you are interested, click here to download the
sign-up form from the FMS website. Return it to the front office at
Forestwood when complete.
Forestwood will be hosting a Destination Imagination Open House on
Thursday, September 28 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. If you would like
further information regarding the challenges, you can contact Jayne Suess
at jayne@suess.ws or
972-333-3987 for more detailed information regarding the
challenges. You can also check out the website, http://www.idodi.org/.
Thanks so much to all of our Team Managers who have already committed to
teams this year. So far we have 3 teams, with many more to come!
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Advertise
in the Directory
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 Advertise in the Forestwood Directory!
We
are offering ad space again this year in the Forestwood directory. Click here to download the
directory form and then return it to Jayne Suess. Business card ads
are $35, 1/2 page ads are $50, and full page ads are $100. This is
a great way to advertise your business and support the school at the same
time! Your advertising dollars help to pay for the printing and
distribution of the directory itself. Thanks to all of you who have
already committed to an ad.
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National
Junior Honor Society 2009-2010
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Co ngratulations to all students inducted into the National
Junior Honor Society!
This year's officers are:
President:
Natalie Ramirez
Vice-President: Addie Brokaw
Treasurer: Kristen Brehm
Secretary: Katherine Voss
Historian: Thomas Smith
Sponsors are Susan Curtis and Christi Derow.
This year's inductees* are:
* some names have been omitted from publication by parental request
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Rocketry
Camp
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The FMHS Technology Club will host a one day camp from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M.
at Flower Mound High School to teach all about model rocketry and high
powered rocketry. Through the course of the day, students will learn
about rocket stability, the basic math and science concepts behind
rockets, and how to build a flyable rocket that students will be able to
launch at the end of the day! This camp is open to all middle school
students.
The date for the camp has not been set. Please look for more
information in coming days in your newsletter or with your Technology
Dept. For additional information you may email the FMHS Technology Club
at fmhstechnologyclub@gmail.com.
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Spirit
Wear
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Falcons!
It's not too late to show your Falcon spirit by ordering and wearing your
09-10 School T-shirt. They are only $12 for short sleeve shirts and
$15 for long sleeve shirts. The long sleeve order is due to me by
Wednesday, September 23rd. So hurry and don't miss out on the
opportunity to show your school spirit!
Ellen Templer
Spirit Wear Coordinator
972-355-9077 home
Ellen@thetemplers.com
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Teen
Court Volunteer Opportunities
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Teen Court is an alternative, voluntary program that offers young
offenders
an opportunity to make restitution for an offense in lieu of a
fine. They are court-ordered to perform community service hours at
a non-profit agency, as well as serving as a juror on a jury.
Instead of paying a fine for the offense, successful completion of the
court order dismisses the case off their record. By bringing the youth
offender before a jury of their peers, the program seeks to prevent
unlawful behavior in the future while educating the offender and
volunteer about the Judicial System. The entire teen court process
involves all teenagers, except for an Adult Judge and a few adult
volunteers. Youths ages 13 through 17 years of age, or still in high
school, are eligible to volunteer as attorneys, bailiffs, judges, jurors,
or check-in clerks.
Many of the Teen Court volunteers are students who enjoy learning about
the judicial system. Some are on Debate Teams, involved in Green
Chord programs at school, National Honor Society, and other
organizations. By volunteering for Teen Court, the volunteers earn
Community Service hours
for the organizations which they are involved in. Other students,
just enjoy volunteering and being a part of the process. Teen Court
improves confidence, public speaking skills and community involvement for
the volunteer. Opportunities for scholarships are available to youth to
further their education. In 2009, a $1,000.00 Scholarship was awarded to
a student who volunteered for seven years in the Teen Court Program.
To register for the Teen Court contact Laurie Yonkers, Teen Court
Coordinator, at 972-219-3671 or e-mail lyonkers@cityoflewisville.com.
More information about Teen Court can be found on the
Lewisville and Flower Mound Websites. Visit www.cityoflewisville.com or www.flower-mound.com.
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Lewisville
Special Education PTSA
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News from the
Greater Lewisville Special Ed PTSA
Lunch & Learn: All you ever wanted to know about ARDs/IEPs
will be presented by SEPTSA and the LISD Special Education Department at
12:00pm on September 24, 2009 at 400 W Main St in Lewisville, West
Entrance. Bring your Brown Bag Lunch and Join Us for an Overview of
the ARD process and the IEP. For more information please see our website or call Tracie Owens
at (972) 874-7191.
The LISD Special Education Department presents "FOCUS: Families Of
Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders United and
Supported" from 6:30p.m. until 8:00p.m. once monthly. On Thursday,
September 24,2009 Social Skills for PDD will be presented atParkway
Elementary School in Lewisville. On Thursday, October 22, 2009
Behavioral Skills for PDD will be presented at Donald Elementary School
in Flower Mound. Parents attend an informative lecture series while
your child is provided with social skills training. Childcare
available for siblings under 6 years, and a Sibling group for 6 years and
up. Reservation is required by Tuesday 4p.m. Please call
469-713-5199.
SEPTSA and Borders Bookstore will co-host a Special Needs Story-time on Saturday
September 26th, and Saturday October 17th starting at 10:30a.m. at
the Vista Ridge Borders location, 2403 Stemmons Fwy. in Lewisville. Come
hear stories and visit with friends! Story-time is for all ages and
everyone is welcome regardless of ability to sit or listen quietly. Fun
for all! (972)459-2321
Boomerangs and SEPTSA will host a Special Needs Bounce Hour at the Flower
Mound location, 2301 Cross Timbers on Sunday October 4th from
11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. We will open one hour early to special
needs families so parents can jump with their children. The cost will be
half price admission for the children. Siblings are welcome.
Parents are free.
Thanks!
Denise Young
3rd VP Publicity and Communications
LISD Special Education PTSA
glseptsa_info@verizon.net
www.lisdseptsa.txpta.org
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Nurse's
Corner
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Seasonal
and H1N1 Flus
The flu season is already upon us. Please take a moment to read the
Denton County Health Department H1N1 Parent Letter included in this
Flyer. If your child is ill with a fever, he/she MUST be fever free
(less than 100 degrees), without the use of fever reducing medications,
for 24 hours before returning to school. And, please consider
getting a flu shot. We will offer free immunizations for children
and low cost flu shots for adults at our craft fair on October
24th. Details are below.
FMS Health, Art & Craft Fair
Saturday, October 24th
10AM - 3PM
Free and Low Costs Immunizations
$20 Flu Shots for Adults: 10 AM - 3 PM
Free Immunizations (includes Flu): Kids 6 mo.s - 18 yrs: 11 AM -1 PM
- Bring Shot Records
Have a fun and festive day at Forestwood! This is our first annual
crafts fair. You can shop for the holidays and get your flu shot,
too. Money raised through this fair will help fund activities for
your children and teachers. So, come out and support your school.
Vendors and Volunteers are needed to help make this fair a success.
Vendor applications are on our website, just click here. We need
volunteers to help with the fair and assist with the immunization
clinics. Please give me a call at 972/350-2712 or shoot me an email
at degiulioj@lisd.net.
See you there!
Low
Cost Inhalers for Asthmatics
Target and Wal-Mart sell Ventolin HFA (60 inhalations) for $9. If
you're tight on money and are tired of your child losing their inhaler,
or if you just want another one for use at school, consider purchasing
this inhaler. You will need to talk with your doctor and get a
prescription.
Immunizations
A huge thanks to our incoming seventh grade parents!!!! We were able to
start the school year up-to-date on our immunizations. It was a
busy summer for all of us in adjusting to the new immunization
requirements for all seventh graders.
Parents of sixth graders please take a look at these new immunization requirements on
our website and send me a copy of their shot record when they get
them. You can take advantage of the Free Immunization Clinic at our
Craft Fair in October.
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Thank you for reading the Falcon Flyer. If you know
someone who has a student at Forestwood but isn't receiving the Flyer,
send it on to them with the "Forward this email" link.
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Forestwood PTA
Forestwood Middle School
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