News Flash from Forestwood:

It may not be "breaking news" that a construction project is underway here at Forestwood Middle School; however, the purpose and associated safety concerns are newsworthy!  The fencing in the back of the school, equipment and construction workers are all part of a plan to provide our school with a new weight room and band hall for our students.  Construction should be completed well in advance of the beginning of the 2008 - 2009 school year. 

This type of project does present some safety concerns and traffic flow issues.  We will experience the movement of heavy equipment, the presence of a crane and holes and trenches during the course of construction.  For these reasons we are asking all members of the Forestwood community to steer clear of the area. 

What to do:

• Pick up and drop off students in the circular drive in the front of the school.  Both curb lanes are designated drop off and pick up lanes; please move as far forward toward the band Hall entry as possible before stopping.  The center lane is for moving vehicles only.
• Students have been directed to park their bicycles at the bike racks outside the school's cafeteria.
• In addition, all foot and bike traffic crossing Morriss Road should do so with the crossing guard and proceed toward the main entry of the school.
• Bike riders will need to pass the front entry of the school and take the "long way around" to the back of the school.
• We are asking all types of traffic to stay away from the construction site.

What NOT to do:

• Pick up and drop off in the softball field parking lot; that will place students in the middle of the construction traffic and near the hazards.
• We have asked bike riders not to use the bike rack near the softball field.
• Walkers and bike riders should avoid taking the path that goes under Morriss to cross at the un-guarded walk on Garden.
• Our crossing guards on Morriss Road have been directed to instruct students to go to the main entrance; students are not to walk along Garden after crossing.  There is no sidewalk and with the construction that route is even more dangerous.
  

Although these adjustments may be somewhat inconvenient, it will keep our students away from any possible harm.  Students have been informed via the daily announcements about these changes, and with your support we can further internalize the new routine.  We thank you in advance for your efforts to keep our community safe.  As always, the staff and administration stand ready to support the parents and respond to any questions.

 
David Tickner
        Principal