Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Conferences Oct. 8 and 9

Dear FGCS Families:

Student goal-setting conferences are scheduled for next week - Weds.,
Oct. 8 and Thurs., Oct. 9. There is no school Weds., Thurs. or Fri.,
Oct. 10, which is a statewide teacher inservice day.

Conferences will be scheduled in half-hour slots 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5
p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Thursday.

Parents of students in Levels 1, 2 and 3 should call 503-359-4600 or
stop by the office to schedule a half hour conference.

Level 4/high school conferences will be handled a little differently.
Conferences days and times are the same but students' advisory
teachers will call parents to arrange individual times.

We look forward to meeting with you next week!


Reminder - Weds. Open House

Please join us from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Weds., Oct. 1 for Celebrations of
Learning, an open house for families and the public at the Forest
Grove Community School. This informal event is part of First Wednesday
festivities in downtown Forest Grove - it's a great chance to visit
classrooms and see what students have been learning during the first
month of school. As a bonus, you can pick up organic veggies or have
dinner at the Farmers Market on Main Street before or after you stop
by school. Hope to see you on Wednesday!

Reminder: There is no school Oct. 8-10. Student goal-setting
conferences will be Weds., Oct. 8 and Thurs., Oct. 9. Fri., Oct. 10 is
a statewide teacher inservice day. If you have questions about
conferences, please contact your child's classroom or advisory
teacher.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thanks, Everyone - We're Almost There!

Thank you to everyone who turned out today to help us move in to the
modular classrooms. Special thanks to:

--Level 3 students who devoted the end of their school day to hauling
tables into the level 4 building
--Students (including a large Level 4 contingent) and parents who came
after school to finish the job
-- Donna Van Dyke, our secretary/jill-of-all-trades, who oversaw the
work
--Gert Jorgensen who donated the beautiful planter boxes and trees
from his nursery, Landsvale Gardens
--Elizabeth Annis and Shannon Perry for recruiting student and parent
help

LEVEL 3 AND 4 CLASSES WILL BEGIN IN THE NEW BUILDINGS ON MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 29 and we'd like the rooms to be Ready on Day One - if
you're handy with tools (electric drill/screwdriver, stud finder), we
need your help starting at 10 a.m. Saturday to hang boards, projector
screens, clocks, etc., and clean up the grounds around our new
classrooms. You can just show up, but it would be great to know who's
coming - please contact Karen at 503-359-4600 or
k.torry@fgcschool.org. Refreshments provided.

NOTE: At this point, we don't know yet whether the drive-through lane
will be ready on Monday -please check your inbox this weekend for
news.

October 1st Open House

Dear FGCS Families and Friends: The Forest Grove Community School
will host Celebrations of Learning, an open house for families and the
community, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Weds., October 1st.

This is an opportunity for parents, siblings, grandparents and
community members to visit our classrooms, talk with teachers, meet
new friends and see what's been happening in the early weeks of
school. We hope you'll join us!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Moving Day!

It's time to move! Our new modular classroom buildings are FINALLY
ready to be set up so classes can begin there on Monday. Some of our
Level 3 and 4 students have volunteered to move in furniture after
school on Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. - please come give them a
hand! We also need volunteers to hang up dry-erase and bulletin
boards - if you can help with this, please bring an electric drill
with screwdriver bits and a stud finder.

Questions? Contact Karen at 503-359-4600 or k.torry@fgcschool.
Can't come on Thursday? We may need volunteers over the weekend -
watch your inbox for another message later this week.
Hope to see you Thursday!

P.S. Other Thursday happenings:
-- Meet & Greet 9-10:15 a.m. at Lincoln Park Pavilion 2 - coffee
and pastries will be served. Bring your own cup and come meet other
FGCS parents. There's a play area nearby for little ones.
-- Fundraising Committee Meeting 7 p.m. Grand Lodge Yardhouse
(outdoors): Come learn about fundraising plans for the year and get
involved in supporting our school.

Friday, September 19, 2008

FGCS Updates & Reminders

Dear FGCS Families: It's the end of another great week. It's been
wonderful getting to know your children and watching our school
community grow. Here's this week's news:

UPDATES

Building: We are sorry to report that the modular buildings are still
not ready for us. Level 3 and 4 students should report on Monday to
the Senior Center and the UCC. These delays have been very frustrating
for us and, we imagine, for students and parents. Here's the status:
Both buildings have passed structural inspections. The electric pole
was installed on Wednesday and the second handicapped ramp is almost
complete. The electrician will be here Monday and we hope to have
power to the buildings Tues. or Weds. The drive-through lane will also
be re-paved this week. We are planning a moving party for next weekend
- details to follow. To volunteer, please contact Karen at
503-359-4600 or k.torry@fgcschool.org.

EVENTS
--Peace Day Celebration 12:30-4 p.m. Sun., 9/21 at McMenamin's Grand
Lodge Yardhouse. Roots & Shoots members (including FGCS students) will
fly giant peace dove puppets, singer-songwriter Dana Lyons will
perform and there will be information/activity tables. Food and
beverages will be available for purchase. The event is free, but
donations to Roots & Shoots are
welcome.
--FGCS Meet & Greet 9-10:15 a.m. Thurs., Sept. 25 at Lincoln Park
Pavilion #2(near the skate park - The FGCS Fundraising
Committee welcomes all parents and family members to come out and meet
other families from FGCS. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup - coffee will be
provided and there is a great play structure to keep the little ones
entertained.
-- Fundraising Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 25 at the
Yardhouse outdoors at McMenamin's Grand Lodge. We have quite a few
activities planned this year, and would love to have many extra hands
that are willing to help.

REMINDERS
Early Release Fridays: Remember that ALL students release at 1:05
p.m. on Fridays.

Late Arrivals: If your students will arrive at school later than
8:50 a.m., please come into the office to sign them in. Last week we
made several unnecessary calls home because students were marked
absent when they were actually at school but had arrived after
attendance was taken and had not signed in.

Pick up and drop off: School starts at 8:50 a.m. The main
entrance (under the canopy)is opene at 8:35 a.m. Please don't drop
children off before 8:35. After 8:50, students should come through the
east office door and sign in.

Student Safety: While our drive-through lane is out of
commission, please continue to park nearby and walk your children to
school. If you allow your children to walk on their own, please remind
them to do so safely. We've had some concerning reports of children
crossing streets without checking for traffic AND reports of drivers
not paying attention to children. We've asked teachers to review safe
walking practices with children and ask you to please do the same at
home. We support students coming to school under their own power but,
above all, want to make sure they are safe.

Footwear: FGCS students and teachers do a lot of walking. While
it's fine for students to wear their favorite slip-ons or flip-flops
in class, they should always bring a pair of sturdy sneakers or
walking shoes for going outdoors. Students without appropriate
footwear are at risk of being left out of activities. FYI, here is the
schedule for PE and Out & Abouts, days when all students MUST have
sturdy shoes:
MONDAY
PE: Shannon (Level 3)
TUESDAY
PE: Rachel (Level 1)
Gretchen (Level 2)
Out & About
Veronica (Level 2), Karen (Level 1) and John (Level 3)
WEDNESDAY
PE: Karen, Veronica
Out & About:
Sherry (level 1), Charlie (Level 2), Level 4 (High School)
THURSDAY
PE: Sherry, Charlie
Out & About: Rachel, Gretchen, Shannon
FRIDAY
PE: Level 4

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Picture Day Friday

Remember that this Friday (9/19) is student picture day at FGCS. Forms
were sent home with students last week. Order forms with payment
should be brought to school on Friday. If you'd like to order a
student identification card, please write "Student ID" on the order
form and add $1.00 to your payment total.

Please note that ordering photos is optional, but all students will be
photographed for student records and class composite photos.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Peace Day Celebration

Forest Grove Roots & Shoots invites you to celebrate the United
Nations International Day of Peace this Sunday, September 21, from
12:30-4 p.m. at McMenamin's Grand Lodge Yardhouse. Roots & Shoots
members will fly giant peace dove puppets, singer-songwriter Dana
Lyons will perform and there will be information/activity tables. Food
and beverages will be available for purchase. Please join us for this
event, which, in the words of Roots & Shoots founder Jane Goodall,
"celebrates all that is free and noble in the human spirit."

There is no charge for the event, but donations to Roots & Shoots are
welcome.

Roots & Shoots is an international group that engages young people in
projects supporting animals, the environment and the human community.
The Forest Grove group, which includes students from FGCS and Tom
McCall Upper Elementary School, is led by teacher Charlie Graham and
meets weekly after school at Tom McCall. Information will be sent home
soon about meeting days and times.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Upcoming Events

Dear FGCS Families and Friends - Please mark your calendars for these
upcoming events.

THIS WEEK
-- 5 p.m. Weds., Sept. 17 - Pre-register for the Sidewalk Chalk
Art Festival at Valley Art Association on Main Street. Squares are
available for the first time this year on Pacific Ave. in front of the
school. Festival is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Sept. 20.
-- Fri.,Sept. 19 - Student Picture Day at FGCS. Please send in
order form with payment on Friday. Write "student ID" and add $1.00 to
your order if you'd like to purchase a student identification card.
Stop by the office if your student's order form didn't make it home.

NEXT WEEK
-- 9-10:15 a.m. Thurs., Sept. 25 at Lincoln Park Pavilion #2
(near the skate park) - FGCS Meet & Greet: The FGCS Fundraising
Committee, led by parent volunteer Kelly Daily, welcomes all parents
and family members to come out and meet other families from FGCS.
This is a BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup) event. Coffee will be provided
and there is a great play structure to keep the little ones
entertained.
--7:00 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 25 - Fundraising Committee meeting at
the Yardhouse outdoors at McMenamin's Grand Lodge. We have quite a few
activities planned this year, and would love to have many extra hands
that are willing to help.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

FGCS Updates

Dear FGCS Families - It's been a great first week at school.
Everything has gone so smoothly -- thanks to all of you for your
cooperation and support. Some updates and reminders:

-- Levels 3 and 4: Work on the modular classrooms is almost - but not
quite - complete, so we are planning for one more week in our
temporary locations. Level 3 classes will remain at the Senior Center
and the high school at the UCC Church. We will notify you just as soon
as we have news that we can move into the new buildings. By the way,
your kids have received high marks from both of our short-term
landlords for being respectful guests and good stewards of our
temporary homes.

-- Student Pictures Sept. 19: Craig Huston Photography will be at
school Fri., Sept. 19 to take student pictures. Order forms were sent
home with Level 1 and 2 students today; forms for Levels 3 and 4 will
be sent home Friday, Sept. 12. Forms with payment should be brought to
school no later than the 19th. Please note: You may order a student ID
card for only $1.00, but (for some reason) this is not listed on the
form - please write in 'Student ID Card' and add $1.00 to your payment
total.

-- Enrollment Paperwork: New and returning families, please return
forms to the office immediately. Returning students should have
brought home a packet of forms this week; new student families
received them earlier this summer. Please stop by the office if you
need replacement forms.

-- Medications: Students are not allowed to carry any medications
(prescription or over-the-counter) at school. This school District
rule includes inhalers, topical creams and medications in pill or
liquid form. If a student needs to take medication during the day, a
parent or guardian must bring it to school with a doctor's
prescription or note. Please do not send medications, including
refills, with your student to school.

Lunch Volunteers Urgently Needed: Please help our hardworking teachers
take a lunch break every day - volunteer to supervise students having
lunch in their classrooms. If you really want to be our heroes,
volunteer to stay for after-lunch recess, too. Please contact Vickie
at 503-359-4600 or v.jares@fgcschool.org.

-- 4-H Leaders and Co-Leaders Wanted: FGCS is trying to develop 4-H
clubs at school this year to offer opportunities for students to
develop skills and engage in fun activities. We are looking for adult
volunteers to act as leaders or co-leaders. Please contact Donna at
503-359-4600 or d.vandyke@fgcschool.org if you'd like to get involved.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

We Did It!

Dear FGCS Families - Once again, our school community came through!

The building is ready for our first day of school tomorrow. Many, many
thanks to the crew of parents and students who took time on a sunny
Sunday to move HEAVY furniture, configure computers, sweep sidewalks,
haul recycling and much, much more. One parent was even heard to say,
"This is fun!" Thanks, too, to our amazing teachers and staff who have
devoted so many summer hours to FGCS. We're all looking forward to a
great year with your children.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
-- School starts for all students at 8:50; students may arrive
starting at 8:35 a.m. Dismissal is at 3:05 for Level 1, 3:20 for
Levels 2 and 3, 3:35 for Level 4. Please pick up your student
promptly. All students dismiss at 1:05 p.m. every Friday.

-- No drive-through pick up or drop off this week. Please park on the
street or in free city lots nearby and walk to school. Please don't
pass through the parking lot - it's still a construction zone.

-- Level 3 will meet at the Forest Grove Senior Center; Level 4 will
meet at the Forest Grove UCC Church. We will let you know as soon as
we're able to start classes in the modular buildings.

--Returning families: If you need to update contact or pick-up
information, ask for a form in the office. We must have written notice
of any changes.

See you all tomorrow!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Thank You, Volunteers!

Dear FGCS Families and Friends -

A huge thank you to the parents, students and other volunteers who
took time on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to assemble classroom
tables, haul trash, stamp books, set up computers, sharpen pencils,
dust and much much more. I am more grateful than I can express for the
amazing commitment you all show to our school community.

The final push is tomorrow - starting at 11 a.m., we will begin moving
furniture into one of modular buildings and start setting up those
classrooms. Students won't be in those buildings next week, but we can
hang dry erase boards and do other tasks. We'll also do a final
spruce-up around the building to make sure everything is set for
Monday. Please come by and help if you can. Tools that would help:
heavy-duty push broom, power washer, power drill with screwdriver
bits, power washer. If you have a trailer and could haul brush out of
the school yard, that would be a huge help.

Hope to see you at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Again, many thanks to all the
volunteers who gave their time today -

Karen Torry

Friday, September 5, 2008

Work Party P.S.

A quick P.S. to our earlier message about work days at school this
weekend - staff will also be on site all day today (Friday, Sept. 5th)
and will be happy to put volunteers to work. It's not glamorous but
it's all part of getting ready for the first day of school.

Many hands make light work ... hope to see you at school this weekend!


FGCS Teachers & Staff


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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Lunch & Recess Volunteers

Dear FGCS Families - At our school, as at all public schools, our
classroom teachers work hard all day helping your children learn and
grow. Unlike other public schools, however, FGCS does not have funding
for staff to supervise students at recess and lunch - we rely on
volunteers. Without enough volunteers, teachers give up their lunch
periods and short breaks to do this important work. Last year we were
fortunate to have a core of faithful regular volunteers but this year
- with three new classes - we need a bigger group.

Please help our teachers by volunteering your time at lunch and
recess. The need is especially great during our first week of school
when staff will be supporting teachers in three locations and our play
yard is temporarily off limits during the modulars construction.
Morning recess are at 10:20 (Level 1) and 10:40 (Level 2). Lunch
periods begin at 11:20 (Level 3), 11:40 (Level 1), 11:50 (Level 4) and
12:10 (Level 2).

Lunch/recess duty is a fun way to get to know your child's classmates,
get some fresh air and make a real difference in our school community.
Our volunteer coordinator, Vickie Jares, will happily show you the
ropes. Please contact Vickie at 503-359-4600 or v.jares@fgcschool.org.
Thanks for your support!


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Work Party at School

Dear FGCS Families and Friends - Our modular buildings have arrived!
Crews will be hard at work the next few day getting them ready for
occupancy. Although Level 3 and 4 classes will still meet in
temporary locations next week, it's time to start getting the 'mods'
ready for classes.

Please come to school this weekend to help out. Staff and volunteers
will be here 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until we drop) Saturday and Sunday.


Here are jobs that need to be done:

1. Assemble classroom tables (bring electric screwdriver or electric
drill w/Philips screwdriver bits)

2. Move classroom furniture into the modulars

3. Hang dry-erase boards and bulletin boards

4. Unpack and shelve books

5. Haul away recycling and trash (we'll pay dump fees if needed).

6. Pick up trash and pull weeds.

Please contact Karen at 503-359-4600 or k.torry@fgcschool.org if you
have questions. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!


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Monday, September 1, 2008

Important Updates and Reminders

September 1, 2008


Dear FGCS Families:

Happy Labor Day! At FGCS, most of us are celebrating the day
by laboring to get ready for the first day of school next Monday,
September 8th. Here are some updates, reminders and a request for your
help as we get ready to welcome 200 students next week.

UPDATES
Pick up/Drop off 1st Week of School: We have just been notified by the
contractor overseeing installation of the modular classrooms that work
will continue through the first week of school. For the safety of
student, staff and visitors, we are closing the parking lot and
drive-through lane for the first week while work is completed.
Students will enter and exit through the west doors under the canopy
(not the office door).
DROP OFF: Please plan to park nearby on the street or in free city
parking lots and walk your student to school. Please don't park in
business lots as your car may be towed. If your student is able to
safely walk unescorted from your car to school, please park in a way
that avoids backing up traffic and, most important, please make sure
your student takes a safe route.
PICK UP: Students will wait for pick up in class groups under and near
the canopy on the west side of the building. Please park nearby and
walk to pick up your student; do not walk through the parking lot.
Please note that unless students are authorized to self-release we
cannot allow them to leave school on their own at the end of the day.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this creates and assure you that
we are doing everything we can to resolve this situation as quickly as
possible. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact
Karen at 503-359-4600 or k.torry@fgcschool.org.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS: Students in Level 3 (7th/8h) and Level 4
(9th/10th) will meet the first week of school in temporary locations
as we finalize installation of our modular classroom buildings, which
are scheduled to arrive Weds., Sept. 3rd.
Level 3 classes will meet at the Forest Grove Senior Center at 2037
Douglas St. To drop off students, turn onto Douglas Street from
Pacific Ave., drive past the senior center parking lot to 21st Ave.
Teachers will be waiting to greet students at the rear building doors
on 21st Ave. starting at 8:35 a.m. Students will dismiss from the
center at 3:20 p.m.
Level 4 students will meet at the Forest Grove UCC, 2032 College Way,
across the street from Pacific University, just two blocks from FGCS.
To drop off students, take Main St. to 21st Ave.,turn east on 21st
Ave., then turn right on College Way. Teachers will be waiting to
greet students at the entrance on College Way starting at 8:35 a.m.
Students will dismiss from this location at 3:35 a.m.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Lists of supplies students are asked to bring in are
posted at our web site: www.fgcschool.org. All students should bring
in their supplies during the first week.

ENROLLMENT PAPERWORK DUE NOW: New families should have turned in all
paperwork by now. If you have not yet done so, please turn these
documents in to Donna in the office as soon as possible.
CONTACT & RELEASE INFORMATION: If your email address, phone number or
other contact information has changed, please let us know right away
by calling the office (503-359-4600) or emailing our school secretary,
Donna (d.vandyke@fgcschool.org). Please also let us know if there is
any change in pick up or release plans for your student.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week!


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