 Dear Forest Grove Community School Families,
When we created our school, we talked a lot about what name we should give it. As you can imagine, we wanted to get it right. Fortunately, it didn't take long for us to land upon the perfect name for our school: Forest Grove Community School. We knew immediately that the word "community" would have to be in our name because it embodies - in just one word- our mission and educational approach.
Our students are out learning in the community every week. We are deliberate in our efforts to create community in our classrooms and our school. We build community with partners -- individuals, groups and organizations and, most importantly, parents -- to promote the education of our children, who are the stewards and caretakers of our future. Because community is such an integral part of what we do at this school, I was delighted to see so many of you at the school picnic last weekend. It was a fun and informal way for us to connect with each other and to establish or re-establish our friendships with each other.
This year promises to be our best yet with a number of new opportunities and continued program developments including:
o New Teachers: We have three new staff members this year who are wonderful additions to our team. Read more about Greg de Nevers, Kristen Nelson, and Chris Stanton below.
o Out & Abouts and Outdoor School Going Strong: During a time when field trips and Outdoor School are being cut in other schools, we are continuing our programs.
o Expanded Art Education: Students in Levels 1, 2 & 3 will have art class twice each week. High school students will be offered an art elective.
o Playground Improvements: We have installed new equipment, benches, trees and a play deck that provide more ways for students to move, burn off energy, improve motor skills and to just have fun! Thanks again to the many parents who donated to our playground fund.
o Sunflower Garden: With some of the funds from last year's Fund Run, Level 1 teacher Sherry Reuter created a beautiful Sunflower Garden next to the school over the summer. This space will be used as an outdoor classroom. Other Fund Run proceeds will go to support Outdoor School.
o School Community Garden: Local company Woodfold-Marco has very generously allowed us to use a plot of land that they own on Main Street just south of 19th Ave. to create a garden. Over the year, we will develop our plans with the goal having raised beds ready for planting in the spring. We'll keep you posted on progress.
To those of you who are new to the school, welcome to our community. For those of you who are returning, welcome back. I look forward to seeing you all on Sept. 10 and to an exciting year of learning together.
Vanessa Gray
Principal
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NEW HIRES: Greg, Kristen & Chris
Greg de Nevers: Greg has been an educator most of his professional life working as a biologist and instructor in nature preserves before earning his master's in teaching at Lewis & Clark College. In addition to his strong science background, Greg brings strong writing abilities honed publishing natural science articles; proficiency in Spanish developed during his three years in Panama; and tai chi expertise from years of practice and teaching. Next year Greg will teach science, Spanish, tai chi, and will provide support to high school students during Friday study halls.
Kristen Nelson: Like Greg, Kristen brings a broad skill set to the team. While at Pacific University, she majored in biology and minored in literature. She then went on to get her Master of Arts in Teaching at Pacific and was valedictorian of her class. She comes highly recommended to us from an innovative Beaverton high school where she taught language arts, science, and coordinated internships for students. She will teach language arts, math, and photography at FGCS. With her strengths in science, language arts and math, I am confident that Kristen will bring an integrated, place-based, and applied approach to high school education at FGCS.
Chris Stanton: Chris grew up in the Portland area and earned his bachelor's degree from Whitworth University in Seattle. For the past three years, he has taught math, science, history and English at a private school for international students in Panama. Before that, he taught at middle schools in McMinnville, Sherwood and South Central Los Angeles. In Panama, Chris has worked to provide place-based opportunities for students, creating a field station in the jungles not far from his school. At other schools, he's coached soccer and led skateboarding and rock-climbing clubs. His hobbies are cycling, skateboarding, reading, rock climbing, backpacking, mountaineering, photography, walking with his wife, and playing with his two small boys
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