Important Reminders

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*The FGCS Board of Directors will meet 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tues., Feb. 9) in the Level 4 modular classroom building. Board meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. The agenda for the meeting is posted on the Board page of the school web site at www.fgcschool.org. *No School Mon., Feb. 15 - Presidents Day *The FGCS Parent-Teacher Organization will meet 7-8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 19 at school. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. *There is still time to register for upcoming after-school classes available to FGCS students at school and at Forest Grove Health & Fitness. For details, visit the home page of the school web site at www.fgcschool.org or inquire in the school office.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

After-School Music Classes - 1 Week Free!

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FGCS is pleased to announce that after-school music classes will be offered for our students starting in February. Students are invited to try the classes FREE during the week of February 15. All classes will take place at FGCS. Music For Kids (Level 1) - FREE TRIAL CLASS ON WEDS., FEB. 17 3:30-5:30 p.m. - This class teachers younger kids the basics of music as they learn to sing and act out songs. Activities will incorporate identifying moods, rhythms and tempo, and is sure to be a good time. Regular classes will meet 3:35-5:30 p.m. Mon. & Weds. until Spring Break. Cost is $40 for the session. Additional sessions will be offered after the break. Guitar (Levels 2, 3 & 4)-FREE TRIAL CLASS TUES., FEB. 16 3:35-5:30 p.m. - This is a beginning guitar course. Students will learn how to play guitar music from notation and tablature, as well as chords and basic music theory. Regular classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays until Spring Break. Cost is $40 for the session. Additional sessions will be offered after the break. Please sign up for free classes in the school office. Please register for ongoing classes and make payment by cash or check in the school office. Classes will be taught by Lang Schwartzvald, a graduate of Pacific University's Master of Arts in Teaching program and former student teacher at FGCS. Lang is currently teaching an elective music class to our Level 4 students. If you have questions about the classes, please contact Lang at 503-719-3256.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Parent Forum on Wednesday

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Please join us 7-8 p.m. Weds., Feb. 3 for a parent forum at FGCS. The focus of the meeting will be current challenges facing FGCS, including facilities and growth of our program. Principal Vanessa Gray will make a short presentation and there will be time for your questions. Students are welcome, but we are not able to provide child care at this meeting. The meeting will take place in the Level 3 modular building near the play yard.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

No School Tomorrow!

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There is no school tomorrow (Fri., Jan. 29). This is a grading day for teachers. Report cards will be sent home next week. Reports will be sent home with Level 1 and 2 students and mailed home for students in Levels 3 and 4.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Principal-Parent Forum Feb. 3

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Dear FGCS Families - You are invited to a meeting with principal Vanessa Gray from 7 to 8 p.m. Weds., Feb. 3 for a discussion about school facilities and program issues facing our school in light of our upcoming charter renewal process and other challenges. The meeting will take place in the Level 3 modular building near the play yard. There will be a short presentation to provide an overview of these issues and time for your questions. Students are welcome but child care is not available during the meeting.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Register for Martial Arts by Feb. 1

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A reminder that registration forms for the upcoming after-school martial arts class at Forest Grove Health & Fitness are due by Mon., Feb. 1. Registration forms and detailed information about the class are available on the FGCS website or in the school office. Dates, times and costs of upcoming Friday classes are listed below. Please note that all classes take place at Forest Grove Health & Fitness. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation and adult supervision on site during the class. Keep in mind that parents are free to arrange their own carpools and share supervision duties to make it easier for their children to participate in these after-school classes. Please return registration forms with payment to the school office. -------- FEBRUARY - MARTIAL ARTS Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 - $20 1:30-2:15 p.m. (ages 6-10) 2:20-3:15 p.m. (ages 11-18) Registration Deadline: Feb. 1 MARCH - YOGA March 5, 12, 19 (March 26 is Spring Break) - $15 1:30-2:15 p.m. (ages 6-10) 2:20-3:15 p.m. (ages 11-18) Registration Deadline: March 1 APRIL - CREATIVE MOVEMENT* & POI* April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 - $25 CREATIVE MOVEMENT 1:30-2:15 p.m. (ages 6-10) Registration Deadline: March 29 *Creative Movement uses dance moves and proper exercise techniques to help children develop balance, strength coordination, rhythm and gross motor skills. Students work together in fun physical activities that include balls, scarves and other motivating materials. The class is structured yet flexible, fostering a younger child's creativity and self esteem. POI 2:20-3:15 p.m. (ages 11-18) *Poi is a performance art using a ball or balls suspended from a length of flexible material held in the hand and swung in circular patterns. Pio originates from the traditional performing arts of the Maori people of New Zealand and has since developed many forms enjoyed worldwide as a hobby, exercise or performance art.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Help for Haiti - Thank You!

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Thanks to your generous support, our Help for Haiti fundraising effort was a great success. In just three days, FGCS students, parents, relatives and community members donated $1,127.19 to help children and youth affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. This community effort exemplified scholarship, stewardship and citizenship - Level 1 teacher Sherry Reuter taught her children about the island nation and shared her personal experiences working there as a volunteer in a rural school. She showed them photographs and helped them understand how the earthquake had affected the lives of thousands of children and teens. The children were inspired to do something to help and quickly set about planning a fundraiser. They made colorful banners and signs, set up a collection table during release time after school, encouraged others to give and gave their own money. Many students emptied their piggy banks and donated money they had received for gifts. Their excitement was contagious, inspiring and literally stopped traffic - several motorists pulled over at the sight of the students' banners along Pacific Ave. and opened their wallets to make donations. Thanks to all who donated and supported this fundraising event. All funds will be donated to Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org).

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Traffic/Parking Patrol Alert

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FGCS has been advised that Forest Grove police will be patrolling the vicinity of the school to enforce traffic and parking laws. The patrols are in response to numerous complaints about unsafe driving and illegal parking during our pick-up and drop-off times, both by FGCS parents/guardians and others. Please help us keep our children safe and maintain positive relationships with our downtown neighbors. Park only in legal spaces (e.g., any curbside space painted yellow and the open driveway space on Pacific Ave. near the bike rack are NOT legal parking spaces). Although you may intend to stay only a few moments, parking illegally often obstructs visibility of drivers and pedestrians, creating a safety hazard. Remember that the city parking lots off of 19th Ave. and between Pacific and 21st Ave. provide free parking all day only a short walk from school. Do not park in the Bank of the West parking lot just east of the main building or other business lots. Please take extra care near intersections where our students cross the street. Even if you don't see pedestrians, slow down and look carefully - it only takes a moment and can help prevent an accident. Finally, if you see unsafe driving or illegal parking, please report it to the school office so we can try to contact drivers and ask them to comply with these safety precautions. If you have questions about this message or about other student safety issues, please contact Karen Torry at k.torry@fgcschool.org.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600-503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Last Call for Lost & Found

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Dear FGCS Parents & Guardians - Our Lost & Found is overflowing with coats, sweaters, lunch boxes and other miscellaneous items that have been separated from their owners; most have been here for many weeks, though there have also been numerous additions since school resumed on Jan. 4. We need to clear out the surplus, so please stop in the main building on Friday to check out the attractive display of Lost & Found in the main hallway. Anything left behind will become 'extras' for Out & Abouts or will be donated to a clothes closet. If you have questions about Lost & Found, please contact Karen Torry at k.torry@fgcschool.org or 503-359-4600.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

After-School Classes at Health & Fitness

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FGCS is pleased to announce a partnership with Forest Grove Health & Fitness to offer after-school classes to our students at special reduced rates on Fridays during February, March and April. We hope that these classes will provide an affordable opportunity for healthy activities on our early-release Fridays. Registration forms are available at the school office and will be posted at the school web site (www.fgcschool.org); please return completed forms with payment to the school office. Checks should be made out to Forest Grove Health & Fitness. PLEASE NOTE: Classes will take place at Health & Fitness, 2329 Pacific Ave. Classes are dependent on adequate enrollment. Families are responsible for arranging transportation for students from school to Health & Fitness. Here is the line up of classes: FEBRUARY - MARTIAL ARTS Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 - $20 1:30-2:15 p.m. (ages 6-10) 2:20-3:15 p.m. (ages 11-18) Registration Deadline: Feb. 1 MARCH - YOGA March 5, 12, 19 (March 26 is Spring Break) - $15 1:30-2:15 p.m. (ages 6-10) 2:20-3:15 p.m. (ages 11-18) Registration Deadline: March 1 APRIL - CREATIVE MOVEMENT* & POI* April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 - $25 CREATIVE MOVEMENT 1:30-2:15 p.m. (ages 6-10) Registration Deadline: March 29 *Creative Movement uses dance moves and proper exercise techniques to help children develop balance, strength coordination, rhythm and gross motor skills. Students work together in fun physical activities that include balls, scarves and other motivating materials. The class is structured yet flexible, fostering a younger child's creativity and self esteem. POI 2:20-3:15 p.m. (ages 11-18) *Poi is a performance art using a ball or balls suspended from a length of flexible material held in the hand and swung in circular patterns. Pio originates from the traditional performing arts of the Maori people of New Zealand and has since developed many forms enjoyed worldwide as a hobby, exercise or performance art.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Haiti Donations Tax Deductible

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Dear FGCS Families and Friends - In response to our Help for Haiti campaign message, a couple of parents have asked whether they could write checks directly to Save the Children, rather than FGCS, so the donation would be tax deductible. To clarify, FGCS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, so any donations to FGCS are tax deductible in the same manner as donations to any charity. We expect to receive Haiti donations in cash as well as by check -- in fact, our very first donation today came from a 2nd grade student who donated $4 she received as a gift recently. Having Haiti relief checks made out to FGCS will make it easier to deposit all gifts into our fundraising account and write a single check to Save the Children, the organization we have designated to receive our funds. As a reminder, donation tables will be set up at school during pick up times today, tomorrow and Thursday. If you do write a check, please make it out to FGCS and write 'Help for Haiti' on the memo line. Thank you! If you have any questions about Help for Haiti at FGCS, please contact Karen Torry at k.torry@fgcschool or 503-359-4600.

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Help for Haiti

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Dear FGCS Families and Friends - We have all seen the images and heard the stories of devastation from Haiti. The earthquake that struck last week has cost tens of thousands of lives and left countless more homeless, hungry and in need of medical attention in a nation already suffering widespread poverty. One bright spot in this terrible situation is the outpouring of generosity from people around the world, including the United States, in support of relief efforts. FGCS is joining the global effort on behalf of the Haitian people with a fundraising campaign at school this week. Collection tables will be set up at school during pick up times Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for you to donate with cash or checks made out to FGCS. All funds will be donated to Save the Children, a highly regarded organization with more than 25 years' experience working in Haiti that already has 100 people on the ground providing food, water, clothing and shelter to Haitian children. More than 50 percent of the Haitian population is under age 18 and many children have been orphaned or separated from their families because of the quake, so we have chosen to focus our efforts on help for children. For more information about Save the Children, visit http://www.savethechildren.org/. To read Charity Navigator's independent evaluation of Save the Children, visit http://www.charitynavigator.org/ Our campaign on behalf of Haitian relief was initiated by Sherry Reuter, who volunteered in Haiti in 2007, shortly after she was hired as a Level 1 teacher in our new school. Sherry spent time in a rural school and an all-girls' orphanage, where she saw both the desperate poverty of Haiti and the tremendous difference that even a few dollars can make in improving the lives of children and their families. We hope you will join us in this effort and give as generously as you possibly can. Thank you!

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Important Reminders

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TODAY *Please join us 5-7 p.m. this evening for the Very First Level 3 Fundraising Auction. The auction, which will take place in the main building, will raise funds for our Level 3 students' Spring Expedition to OMSI's Hancock Field Station near Fossil, Oregon. Come support our students by bidding on cool prizes such as a steelhead fishing trip, pottery made by FGCS founder and artist Terry O'Day, and much more. UPCOMING EVENTS Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year opens Fri., Jan. 15. Enrollment information and forms for new students are available at our web site at www.fgcschool.org or in the school office. Call 503-359-4600 to schedule a school tour or classroom visit. Retuning students: Students currently enrolled at FGCS do not have to submit new enrollment forms but parents are asked to let us know by March 15 whether they intend for their students to return to FGCS next year. Please look for the Returning Student Form on the Enrollment page of the web site or email your information to Vickie Jares at v.jares@fgcschool. Be sure to include your student's first and last name, current teacher and current grade. *FGCS Parent-Teacher Organization will meet 7-8 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 21 in the Level 4 modular building. REPORT CARDS: Report cards will be sent home with students in Levels 1, 2 and 3 the first week of February; report cards will be mailed to parents/guardians of students in Level 4 that same week. MARK YOUR CALENDAR - DATES TO REMEMBER *NO SCHOOL ON THESE DAYS: Mon.,Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday. Fri., JAN. 29: Grading day. Mon, Feb. 15: Presidents Day holiday REMINDERS Late arrivals: Please call the school office at 503-359-4600 to let us know if your student will arrive late to school. If your student will arrive later than 8:50 a.m., please come into the office to sign in or make sure your student will do. Here's why it's important to call and sign in: Students who arrive late may have been marked 'absent' by their classroom teachers; if they do not sign in when they arrive, office staff may not know that they have arrived, so will call home to check with parents about the absence. It can be alarming, as a parent, to get a call about an absent child that you believe you have safely delivered, but it is impossible for office staff to track all late arrivals unless parents or students sign in. Thanks for your cooperation with this practice.

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Level 3 Auction on Wednesday

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Don't forget to join us for the Level 3 Fundraising Auction this Wednesday, January 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the main school building. Items available for bid include a steelhead fishing trip, art work, gift certificates from local merchants and more. Proceeds will support our 7th and 8th graders' Spring Expedition to the Hancock Field Station near Fossil, OR. Please bring cash or your checkbook, and invite your friends and relatives. The auction is open to the public - everyone is welcome! There's still time to donate an item or service for the auction; contact Chris Stanton at c.stanton@fgcschool.org. See you on Wednesday!

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Forest Grove Community School 1914 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 503-359-4600;503-359-4622(fax) www.fgcschool.org Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.