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Thank you!
We would like to express our sincerest thanks for all of you who contributed items and money to the platoon we adopted. You all did a phenomenally awesome job! This month the Kinders and First Graders, along with some other wonderful supporters shipped a record breaking 28 packages that included everything from toothpaste, candy, food, socks, magazines, battery-run games, shaving cream, razors, eyedrops, to name a few. The post office was amazed when we wheeled in the boxes.
We are happy to announce that our “Platoon of 12” is at the end of their tour and should be returning home within the next few months. They expressed their heart-felt thanks to all. They recognized the commitment required to see this sort of task through and appreciated it.
Next year we will be adopting 2 platoons and have decided to alternate mailings monthly. Mrs. McManus’ son will be serving in Iraq while Mrs. Breitzman’s son-in-law will be serving in Afghanistan. Please keep a watchful eye for future notices regarding this collection. We hope you will once again seize this opportunity to make a difference in a soldier’s life.
Again, thanks to all who participated,
Mrs. Walsten
 Senator Dan Kotowski Supporting the Arts at Forest School
This past March, Forest School was fortunate to receive a grant from the Illinois Arts Council for Imagination Theater’s production of “E-etiquette: The Password to Cyber-Bullying” and “Ease the Tease: Responding to Teasing and Bullying.”
Upon learning of the grant, Senator Dan Kotowski graciously contacted the Forest School PTC Cultural Arts Committee and inquired of our experience with the shows. To further support the Arts at Forest School, Senator Kotowski has committed to a gift of $150. We are delighted that every student at Forest School will benefit from Senator Kotowski’s generosity.
Platoon Supplies
Second grade did an outstanding job collecting supplies for our platoon! We collected 15 + boxes worth of things. We also were able to send at least 100 + letters and cards written by students to lift our troops' spirits. The fifth grade girl scouts, led by Jenny Hennelly, donated lots of girl scout cookies along with postage to send them!
We love the "spirit of giving" that Forest students, staff and community have shown toward our troop!
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Students at Central and Forest Elementary Schools joined millions of their peers across the country to celebrate the annual National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America Day on February 29.
To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, the following school board members, administrators, teachers, and local celebrities shared their favorite books with the students.
- Donna Catlett, Mayor of Des Plaines’ Administrative Assistant
- Dr. Jane L. Westerhold, Superintendent of Schools
- Brad Voehringer, Special Services Director
- Brenda Murphy, Board of Education President,
- Ray Imig, Board of Education member
- Jamie Sloan, Forest Physical Education Teacher
- Peggy Klein, Forest Speech Pathologist
- Marty Moylan, City of Des Plaines Alderman
- Sandra Norlin, Des Plaines Public Library Executive Director
- Sara McLaughlin, Des Plaines Public Library School Liaison
- Barbara Ryan, Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Director
- Aaron Studebaker, Schaumburg Flyers Assistant General Manager
- Sara Eichenberger, Director of Community Relations for the Flyers
- Colin Johnson, Des Plaines Police Department
- Ron Eilken, Des Plaines Fire Department Deputy Chief
The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning. Dr. Seuss's use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful.
Forest Adopts a Platoon
Forest Elementary School is embarking on a new and exciting patriotic project. The students and staff have "adopted" a platoon stationed in Iraq. The adoption is offered with the assistance of the non-profit organization called "Adopt a Platoon." Information about the organization and the process may be found at adoptaplatoon.org.
There are 12 men in Forest's platoon, deployed until June 2008. They are in need of all sorts of things to help lift their spirits. As an adoptive family, Forest's first responsibility is to send letters and cards frequently to platoon, uplifting the troop's spirits and letting them know that they are not forgotten and how appreciative the school is for it's continued freedom. Most of this will be completed by students in the classroom, under teacher supervision, although letters written at home would be accepted. Forest's second responsibility is to send care packages at least once a month. Forest is designating different grade levels by month to assure that each student has a chance to represent their grade. The "Adopt a Platoon" Program will last until June of 2008, unless they are notified otherwise.
Third grade is responsible for February, second grade for March, first and kinder for April and 4th/5th for May.
The boxes, labels, tape, etc are provided free of charge from the US postal service, but the cost to send each box is approximately $10. The boxes are small 8 x 12 x 5, but up to 70 lbs in each box can be sent. Forest is asking students to donate items that we have been tagged as appropriate for the troop! The troop has asked for grab and go snacks, hand sanitizer wipes and beef jerky. Ideas of items that fit their needs and would be of entertainment value to them are being shared with the students. Suggestions are also listed on the website. Students, staff, and parents are asked to drop spare change into a spare change jar, dubbed "Silver Salutes" which will be kept safely in the office. This change will hopefully cover the cost of postage. Please contact Betty Giannasi-Walsten, ELL Resource teacher, at 847-824-1380 if you like to contribute or underwrite the cost of postage.
Through this project, Forest Elementary School hopes to teach and promote patriotism, compassion, and empathy to all that are involved. Adopting a platoon is a small way for the school community to show that that they care for the men and women who serve our country. Forest Elementary School educates approximately 450 students and is located at 1375 Fifth Avenue in Des Plaines.
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