Prayer

Ron and Stacey

You've been missed this week, Ron. But it gives a tiny bit of comfort to know that Stacey has you by her side through all of this. What a hard week. Thank you, friends, for holding both Ron and Stacey close in prayer. Ron? We'll keep loving on the two of you. Please name anything/everything that is helpful or needed. Have a listen to the play list contributed by Forest parents for comfort and assurance intended for Ron and Stacey but equally good for any and all in times of need. 

CST

For those who have made the formal request and submitted documentation to Christy or Katie, our next CST will be held at the middle school on January 30 beginning at 12:15. Christy will provide our agenda. 

Data Meeting

February 6 will be our semester 1 data meetings! If you're able, please complete running records on our kiddos who are below benchmark. Input the updated data in our sheets doc and below is our grade level meeting times and locations:

12:15 Kindergarten - Ron's classroom
1:10 1st grade - Emily's classroom
2:20 2nd grade - Pine Ridge classroom

Did You Hear???

Look who was given $3000 to start a "Salmon in the Classroom" program! Kirsten and her 4th grade Forest School students were given a large check from Holland's Big Red Classic, a local organization that runs a sport fishing tournament in Lake Michigan every year, to be used for the large aquariums, cleaning equipment, etc --all the paraphernalia needed to be salmon growers this fall!

Through the DNR program, 4th grade Forest School--and Pine Ridge--students will be able to raise salmon eggs from egg to adolescence, and then learn the proper procedures and places to release them into the wild.

And the students and Big Red Classic hope to reunite this spring for some charter fishing on Lake Michigan, as well as at the August fishing tournament, so we're grateful for Big Red Classic 's continued involvement with the project as well! I betcha she'll let your class join in the fun if you'd like!

Staff Meeting

February 13 will be our next staff meeting....because we don't have enough staff meetings in the month of February (referring to the PD on the 20th 😆). Let's meet in Emily's classroom again, please. Or here (I'm looking at YOU, second graders!) 

KFB Week (Helpful Hack: in the lower righthand corner you can speed Kyle's explanation up a bit and still understand him!) 

Isaiah 58:10 If you give some of your own food to [feed] those who are hungry and to satisfy [the needs of] those who are humble, then your light will rise in the dark, and your darkness will become as bright as the noonday sun.

50 schools will be partnering with Kids Food Basket this year during their KFB week which will be March 20-24th. Guess who's going to be one of the partners! WE ARE!!! A few things for you to know right now (and we'll touch on this during our staff meeting) March is go orange month! Orange is the color for childhood hunger awareness. We will ORANGE OUT on March 24 along with 50 other schools! More details will be coming soon! 

Would you be willing to pump this one out one more time in your blogs? 

Part of the joy of community is building relationships and enjoying adventures together! You are invited to meet new friends and enjoy community in our first annual Forest Family Night Hike! Bring your flashlights, headlamps and winter gear! The Outdoor Discovery Center will host us for lots of family fun in the dark! Mark your calendars and see you there!