Principal’s Message

The weather has been up and down this year and we HIGHLY appreciate that parents are con-
tinuing to ensure that their students are dressed appropriately for the weather. We are not out
of the clear yet, and we keep the students in when it is unbearably cold. Thank you for con-
tinuing to ensure that they have the appropriate clothing for “Alberta” weather.

As Parkland School Division continues to look at how to best serve our students, and Forest
Green looks at optimal learning conditions for our kids, we need to have as much information
going into the next school year as possible. If you do not currently live in our attendance area
and have a child either entering Kindergarten or Grade 1 next year, please ensure that you
have a cross boundary form signed and into the office before April 15. On April 18th, we will
look at all new cross boundary registrants for Forest Green and let parents know if these new
cross boundary students will be able to attend Forest Green for the 2011-2012 school year.

Recently we have received our laptops for our grade 5-6 students and they have already been
doing some really cool things. With this 1-1 initiative, students have opportunities to really go
February 2011 Newsletter

deeply into their learning, have the ability to create, while also learning about digital citizen-
Forest Green School

ship. As Parkland School Division will soon be opening up Wireless Internet access for stu-
dent owned devices, it is imperative that we work with our students to guide them in appropri-
ate use of these powerful learning tools such as laptops, iPads and iPods. Although many see
iPods as simply a music device, once equipped with Internet access, they are similar to any
computer. We will be discussing with parents at our next school council meeting how we can
effectively use these devices to improve student learning opportunities in a safe and effective
manner. School council meetings this year are always held on the first Tuesday of the month
at 3:30 pm at Forest Green School.

Finally, I would really like to encourage all of you to join us for the Family Dance on March
18th at Forest Green School. Our School Council has generously donated funds to ensure that
this is a free event for all of our families. We would love to see you there as community is es-
sential in creating a strong learning environment. Please join us!

I hope you have a great month and look forward to seeing our students continuously flourish at
Forest Green!
Sincerely,
George Couros
Principal, Forest Green School/Connections for Learning
http://forestgreenschool.ca
Email: gcouros@psd70.ab.ca

http://forestgreenschool.ca
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KEY DATES FOR MARCH

March 1—School Council Meeting at Forest Green (3:30).

March 11—Staff will be working together at their professional development day.

(No classes for students!)

March 18—Family Dance at Forest Green!

March 22 and 23 —Student-Led Conferences (4-7) PM. Please look for the
green form that will be coming soon!

St. Patty's Family Dance

March 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 in the Dragon's Den (gym)!
Come on out to the family dance to support Forest Green School, celebrate community spirit and have
FUN!
Please RSVP with the forms that have been sent home or pick one up in the office. Admissions is free,
thanks to school council!
At the dance there is an opportunity to support Forest Green School by buying raffle tickets for an assort-
ment of prizes.
There will also be a concession where you are able to buy munchies and glow sticks.
We are still in need of help for the dance. If you can help by setting up Friday afternoon, 1/2 hour during
the dance or clean up at the end please contact Nancy Sutherland at 780-963-7017 or jeff020@telus.net.
Thanks Nancy Sutherland

What HAPPENED at Forest

Green!

February —Grade 3 students led in a

school wide assembly discussing how the
population has grown and what we can do
Forest Green School to lessen our impact on its resources.
5210 - 45 Street Great job Grade 3!
Stony Plain, AB February 14—Valentines’ Day at Forest If you have questions about
T7Z 1R5 Green! weather cancellations or route
delays, schedules or any other
Phone: 780-963-7366 February 22—Grade 6 students had their bussing concern, check out
Fax: 780-963-0341 D.A.R.E. graduation at Forest Green the Parkland Transportation
School. Thanks to all of those that came web site @
out! www.parklandtransport.ca/

http://forestgreenschool.ca
Page 3 Forest Green School

Rainbows The BUS ZONE

We are bringing the RAINBOWS™ program to Forest Green through
Thank you to all of our parents
Alberta Parenting for the Future. The program was created to provide
for respecting our bright orange
children with an opportunity for healing after a loss (of divorce, death pylons in the bus zone. Parkland
and other family changes...). The children are taught skills that will Student Transportation has
enable them to cope with painful life changes and everyday issues in a asked that we no longer have
positive manner. If you think your child would benefit from such a parents drop off their children in
program please contact Mrs. Kari at 780-963-7366. the curved bus zone during the
bus drop-off times (8:15-8:40
am, and 3:00-3:25 pm).
Using your discretion, you are
Book Fair welcome to turn around in the cul
-de-sac, but do not stop. We ask
Congratulations go out to Justin K. in 2A, Daniel L. in 3A, Bryn H. in that you drop off children at the
4A, Shanese J. and Isabelle R. in 6A for winning the candy guess- skating rink which is much safer
ing contest. All five students got a sneak peek at the Book Fair last for our students as they now
Monday afternoon and each got to take home a free book of their walk safely across the soccer
choice from the fair. field away from other cars.
Thanks you to all of the families that supported the Book Fair again Our bus supervisors will set out
this year. We had a great time this last week watching all of the ex- and remove the pylons as
citement and are happy to see that our students really value a good needed. If you see a pylon, do
book. The library will be able to add many new titles to the collection not stop in the bus zone. Thank
with the profit from the fair. A great big THANK YOU to the parents you for thinking of the safety of
that came in to help, Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Boyer, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. all of our children.
Skinner and Mrs. Lamarche and of course thank you to all of the
staff for their support and especially for their help during recess and
before and after school. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Mrs. Shmyr

Internet Safety & Learning—A Parent Information Session

Technology and social media are everywhere. Children are connecting around the world at a young age, but are
they doing this in an appropriate way? Educators around the world as well as here in Parkland are using social
media as a way of connecting, collaborating, and creating projects that are relevant to students, while preparing
them to be responsible and ethical digital citizens.

In this presentation, George Couros, Principal of Forest Green School/CFL, will show how technology is evolv-
ing in schools to create enhanced learning environments. Through the use of social media, George will show
how technology creates learning opportunities at both home and abroad and demonstrate how parents can take
part in their child's education.

This presentation will be held at Forest Green School on Tuesday, March 1, at 7pm. Come check it out!

http://forestgreenschool.ca
 Page 4

Student-Led Conferences
Yes, we are holding Student-Led Conferences (formerly known as Parent-
Teacher Interviews)…
A student-led conference at Forest Green will be a 15 minute chance to sit down to-
gether and have your child walk you through their learning at school, with the teacher
as facilitator.
Why change?
-they make students, teachers and parents equal partners
-they help children learn to evaluate their own growth as a learner
-they focus on strengths
-they help the child set clear goals, and have the child take ownership of them
-they focus on pride in reaching goals
-they encourage advance preparation and speaking skills
-they can positively affect student success, and are more enjoyable for all!

What do I do as a parent?
-book a time slot with our office, as directed
-come to the conference with an open mind, and be ready to ask questions
-be prepared to see work samples, portfolios, and checklists, and to chat about it all
-praise your child on his/her efforts. The first time a child does a SLC, it can be a
challenge.

What are other schools saying?

“…the student-led conference lets you show your parents how smart you are!”
A Student

“Having my child lead the conference has shown me how my child views her learn-
ing. It was powerful.”
A Parent

“Teaching students to be reflective about their learning provides them with good life
skills.”
A Teacher

http://forestgreenschool.ca
 Page 5

What our staff is learning

 Mrs. Wandio attended “webinars” on “Reading is Thinking”, “Writing as

Thinking”, and “More Than A Story” which all focus on Critical Thinking
Strategies in the classroom.
 Mrs. Cameron continued her Balanced Literacy training with Mrs. Wan-
dio.
 Mr. Usiskin and Mr. Couros attended a lecture by Sir Ken Robinson on
creativity in the classroom.
 Ms. Hobbins worked with other Parkland educators on sharing critical
thinking strategies for Grade 2 students.
 Mrs. Johnson took a university grad course on Writing last semester and
is enjoying a course in Children’s Literature this winter.
 All teachers have been working together on creating clear language for
learning outcomes for their subjects. Thanks to all of them for their collabo-
ration.
 Mrs. Wandio and Mr. Couros led sessions at our annual Teachers’ con-
vention. All teachers attended a variety of sessions.
 Several staff members are getting together after work to paint, draw,
and talk about art in general.

If My Dog Could Talk

Forest Green is proud to support the new release of the children's
book ' If My Dog Could Talk,' and is looking for your support!
The 24 page personally photographed book features the real life
story of a Forest Green student and life with her Autism Service
Dog, with important resource information in' About Service Dogs'
and 'Our Life with Autism.' With your support, we can make a
difference to educate and empower students, their families and
communities both locally and abroad.
$3.00 per book sold at the school will be donated back to Forest
Green towards the enhancement and development of library initia-
tives. Stop by the library to pick up you copy today!
( $12.99 / book - cheques payable to A.Ainsworth)

http://forestgreenschool.ca
 Page 6

Forest Green School Blogs

Forest Green Main Blog —http://forestgreenschool.ca

Connections for Learning—http://cfl.forestgreenschool.ca

Forest Green Kindergarten News—http://

kindergarten.forestgreenschool.ca/

French—http://french.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 1 News—http://grade1.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 2 Miss Heward—http://grade2a.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 2 Ms. Hobbins - http://grade2b.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 3 News! - http://grade3.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 3/4 News—http://grade34.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 4 News—http://grade4.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 5 News—http://grade5.forestgreenschool.ca

Grade 6 News—http://grade6.forestgreenschool.ca

Music—http://music.forestgreenschool.ca

SNAP Program—http://snap.forestgreenschool.ca

The EYALT Programhttp://eyalt.forestgreenschool.ca

Buzz About Books—http://bwandio.forestgreenschool.ca

http://forestgreenschool.ca