WELCOME TO

Forest Park Elementary School

Welcome to our Web Page. Please click on any of the categories in our Directory for additional information. Please check with us periodically as more information becomes available in each category. Every effort is made to provide accurate information. Questions and/or comments may be directed to Mr. Gettman's office, who will then forward them to the appropriate personnel.

Welcome to Forest Park Elementary School's Home Page. At Forest Park we strive to live up to our motto "We Honor Every Student". Our teachers and staff combine with the parents to create a true team approach to meeting the needs of our students.

With student success and achievement in mind, we have created an atmosphere where student respect and higher expectations are the norm. Our teachers are current with the latest ideas in the field of education while keeping the best of the traditional school.

I encourage you to browse our Home Page and get an update of the wonderful things going on at Forest Park. Please feel free to drop by for a visit or call if you have any questions.

Mr. Randy Gettman, PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL STAFF & HOURS

____________________

SECRETARY: Mrs. Marilyn Duvall
ATTENDANCE CLERK: Mrs. Mindy Murray
OFFICE CLERK: Mrs. Diana Ohlms
COPY CLERK: Ms. Jodi Huckstep
CUSTODIANS: Mrs. Melissa Clarke, Mrs. Linda Marrow,
Mr. Bruce Chrismer, Mr. Terry Bogel


HOURS
Class Time: 9:15 a.m.- 3:45 p.m.
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
____________________

ATTENDANCE

Please note the following time frames:

1. School opens at 8:55 a.m. for students eating breakfast.
2. All other students are encouraged to arrive at school no earlier than 9:00 a.m. and no later than 9:15 a.m.
3. Students riding a bus or car are dismissed at 3:45 p.m. Walkers and bike riders are dismissed once buses leave, at approximately 3:50 p.m.
4. Students that arrive between 9:15 and 9:45 or leave between 3:15 and 3:45 will be marked tardy or early dismissal.

LATE ARRIVALS
· Children arriving after 9:15 a.m. need to be signed in at the office and receive a note that will be given to their teacher.
· Parents must accompany children into the office to sign in.

EARLY DISMISSALS
· If a student needs to leave school early a parent must come to the office to sign their child out.
· All parents signing children out early will be asked to show valid identification on each occasion.
· Please do not call the office and ask to have your child dismissed from class prior to your arrival.
· Parents should never go to the classroom for their child. Teachers cannot dismiss a child from the classroom to a parent.
· For safety reasons, we seek your cooperation in this matter.
CHANGE IN NORMAL DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
· Should you require your child to be picked up by someone other than yourself or change his or her normal routine, we MUST have a note from home.
· Children will be sent home as usual, no matter how insistent they may be, unless we hear from the parent.

STUDENT ABSENCES
· If your child will not be able to attend school, please contact the office by 9:00 a.m.
· You may leave a message on the answering machine if you call before 8:00 a.m. stating your name, your child’s name, the teacher’s name and the reason for the absence.
· If we are not notified the day of an absence, we must then try to contact you to verify the child being at home.
· A "Planned Absence" form is available from the school office if you know ahead of time that your student is going to be absent from school for an extended period of time.

MAKE-UP WORK DUE TO ABSENCES
If your child is going to be out ill, especially for a number of days, you are encouraged to contact our office to make arrangements for your child's work to be sent home or picked up. We need the homework request by 9 a.m. Homework will be ready after 3 p.m. the same day. Students are given a day for each day missed to complete and return assignments given during their absence.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of severe weather the FZSD may choose to cancel school for the day or dismiss the students early from school. The district uses the 'Telephone Broadcast System Information' to alert parents to school closings. The district uses the 'Telephone Broadcast System Information' to alert parents to school closings. Below is a listing of television and radio stations which will broadcast this information:

RADIO
KWRE 730 AM
KMOX 730 AM
WIL 1430 AM/92.3 FM

TELEVISION STATIONS
KTVI Channel 2
KMOV Channel 4
KSDK Channel 5

GENERAL INFORMATION

LATCH KEY
The St. Charles County YMCA offers a "School Age Child Care" program at J. L. Mudd. This program has hours both before and after school starting at 6:30 a.m. until the start of classes each morning and continues at the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. You are responsible for dropping off and picking up your child, and the program operates only when school is in session. YMCA number is 636-928-1928.

CLASSROOM TREATS
Our school district requires families to send individually wrapped, store bought treats. Treats or snacks may include such purchased items as pizza, cupcakes, cake, etc. Non-home baked treats help to ensure the highest standards of health and safety for our children.

SCHOOL PARTIES
We ask each child to bring $3.00 to help defray the cost of the three parties our room parents prepare for the children. During our Halloween party, children should not wear costumes with a violent theme. If children bring Valentine's Day cards, we ask that they bring a card for every child in their room.

BUS DISCIPLINE
Examples of violations requiring disciplinary action may include, but are not limited to, offenses involving use of tobacco, inappropriate behavior, vulgarity, extending body or items out of bus and scuffling or fighting. The action to be taken by the principal for grades 3 -5 will be as follows, unless a serious disciplinary infraction requires an immediate suspension from the bus:
1st Offense - Notice to Parents and/or Conference
2nd Offense - 3 day bus suspension
3rd Offense - 5 day bus suspension
4th Offense - 10 day bus suspension
5th Offense - Suspension from bus pending meeting with parent for consideration of long term suspension off the bus.

BUS TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation is provided for every child who lives one (1) or more miles from school or to those who would be forced to walk along designated dangerous routes. Children may ride on a bus other than the bus assigned only in emergency situations. The school office cannot approve bus changes. Emergency requests must be made by the parent through the Director of Auxiliary Services, at 240-3138. We will be notified of approved changes from that office.

SCHOOL VISITS
We always encourage family members to visit school at any time. We find children always enjoy this special treat, and these visits help demonstrate your interest in their schooling. Research has proven the more involved and active parents are in their children’s education, the more likely children will reach their full potential. For safety please stop at the office to pick up a visitor badge that must be worn while at school.
CLASSROOM -If you would like to visit the classroom, as a courtesy please make prior arrangements with your child's teacher. Conferences should also be scheduled ahead rather than trying to talk with the teacher when he/she has class. This will help protect instruction time.
BREAKFAST -You may come any day for breakfast.
LUNCH -On the day you are coming for lunch please have your son/daughter order you a lunch in the classroom that morning or you can call the office no later than 9:30 a.m. This allows our cooks enough notice to adequately prepare the number of meals needed (please be aware we have parents join us for breakfast and lunch daily; don't be shy).
VOLUNTEER -School volunteers are always appreciated.
EVENTS - Family members are always invited to FPE special events.

LOST AND FOUND
Be sure your child’s name is written in permanent marker on all personal belongings. Any lost items are placed in our lost and found. This is cleaned out monthly and unclaimed items are donated to area service agencies. Please have your student check the lost and found regularly for misplaced items.

THIRD GRADE



TEACHERS:

Mrs. Deborah Bates
Mrs. Peggy Brandt
Mrs. Jackie Gagan
Mrs. Kelly Marshall
Mrs. Jennifer Martin
Mrs. Amy Minor
Mrs. Barbara Peine

                                                                   
Third grade is full of learning adventures and challenges.  Students become writers with flair and quick mathematicians.  They are able to compute addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems with ease.  Third graders explore what it means to be part of a community as well as its many traditions.  Many discoveries await your child in science.  We strive to make third grade a memorable experience.

FOURTH GRADE

TEACHERS:

Mrs. Jennifer Day
Mrs. Sarah Hakenewerth
Ms. Sondra Kramme
Mrs. Julie Turnipseed
Mrs. Cindy Hollander
Mrs. Kristen Murphy

                                                                                                                                                              
Fourth grade is full of interesting new topics.  The students will be learning about key events and people from Missouri’s history, as well as all of the states and regions of our country.  Math will center on multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, and problem solving. Students will continue to master writing multiple paragraphs and letters.  In Science, they will experiment and explore the solar system, matter, electricity/magnetism, rocks and minerals, and living things.  It will be an exciting and fun-filled year.

FIFTH GRADE

TEACHERS:

Mrs. Laura Arens
Mrs. Amanda Billingsley
Ms. Lauren Hufford
Mrs. Dawn Kaliszewski
Mr. Justin Musgrove
Mrs. Janet Roth
Mr. Charles Staudt

                                                                                                                                                       
Fifth grade at Forest Park is full of fun and exciting learning opportunities.  The first major activity of the year is an adventurous week-long camping trip at Cuivre River State Park.  Students are able to participate in activities such as fishing, hiking, cave exploration, and other team building endeavors with their classmates.  The next big activity takes the students back in time during the months of December and January as they study the Colonial Period.  Students research a particular job one might have had back then, write a report, construct the building where this person worked, and prepare a creative presentation of their findings.  Also in January, students begin the DARE program.  It is a seventeen week program in which our DARE officer visits each classroom for one hour a week and teaches the importance of staying drug free for life.  All in all, fifth grade is a stimulating experience from start to finish.

COUNSELOR, SPECIAL EDUCATION & TITLE ONE

COUNSELOR:
Mrs. Bethany Besand
Ms. Bridget Evers

A monthly counseling lesson is taught in each classroom You can find out what the lesson was about in the Counselor’s Corner in the FPE newsletter. You are encouraged to review the lesson with your child. Small group counseling begins in October. Topics such as divorce, friendship, focus and self-esteem are discussed. Teachers, parents and the principal refer students to the groups. Parent permission is always obtained before group counseling begins.

Individual counseling is available as needed. Please let us know if your child needs to see the counselor. Students may also ask their teacher for a pass to the counselor’s office. Please feel free to call, write or drop by if there is anything that you need.

TITLE ONE STAFF:
Mrs. Tandy Schaller
Mrs. Karen Utt

Students in Title One read one on one and as a class, practice word patterns, letter sounds, answer comprehension questions and play reading related computer games. Accelerated Reading tests are given
on the computers to check reading comprehension. All students take the STAR reading test each quarter to determine their reading level. The goals are to help students increase their reading levels and to graduate from the Title One Reading program. Together we can make a difference in students’ reading ability and even more importantly we can help them love to read!

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS:
Mrs. Suzanne Heck
Mrs. Alicia Looney
Mrs. Oksana McCormack
Mrs. Bethany James

EDUCATIONAL EXAMINER:
Mrs. Cindy Ortscheid

PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINER:
Mrs. Laura Reiland

SPEECH:
Ms. Christy Stuckey

ELL:
Mr. Robert Hanna

PARAPROFESSIONALS:
Mrs. Carol Nolan
Mrs. Nancy Schneider
Mrs. Kathleen Turner

Special Education at Forest Park Elementary is constantly growing and changing. Meeting the needs of a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional disabilities is challenging. A key program widely used at all levels is the S.P.I.R.E reading program. This is a Specialized Program for Individualizing Reading Excellence. S.P.I.R.E. is a multi-sensory approach to learning. This program teaches decoding skills and comprehension. The success stories have proven that small group instruction is a necessity to reaching kids with learning differences. Our special education team is a caring, dedicated and collaborative group of teachers trying to meet the varied needs of our students.

FINE ARTS

ART: Mrs. Sarah Huxel

The many mediums used throughout the school year include; charcoal, watercolors, clay, glaze, beads, yarn, chalk, paint, markers and of course pencil, crayons and paper. The artwork produced using a variety of media consist of self-portraits, pottery, mosaics, metal sculptures, textile weavings, and masks. Throughout the year students study the elements of texture and value as well as the principles of balance and unity, emphasis and contrast, and space and proportion. Everything from the leaves on a tree, to the St. Louis Arch, to the Greek Parthenon and African Zulu tribes is viewed and analyzed. Students are introduced to Egyptian, Asian and African culture and art.
Students’ artwork is displayed at various times in the FZSD and St. Charles Community College. The front and back covers of the FPE yearbook are also designed by art students.
Items that can be donated include: plastic bottle caps from soda, water and milk containers, plastic film canisters, wooden or plastic spools, checkbook boxes with lids, beads, buttons, equines, confetti, paper and envelopes.

LIBRARIAN: Ms. Cheryl May
LIBRARY CLERK: Mrs. Mary Burns

During their regular weekly class visits to the media center, students have an opportunity to learn skills for using the library and for checking out books for research or recreation. Providing assistance to teachers, staff and students in locating needed resources is a priority of the FPE library/media center.

MUSIC: Mrs. Gail Aurand

Singing campfire songs, performing in a musical or going to the symphony are just a few examples of the educational experiences students will participate in while at FPE. Students explore various musical devices such as recorders, boom whackers, hand bells and Orff instruments. The terminology of dance, drama and musicals is also examined. Depending on the grade level, students compose their own music using various instruments, learn note reading skills, and study the basics of rhythm. Each month students learn about the life of a composer and hear his music. The year winds down with a brief synopsis of music history that integrates the composers that were introduced throughout the year.

PE: Ms. Dianna Willis

Physical Education classes incorporate a wide variety of sports, skills and rules, low organized games, all aspects of physical fitness and important concepts like cooperation and sportsmanship. Fall activities include orientation games, soccer and softball. In the winter we play holiday games, basketball, stunts, tumbling and floor hockey. Springtime brings a volleyball unit, jump rope skills, physical fitness testing and of course Field Day! Tennis shoes and appropriate, comfortable clothing are required for participation. A note from a parent or doctor is required if an injured student needs to sit out of class.

CLINIC

NURSE: Mrs. Susan Dudley
CLINIC CLERK: Mrs. Pat White

Prescription Medications
The administration of prescription medication shall be restricted to necessary medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule. When the school district administers the medication(s), the medicine in question must be accompanied by a physician’s order and a bottle with a current label affixed by the pharmacy showing the following:

1. Name of student 2. Name of medication 3. Date purchased
4. Physician’s name 5. Dosage and schedule of administration

Medications must be accompanied by written permission from the student’s parent/guardian. The physician’s order should give the school nurse direction for administering medication during school hours. If these guidelines are not followed, the medication will not be given and the parent will be notified. All changes in dosage must have a current bottle and physician’s order.

Over the Counter Medications
The parent/guardian must complete the request form for administration of over-the-counter medication and deliver the medication to school in the original manufacturer’s bottle or container. Medication dosages will be given according to the manufacturer’s label.

Please be aware: Medications will NOT be sent home on the school bus. Any left over medications will need to be picked up by the last day of school.

FOOD SERVICE

CAFETERIA CLERK:
Mrs. Debbie Haskins
COOKS:
Mrs. Linda Lada
Mrs. Patricia Rudd
Mrs. Sheila Rohan

At FPE we believe that good nutrition is a vital part of learning, so every day students are given the opportunity to purchase both breakfast and/or lunch. Breakfast is served everyday from 8:55 to 9:10 a.m. Cost for student breakfast is $1.20 and lunch is $1.85. Adult costs are $1.35 for breakfast and $2.50 for lunch. Parents please feel free to join your child for lunch or breakfast. Check the district web site for the monthly menu.

This is the official website of the Fort Zumwalt School District. No other site is authorized by the district.