FOREST CITY HIGH SCHOOL
PRIDE TRIBE PULSE
September Issue 2018
Issue note: Different email clients have different displays. If you see a small box with dots in it, please click it and it will expand to view all of the articles .
 
October 15

Join us for our Grand Opening of Boman Fine Arts Center!

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.,

Program 7- 8 p.m.
The FCHS Marching Band, Concert Choir, and Musical ( Anything Goes)  will all be performing.

Public Tours 8 - 9 p.m.
PRINCIPAL UPDATE

Infinite Campus is a Tool to Monitor Student Progress
Week number five of the school year is upon us. School activities are cranking up and teachers and students are ‘hitting the groove’ in their classes. This is an important time for parents/guardians to get used to checking Infinite Campus and keep close tabs on your student’s progress. This is especially true for the current freshmen as they continue their transition from middle school to high school.


Juuling or Vaping
Another topic of concern that has come to my attention from Steve Lovik, spokesman for the American Cancer Society, is that of ‘vaping’ or ‘juuling’. I have provided you a link to an article that was published in Men’s Health , September 2018. The article is titled, “Why Doctors are Freaking Out About The Juul, The Latest E-Cigarette Trend”.  Article Link

Mr. Lovik indicated in our conversation that doctors are finding that the ecigarettes are far from a ‘safe’ alternative and may be causing a new type of lung cancer. I would be naive to think that we do not have students who are using ecigarettes, including the Juul. I encourage all of you to discuss this with your children. Students need to understand the dangers of vaping and that use of these devices would constitute a Good Conduct Violation under the Good Conduct Policy . (Page 21 of the Student Handbook)

Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress
The State of Iowa has moved away from the Iowa Tests and will be implementing the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). FCHS students will be tested during the spring testing window (late March to early May). This testing change has prescribed that FCHS change our practice of earning a trimester final opt out by demonstrating proficiency on the Reading, Math, and Science portions of the Iowa Tests. This fall trimester, students can earn the opt out of (1) final exam by completing their homework. If a student has two or fewer missing assignments they will be allowed the one opt out (**Restrictions apply to the ability to opt out**). Please encourage your children to complete their homework!

Thank you for your continued support!

Ken D. Baker
HS Principal
DISTRICT CALENDAR APP
Have you downloaded the School District's calendar app? It's easy to use and ALL district events are included.

Download the calendar app by searching for " R School " in your App store. Once downloaded, choose Iowa/Forest City.  THAT'S IT!

What else do I need to know?
  • The district schedule is also available at www.forestcity.k12.ia.us. Click "View More Events" to look at a specific date or a specific schedule.
  • What's the difference between this and SchoolWay? SchoolWay is a separate application that we use to send messages and alerts.
  • The apps the school district uses are: R School, SchoolWay and Infinite Campus.

Contact Kristin Heidemann at kheidemann@forestcity.k12.ia.us if you need assistance!


Download the calendar app by searching for "R School" in your App store. Once downloaded, choose Iowa/Forest City
MR. MOORE'S MESSAGE
The 2018-2019 school year is well under way.

Each year as a football coach I try and find a focus in the realm of leadership to attack and teach our student/athletes. This year through many uncontrollable factors we have migrated towards what it means to be a team and what being a good teammate looks like.

As I struggled to find some answers and meaningful ways to teach our young people week in and week out, I stumbled across Jon Gordon’s book "The Power of A Positive Team."

As our Monday team meeting rolled around after a tough Friday night I was spending my weekend trying to decide how to best proceed with our mission of team building...
MEET JEN BOEDING
Join us in welcoming Jen Boeding to Forest City Schools as middle school and high school vocal teacher. She grew up in Dundee, Iowa, and is a University of Iowa graduate.

" My favorite moment as a teacher so far has been listening to the confidence build in each class. It’s weird having a new lady with new procedures and expectations come in and shake things up, but the students are responding well and we are all getting to know one another! I also love watching the Music Exploration students show their individual personalities during our sing along time and continue to increase their sense of beat."

ANYTHING GOES
Performance Times at the Boman Fine Arts Center 
Saturday, November 3, 7 p.m. 
Sunday, November 4, 7 p.m. 

TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE ON 10/27
The stage is set and excitement is building for the upcoming musical, "Anything Goes," which will take place November 3 and 4 in the  new Boman Fine Arts Center !

Students Cora Holland, Micaiah Krutsinger and Sarah Hovinga prepared this summary the musical:


Many students are involved in performing as well as supporting the production:



‌
THIS MONTH IN PHOTOS
Mr. Bertlesen's 11th grade English students recently read stories to children at the Elementary school and Hanson Family Life Center.
Photo credit Melanie Olson
The 115-member 2018 FCHS Marching Band is performing a Halloween-inspired show entitled  Hocus Pocus  for this season. The show includes spooky, yet familiar themes, as well as a demanding visual production. 

The ensemble performed at Algona Band Days on September 29. FOREST CITY PLACED 1ST!

On Saturday, October 6, the band will perform at IHSMA State Contest in Fort Dodge at 2:05 p.m. in Dodger Stadium.
6 time South Hardin tournament winners!

Photo credit Kristi Hovenga
Photo credit Cora Holland
Photo credit Cora Holland
Photo credit Paula Vaughan
Photo credit Mike Korthals
‌
From Mr. Ziesmer:
I strongly encourage you to check out this downloadable booklet that includes some excellent in depth information for parents/guardians in regards to what you can do to protect your son, daughter or relative from cyberbullying.

Please contact the school with any concerns you have in regards to bullying of any kind. 

We are here to help and to support your son and/or daughter in any way we can.

We STAND AGAINST BULLYING at Forest City!