August 16, 2020
Fall 2020 | Volume 2 Issue 5
This weekly newsletter is the place for Forest Hill Elementary Foxes to stay up-to-date on all the news and events happening at our wonderful school!

For the most recent updates, check out these websites:
Forest Hill Happenings
First Day of School Tomorrow
Mon., Aug. 17
FHES

First Full Day for Kindergarten
Mon., Aug. 24

GMSD School Board Meeting
Tues., Aug. 25
Online (click here for details)  
Information
Let's See Your First Day of School Pics!
As you prepare to come back to school, please refer to Mr. Percoski's Road to Reopen Plan found at this link.

Also, please take your first day of school pictures at home using our new Forest Hill gifs (search for ForestHillElementary on Giphy). Tagging us @FHES_gmsd in your stories gives us permission to repost! 

We realize this will not be a normal first day of school tradition, but the safety of our families is our priority. Thank you for your understanding - can't wait to see your pictures!
Look for Teachers in Blue Fox Masks
Teachers will be wearing blue fox masks Monday morning as a visual for students. You can't see it, but we're smiling under here and want to welcome you to a new school year!

We hope it serves as a friendly reminder that we are here to help you get to class and find your way!
Flash the Fox's Tips for Masks & Water Bottles
Kindergarten Parents: Reminder Note from Mrs. Coffee
Kindergarten Parents: here's a copy of the little reminder note that Mrs. Coffee passed out at her appointments this summer. The first day of school for all Kindergarten students is Mon., Aug. 24.
School Supplies Update (Lists + Online Box Ordering)
*Teachers will direct how to bring school supplies to school.

This year, classrooms will not be utilizing shared or "community" supplies. Aside from the "household" items on the lists you can access below (tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer, etc), students will only use the supplies they bring to school. In the event that other materials are needed (such as paintbrushes for art), they will be sanitized between each use.

Click the link below to access the grade level supply list:

If you would like to order a pre-packaged box of school supplies to be delivered to your home, click here to go to SchoolToolBox.com
FHES School Counseling Amazon Wish List from Ms. Workman
Hello, Forest Hill Families! I am the Guidance Counselor at FHES and am so excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year with you. If you are looking for ways to help out the School Counseling Classroom at our school, I have created a School Counseling Wish List with books and items that will be very helpful for our children this year. Thank you so much for all that you do!
Ways to Support
UPDATE on Spirit Shop Orders
The first round of orders from the online store was delivered to school Friday afternoon! Campus Foxes will have their orders waiting for them in their homeroom class. Virtual Foxes can pick up their gear from the front office Tuesday- Friday from 10am- 2pm. An important note: we are sorry to share that a mistake was made, and the child-sized masks are missing from the orders. The company has put a rush on production, and they should be here in about a week. We apologize for this mistake! Thank you to everyone who placed an order. We look forward to seeing you in your spirit gear!

The online store will reopen tomorrow on Mon., Aug. 17 and will remain open for about four weeks.
We Need Our Fox Families!
This is going to be a unique school year, but with your help, it can be exciting and fun, too!

Now's the time to be a part of something great -- joining our FHES PTO! PTO Membership is only $16 and anyone can join.

Click the "Join" button below to join today!
FHES Spirit Event Going on Now with MabelsLabels.com
Attention all Forest Hill Foxes! Our first FHES Spirit Event is going on now! 

If you want to social distance from the "Lost & Found" this year, make sure to visit MabelsLabels.com and order personalized labels for everything from lunchbox labels with foxes on them to unicorn shirt stamps. 

MabelsLabels.com will donate 20% of all sales back to our school!
Download the BOXTOPS App and Earn Double Points for FHES PTO
BOXTOPS has changed the way money is earned! No more clipping! And you can see the impact of your contributions in real time when you scan your receipt with the BOXTOPS app.

Follow the link below for more details on how to download the app and get started. When you join, select "Forest Hill Elementary." 

Keep clipping the BOXTOPS when you see them. We can earn double points!

Support the FHES PTO through AmazonSmile
Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchase to Forest Hill Elementary School PTO!

Here's how:
  1. Visit smile.amazon.com
  2. Choose "Forest Hill Elementary School PTO" from the search menu.
  3. Bookmark smile.amazon.com so that our school can benefit every time you shop!
Earn Money for FHES PTO while You Kroger Shop
Enroll in Kroger Community rewards today to support the FHES PTO while you're buying groceries.

To Enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program:
  1. Sign in to your digital account at http://www.kroger.com
  2. Search for "Forest Hill Elementary PTO" either by name or enter "DA040"
  3. Click “Save”

*New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

If you have any questions, email Jenny Davis.
GMSD News
Most Recent GMSD Announcements:
GMSD Student Wellness Screenings & Tech Tips

GMSD Nutrition and Bus Update

GMSD Requires Face Masks in School
Community News
Germantown Board of Mayor and Alderman Meeting Legislative Update
Last Monday, the Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) voted on the second reading to approve the budget for FY2021. In the FY2020 budget, $5 million was allocated and approved for an expansion of Houston Middle School. Construction of a secure entrance was included in this project, as Houston Middle is the last school remaining in the district without a secure entrance. The city administration cut this funding the last few months. There is no money budgeted for the Houston Middle expansion in FY2021. This has been moved to FY2022 and the funding has been cut from $5 million to $2.5 million from the city. 

Included in the FY2021 budget is $10,000 of earnest money and $40,000 for due diligence on the purchase of land in Crestwyn Hills for the development of a soccer (long fields complex). The estimated cost of acquisition of the land is $2.5 million and targeted for FY2022.

Additionally, the city is no longer funding the approximately $350,000 annual settlement to Shelby County, that was a condition of forming our school system. While this was an obligation owed by GMSD, the city had funded this since the inception of the district.  

The final reading of the budget will be during the August 24 meeting of the BMA.
Treasures for Teachers Campaign through Germantown Education Foundation
As teachers work to plan and supply their classrooms for the new school year, the Germantown Education Foundation would love to take on the sometimes financial burden of supplying an entire classroom with school supplies by matching the state allocated $100 per teacher for school supplies for the year.

Through the Treasures for Teachers campaign, donations of $100 are put toward supplying every GMSD teacher with an $120 gift card to the Knowledge Tree to help purchase supplies.
  • Treasures for Teachers has been a widely successful campaign and every teacher within the Germantown Municipal School District is extremely grateful for the community support they receive. GMSD has grown to 417 teachers this year and GEF is halfway to meeting their goal of sponsoring every teacher within the district.
  • For additional information or to donate, visit https://germantowneducationfoundation.org/treasures-for-teachers/
Need More Information?
You are receiving this email as part of last year's newsletter email list. We will update the 2020-2021 academic year newsletter email list once online registration closes in Skyward.