FOREST CITY HIGH SCHOOL
PRIDE TRIBE PULSE
March Issue 2018
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Drama Department to present Robin Hood and His Merry Men by Richard Gremel on April 13 & 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets on sale in the high school office April 3 or at the door.

Preview provided by Director Mr. Sarasio-Meyer
With a cast of 30 students, the spring play comes alive on the stage. The production this spring is the classic tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men told with a comedic tone. While King Richard is off at war, his greedy brother Prince John (Crashing Thunder) is in charge of Nottingham. The Prince raises taxes to a point that many people struggle to keep up. A hero emerges from Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood of Locksley (Trumpet Fanfare sounds). Robin robs the Prince and the Sheriff of Nottingham returning the money to the people most in need. Robin falls for Maid Marion, a lady in waiting in the castle. She escapes the clutches of the Prince to reunite with Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. The two encounter displaced peasants from Nottingham, who join the fight by becoming Robin Hood’s band of “Merry Men” (most of whom are women) helping to fight against the corruption. 
The play involves an evil Prince, a vile Sheriff, a classic romance, a duel to the death (as a thumb war), and an epic battle scene (in slow motion).
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Third trimester is off and running! This means spring has sprung. Since moving to Forest City, one of the unique events that draws alumni back to Forest City is the Annual Alumni Basketball Tournament. Why would one consider this unique? Well for me, I have had the opportunity to officiate this tournament for all but one of my years at FCHS. This privilege allows me to reconnect with past students on a small scale.

What I have observed is how alumni and their families take over the community of Forest City. Talk of large home gatherings where mothers are cooking extravagant meals for former students, spouses, and kids….lots of young kids. It is just a refreshing atmosphere. After games it is very common to hear conversations that begin with, “Do you remember when….” Many of those conversations end with a story that occurred when the alumni were walking the halls of FCHS. Most of those conversations are fond memories coated in sweet remembrances of classes, teachers, activities, and athletics.

So what is my point? Well, I would like to think that a student’s life during high school is filled with predominantly good memories. I don’t want to say ‘fun memories’ because our job as educators is not make sure our students have fun, but that they are in an academically-engaging environment. The faculty, staff, and administration are working hard to create a positive culture for our students. A culture where students have the opportunity be accepted by their peers, to gain a great education, and to be prepared for life after graduation. Creating a positive culture has been and will continue to be a point of emphasis at FCHS.

Sincerely,
Ken D. Baker
HS Principal
BATTLE OF THE CLASSES
Senior "Cats" took home the title
On Friday, March 23, the classes battled in the annual Battle of the Classes event.

This year's theme was "Zootopia." Faculty and staff set the competitions and the events took place from 1:30-5:30 p.m.

It's a fun event for all involved!

Congratulations to the Battle of the Classes champion...the SENIORS!
AFS GLOBAL PREP
AFS Global Prep
Five Forest City students will be able to experience life abroad this summer! Global Prep offers two to four week experiences abroad during the summer. Any student can apply to the program and our local AFS chapter offers scholarships to fund Forest City students' trip fees.

Photo (left to right)
  • Chris Diekhuis will travel to Hungary (late June/early July) to study human rights and immigrant refugees.
  • Vicky Chen will travel to Spain in July to study the Spanish language, to tutor and to volunteer with refugees.
  • Greta Oulman will visit the Czech Republic learn about art & architecture.
  • Lyndee Jones will travel to Poland in July. She will study WWII history and the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp as well as learn the Polish language.
  • Paige Swearingen will visit Costa Rica to learn about Ecotourism and their culture in July.
MR. Z'S UPDATE
Each trimester I work with Michael Bohl (Health/PE Instructor) to discuss with students characteristics of healthy relationships. Michael does a fantastic job of exploring all aspects of Health for students in his class. We feel it is important for each student to understand the importance of healthy versus unhealthy relationships in life. Many times abuse, substance use, poverty and crime start due to unhealthy relationships. Therefore, we shared with all students resources and knowledge about what a healthy relationship looks like compared to an unhealthy and abusive one and what you can do if you or a friend is involved in an unhealthy relationship.

If you have any concerns about your son or daughter being involved in an unhealthy/abusive relationship, please contact me.

Here are some additional resources:
Counseling Office Updates:
  • Renae Littrell will speak to English III students March 26 & 28 about opportunities at Waldorf University.
  • NIACC representatives Steve Kelly and Randy Bushbaum will present NIACC opportunities to all sophomores in April.
  • Working with all juniors on College and Career Planning utilizing My Academic Plan (MAP).
  • Mr. Baker and I will be taking juniors to the Hancock County Career Fair in April.
  • Individual and Group Counseling will continue through the rest of the year
  • Please set an appointment with me if you would like: https://forestcityhighschool.setmore.com
  • Advisor/Advisee will focus on relationships and character education.
  • Student Assistance Team will continue looking for ways to help all students in need.
  • Seniors, I'm here to help! Here's a link with some info for seniors:
Check out social media through the counseling office for updates and important information available to help all students at Forest City:

Twitter:  @MrDZiesmer
Website/Blog:  fchscounseling.weebly.com
Facebook:  FCHS Counseling
Please subscribe to “FCHS Counseling” on SchoolWay
FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVERS
Forest City elementary, middle school and high school students recently took part in the North Iowa Future Problem Solvers (FPS) State Qualifying Bowl.

Forest City had 36 kids participate (grades 5-12). The teams met at the AEA for "packet writing" and the topic for the bowl was "Philanthrocapitalism." 

The packets were sent along to FPS State evaluator and two teams earned the opportunity to advance to the State FPS Bowl, which will be held April 13-14 in Ames. The topic for the State Bowl is "Cloud Storage." The top teams from the State FPS Bowl will advance on the the International Bowl in LaCrosse Wisconsin in June.  

Congratulations to this high school team! This is a team that has made it to the FPS State Bowl 6 years in a row, with one trip to the International competition!
Elijah Alsop (9)
Calvin Aberg (10)
Drake Bang (10)
Tyler Clouse (10)

FPSPI program:
The Future Problem Solving Programs stimulate critical and creative thinking skills and encourages students to develop a vision for the future. In addition, FPS stimulates students' knowledge and interest in the future, extends students' written and verbal communication skills, encourages students to develop and improve research skills, advocates real-life problem solving experiences, guides students to become more self-directed and responsible, and develops teamwork skills and promotes responsible group membership.
PARENT TECHNOLOGY TIP
computer_sky.jpg
It is increasing difficult for parents and educators to keep up with the ways our children are using new and ever changing technologies. In each newsletter issue, Forest City Schools Technology Director, Mike Van Oort, will share information on important digital citizenship topics. Contact Mike with any questions at 585-2324 or mvanoort@forestcity.k12.ia.us.
How Girls Are Seeking (and Subverting) Approval Online
Excerpt from Common Sense Media
From selfies to shout-outs, girls are using social media both to build up and break down their self-image. By  Caroline Knorr  1/30/2018
HIGHLIGHTS
Justin Uhlenhopp
Welcome Justin Uhlenhopp as varsity softball coach! Coach Uhlenhopp grew up in Clear Lake and was an all-state high school baseball player. He attended college and played baseball at Waldorf University for a year and then earned his degree in Elementary and Middle School Education with emphasis in math and science from UNI. Mr. Uhlenhopp teaches 8th grade Science and his wife, Molly, is a Forest City Elementary teacher.

He was the assistant varsity baseball coach at Clear Lake from 2009-2015 and part of the Forest City baseball program for the past two seasons.

"I am very excited for the opportunity to coach our softball program. Forest City has a strong tradition of producing quality softball teams, and I hope to continue to push the program forward and try to honor the legacy left behind by the coaches before me," Uhlenhopp said.
Congratulations to these Individual Speech All Staters! Shaden Tweeten (Radio News), Madison Kleveland (Storytelling) and Sarah Hovinga (Solo Musical Theatre) will share their talent at the March 26 Individual All State Speech Festival at UNI. They were selected to advance to All State after their performances at State Speech on March 10.
Through the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Teaching Artist Tour, FCHS students had the opportunity to work with and learn from Carlos Encinias today! Carlos has director/choreography credits for Altar Boyz, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Big River, and Phantom. His Broadway performance credits include Mamma Mia, Scandalous, and Good Vibrations. His off Broadway performances include Altar Boyz, Evita, and Christmas Story.