April | 2026

Calendar Update

We have used five of the eight eligible e-learning days in the 2025-26 school year.

As of this publication, we are on target for the last day of school to be as published on our school year calendar, May 29.

On May 29, there will be an early dismissal at 11 a.m. (Elementary) and 11:10 a.m. (Middle School/High School).

Class of 2026 | Senior Schedule Notes

Time is winding down for the Class of 2026! A few schedule reminders below:

Senior Schedule Notes:

• May 3, 3:00 pm - Baccalaureate, hosted by United Methodist Church
• May 8, 2:45 pm - Seniors pick up caps and gowns, High School Gym
• May 12 - Fine Arts Awards Night at Boman Fine Arts Center
• May 13, 2:15 pm - Senior Graduation Practice, High School Gym
• May 13, 6:00 pm - Education Foundation Senior Awards Night at Boman Fine Arts Center
• May 15 - Seniors' Last Day
• May 17, 1:00 pm - Graduation, Forest City High School Gym

STEM BEST® Explore Award

The Forest City Community School District has been awarded a STEM BEST® Explore grant through the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education, securing $20,000 to expand summer STEM learning opportunities! Forest City High School students Gavin Lichtsinn and Peter Wilson applied for the grant to support the Summer STEM class they have volunteered to lead in recent years. The program will serve up to 25 incoming 2nd and 3rd-grade students through hands-on activities, including designing and building birdhouses using a new 3D printer—each featuring QR codes that highlight student work and learning. Additional resources will include microscopes for exploring plant and insect cells and codable robots for designing interactive courses. This program is a great example of how Forest City is giving students fun, hands-on ways to explore STEM and discover what interests them.

Archery at Iowa NASP State Championship

The archery team competed in the Iowa NASP State Championship at the end of March! Competing as a team—and with 10 also qualifying individually—this group has put in the focus, dedication, and hard work it takes to reach this level.

Congratulations to:

Ethan Bertram, Wyatt Bertram, Gabby Branstad, Averie Brones, Zoe Gunderson, Keaton Hanson, Sasha Johnson, Sophie Mathahs, Thomas Moklestad, Aubrey Olson, Luke Raulie, Brantley Schmidt, Alita Thongsavath, and Cora Vogt

Photos by Z. Raulie

New School Record!

The Boys Sprint Medley team set a new school record with a time of 1:35.82!

Congratulations to Aiden Frascht, Holden Reynolds, Colin Thompson, and Cooper Blaser for their outstanding performance!

They surpass the previous record of 1:36.38 set in 2018 by Chris Jermeland, Seth Brock, Brandon Finch, and Grady Hovenga.

Way to go!

High School Students of the Month

Congratulations to our FCHS March Students of the Month! They were nominated by their teachers for their strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to learning. We are proud to celebrate these students and the dedication they show every day.

Choir Solo/Ensemble Contest Results

High School Choir students recently showcased their talent and hard work at the solo/ensemble contest, earning outstanding results. The following students received Division I ratings for their vocal solos: Noah May, Kadin Hudson, Delaney White, Shaylee Ostercamp, and Savannah McInroy. Kate Klaassen, Ethan Bertram, Ezra Thompson, Vivian Cronkwright, and the duet of Noah May and Savannah McInroy earned Division II ratings.

In addition, the Small Group Choir earned an impressive Division I rating, finishing just TWO points shy of a perfect 40/40 score. Members of the group include Kate Klaassen, Mia Carpenter, Tess Klaassen, Kadin Hudson, Grant Forsberg, Ethan Bertram, Jasa Edel, Shaylee Ostercamp, Delaney White, Noah May, Ezra Thompson, Luke Raulie, and Savannah McInroy (not pictured).

We are incredibly proud of all of our performers for their dedication, growth, and exceptional performances!

Fire Prevention Poster Contest

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Miner (4th grade) for winning 3rd place in her grade level in the Iowa Firefighters Association Fire Prevention Poster Contest! As the 1st place winner at FC Elementary, her poster advanced to the state competition.

Her creative work and important safety messages stood out among entries from across the state. Kaitlyn will be honored at a special recognition luncheon in late April.



Great work, Kaitlyn!

.

This month, we’re focusing on adaptability—a key component of our Portrait of a Forest City Learner framework. Adaptable students can adjust to challenges, try new approaches, and keep going when things don’t go as planned. Across our buildings, students are building these skills through problem-solving, flexible thinking, and learning how to manage frustration. You might hear phrases like, “What’s another way?” or “Let’s try again.”

You can support adaptability at home by:

• Modeling calm responses when plans change
• Encouraging your child to try a different approach before stepping in
• Talking through challenges with questions like, “What could you try next?”
• Praising effort and persistence



Our Student Support Team and school counselors are always here to support your child’s growth. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support. 

The Kindergarten classes had a sight word Easter egg hunt at the end of March and sat on eggs that they colored, which eventually hatched into Peeps!

First-grade students enjoyed a special “Fairy Tale Day” filled with fun and imagination to wrap up their "Fairy Tale” unit in their CKLA reading curriculum. Students came dressed as their favorite fairy tale characters, watched Sleeping Beauty, and took part in themed snacks and activities that made it a fun and memorable day.

Our 2nd-grade students recently brought history to life with their Changemaker Bobblehead Museum Tour!

To finish their CKLA unit, Making a Difference: Creating Change, students combined research, creativity, and presentation skills to showcase the impactful individuals they have been studying. Each student created a unique bobblehead display highlighting a changemaker who made a difference in the world.

From designing their projects to sharing what they learned, students took ownership of their work and confidently presented to staff and peers during the museum-style tour.

Our 8th-grade boys traveled to Camp Dodge in Des Moines for a hands-on learning experience focused on teamwork and leadership. While there, they participated in the Leadership Reaction Course, where they worked together to solve challenging problems that required communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. The group also toured the Gold Star Museum, gaining a deeper appreciation for the history and service of Iowa’s military members. To round out the experience, students had the opportunity to try Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs), giving them a small taste of daily life in the field. It was a day filled with learning, growth, and new experiences.

High school students in U.S. History recently worked together to rebuild sections of the Transcontinental Railroad. They recreated portions of the railroad to better understand the immense challenges faced during its construction. Through this experience, students gained insight into the physical labor, coordination, and perseverance required to connect the country from coast to coast. The activity not only reinforced historical content but also gave students a deeper appreciation for the determination and teamwork behind this monumental achievement.

Did You Know?

Forest City CSD is Seeking Education Hall of Fame Nominations!