Celebrating Great Results! |
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Forest City Schools recently received Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) data (formerly known as Iowa Basic Skills) and our students and teachers have much to celebrate!
Superintendent Darwin Lehmann said, "We are really pleased, especially the positive reading and math results compared to state averages coming out of the learning disruptions and challenges of the pandemic. I think this speaks volumes about our dedicated students, teachers and staff in our district. We will use this data to continue to grow and improve."
Out of the 1,293 schools in Iowa,12.53%, including the Forest City Elementary and Middle Schools, fall in the High Performing category. The High School is at the very top end of the Commendable category.
In addition, the district did not see a decline in the number of Forest City High School students who took the ACT, and the cumulative ACT score exceeds AEA, Iowa and US averages. The Forest City Education Foundation sponsors John Baylor ACT prep classes for our students and the classes have been very helpful for our students as they prepare for this test.
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State Categories
Exceptional 66.31+
High Performing 60.61 – 66.30
Commendable 54.91 – 60.60
Acceptable 49.21-54.90
Needs Improvement 43.96-49.20
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Forest City ACT Scores Compared to national and state data |
Language Arts and Math Data |
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In the event of inclement weather, the district may declare up to five e-learning days and then these days will not be added to the end of the school year calendar.
A SchoolMessenger notification will announce an e-learning day. No more than two e-learning days in a row will be utilized.
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As the weather turns, we generally see an increase in illness and student absences.
- Don't forget to contact a school office if your student will be out ill.
- We have recently updated our website with answers to your most frequently asked questions.
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Kids LOVE to go outside in the winter for recess whenever possible.
Please remember to dress your child or have them dress themselves in a way that they will be protected from winter weather.
Our winter policy for outdoor recess is we send the students out unless the temperature and/or windchill is below zero.
When there is snow on the ground, our expectations are that students wear boots and snow pants, along with a coat and have gloves and a stocking cap available.
If you are in need of winter clothing, please contact us and we will provide you with one set for the year.
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Weather-related announcements are sent via our SchoolMessenger notification system. If you are currently not receiving emails and/or texts from the district, contact Kristin Heidemann, communications director, at 641-585-2323. Here are all of the ways you can stay connected! |
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iJag Returns Second Trimester |
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The iJAG class in the high school provides mentoring, academic tutoring, job training and placement support for students.
The for-credit class focuses on activities that improve graduation rates, help students access living-wage employment, and establish long-term self-sufficiency. It is for any student who is facing any academic, personal, environmental and income/work barrier. The coursework involves career preparation, civic/social awareness, leadership development, and lots of team-building and encouragement
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The iJAG program is back for the 2nd trimester. Meet the new instructor, Tammy Hugi.
My name is Tammy Hugi and I am very excited to continue the iJAG program at Forest City High School.
I graduated from Hamilton College with a Criminal Justice Degree and then went on to Buena Vista College where I received a degree in Psychology. Over the past ten years, my concentration has been working with children of all ages. My passion has been guiding, mentoring, and teaching students the importance of goals and assisting them in realizing their true potential.
Throughout my career, I have worked in several different professional areas including health care, childcare, private security, corrections, social work, child protective services, and youth emergency services. Working in each professional area has given me unique experiences, added information, and insightful observations. All of which will assist with guiding students in a multitude of career paths.
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New! Recurring Payments Available for Lunch Account Balances |
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Forest City Schools has added the ability to set up automated/recurring payment options for student lunch accounts in Infinite Campus! This suggestion actually came from a parent, and we hope you find this new feature helpful.
You can select the amount of lunch account funds to add as well as the frequency of the payment:
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Low balance: This option adds funds when the account reaches a low balance amount that you specify. You pick the start/end date, the low balance amount, and the payment amount.
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Weekly: Adds funds every 7 days. You select the start/end date and payment amount.
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Semi-monthly: Adds funds on the 1st and 15th. You pick the start/end date and amount.
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Monthly: Adds funds on the date you select. You pick the start/end date and amount.
To set up this feature, log in to your Infinite Campus parent/guardian account. Note: this is the same account you use to register, check grades, view schedules, add lunch account funds, and pay school fees.
- Start from either "TODAY" or "FOOD SERVICE" on the left menu.
- If you have more than one student in the district, you will need to set up automated payments for each student's lunch account.
- Select "My Accounts"
- Select Recurring Payments and follow the steps.
- Repeat if you have more than one student in the district. Switch to the next student's account using the dropdown in the upper right corner.
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FCHS Recognized for AFS Achievements |
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Forest City High School was recently recognized as one of AFS' top 75 schools across the U.S. based on the number of students who have studied at FCHS over the last 75 years!
The next time you are in the High School Commons area, check out the AFS display case near the concessions stand! During the period of 1966-2008, 71 Forest City students studied abroad as part of this program. Equally impressive is that Forest City families have graciously opened their homes to 107 foreign exchange students since 1965.
Several volunteers and host families have been instrumental in ensuring this program has remained strong over the years. Eunice Clouse and Karen Monson are two examples of volunteers who have gone above and beyond!
Teacher Tami McInroy first hosted an exchange student in 2013 and has been an active volunteer ever since. She said, " I love this organization because I can help as much as I have time for, plus I get to meet cool new kids from many different places! I love AFS's mission of spreading peace. By learning more about other cultures, we learn understanding and people are more likely to not want to go to war with each other when they have more understanding of other cultures!"
Congratulations to all involved and if you are interested in hosting a student, please reach out to Mrs. McInroy!
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Certified Enrollment is an annual report of enrolled resident students used for the Iowa School Finance Formula calculation. The certified enrollment count is taken on the first day of October every year. Certified Enrollment and State Supplemental Aid, which is set during the legislative session, determine the funding that our district will receive the following year.
For actual certified enrollment, we were down 2.54 students (1057.95 to 1055.41). Preschool was down from 70 last year to 56 this year (14 less). Preschool students count for 0.5 so in the chart, the numbers are divided by 2.
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Mr. Harriman's 3rd graders paired together with Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Woolridges' preschoolers for Reading Buddies. They meet once a month to read about topics that are in season. This month we read about all things fall and Halloween.
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Students from the Forest City High School Student Council organization and advisor Hannah Vaughan attended a statewide leadership conference at Johnston High School on October 31. This is the first time FCHS attended the conference. They gained valuable information! |
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Thomas Valles, whose life helped to inspire the Disney film 'McFarland USA' spoke at Forest City High School in October. Students watched the film together and then enjoyed his presentation. In 1987, he was captain of the legendary McFarland High School running team. They became unlikely champions by winning California's first cross-country state title. Valles is now a coach at McFarland High School and a motivational speaker. |
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Photo credit Zach Raulie
FCHS students wowed the crowds with their performances of the popular musical, 'Guys and Dolls,' Congratulations to everyone involved!
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November 11 Veterans Day Program |
It was a full house at the Boman Fine Arts Center for the school district's annual Veterans Day program.
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Kindergarten Field trip to the Forest City Fire Station and participating in Fire Prevention week! |
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Our official daily calendar is available within the Forest City CSD app (search for
the free app called Forest City CSD in your app store) or on www.forestcity.k12.ia.us. If there’s a schedule change, it’s updated here.
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FOREST CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
www.forestcity.k12.ia.us
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