October | 2025

SCHEDULE NOTES

• October 24: 1st Semester Midterm
• November 4: School Picture Retakes
• November 4 & 6: Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
• November 7: No School Day (Teacher Professional Development)
• November 11: Veterans Day Program

Portrait of a Forest City Learner

We are excited to share more information with you regarding our newly developed Portrait of a Forest City Learner profile to help all students be college, career, and future ready! This initiative will help us continually focus on the most important skills and attributes for our students.

The Portrait of a Forest City Learner is a visionary framework that outlines the essential skills and personal attributes every 21st-century learner needs for success. It reflects the growth of our PK-12 students - not only in academic knowledge, but in their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, adapt to change, and demonstrate strong character and personal responsibility.

A Forest City Learner Demonstrates:

• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking - Navigates complex situations, analyzes information, makes sound decisions, and develops innovative solutions.
• Effective Communication & Collaboration - Actively listens to others, expresses ideas clearly, and works together to achieve common goals.
• Adaptability - Thrives in diverse environments, continuously learns, and grows through new experiences.
• Character - Embodies honesty, respect, and integrity to build trust and credibility in relationships and interactions.
• Personal Responsibility - Builds self-confidence, advocates for themselves, and faces challenges with determination to pursue their goals.

Together, these skills and attributes define what it means to be a Forest City Learner - prepared not just for the next grade level, but for their future!

During the month of October, we are focusing on the "Character" attribute as it aligns with National Bullying Prevention Month and the October 22 Unity Day event promoting kindness!

This fall we have been reviewing the results we received from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) from the Iowa Department of Education. These assessments provide valuable insights into how our students are progressing in key academic areas, and we are committed to using this information to guide our continuous improvement efforts.

What it is: A standardized test that assesses Iowa students in grades three through high school

What it measures: Student achievement and growth in alignment with the Iowa Core academic standards

Who developed it: Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) at the University of Iowa

When it was first administered: Spring 2019

How it's administered: Online or paper/pencil method, determined by each local district

What it reports: Student growth, proficiency, and readiness indicators

How results are interpreted: Proficiency-based, normative-based, and growth interpretations

Where to learn more: Iowa.gov

The Iowa School Performance Profile is an online tool showing how public schools performed on required measures. The website was developed to meet both federal and state requirements for publishing online school report cards: The federal Every Student Succeeds Act and House File 215, adopted by Iowa lawmakers in 2013. The rating categories are shown below.

We are proud of the academic work our students and staff have done over the past year to earn a well-deserved rating: See the chart below or look online:

Listed below are the results of all students tested in a designated grade and their proficiency level as a grade. The state average is also listed below in each box. The ISASP test is given in grades 3-11 in reading, writing, and math. The Science test is only administered in grades 5,8,10.

We believe in the use of multiple measures to monitor student growth and progress. While assessments like the ISASP are important, they are one part of the larger picture. We also rely on daily classroom assessments, grade-level benchmarks, and other tools to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of each student’s strengths and areas for growth. Daily assessments are especially vital, as they provide immediate feedback and allow teachers to make real-time adjustments to meet students’ needs. By combining these measures, we can create a more personalized and effective approach to student learning.

Overall, we are very pleased with the results shown on this assessment and yet we will continue to strive for higher and deeper levels of engagement and learning for all students!

Unity Day

School Board Election

Veterans Day Program

Homecoming Week Recap

We had a great Homecoming week! From spirited dress-up days, community parade, pep-assembly, crowning of our Homecoming royalty, and the induction of this year's Athletic Hall of Fame class, the week was full of school pride and celebration.

Those selected for the Homecoming Court include: Chloe Hennigar, Mylie Hopkins, Kate Klaassen, Hayden Brown, Lexi Isebrand, Deegan Moore, Ty Sopko, Max Aitchison, Max Dewhurst, and Simon Mayer.

Congratulations to our Homecoming King Simon Mayer and Queen Kate Klaassen!

Riding the bus is an extension of the school day, and appropriate behavior helps keep everyone on board safe.

Parents can help by:

• Ensuring your child arrives at the bus stop five minutes early.
• Reviewing bus rules and expectations with your child.
• Providing transportation if your child is suspended from bus riding.
• Reminding your child what to do if they miss the bus or plans change unexpectedly.

Students can help by:

• Dressing for the weather and waiting safely away from the road.
• Lining up calmly and waiting for the driver’s signal before boarding.
• Wearing your seat belt on any bus or school vehicle equipped with them — this is a district policy.
• Remaining seated, facing forward, and keeping hands, feet, and belongings to yourself.
• Listening carefully and following directions from the driver the first time they are given.
• Checking with the driver and always crossing in front of the bus when it’s time to exit.

Please remember:

Unsafe, disrespectful, or destructive behavior may result in loss of bus privileges. The bus driver is responsible for student safety and reports concerns to school administrators as needed. Together, we can make every bus ride safe and respectful for all students. 

Kindergarten classes took a field trip to Flat Rack Farms pumpkin patch! Special thanks to Greenstone Wealth Management for helping each student bring home a pumpkin!

First-graders have finished part of their first unit in Amplify CKLA! They have been reading fables, and students are able to retell the stories and the lessons learned! They put together their own “Goose and the Golden Egg” to remember this lesson!

Our first-grade students recently visited the Hanson Nature Center, where they participated in an indoor scavenger hunt to learn about the animals that once lived in Iowa, along with those that still call it home today.

A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to interact with live animals, including a toad, salamander, and snake. The experience provided students with a memorable and educational connection to Iowa's natural history.

Our 2nd-grade students had a great time celebrating the end of their first CKLA knowledge unit with a special Fairy Tales and Tall Tales Day. Students dressed up as their favorite characters and brought stories to life through costumes and fun. To top off the celebration, everyone enjoyed Paul Bunyan’s famous flapjacks and “Babe the Blue Ox” juice.

Middle school students had the chance to hear from motivational speaker Craig Hillier! His inspiring message focused on how the obstacles we face can shape the decisions we make and help us grow stronger.

Our 8th graders then got to take it a step further in a special leadership breakout session with Craig, diving deeper into what it means to lead with purpose.

Students in Health I & II are studying the Dimensions of Health, which are the key categories of well-being that influence a person's quality of life. They are learning how physical, mental/emotional, social, and other dimensions are connected and affect overall health.

They are also exploring Sleep Health, defined as the overall quality of your sleep- including how long you sleep, how well you sleep, and how regularly you sleep- in ways that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

High School PE students are in their volleyball and football unit- practicing skills, teamwork, and gameplay strategies.

11th-grade chemistry students put theory into practice during a recent lab session. Using silver nitrate, magnesium, and hydrochloric acid, they explored physical properties, observed signs of chemical reactions, and practiced precise documentation. Experiences like this build critical thinking and connect classroom learning to real-world science.

The Forest City FFA and Agricultural Education Program recently dug five soil pits at their test plot, giving students the opportunity to explore soil profiles and apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. Mr. Gentry Sorenson, an Iowa State Agronomist, led one of the learning stations, sharing valuable expertise in soil science. Forest City was also proud to welcome FFA members from Clear Lake and Lake Mills, who joined the practice session in preparation for the North Central Soil Judging Contest held on October 1 in Iowa Falls.

Did You Know?