Fourth-Grade Bearcats who demonstrated growth on both the English language arts benchmark and the math benchmark test were treated to the "Dog Man" movie and popcorn on Friday. Congratulations! Keep growing, Bearcats!
A big shout-out goes to Forest Municipal School District Superintendent Dr. Melanie Nelson, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Marcus Holbert and the staff at the central office for investing in audio enhancement equipment for all of the teachers in the district. This purchase will have a positive impact on student learning and student achievement. Samantha Tadlock, chair of the 4th-Grade English language arts team at Forest Elementary School, attended a week-long training in Utah at the Audio Enhancement headquarters and returned fully prepared to implement the use of audio enhancement equipment in her classroom. An 18 year veteran educator and former FES/FMSD Teacher of the Year, Samantha Tadlock is not only effectively utilizing the audio equipment in her own room, but she is also providing coaching on the use of the equipment to other instructors in the district. Sonya Gates, a representative of Audio Enhancement, recently visited the district to assess the implementation process of the equipment. Gates was quite impressed with Tadlock’s presentation and with her knowledge of the equipment.
How did Audio Enhancement begin? The year was 1978, and Claudia Anderson had two hearing impaired sons who both struggled to perceive their teacher’s words. Fast Forward to 2025, Audio Enhancement continues to be owned by the Anderson family with the same goal from 1978: to maximize the learning opportunities for all students.
Published author and literacy advocate Marion Surles made her third annual visit to the FES campus with the goal of reading to tiny Bearcats in both English and Spanish. A resident of Texas, Surles organized a mission in Juarez, Mexico, over a decade ago, where she travels every other month to teach students to read and encourages them to stay in school. Another interesting fact about Surles is that she is a living kidney donor. It is always a pleasure to have Marion Surles visit the Bearcat campus
Forest Elementary School educator Melanie Key was recently awarded a plaque to honor her years of service to the Forest High School football team. If you have ever attended a game at L. O. Atkins’ Stadium, there’s a good chance that you have met Ms. Key as she is a familiar face at the ticket tables. Ms. Key enjoys working the gates during games because this experience allows her to greet fans from the opposing school, visit with current and former students and their families, and immerse herself in the Bearcat atmosphere. Congratulations to Ms. Melanie Key!
Forest Elementary School students in the car drop-off line on Monday morning began their day with greetings from Forest High School baseball players Reagan Tadlock, Hayden Quigley, Pablo Morales, Anias Patterson, Ty Chambers, Joseph Greenhouse, Chandler Perkins, and Jarvis Gore. This simple act of service by the athletes, clad in their baseball jerseys, helped students begin their Monday on a positive note. Opening car doors and welcoming FES students is a favorite annual tradition of the FHS baseball team which signals it is the first day of Baseball season! Go, Bearcats! Servant leadership isn’t about trophies, scholarships, or recognition; it’s about making a positive difference in the lives of others and for a small child looking up at a high school athlete, that difference can last a lifetime. Servant leadership creates a positive ripple effect in a community; one small act of kindness begets another act of kindness. Wishing the best of luck to the FHS baseball players, Head Coach Easton Boles and the assistant coaches. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson
The great orator Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the author and poet, Maya Angelou, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, and many others will be represented by the 2nd-Grade Bearcats in the wax museum. The community is welcome to tour the display in the auditorium on the evening of February 27th from 5:30-7 PM.
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for motivating students to achieve their absolute best, and pizza is such a yummy positive reinforcement! Students in Chasity Gray's and Skye Nelson's homeroom were rewarded with a pizza party for demonstrating the most growth in Iready reading for last semester. Shonda Ross' homeroom students showed the most growth in Iready math over the last semester so they enjoyed a pizza party as well.
Events such as these are not just about providing a tasty reward; they foster a culture of student achievement and motivation. Keep shining, Bearcats!
Theatre Works USA recently brought STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) to life on the stage at Forest Elementary School. On Friday, February 7, 2025, students were mesmerized by the colorful props, the captivating story, and the upbeat songs featured in the production of “Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends”. A non-profit theatre industry, Theatre Works USA’s mission is “to create exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences that are accessible to young and family audiences in diverse communities throughout New York City and North America”. The performance by the cast of characters blended the arts with STEM to engage and entertain the students with the concepts of flight, problem-solving, and construction. Forest Elementary Bearcats left the play inspired to explore the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Another highlight of the day was an appearance from Forest High School’s Coaches Easton Boles and Brent Foreman along with senior baseball players Aiden Guy, Anias Patterson, Reagan Tadlock, Carlos Garcia, and Ty Chambers. The Bearcat athletes informed students of the opportunity to play baseball and softball this spring with the Forest Youth Sports Association. Much to the delight of the students and teachers, the players tossed FHS baseball hats into the audience! What a memorable day to be a Bearcat!
Forest Elementary School was well represented in the East Central Talented and Gifted Scrabble tournament yesterday held at the Clarke Venable Church in Decatur, Mississippi. Byron Leak, Jaxon Smith, Maria Gomez Perez and Jennifer Mejia DeLeon received 2nd place in the 3rd/4th Grade division, and second-graders Jamarion Smith, Karson Jones, Angel Pablo Escobar, and Julian Torres placed 3rd in their division. They were accompanied by FES Wings instructor Ms. Katherine Windham. Special thanks to Mike Holifield for transporting these Bearcats safely to and from their destination! Great job, Bearcats!
Joni Tillman's Bearcat Buddy, Sandra Jones, visited the campus today to read to the Kindergarten class. Sandra Jones is a retired teacher from Forest Elementary School. She taught first grade for many years, and she taught Mrs. Joni Tillman!
Way to go, tiny Bearcats! Cedric Walker, Jr achieved the highest score in reading on his IStation Kindergarten assessment, and Paulina Vallejo-Lopez made the highest score in math!
Congratulations to three of Forest Elementary School’s faculty members. First-Grade teacher Angela Lyons completed a Master’s in Elementary Education from Delta State University. Fourth-Grade teacher Jerri Wilkins completed a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Mississippi College. Third-Grade teacher Miranda Leggett completed an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Delta State University. Great job, ladies!
Congratulations to these two tiny Bearcats from Joni Tillman's and Yolanda White's Kindergarten class! Aaliyah Hornsby and Julieanne Harrison have both passed 35 IReady Reading lessons with 100% mastery! Job well done, tiny Bearcats!
Retired educator Ms. Angela Crimm read " Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister to Lauren Harrison’s Kindergarten Bearcats. "Rainbow Fish" has theme of compassion, and Ms. Crimm explained sympathy, empathy and compassion to the class before reading the book. Compassion is the word of the month for December at Forest Elementary School.
Ms. Crimm is one of Forest Elementary School's Bearcat Buddies. These ladies visit the campus each month and read to a class. Ms. Angela Crimm, you are appreciated.
Happy Holidays!
All of the FES 3rd-Grade Bearcats performed beautifully this morning for the Thanksgiving musical! The star of the show was the Super Turkey (Jonathan Turner). If you all were able to join us in the auditorium, you all are probably still singing "Super-Turkey" in your minds! Karysen Jones played the part of Mama Turkey, and Bradley Agustin Molina played the part of Papa Turkey. Armarion Neely appeared as the farmer who tried, but he failed to catch that Super Turkey in his net! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Order forms will be sent home with FES students soon.
Please join us for the 3rd Grade musical on Friday, November 22, 2024!
Admission is free!
Congratulations to Jackie Patrick's amazing 2nd-grade top readers for October!
Pictured from left to right: Ayana Jones, Nathan Diaz, Andres Gregorio Lucas, Karleigh Robinson, Nosaj Harper, and Ta'yani Johnson. Karson Jones is pictured with his certificate and his prize. Pictured from left to right with Jackie Patrick and assistant April Smith: Edward Temaj Sir, Maria Anton Orozco, Zariya Ware, Harmony Odom, Freddy Perez Perez, Cedric White, and Eymi Gabriel Miranda. Outstanding job, Bearcats!
Congratulations are in order for the winners of the Red Ribbon Week art contest!
Kindergarten winners are Ilena Washington (1st place), Zayden Ware (2nd place), and Jaycee McGee (3rd place). First-grade winners of the art contest include: Sylvana Combs (1st), Lathain Mitchell (2nd), and Ta'marion Wheaton (3rd). Second-grade winners are Jaylene Kennedy Argueta (1st), Reid Tadlock (2nd, not pictured), and Halle Pace (3rd). Third-grade winners include: Lesly Jimenez Ramirez (1st), Cintia Marroquin Matias (2nd), and Emmory McGee (3rd). Last but not least, the Fourth-grade winners are Lesley Gabriel (1st), Juan Rodriguez (2nd), and Emily Toledano (3rd). Great job, Bearcats!
