Message from Superintendent Parker -- Nov. 18, 2022

Message from Superintendent Parker

With two days of school left before the Thanksgiving Holiday break, I want to express my gratitude for our dedicated staff, hard working students, supportive families and fantastic community. My hope is you all are able to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with those who bring you joy. 

 A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Gratefully,

Dave Parker

Superintendent

FGSD Bond

I wanted to take a moment and say thank you.  The district is extremely grateful for the passing of the school Bond.  This will impact every school, but in particular the district will: 

• Rebuild Cornelius Elementary.  It is over capacity and aging. This will fix both of  those issues. 
• Address safety and security needs in the district.  We will be toughening up exteriors and entries along with updating and replacing security and fire alarm systems. 
• We will be addressing millions of dollars of deferred maintenance to ensure the investment our community has in its schools is taken care of.  
• There are Pre-K classrooms remodeled and set up in every school. 
• There are two classrooms built in the high school to reopen its Pre-K and restart the education pathway that will help our students become the educators we need right now. 

Now the work begins. We are already meeting with the project management to establish a timeline and project goals. We will share this information with the community as it is finalized. 

Around the District

FGSD Budget Committee Open Positions

The district is looking to fill two open positions on the Budget Committee.Applications are due by November 30, 2022.  Click here to learn more. 

Music Around the District

Everyone enjoys music and music can enrich students’ lives and education. We have some amazing music teachers in our district and students have some great opportunities to learn to play an instrument or sing with their classmates.  

Elementary Schools will present grade level music performances throughout the year with each featuring a different theme such as Stories in Song, Peace and Light, and Good Day, Good Night. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the elementary students shine.

The Forest Grove High School Mariachi Band will be opening for George Lopez at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall tonight.  This group has also performed with the Oregon Symphony and last February opened for Latin Grammy Award winners Flor de Toloache at the Newmark Theater in Portland. If you haven’t seen them before you are missing something very special. Come see them on December 9th for the FGHS Mariachi and Jazz Winter Concert at 7:00 p.m.  at Forest Grove High School.  

The FGHS Marching Band will be performing in the Forest Grove Holiday Light Parade on December 3, 2022 at 5:00 pm. The marching band has had a great season.  They are once again performing a field show (halftime show) and recently competed in the McNary Marching Band Invitational on October 24th, the first competition they have been to in 15 years!  They have been having a ton of fun creating high energy at the football games, especially with the Trombone Headchoppers (organized and led by drum major Micah Ouchida).  Come join the fun at the Winter Band Concert at Forest Grove High School - December 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. you will be in for a great concert.  

The DaCapo Choir will perform on November 28, 2022 - 6:00 pm at the Grotto Festival of Lights and will be singing carols. during the lighting and arrival of Santa at the Cornelius Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. On December 15, 2022 at 7:00 FGHS pm come relax and enjoy some beautiful music at the FGHS Winter choir concert with performances by Valkyrie, Da Capo, The Norsemen, and Chorale. 

FGHS Chamber Orchestra had the opportunity to work under the direction of Dr. Dijana Ihas, orchestral conductor and professor of music education at Pacific University and perform at the Oregon Fall High School Orchestra Festival at Pacific University. Additionally Ines Voglar, assistant principal second violinist of the Oregon Symphony came in to work with our orchestra this week. It was incredible to hear about her experience growing up in El Sistema in Venezuela and learn about her experience performing as a professional violinist. 

Next up they are preparing our repertoire for our Winter Concert this Thursday, December 8, 2022 - 7:00 pm at the FGHS Auditorium. Come join us for a wonderful night of music.

Opportunities to Help the Food Bank at Forest Grove High School 

Renaissance Leadership is still taking donations for the Thanksgiving Food Drive until Monday, November 21st. All donations collected are going back to our FGHS food pantry to provide families with a seasonal meal for Thanksgiving. The types of foods we need are *frozen turkeys*, dinner rolls, fresh green beans, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, stuffing, pies, gravy, and mashed potatoes. The donation drop off area is located in the main office! We appreciate you! 

MOD Pizza Fundraiser

FGHS has partnered with MOD Pizza as they open their new store at 3424 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove. A portion of pizza sold on December 8, 2022 will go back to the FGHS Food Pantry. So mark your calendars and grab some pizza on 12/8/22. 

We Care Deeply Series QPR

Parents and caregivers of Forest Grove School District are invited to join our district Mental

Health Care Coordinators, Hanna Thompson and Kendra Pittman, for an introductory suicide

prevention training called Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). Virtual Meeting Registration is required - Link

Forest Grove High School Theater Department to Present CLUE

Ticket prices are $12.25 for adults and $10.25 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at https://fghstheatre.booktix.com 

The remaining performances are November 18th and 19th at 7:00 pm and November 19th at 2:00 pm. All performances are in the Ellen Steven’s Auditorium located at 1401 Nichols Lane, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116.

RSV and Flu Information - Link

Inclement Weather

The weather is beginning to get colder and it is a good time to remind everyone of the Inclement Weather steps the district follows. Please read this information. 

Are you interested in a career working for the district?  Parents and community members are some of our greatest assets. We would love to have you join our team.

Current FGSD Job Postings - Link

Become a Substitute - Link

Sodexo Nutrition Services - Link

Sodexo Custodial Services (full time and part time) - Link

Mid Columbia Bus Company - Link

AmeriCorps - Link

Stay Connected - The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) 

This program helps many low income household pay for broadband service and internet connected devices

Learn More

Child Tax Credit Information 

Families have until mid-November to claim the credit on their own through the simplified filing portal, GetCTC.org/orschools. After that, families can still claim the 2021 CTC, but must file full tax returns. They have until April 15, 2025, to do so.

Behavior/Mental Health and Wellness Resources