From the Principal

Growth Mindset Quote of the Month
"We should open ourselves to the impossible and embrace a psychology of possibility." -Ellen Langer

Dear Forest Avenue Families,

Welcome to the first edition of the Falcon Focus for the 2022 – 2023 School Year. At the start of each month we publish the Falcon Focus to help keep parents and families informed on all of the exciting events and activities that are taking place in our school community. It was wonderful to welcome all of our students to the start of the school year today! What a pleasure it is to see all of their smiling faces and to meet all of our students who are new to Forest Avenue and to welcome back and catch up with all of our returning students.

As you know, a lot of work goes into the opening of school. Please join me in thanking Mrs. Harmon, our School Secretary, for the endless hours of planning and preparation she put in over the summer, along with our new Assistant Principal, Lara Beach. The Buildings & Grounds Department, along with our custodial staff, have also done a fabulous job preparing the building. Shout out to all of our Teachers and Para Educators who have been hard at work preparing their classrooms and participating in professional development.

This summer we were very busy hiring new staff members here at Forest Ave. Please join me in welcoming the following: Megan Bell (Physical Education Teacher), Ania Spina (Speech & Language Pathologist), Laurie Henry (TSP Clinician), Priscilla Velasco (ELL Teacher), and Danielle Richardson (ELL Teacher). For more information about the newest members of our school community please check out the New Staff Bio section of this newsletter.

Several of our returning staff members have also changed positions. Melissa Ginsberg and Bridget Sistare will be teaching third grade this year, Megan Bouchard will be teaching in grade four, Casey McCrobie has moved into the role of TSP Special Education Teacher, and Donna Shown will be serving as a Kindergarten Para Educator. We are also very fortunate to have Samantha Burnes, who previously taught at Farley, joining us as a Kindergarten Teacher and Meagan Chait, Special Education Teacher, who will be splitting her schedule between Forest Ave and Mulready School. Our School Adjustment Counselor, Maureen Austin will also be with us full time this year. We are not done yet, as we are still looking for qualified candidates to fill the following positions: K-2 Special Education Para Educator, TSP Para Educator, School Psychologist Para Educator, Building Substitutes, and Lunch Monitors. Information on these positions may be found at www.schoolspring.com.

I encourage all of you to become active and informed members of our school community. We welcome your participation during Home & School Meetings, School Improvement Council, Open House, Parent/Teacher Conferences, and all of the family fun events that our Home & School Association will be sponsoring. For a look at all of the events and activities scheduled in September please be sure to check out the Calendar of Events listed in this newsletter and stay tuned for updates via our Weekly Announcements which are published every Tuesday, and through email and phone blasts.

I look forward to seeing all of you at our Open House on the evening of September 15th and I wish you and your children a safe and enjoyable school year!

Sincerely,

David Champigny