Sherwood Forest
Archers…
Alisa DeSart, Principal
Tina Williamson, C.O.O.
Cathy Hale, Data Secretary
Sheri Borden, Office Assistant
Arrows to the Future
September 2015 Volume 27, Number 1
Upcoming Events:
******************
Sept. 14
9:15 Principal’s Coffee Chat
Sept. 18
PICTURE DAY
Sept. 22
6 p.m. Watch D.O.G.S. Kickoff
6:30 p.m. Walking Path Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony
7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting
12:05 LATE START DAY
Sept. 30
October 9 NO SCHOOL/Teacher In-service
October 13 Skate Night Pattison’s West
6-8p.m.
Who We Are:
Sherwood Forest is a place where
high standards for academics and
responsible behavior for all students
are supported in a safe, nurturing
environment through active learning,
clear communication, and
independent problem solving.
CONTACT US:
Sherwood Forest Elementary School
34600 12th Avenue S.W
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 945-3800
Federal Way Public Schools
www.fwps.org
schools.fwps.org/shf/home.htm
Dear Sherwood Forest Families,
On behalf of our staff, I am excited to welcome you back to the 2015 – 2016
school year! We hope the summertime provided your family the opportunity to
relax, reconnect, and have fun in the sun! It’s time now to move forward with the
many exciting events that take place when starting a new school year. Over the
last few weeks, teachers prepared their classrooms and attended professional
development trainings. Also, our chief custodian, Mr. Aleksandruk and our
evening custodian, Mr. Tsygankov worked hard to clean our campus for the start
of the new school year.
In July, we welcomed Dr. Tammy Campbell as our new Superintendent! Her
experiences as a classroom teacher, principal, and central support leader will
enhance the work of leading our district forward in our efforts to continuously
improve. Last spring, she visited a number of FWPS schools, including Sherwood
Forest, and noted quality instruction and positive school climates. Dr. Campbell’s
100-day entry plan started July 1st and is available for your review on the FWPS
website at http://www.fwps.org/blog/dr-tammy-campbell/. Part of the entry plan
includes school visits and district-wide forums that will provide FWPS staff
members and parents an opportunity to share what is working and what needs to
be improved for the success of our students.
What’s new at Sherwood? I am happy to welcome the following new staff
members: Mrs. Oksu Ellis as our new Resource Teacher, Mrs. Rebekah
Schoeppel as our new ACP Intermediate Teacher, and Mrs. Katrice Taylor as our
new Psychologist. Also, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Brandon Pontius as
Sherwood’s new Dean. Mr. Pontius obtained prior experience as Dean of Twin
Lakes Elementary and he is excited to join us now in the Forest. At this time, our
part-time librarian position is open and we are in the recruitment process.
We look forward to making this school year the very best for all of our students.
Sherwood’s team of exceptional educators is committed to giving your child our
very best. We believe open, positive, two-way communication is essential for a
good school to home partnership. There are multiple ways to stay informed about
the activities, events, and learning that is happening at Sherwood: our monthly
school newsletters, ConnectEd phone messages, student led conferences twice a
year,
, and accessing information on our website:
http://schools.fwps.org/shf/.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve your children!
Alisa DeSart
Principal
Welcome to the Forest!
We are pleased to welcome the following new staff
members to Sherwood:
 Mrs. Oksu Ellis – Resource Teacher
 Mr. Brandon Pontius – Dean
 Mrs. Rebekah Schoeppel – ACP Intermediate
Teacher
 Mrs. Katrice Taylor - Psychologist
COFFEE CHAT
Please join Ms. DeSart for the first Coffee
Chat of the year Monday September 14th at
9:15a.m in the school Library
We extend our warmest welcome to our newest
staff members!
Meet Mr. Pontius!
We are excited to welcome Mr. Brandon Pontius as Sherwood’s new Dean of Students. As Dean,
Mr. Pontius assists Ms. DeSart in making sure that all students are safe, respectful, and responsible.
He supervises and monitors students during recesses and lunch, assists in matters of student
discipline, and oversees many other school wide responsibilities.
“My name is Brandon Pontius, or Mr. P is what the kids call me. I am so
excited to be named the new Dean of Students here at Sherwood Forest. I
look forward to being involved in your students’ learning and working hard
in helping create a positive learning environment for all children. In the past
15 years, I have had the opportunity to be a 4th, 5th,and 6thgrade teacher,
Assistant Principal, and Dean of Students. I am looking forward to working
with the Sherwood Archer staff, students and families in helping make a
positive impact on the success of each student. I will be out and about on a
daily basis interacting with students so they can accomplish great things.
Please say “hello” or stop by my office if I can assist you in anyway.
Together, we can make a difference!”
THANK YOU GILLESPIE FAMILY!
After 39 years in education, Julie Gillespie retired in June 2015. During her career, she
was a special education teacher, reading specialist, and librarian. She taught at Olympic
View, Rainier View, and Sherwood Forest. On August 30th, Julie's son, Charlie Gillespie
organized and held a golf charity event at the North Shore
Golf Course. The event raised over $1200 to purchase
library books in Julie Gillespie's honor to be divided
equally at the three elementary schools. Principals Marla
Newton, Kent Cross, and Alisa DeSart attended the event
and accepted the donation on behalf of their schools.
Thank you Julie Gillespie and your family for this
generous donation that will benefit our students!
Thank You Campus Clean-Up Volunteers!
Thank you to Sherwood parent and student volunteers who participated in our Campus Cleanup Day on August 28th. The following families weeded, planted, trimmed, swept, and pickedup trash to create a picture perfect opening day: The Jones, Mitchell, Claxton, Allinger,
and Harmon families.
Please accept our heartfelt thanks!
School Communication Plan: Easy as 1-2-3!
Our school has an excellent plan for staying in close touch with parents throughout the year – our school wide
communication plan!
1. The Student’s Part: Every Thursday the “Communication Folder” goes home with all students, grades K-5. It contains
student work and important announcements from the school. Students are asked to take the folder home, request a parent
signature, & return the folder to school the next day.
In addition, each student in grades 2-5 received a Sherwood Forest Planner, with a calendar of the school year. Students
are asked to record each assignment on their calendar. Teachers distributed the planners during the first week of school.
These go home on a daily basis, and help parents track which assignments were completed at school and which ones
need to be finished for homework. They also record up-coming school and classroom events.
2. The Teacher’s Part: Teachers will check the weekly Communication Folder and Student Planners for any notes or
messages sent from home. They also publish their e-mail address and phone numbers (note the list attached to this
newsletter), and make every effort to respond in a timely manner to any messages from parents. For students in grades 25, teachers will allow time each day for recording assignments in the student planner.
3. The Parent’s Part: Please look for the weekly Communication Folder every Thursday, and return it to school the next
day with a parent signature. Parents of students in grades 2-5 are asked to check their children’s school planners every
evening, Monday through Thursday. Be sure to compliment your children for recording assignments and bringing these
home, and also provide a signature if the teacher requests one.
Our communication plan is a team effort! It teaches organization skills that will benefit your
children throughout their lives, and also keeps parents well informed.
Your support is greatly appreciated
BEGINNING OF SCHOOL REMINDERS:
Please Return 3 Important Items:
1. Yellow Emergency Card
2. Top page of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
3. Signed portion of “SHF Discipline Policy”
As you send your child to school with personal supplies, lunch boxes, sweaters and coats, please remember to:
Write Your Child’s Name On EVERYTHING!
September 22nd
6:00 p.m. Watch D.O.G. Kickoff
Thank you to Mr. Matt Jarvis and Mr. Jim McConville who will again lead our
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) this year!
The ‘D.O.G.S.’ help out in their own child’s classroom,
other classrooms, on the playground, and they also
promote a positive presence during the school day.
All Dads, Uncles and Grandpas who would like to learn
more and/or sign up are invited to join
6:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Walking Path Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Dinner served
PTA General Meeting – YMCA will provide childcare in the Gym
Please join us at our first PTA meeting. We will vote in our new board
members and kick off the volunteer committees for the year. It is a
great chance to get involved! The YMCA will provide childcare during
the General Meeting.
October 13th
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Skate night at Pattison’s West
Please join us in welcoming your PTA board members for the
2015 – 2016 school year:
Deah Gabe
Jackie Jarvis
Tara Davis
Hannah Wickstrom
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
“Like” us on Facebook!”
SHF Staff Contact Information
Office: 253-945-3800
GRADE/TITLE
NAME
LOCATION
PHONE
EMAIL
Hannah Wickstrom
101
945-3822
1
st
Toni Cummings
106
945-3827
1
st
Jane Ishii
110
945-3831
1
st
Normandy Kononen
112
945-3833
1
st
Juhee Yi
108
945-3829
2
nd
Julie Peck
107
945-3828
2
nd
Deanna Franzen
105
945-3826
2
nd
Vickie Mattern
109
945-3830
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Principal
Alisa DeSart
Office
945-3812
K
Arlene Blauser
102
945-3823
K
Katie Gilmore
104
945-3825
K
Molly Callender
208
945-3832
[email protected]
3
rd
Tom Anderson
210
945-3847
3
rd
Betty Hansen
209
945-3846
3
rd
Susan Skahan
213
945-3851
Jamie Marks
207
945-3837
Therese VanDamme
205
945-3842
Donna Chursky
212
945-3849
Karen Capp
211
945-3848
4/5 HCP
Barbara Vukas
206
945-3843
ACP Primary
Shari Barrera
103
945-3824
ACP Interm ediate
Rebekah Schoeppel
203
945-3840
Music/Webmaster
Rick Reynolds
204
945-3841
Health/Fitness
Ryan Westhoff
Gym
945-3811
Dean
Brandon Pontius
100 Wing
945-3815
Library
945-3808
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
2/3 HCP Cluster
4th
4
th
5-Apr
5
th
Counselors
Carla Burgi
Stephanie Paradee
Instructional Coach
Patti O’Malley
100 Wing
945-3807
[email protected]
Intervention
Sue Cacatian
114
945-3835
Resource
Oksu Ellis
202
945-3861
ELL
Yelena Alexander
115
945-3836
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Librarian
TBD
Library Asst.
Brandi Howard
Psychologist
Katrice Taylor
215
945-3845
SLP
Valerie Ciampi
100 Wing
945-3814
Nurse/HCA
Connie Spangler
Office
945-3809
Office Manager
Tina Williamson
Office Secretary
Cathy Hale
Office Assistant
Sheri Borden
Custodians
Food Server
Library
945-3820
945-3801
Office
945-3802
945-3803
Dmitriy Alexsandruk
945-3821
Daniil Tsygankov
Yelena Rybchak
945-3820
Kitchen
945-3806
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]