New Student Information
This page is for families of students who have accepted a classroom spot at FGCS. We recommend that all families regularly check for email updates with information about finalizing your student's enrollment. Contact Kari McFaddin at [email protected] with any questions.
Update 8-3-20
FGCS will start the school year with all students in distance learning. Please visit the 2020-21 School Year Planning page for details.
School Tours
School tours are not available at this time because of the governor's order closing K-12 schools statewide.
Registration
Registration paperwork will be mailed out to parents of new students in early July. This packet must be completed and turned in by the deadline listed in the packet in order to finalize students' registration. UPDATE: Registration packets were mailed the week of June 29. The deadline to return packets is July 13, 2020.
Stay Connected
We encourage parents of new students to regularly check email throughout the summer for important updates. If you are not seeing periodic messages from Forest Grove Community School, please contact director of operations Karen Torry at [email protected] to make sure we have your correct email address.
Parents are also invited to join the FGCS Parent Group on Facebook to connect with other FGCS families. This closed, private group is limited to FGCS parents and is intended to be an informal place for families to connect, share information and support one another. You must make a request to join the group. A group administrator will confirm that you are the parent of a current or incoming FGCS student, then approve your request.
Parents are also invited to join the FGCS Parent Group on Facebook to connect with other FGCS families. This closed, private group is limited to FGCS parents and is intended to be an informal place for families to connect, share information and support one another. You must make a request to join the group. A group administrator will confirm that you are the parent of a current or incoming FGCS student, then approve your request.
FAQ
When will I find out who my new student's teacher will be?
Classroom placements will be sent out by email in August.
When is the first day of school?
The first day of school for all FGCS students will be Weds., Sept. 9 (the Weds. after Labor Day).
What is the daily school schedule?
School starts for all students at 8:50 a.m. Doors open at 8:35 a.m. School dismisses for all students at 3:20 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 1:05 p.m. Fridays. Check with classroom teachers about each class's daily schedule to find out when you child has PE and Out & About so you can help them dress accordingly.
Will students and parents be able to meet teachers before school starts?
Traditionally, FGCS teachers schedule half hour 'family visits' at school with parents and students (both new and returning) the last week of August. We do not know yet whether state guidance will allow these kinds of in-person visits at school. We will update new and returning families when we have more information.
How do I arrange bus service for my student?
Students who live 1 mile or more from FGCS are eligible for daily bus service. FGCS is served by Mid-Columbia Bus Co. In late July/early August, parents will get an online form to request bus service. Eligible students will receive a postcard in the mail with route information (stop location, pick up and drop off times) about a week before school starts.
Now that one of my children has been offered a place at FGCS, do my other children who were waitlisted get a preference?
Siblings of students who were admitted for 2020-21 will get preference in the 2021-22 lottery if they re-apply during the 20-21 open enrollment period. The sibling preference does not affect the current school year's wait list.
What about school supplies?
FGCS charges a $30/student supplies fee, rather than asking parents to shop for, buy and replenish supplies for their students throughout the school year. Families who cannot afford the fee may request a waiver by sending a confidential email to principal Vanessa Gray at [email protected].
My student needs to take medication during the school day. How do I arrange for this?
Parents should bring student medication (prescription or over the counter) in its original packaging. Parents are required to fill out a form providing dosage information and giving permission for the medication to be dispensed to the student during the school day. The only medications students may carry and dispense themselves are inhalers and Epi-Pens (with prescription and parent permission) and cough drops.
Is school breakfast or lunch available at FGCS?
School lunch is offered Monday-Thursday. Students have the choice of a hot entree that may include meat, dairy and gluten, or a cold sack lunch that is gluten-free/dairy-free/vegetarian. We do not have lunch service on Fridays because students are dismissed at 1:05 p.m. Applications for free/reduced-price lunch benefits will be included in registration packets. Parents must fill out this paper work every year for FGCS even if they have been approved for benefits at a different school. School lunch must be ordered in advance each month, even if the student plans to have lunch every day. Order forms are distributed by email monthly. We are working to add breakfast service in the future.
Classroom placements will be sent out by email in August.
When is the first day of school?
The first day of school for all FGCS students will be Weds., Sept. 9 (the Weds. after Labor Day).
What is the daily school schedule?
School starts for all students at 8:50 a.m. Doors open at 8:35 a.m. School dismisses for all students at 3:20 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 1:05 p.m. Fridays. Check with classroom teachers about each class's daily schedule to find out when you child has PE and Out & About so you can help them dress accordingly.
Will students and parents be able to meet teachers before school starts?
Traditionally, FGCS teachers schedule half hour 'family visits' at school with parents and students (both new and returning) the last week of August. We do not know yet whether state guidance will allow these kinds of in-person visits at school. We will update new and returning families when we have more information.
How do I arrange bus service for my student?
Students who live 1 mile or more from FGCS are eligible for daily bus service. FGCS is served by Mid-Columbia Bus Co. In late July/early August, parents will get an online form to request bus service. Eligible students will receive a postcard in the mail with route information (stop location, pick up and drop off times) about a week before school starts.
Now that one of my children has been offered a place at FGCS, do my other children who were waitlisted get a preference?
Siblings of students who were admitted for 2020-21 will get preference in the 2021-22 lottery if they re-apply during the 20-21 open enrollment period. The sibling preference does not affect the current school year's wait list.
What about school supplies?
FGCS charges a $30/student supplies fee, rather than asking parents to shop for, buy and replenish supplies for their students throughout the school year. Families who cannot afford the fee may request a waiver by sending a confidential email to principal Vanessa Gray at [email protected].
My student needs to take medication during the school day. How do I arrange for this?
Parents should bring student medication (prescription or over the counter) in its original packaging. Parents are required to fill out a form providing dosage information and giving permission for the medication to be dispensed to the student during the school day. The only medications students may carry and dispense themselves are inhalers and Epi-Pens (with prescription and parent permission) and cough drops.
Is school breakfast or lunch available at FGCS?
School lunch is offered Monday-Thursday. Students have the choice of a hot entree that may include meat, dairy and gluten, or a cold sack lunch that is gluten-free/dairy-free/vegetarian. We do not have lunch service on Fridays because students are dismissed at 1:05 p.m. Applications for free/reduced-price lunch benefits will be included in registration packets. Parents must fill out this paper work every year for FGCS even if they have been approved for benefits at a different school. School lunch must be ordered in advance each month, even if the student plans to have lunch every day. Order forms are distributed by email monthly. We are working to add breakfast service in the future.