School Structure:
FLES faculty developed a block schedule to maximize uninterrupted instruction time for students. Teachers have daily team planning time to coordinate instructional activities. As an inclusion school, FLES also schedules weekly meetings between special education staff members and classroom teachers to integrate instruction for students.
About our School:
Forest Lakes Elementary is a community-based school which opened in September of 1997. A strong PTA and parent volunteer program combine with a dynamic teaching staff to provide a quality education for our students. Forest Lakes Elementary serves children in Kindergarten through grade five with a variety of programs to meet the diverse needs of learners.
Classrooms are centered around four commons areas which are used for guest speakers, project presentations and small group instruction. Students at Forest Lakes Elementary are challenged to become high-achieving, life-long learners through a variety of activities. Intervention programs and enrichment programs provide additional support for students. A block schedule creates a more concentrated teaching and learning time for students as well as team meeting time for the teachers to plan instruction.
School improvement plans center around meeting the needs of all our students. The teaching of Language Arts and Math has been the focus of recent plans. Student progress is tracked through the use of individual student data. Using this data, students are regrouped for reading strategy instruction. This differentiation of needs helps to tailor instruction to the specific skill needs of the children.
Our student-centered school has been recognized as Maryland Green School for promoting good ecology and resource conservation practices. Forest Lakes has also been selected as a Maryland Character Education School of the Year for 2003-2004 in recognition of the quality character education program integrated into the teaching and learning program of the school.
With the mighty lion as its mascot, Forest Lakes Elementary students and staff tackle the complex task of learning with enthusiasm and excitement.
Community Involvment:
FLES has a very active PTA, with more than 300 volunteers. FLES has business partnerships with Kleins Family Markets, Giant Foods,Target, Campbells , APG FCU, Ice World, Life Touch, Enotria, General Mills Boxtops, and the Bel Air Florist..
The County Parks and Recreation Department uses school facilities 5 nights per week and on weekends. Various scouting and community groups hold evening meetings at the school. A YWCA beforeand after-school daycare program is also housed at FLES. As a community service project, FLES has adopted Osborne Parkway. Regularly scheduled cleanups are done by the school.