The summer is well underway, and the FCS office is busy registering students, ordering curriculum and supplies, and completing building upgrades. Summer office hours are 8-2 daily.
Updates and Happenings
- From the Athletic Director: Is your upcoming middle schooler planning to play a fall sport next school year? All student-athletes who desire to participate in any school sport are required to have an annual medical evaluation performed by a licensed physician, certified physician assistant under the supervision of a licensed physician, or certified nurse practitioner. An FCS ATHLETIC PERMISSION FORM is used to submit evidence of this examination. Athletic Permission Forms must be SIGNED by the physician/practitioner and submitted PRIOR to participation or tryouts. For more information or questions, contact michael-burgess@fcs.school
- Download form – https://fcsathletics.school/athletic-forms/
- Please contact office@fcs.school with any changes to your contact information such as address or phone number.
- Be sure and like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest pictures and video of happenings around FCS!
New Staff Update:
- Mrs. Sara Idler will be leaving FCS to begin working in the public school language. We welcome Mrs. Delaney Fitts to our middle school team teaching middle school Spanish. Mrs. Fitts is thrilled to embark on a new chapter of her teaching journey here in Silver Spring. She has five years of experience in the education field. She recently relocated to Silver Spring from Nashville with her husband Austin and dog Baron. She feels that one of the most exciting aspects of her move to Silver Spring is the opportunity to join Forcey Christian School. She is grateful to be a part of this school’s commitment to fostering spiritual growth, academic excellence, and character development. In her free time, she likes to explore the outdoors with Austin and Baron and read novels. She is excited to embark on this new adventure, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come her way.
- Mr. Leon will not be returning to FCS this fall. Mrs. Christine Hall will be moving from fourth grade to join the middle school science department.
- Dr. Deborah Fusco began teaching as long-term substitute in January and has been hired as a full time middle school teacher. She will be working with Mrs. Hall in the science department and has 3 children attending FCS this fall.
- Mrs. Nicole Brigner is joining the fourth-grade team to replace Mrs. Hall. She has dual certification, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Towson University. After college, she spent time working in schools in both Michigan and Maryland. She has dual certification, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Towson University. After college, she spent time working in schools in both Michigan and Maryland. She got involved in Forcey when her kids started in the MDO program. She home-schooled her children during the first two years of Covid. She has returned to FCS and worked in the FCS library during the 22-23 school year. She loves the Forcey community and is excited to teach 4th grade alongside Mrs. Hayes this year.
- Mrs. Stefanie Campbell is leaving FCS to seek other opportunities. Mrs. Cassandra Washington has been hired to teach our PreK3 class this fall. Mrs. Washington has been working with children ages 3-12 years old for over 21 years. She has an associates degree in early childhood education and a bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Grand Canyon University. What she finds most rewarding working in the field of early childhood is seeing the smiles on children’s faces when they accomplish a goal. Her teaching philosophy is that children will thrive and learn if they feel that they are in an environment that is loving, safe, and nurturing. She enjoys gardening, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband and family.
- FCS is expanding our resource department with the addition of a new staff member. Mrs. Danielle Hollenbach earned her master’s degree of Education in 2002 from the University of Massachusetts. Since then, she has taught in a variety of public and private school settings. She has been a grade 5 classroom teacher in Massachusetts public schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, and overseas at the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia. She taught middle school special education in Prince George’s County public schools and was a math and reading intervention teacher for grades K-5 in both Montgomery County and Howard County public schools. She has worked with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds and is also passionate about providing enrichment for students who thrive in a challenging academic environment. She has been happily married to her husband, Allen, for over 19 years and they are the parents of two children, including one current Forcey student and one Forcey graduate. She is excited to join the Forcey team this fall and looks forward to serving God, her students, and their families in her new role.
- Judy Persing will be joining our PreK team teaching one of our 4’s classes this year. She previously taught third grade here and is thrilled to be returning to Forcey! This will be her 40th year of teaching, and she has taught most grade levels beginning in the public school, then moving to homeschooling her two daughters and then to private school. Judy and her husband love to garden. She also enjoys sewing, cooking, reading teacher blogs and getting together with friends.
- Mr. Jared Haftel will be joining our team as the new band teacher. He has experience playing instruments and providing private lessons for band instruments at Forcey Christian School. A performer as well, Mr. Haftel is not just a teacher but a musician who has experienced the thrill of live performance first-hand. Outside of school, Mr. Haftel sings and plays the piano, bass, and drums in the praise band at Forcey Bible Church. He also regularly serves in the church orchestra, playing euphonium and trombone. Coming to our school, Mr. Haftel hopes to spark a passion for music in all his students. He is committed to making the band experience as fun and exciting as possible, creating an environment where every student feels empowered to learn and grow.
- Clara Yu is the new Library Assistant at Forcey Christian School. Born and raised in Maryland, she holds a deep connection with the local community and is thrilled to contribute her expertise to the school library. Clara graduated from Messiah University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in Music, and is looking to eventually further her studies and earn a Master’s degree in Library Science. During her leisure time, Clara enjoys various artistic pursuits, such as reading, writing poetry, music, and drawing. Currently, she has two poems published online and is an active member of the viola section in the Symphony of the Potomac. Feel free to ask Clara about her most recent reads or her latest favorite songs when you see her around! With diverse interests and a passion for her craft, Clara is honored to have this opportunity to work at Forcey and aims to be an exceptional Library Assistant who will serve and inspire students and staff alike.
PTO Update:
- Used Uniform Sale is Aug 4 from 3pm -6pm. Parents who have used uniforms to donate can drop items off in bins in the school lobby before Aug. 4.
- Please see PTO announcements attached to this email.
- Questions about the FCS PTO, email pto@fcs.school
Mark Your Calendar
- Keep up with important dates on our website calendar all year long at https://fcs.school/calendar
- Thursday, August 24 is the parent orientation for all PreK and kindergarten classes. Check website calendar for specific times. There will be a whole group meeting at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
- Friday, August 25 from 1-3 pm is a whole school student open house. Come visit your child’s new classroom and teacher!
- Monday, August 28 is the first day of school. Middle school doors open at 8:05 am and elementary and PreK doors open at 8:20 am.
- Thursday, August 31 is the parent orientation for elementary and middle school students. Check the website calendar for specific times. There will be a whole group meeting at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
- Monday, September 4 is a school holiday for Labor Day.
Our theme for the 2023-2024 school year is A Life of Service! This is based on our theme verse for the year “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” ~1 Peter 4:9-10. FCS is planning purposeful service opportunities for our staff and students this year. These service activities will help teach our students to focus up and out on others. Focusing up and out helps the server and the one being served. As we provide opportunities for service to our students, we continue to carry out our vision to educate students in their lifelong journey for the glory of Jesus Christ. We are ready and excited for the start of the 2023-24 school year!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheri L. Vislay, M. Ed.
Principal, Forcey Christian School
cheri-vislay@fcs.school
Live to Serve!
