Kickapoo Valley Forest School -

Working hard or hardly working? Purposefully unstructured free time in nature provides space for all sorts of creative play and play is a child's work. You'll find them excavating decomposing logs, building detailed townscapes out of pieces of nature and asking lots of questions as they come across new bugs, plants and natural materials. They are definitely hard at a work :) Happy Friday and first day of Autumn! #forestschool #unstructuredplay #kvfs #lafargewi

We live in a changing world, and it is important to learn how to assess and face the unexpected. In Forest School we have plenty of opportunities to practice assessing situations for safety, planning next steps and taking healthy risks. All of this sets our students up for success in a changing environment. The Forest is such a great place to learn. #learningallthetime #learningoutdoors #learninngindoors #kvfs #kvr #forestschool #forestkindergarten #firstgradeintheforest

Children are designed to be messy and unpredictable, playful and imaginative, and to be very different from both their parents and from each other. The variability and flexibility of childhood lets them innovate, create and survive in an unpredictable world. ~A. Gopnik #forestschool #kvfs #learningoutside #emergentcurriculum #optoutside #lafargewi #kvr #excellentquotes

KVFS First Grade takes off for their inaugural scooter ride on Old Hwy 131. But not before learning important safety and trail etiquette! They came back sweaty, tired and beaming from ear to ear! “Uncertain times require personal responsibility, independence of thought, self-initiative, self-assertion, flexibility, creativity, imagination, and willingness to take risks.” —Peter Gray (2013) #forestschool #kvfs #learningoutdoors #scootertofreedom #3wheelscooters #1stgrade #kvr #lafargewi

" What we learn with pleasure we never forget." - Alfred Mercer And what a delight it was for students to meet (and attentively study) a few baby snappers that had just hatched and where making their way down to the Kickapoo River! #forestschool #Kickapoovalleyforestschool #learningoutside #snapperbabies

It was a great first day of school! Students circled up to meet their classmates and prepare for a day of scholastic and outdoor adventures. Meanwhile parents chatted around the coffee cart and got to meet some their peers as well! Looking forward to an excellent school year! #kvfs #forestschool #learningoutside #optoutside #kickapoovalleyforestschool #lafargewi #lafargeschooldisctrict #educatingoutdoors #firstdayofschool #kvr #kickapoovalleyreserve

KVFS staff prepare for the school year by exploring play spaces and carefully noticing sensitive areas and species while considering our impact.  KVFS is fully committed to engaging children in nature while moving with care on the landscape. #backtoforestschool #forestschoolteachers #learningoutdoors #outdooreducation #movewithcare #kvfs #kickapoovalleyforestschool #mushroomsgrowingeverywhere #wisconsin #lafargewi #kickapoovalleyreserve #kvr

The Governance Council and Leadership Team extend a HUGE thank you to The Quack Attack for choosing KVFS as a recipient of proceeds from the 2022 Duck Race! Nearly $2500 was donated- pictured is Governance Council member Jen Oium accepting the donation (third from the left). To the whole crew at The Quack Attack, and KVFS parents Damian and Ashley Dinger, especially- we are so grateful!

Fundraising Opportunity for KVFS! The ducks will float down the creek in Norwalk at noon on August 14, 2022. The owner of the first duck to cross the finish line will win 50% of the money raised… up to $5,000! The other 50% of the money will be split equally between the Falcon Foundation and the Kickapoo Valley Forest School. The Falcon Foundation is a Parent-Teacher Association that aims to support students, teachers, and staff of the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton school district by providing supplies, equipment, incentives, and activities. The Kickapoo Valley Forest School offers a unique learning opportunity for students that allows children to learn while being immersed in nature. Our community is so fortunate to have support like this for our kids. Strong kids build strong communities! YOU CAN BUY DUCKS AT: Dingers Ag and Auto Repair; 208 Main St Norwalk Village of Norwalk Main Office; 202 Main St Norwalk St Joseph Equipment; 18932 State Hwy 71 Norwalk 71 Express Gas Station; 18607 State Hwy 71 Norwalk RiversEnd Bar and Grill; 314 Main St Ontario Wildcat Bar and Grill; 202 Main St Ontario Rite Spot Bar and Grill; 10076 State Hwy 16 Sparta The Place Bar and Grill; 104 Main St Norwalk YOU CAN BUY DUCKS AT: Dingers Ag and Auto Repair; 208 main st norwalk Village of Norwalk main office; 202 main st norwalk St Joseph Equipment; 18932 state hwy 71 norwalk 71 Express Gas Station; 18607 state hwy 71 norwalk Riversend Bar and Grill; 314 main st ontario Wildcat Bar and Grill; 202 main st ontario Rite Spot Bar and Grill; 10076 state hwy 16 sparta The Place Bar and Grill; 104 main st norwalk

Pizza Night Fundraiser for KVFS at Sittin Pretty Farm! - Online ordering time slots with limited walk in availability - Bar offerings include on tap rotation featuring Driftless Brewery, kombucha, wines, hard ciders, sparkling waters, and sodas - Outdoor banquet table seating or bring a picnic blanket - Indoor seating for rainy weather - Sunset walks along the ridgetop with views across local farm fields - Come and take in the farm's curation of old farm machinery, trucks, lily pond, permaculture gardens, and rustic building designs at the woods edge

Thanks to the KVFS staff and families that participated in the La Farge 4th of July Parade earlier this week! We were surprised by an unexpected thunderstorm, but as the forest schoolers we are, still had tons of fun! We have a few spots left for 2022-2023 school year... message here, email us at kvfs@lafarge.k12.wi.us, or visit kickapoovalleyforestschool.org! #LearningFromTheOutsideIn

The Kickapoo Valley Forest School Governance Council seeks to fill three Council positions for two year terms beginning in November of 2022. Anyone that is interested in being considered for these positions should send a letter of interest to Julie Hoel at hoelj@lafarge.k12.wi.us. Candidates will be presented to the full membership at the annual meeting in October.

We have a few spaces available for 5K and First Grade! Apply today! #enrollinforestschool #forestkindergarten #learningoutside #optoutside #outdooreducation #theforestisourclassroom

KVFS is looking for an AmeriCorps Farm to School member to join our team. The full position description can be found on the KVFS website or at this link here: https://5il.co/1cp3n #iloveforestschool #lafargewi #driftlesswi

Summer Food, Summer Fun! Breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost to anyone age 18 and under at La Farge Schools June 13 - July 1!

We certainly get our share of scrapes and bug bites at Forest School! Thankfully Nurse Emily is here to help! If you want to get a peek into the life of a school nurse in this day and age check out https://www.wischoolnurses.org/wasn/a-day-in-the-life-home/emily-oium for a great interview with Nurse Emily! #schoolnursesrock #forestschool #lafargewi #kickapoovalleyforestschool #lafargeschooldistrict

To explore and affiliate with life is a deep and complicated process in mental development. – Edward O. Wilson, Biophilia Humans are designed to connect with nature. Seeing as we are part of nature it is only natural that schooling might happen in the forests, woods, prairies, along the creek-sides, and in every other environment where humans exist. When we are outside we are more likely to enter a state of effortless attention. Being able to experience that from the very beginning of life will help later on when attention is required in a variety of environments. #KVFS #forestschool #forestschooling #educatingoutdoors #optoutside #lafargewi #kickapoovalleyreserve

Rain or shine we are out here having fun and learning as we go! Here is a little Forest School Friday photo blast to start your weekend! #forestschool #learningwithoutwalls #outdooreducation #kvfs #learningoutside #lafargewi #KVR #kickapoovalleyforestschool #kindergarten #springtime

While we are often active, slowing down and focusing is an important part of what we do as well. Periods of quiet, focused attention hone a child's ability to be mindful of their surroundings, the work they do, and each other. Many observations from nature make their way onto the pages of student workbooks. #learningwithoutwalls #outdoorkindergarten #indooroutdoorleanring #forestschool #kickapoovalleyforestschool #kvfs #kvr #lafargewi

It makes a big difference to have the right gear out here! As Forest Schools like to say " there is no bad weather only bad gear". Springtime is filled with water, mud, and thankfully some sunshine as well so we can dry everything out! #forestschool #springtime #leanringoutdoors #optoutside #kvfs #kvr #publicforestschool #outdoorgearforkids #outdoorschoolshop