Session 7: Year 8, WeeK 34 In Review
Exhibitions, Reflections, and Milestones Across The Forest School
spark studio
Wood Wizards
The Spark Studio is buzzing, and it’s a beautiful kind of buzz. As we round the corner toward the finish line, new life, growth, and excitement are emerging all around us. We’re coming in hot, and sparks are definitely flying! With so much happening, we gathered for a town hall to reflect on all we are planning and learning. Together, we decided the best way forward is to focus on what matters most each day and spend our time wisely.
This week also brought a very special tradition as our Seniors took their final walk through each Studio. The celebration, cheering, and encouragement from the community were nothing short of joyful. Congratulations to our TFS Seniors! They completed their “Portrait of a Graduate,” and we are truly in awe of all they have accomplished. Thanks for the inspiration! As a reminder, our Level One heroes will be recognized during our school-wide graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 16th, starting at 10:00 AM at the TFS Courtyard. We look forward to honoring the heroes graduating from Spark.
Meanwhile, our big build project continues to take shape. The Lost & Found cabinet is coming along beautifully thanks to the many experts helping bring it to life. The rod has already been hung and is quickly filling up! If you are missing any items, be sure to stop by during the upcoming exhibitions—you won’t miss the cabinet.
We also said goodbye to a few friends this week. It was bittersweet, yet beautiful, to recognize that our paths crossed for a reason. We are deeply grateful for every person who walks through our doors.
As these final days approach, we are cherishing every moment as each learner prepares to soar into the next chapter. We look forward to celebrating together at our very own graduation ceremony, Exhibition, on Thursday, May 21st, from 8:30–10:00 AM.
Share time has come to an end as we spend our final days embracing our time together and making final preparations to share our learning journey with you.
lower elementary studio
As we near the end of the school year, Language Lessons have concluded so learners can focus on remaining badge work and finish strong. Several learners are on track with their combined Writing and Collaboration Practical, which means they have met the minimum page requirement, received peer and Guide feedback, revised their writing, submitted their final piece, and provided thoughtful feedback to their Bin Buddy.
In Story Arts and Quest, learners worked hard to prepare for Exhibition. Six of the twelve teams received a Green Light to present their science videos during Exhibition. Huge thank you to Christy Meeks for generously recording and editing videos for the Greenlit teams!
Teams that received a Yellow Light or Red Light shifted their focus to creating a new Exhibition script. This means their video will not be shown at Exhibition. Instead, these teams will clearly explain why their content was not ready yet, what they learned throughout the process, what they would change next time, and the science behind their chosen experiment. Every team also completed 360 feedback surveys to reflect on teamwork, communication, and collaboration.
In Civilization, we wrapped up our study of the Mongol Empire and the Silk Road through hands-on history challenges. Learners explored Mongol strengths, steppe life, messenger routes, Genghis Khan’s leadership, and the ways the Mongols connected civilizations through trade, communication, and cultural exchange.
Exhibition Details: Exhibition will take place on Tuesday, May 19, from 4:30–5:45 PM. Learners will be picked up during normal dismissal time and should return by 4:20 PM to allow time for setup before Exhibition begins.
Question of the Week:
When you do not achieve the result you hoped for the first time, how can taking responsibility, reflecting honestly, and trying again help you grow?
Each Hero who shares what their family discussed with their Guides on Monday will earn 100 points toward next week’s Work Plan.
upper elementary studio
Exhibition is almost here, and this week our Upper Elementary heroes were hard at work preparing projects, polishing presentations, and pushing through the final stretch of Session 7. There is a lot happening all at once right now—podcasts, game design, 3D printing, badge work, practicals, and platforms—and learners are having to practice serious time management and perseverance to get everything completed on time.
In Quest, Akhari, our 3D printing expert, joined us to guide learners through the full 3D printing process using the slicer software ideaMaker, along with our Raise3D printer. Learners learned how to take their designs from digital models all the way to printable files and began experimenting with the realities of troubleshooting prints. We had our first failed print attempt this week, which was actually a great learning experience in persistence and engineering problem-solving. Thankfully, Ana and Autumn, and Theo if needed, are stepping in to help make sure our Silk Road game pieces are printed in time for Exhibition. We are continuing to work toward getting our own 3D printer fully operational so learners can hopefully print their individual design projects as well.
In Civ, learners continued developing their cards, launches, and materials for our Story of the World game project, The Silk Road. The game is really beginning to come together as different teams finalize mechanics, events, historical figures, and visual design elements. We also continued our 10-episode medieval history launch series, this week focusing on the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire, including the dramatic fall of Constantinople. Learners have really enjoyed connecting these historical stories to the larger themes of power, trade, conflict, and cultural exchange that appear throughout the Silk Road world.
In Story Arts, learners continued recording and editing their podcast episodes. It has been exciting to see them move from rough recordings into actual production work—adjusting pacing, editing audio, experimenting with sound effects and music, and beginning to shape their episodes into polished stories and conversations.
Meanwhile, learners are now in the final push to complete badge requirements before deadlines arrive:
Learning to Be and Passion Project badges are due on the 21st.
All remaining badges are due on the 26th.
In addition to badge work, learners are also balancing writing, math, and oral defense practicals, along with Lexia, Zearn, Khan Academy, and other platform work. It is taking a tremendous amount of organization, focus, and perseverance to finish strong.
As part of this process, learners are also practicing accountability. If a badge is submitted late, learners will complete a written reflection explaining why it was late and what changes they could make in the future to better manage their time and responsibilities.
We are looking forward to Exhibition next week and are excited to see all of the hard work come together!
middle school studio
Feedback, Film, and Finishing Strong
This week, Middle School learners continued moving important work closer to the finish line as they prepared for Exhibition, continued collecting evidence for Practicals, and practiced receiving feedback from real audiences.
In Quest, learners welcomed one of the future users of the space they are designing to hear their interior design pitches and offer early feedback. This was a meaningful opportunity for teams to test their ideas against the needs of someone who may actually use the space. Learners had to explain their vision clearly, justify their design choices, and listen carefully for what might need to be adjusted before Exhibition.
We also welcomed another expert who gave teams feedback on their design pitches. Learners received insight on how to strengthen their layouts, clarify their priorities, and make their presentations more polished and persuasive. With each round of feedback, teams are learning that strong design is not just about having creative ideas. It is about listening, revising, problem-solving, and making sure the final product serves a real purpose.
In Story Arts, learners continued filming for their Directing a Short Film project. Teams are working through the many moving parts of production, including filming, editing, sound, pacing, and storytelling. Next week, an expert will review their short films and offer feedback, giving learners one more opportunity to refine their work through the eyes of someone beyond the Studio.
Learners also planned their final Dream Team meeting of the year, which will take place during our Virtual Learning Days on May 28, May 29, June 1, or June 2. This final meeting is a chance for learners to reflect on their growth, share progress, and connect with the people who have encouraged and supported them throughout the year.
Alongside Quest and Story Arts work, learners continued to have time in the schedule to add evidence to their Practicals on Goal Setting & Reflection, as well as Empathy. These moments of focused work matter. Practicals give learners a chance to demonstrate growth, gather proof of learning, and take ownership of what they have mastered this year, not just in their school day, but in their lives.
We are also excited to celebrate our 8th graders at Saturday’s Commencement Ceremony, held on campus at 10:00 AM. They will be recognized in front of the whole school community as we honor this important milestone and the growth they have shown throughout their Middle School journey.
As we move into the final stretch, learners are being asked to finish strong: to revise with care, prepare with purpose, and show what they have learned through real work, real feedback, and real responsibility.
high school studio
We did it—Civilization, the final badge of the year, has officially wrapped up! What an incredible way to close out the academic year. Heroes have spent months building skills, tackling challenges, growing through feedback, and pushing themselves in meaningful ways. Watching them reach this milestone has been exciting, inspiring, and deeply rewarding.
Over the next two weeks, we will shift our focus to one of the most important parts of the year: Transcript Meetings. During these meetings, heroes will sit down to finalize their work, reflect on their progress, and determine what next year will look like for them academically. Will they walk into next year as a Sophomore? A Junior? A Senior? Maybe even a Unicorn? By the end of these meetings, they’ll know exactly where they stand and what their path forward looks like.
These conversations are more than just checking boxes—they are opportunities for heroes to take ownership of their growth, celebrate accomplishments, and begin planning intentionally for the future.
For our Juniors and Seniors, we also encourage families to consider our Summer Accelerator Program. As heroes begin approaching college, internships, careers, and increased independence, the number of responsibilities and moving pieces can quickly grow. The Summer Accelerator is designed to help lighten that load by giving learners time and support to:
Get ahead in coursework
Strengthen and sharpen their Mastery Transcript
Build stronger self-directed learning habits
Practice time management and ownership skills
Enter next school year with confidence and momentum
This can be an incredibly valuable opportunity for learners who want to stay proactive and reduce stress during the school year ahead.
And finally… Graduation is here! 🎓 We are so excited to celebrate our graduating heroes and all they have accomplished. We hope everyone can attend what is sure to be a meaningful and memorable ceremony honoring the journeys, growth, and achievements of this year’s graduates.
Thank you all for an amazing year. We are so proud of these heroes and cannot wait to celebrate these final milestones together!