September 25, 2025
Portland Forest School kids are doing their school work next to a river.
Dear Forest School Families,
I’m so excited to welcome your child to this year’s art program! Our class is nature-immersed, blending traditional artmaking with exploration of the outdoors.
Throughout the year, students will keep nature journals for sketching, writing, and reflecting on the world around them. We’ll also dive into hands-on projects such as building flower press kits and even making our own paints and inks from natural materials like berries and leaves. These projects help students connect deeply with nature, develop creativity, and build care for the environment.
Right now, the middle school students are working on a self-expression collage to explore personal identity through imagery, while the K–5 classes are doing an in-depth study of leaves as a way to build observation skills and explore art foundations such as texture, shape, and pattern.
My hope is that by the end of the year, students will see themselves not only as artists, but also as curious observers and caretakers of the natural world.
Thank you for supporting your child’s creativity and imagination. I can’t wait to see the beautiful work they create this year!
If you are interested in helping our journey I have a list of art supplies we are on the lookout for! I am also always happy to have parent teacher volunteers to help in the classroom!
Warmly,
Teacher Bri
Portland Forest School
Kids are working in their journals, studying some local plants.