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Forest Hills Elementary Set to Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence with Community Bash

Long time teachers and alumni at Forest Hills Elementary School. Miguel Penaranda, former student and teaching assistant for six years. Hope Platter, VPK, 16 years. Denise Elbaum kindergarten 20 years. Anne Pekrol, office manager 24 years. Barbara Rothman, principal 14 years, and Derrick Huff, assistant principal 10 years. {David Volz}

Miguel Penaranda remembers attending Forest Hills Elementary School from kindergarten through the second grade.

He said the classes were fun, and the teachers were nice.

“I enjoyed going to school with my friends and neighbors.”

Penaranda has been a bilingual teacher assistant at Forest Hills for six years and likes the school’s friendly atmosphere.

“I know what my students are going through because I was in their situation as an English Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) student, and I try to make learning fun. We have games and rewards,” he said.

Forest Hills Elementary School Principal Barbara Rothman, Amelia Herman, 5th grade,and Amanda Bitton, guidance
counselor. {David Volz}

Forest Hills is getting ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary on September 6. During the morning, students and teachers will celebrate with the Ranger Bear school mascot and enjoy birthday cupcakes. There will be hats, balloons, music, and fun. The Coral Springs High School marching band and cheerleaders, many of whom are alumni, will participate.

Memorabilia from 2024 will be placed in a time capsule to be buried near the certified wildlife habitat. During the evening, the school will hold a dance for the families to participate in the celebration as they remember 1974. According to principal Barbara Rothman, there will be food trucks and music, and the Forest Glen Middle School band will perform.

Rothman has been the Forest Hills principal for 14 years and loves the students, teachers, and staff.

“We have the most amazing students and staff. We are an A school, and I believe we are successful because we have the best team. My daughter, Marissa, attended this school and is now a sophomore in the Cambridge program at Cypress Bay High School,” said Rothman.

According to Rothman, Forest Hills offers a wide variety of activities, including planeteers, a debate team, an art club, mathletes, and a basketball club. There is also an innovative program called Quantum Leap for high achievers to accelerate their academic progress.

Longtime Forest Hills teachers share Rothman’s love for children. Denise Elbaum, who has taught kindergarten there for 20 years, remembers Miguel as a student.

“I love this school and the kids here. I like teaching at a neighborhood school,” said Elbaum.

Hope Platter, a VPK teacher, has been at Forest Hills for 16 years. She said, “I love the kids here, and it’s great when they come back to visit after they graduate. I also enjoy getting to know the families of the kids.”

Amanda Bitton, a guidance counselor, attended Forest Hills from kindergarten through second grade. “I have good memories of when I was a child here and now, I love working here,” she said.

Amelia Herman, a fifth-grader, enjoys attending Forest Hills and participates in the debate team. “I enjoy learning, and reading is one of my favorite subjects. I love being with my friends here,” she said.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.