Welcome to
CBI Forest School!
Welcome. We are so happy you are here.
Your Parent Portal serves as a one-stop-shop for families at CBI Forest School.
You can download & upload forms, and find information and resources.
School-wide info can be found on this main dashboard, while class-specific info will be found on your child’s class page.
If you have any questions at any time, please email shalom@cbforestschool.com
Current Calendar:
CBI Forest School
Calendar 2026–2027
Parent Calendar
Remind updates:
Essential News & Info
Action-required events, essential updates, and more
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September 12- Rosh Hashanah
Our annual family Rosh Hashanah service will take place on Saturday, September 12 at 9:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church on Park St. The interactive service, which lasts about 50 minutes, is filled with songs, blessings, and plenty of movement. The band that leads the service is loaded with CBIFS personnel, including Director Jill Abbey-Clark, Hummingbird teacher Leah Baker, and Arts Specialist Emily Warheit. All families are welcome to attend.
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September 12- Apples and Honey in the Park
Meet your friends at Belmont Park for Rosh Hashanah fun. Apple doughnuts, games and play. 10:30-12
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September 15-Back to School Night
We are just days away from Back to School Night! Please join us at MACAA on Tuesday, September 15, as we gather together to begin the year rooted in community and connection. Parents will have an opportunity to spend time with their child’s teaching team, learn more about the rhythms, routines, and experiences that will shape their year in the forest, and connect with the families who make our school community so special.
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September 21- No School
CBI Forest School will be closed on Monday, September 15, in observance of Yom Kippur.
Required Forms
Forest School Basics
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Schoolwide Gear & Clothing List
This is the list for every age; see your class page for age / class-specific needs.
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Health & Safety Manual
Each year, we update our Health & Safety Manual, written by a team of medical experts from within our CBI community.
It can help guide your decision-making process when you or someone in your family is not feeling as well as usual!
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CBIFS Handbook
In the CBIFS Handbook, you can find our overall approach, all of our policies, and many answers to FAQs. The handbook is updated annually.
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CBI Account Link
Login to your CBI ShulCloud account to:
make a one-time annual payment,
set up your payment schedules,
or change your payment account info.
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CBIFS Glossary
Here are some of the many terms that we use here in the forest!
Classes Info Pages
In your Class Info page, you’ll find anything that is class-specific to your child, whether your class directory, teacher info, communication, or class-specific gear list.
Fun in the Forest
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ORDER CBI Forest School Merch NOW!
Branded CBIFS Gear is opening soon! Orders open thru 9/11.
Something you are hoping for? Let us know!!
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CBI Goings-On
Check out what’s happening at CBI, from Family Shabbat Services to our Film Series and more.
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Shabbat Songs Sheet
Does your kiddo come home singing songs that with no discernable melody and want you to sing along?
Do they demand “Sing the song about the dinosaur!” and you’re clueless?
Learn our school Shabbat songs here!
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Your Favorite Teachers Reading Stories
Have you ever wanted to bring your favorite Forest School teacher home with you?
Check out our teachers reading stories on our YouTube channel! 📚
Welcome New Parents!
We are thrilled to have you joining us the forest! This Parent Portal is a hub to which you can return time and time again to find resources and information.
In addition to all of the resources found on the page, we recommend joining our Parents’-only Facebook group to connect with other families (and swap gear!).
It is required to sign up for Remind, our all-school texting service (found below).
Lastly, the Emergency Contact and Virginia School Entrance Form, in addition to a copy of your child's birth certificate, must be on file at CBI in order for your child to attend school.
See the Important Forms section to fill out all forms.
Welcome to CBI Forest School!
Remind Notifications
We use the communication app Remind to send all-school urgent notifications, including late starts, school closings, and other important information.
All families are required to sign up.
Download the App
Enabling notifications from the app on your device means you’ll never miss an important message!
ONCE YOU DOWNLOAD:
Turn on Push Notifications
Turn on Text Message notifications
Turn on Email notifications, if desired.
Watch a walkthrough to see how to change your settings.
You can also see the most up-to-date notifications here at the top of this Dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We are submitting a Special Use Permit this fall in hopes to build a new Forest School by 2026.
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Morning Drop Off: 8:30 - 8:45 AM
Afternoon Pick Up: 3:00 - 3:15 PM👉 Always pull your car up to the spot furthest in the line.
👉 Please drive slowly (5mph) throughout our campus! You never know when a child will be in the road.
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Kids will not swim unless a life guard is on duty. Children will however wade in the creek.
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Yes! We have campfires. Kids will learn fire safety.
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Yes, we will always have buildings with heat and air conditioning as well as nap or rest time.
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They nap indoors. Parents provide napmats and we provide cots. Parents send children with yoga mats. Preschool children rest outdoors in appropriate weather and may take inside breaks as needed.
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Your account is managed by a third-party company, Memberspace. They have a fantastic page with lots of answers here!
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No. Everyone will be bringing lunch and snack from home.
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Lunch does not have to be kosher. Because lunches are not be refrigerated, we recommend using an ice pack.
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Safety is our #1 priority.
Dress your child in appropriate clothing for the elements, though we will come inside when it is unsafe. Every classroom has an indoor space to use.
We will follow Charlottesville City School weather advisories to determine school closures. Please have REMIND on your phones to receive changes in weather-related pick-ups. (You can see the Remind widget in your dashboard here as well).
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Teachers are trained, as are students, in identifying poison ivy, ticks, and unwanted bugs.
We have the necessary equipment to deal with any bite that occurs. We do tick checks and ask families to do the same when arriving home.
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We do not have a nurse on staff, however, we do have one Wilderness First Responder and eight Wilderness First Aid-trained teachers on staff. All teachers are trained in first aid and CPR.
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100%!
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Our mask-wearing is responsive to the current health climate in our area.
Occasionally, the air quality index or current health events necessitate mask-wearing, and we will notify parents to send masks with children.
In addition, we ask that children with active colds wear a mask to limit spread.