Friday, April 7, 2017

  • Posted April 7, 2017

We are back and ready for the home stretch of the school year.  With many things left to accomplish, we are going to keep the pedal to the metal and have a strong April and even stronger May.  I have really enjoyed this school year and I plan on finishing strong with this group of amazing students.  There are a few items that you need to see right away and a bunch of links to other sites.  Check them all out.  

Supply Kits For 2017-18 School Year (Principal Slacker #1)
The last two principal blogs have been hurried and I forgot to mention that time is running out for you to buy school supply kits for next year.  This was in my blog earlier in March, but the deadline to order is this Sunday, April 9th. 
Here is the notice from an earlier blog. The Woodlawn PTO is selling custom-made school supply kits for your student(s) for use in the 2017-18 school year. Skip the last minute shopping and support your the PTO by purchasing a supply kit! School supply kits will be conveniently available for pick-up at "Locker Set-Up Day" in August. Last year, the Woodlawn PTO was the pilot school for the data management system, taking orders and processing credit card payments through Membership Toolkit.  If you haven’t used this system yet, you CREATE AN ACCOUNT (link below).  Parents can continue to use the toolkit throughout the 2017-18 school year to sign-up for PTO volunteer opportunities, register and pay for PTO events, activities and fundraisers. If you have an incoming 6th grader and a 7th or 8th grader, you can update your account and add students to the Woodlawn database.  LINK
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8th Grade Parents Graduation Information Online (Principal Slacker #2)
This should have been in my blog for the last few blogs.  I personally apologize for not having this in the blog.   The deadline was supposed to be today, but I failed to remind everyone, so we are going to push it back a bit.  Here is the note that I wanted to get out before Spring Break.  8th grade parents, this is a reminder that forms are due for graduation, the bowling party and Great America.  Please turn those forms in as soon as you can.  Check out the links and students can turn in the form to the front office. Link 1    Link 2

Community Service Club
Our Community Service Club is at it again!  They will begin the Woodlawn Food Drive on April 17th. They have a fun contest planned to encourage participation. Stay tuned for more info coming next week...I have a feeling that this one is going to be “In our grills”. 

Middle School Schedule
Thank you to the parents who attended our first MS Schedule Night on Wednesday.  We had around 50+ people show up, hear our discussion and answer questions about the new schedule for next year. Here is a LINK to a number of frequently asked questions from the parents who attended that evening.   The next parent night will be Thursday, April 13 at Twin Groves, from 7:00-8:00 PM in their cafeteria. I will also be hosting a coffee for Woodlawn parents on April 18th from 8-9a.m. in our Learning Center.  I hope that you can attend. 

I wanted to get this picture in of our 3 on 3 champs from the Spring Fling.  Congrats!

PARCC
Please see below for the Woodlawn PARCC Schedule.
April 10th - 7th Grade Math 3/ELA 3

April 12 - 6th Grade Math 1/ELA 1
April 13th- 6th Grade ELA 2/Math 2
April 18th- 6th Grade Math 3/ELA 3

April 19th- 8th Grade Math 1/ELA 1
April 20th- 8th Grade ELA 2/Math 2
April 21st- 8th Grade Math 3/ELA 3

Please visit our PTO Blog!

PARENTS OF CURRENT 8TH GRADERS
• Ease the social transition to Stevenson for your family – Mon., Apr. 24
Don't miss these simultaneous learning opportunities at Twin Groves Middle School on Mon., April 24, 2017, 7 p.m., for Stevenson incoming freshmen AND their parents.
In one room:
Incoming Stevenson students will hear from a panel of SHS Catalyst students and have a casual, candid Q&A opportunity about social life at school and on weekends for Stevenson students
… while in another room:
Parents of incoming Stevenson freshmen will hear from an expert panel including SHS faculty's Dr. Cristina Cortesi, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, law enforcement officers, and other experts. Learn considerations in hosting a party for your student, ways you can support your student's social transition to SHS, and more. All interested adults and incoming freshmen are welcome.              MORE INFO | RSVP


LAW DAY!!
An Opportunity for Our Student’s Creativity: Law Day 2017
Law Day is a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law–designated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. This year’s theme is the Fourteenth Amendment: “Transforming American Democracy–Equal Protection Under the Law.”

The Judges of the Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois, have invited all Lake County students to participate in Law Day celebrations. Middle school students are invited to take part in contests designated by grade level as described below:

• Students in Grade 6 may participate in the Law Day Poster Contest.
Theme: Transforming American Democracy, Equal Protection Under the Law
Poster Contest Guidelines/Entry Submission Instructions
(Mail poster entries to Lake County Courthouse by Apr. 19, 2017)

• Students in Grades 7–8 may participate in the Law Day Essay Contest.
Theme: Transforming American Democracy, Equal Protection Under the Law
Essay Contest Guidelines/Entry Submission Instructions
(Mail essay entries to Lake County Courthouse by Apr. 19, 2017)

• Students in Grades 6–8 may participate in the Law Day YouTube Video Contest.
Theme: Transforming American Democracy, Equal Protection Under the Law
Video Contest Guidelines/Entry Submission Instructions
(Video entries must be uploaded AND all applicable forms/signatures received by Apr. 19, 2017)

READ MORE INFO about Law Day 2017 and activities on the Lake County, Illinois, Judicial Circuit Court website.

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6th Grade Parents,

Please note that if your child has not submitted a Dental Exam Report to the Nurse, the final deadline is May 15th.  There are Dental forms available that can be downloaded by going onto the District website, or most Dentists have them available and can complete them at the time of examination.  If you choose to have the exam waived, that form is also available online at the District website.

It is a state law that all 6th graders comply and submit a Dental Exam Report to the school.  Many families have already submitted the forms.  If your child still needs to have this mandated exam done, we ask that you please submit the completed form as soon as possible.  Thank you so very much.

Rosie Crawford RN
School Nurse for Woodlawn Middle School

Finally, On days when school is in session, I really despise missing work.  I am sure that there are many of you who can relate to this, because missing work creates more work for all of us in the long run.  Luckily, I am surrounded by the best, most caring people possible, both in my job as Woodlawn boss and in my personal life.  As parents, you may only hear the “unusual” stuff about Woodlawn staff members, but I get to see the compassion that our staff has on a daily basis.  In the early hours on Tuesday,  March 21st, after a ridiculously long battle with Alzheimer’s and then cancer, my mom passed away.  It was sad and at the same time, a relief that she finally was free of those horrid diseases. I do not want to focus on her passing, because I was very fortunate to have her as long as I did.  Instead, I want to talk about what i’ve learned over the past couple of weeks.  The spirit and strength of those around us is simply incredible.  I was amazed at the kindness shown to me by everyone connected to D96, family and friends, parents who saw the obituary, as well as some long lost people in my life.  The past two weeks have had me take stock in those around me, my friendships and how I communicate.  Mom taught me many things, but this is number one, always treat people with respect.  After a few weeks of receiving unbelievable kindness, it is now my turn to go the extra mile with people.  Have a good weekend, take a deep breath, reach out to someone special and remember why you value that person so much.