Woodlawn - We are back with the first of many Principal’s Blog entries for the 2017-18 school year! I want you to note that it is says Principal’s Blog, so this year I plan on having our wonderful Assistant Principal, Mrs. Meghan Bird (formerly Ms. Kennedy), who will contribute some writing, letting you get to know her a little better. I am really excited to get this school year started. When you receive this, shout out to your middle school student that the new school year starts in approximately 400 hours... Let me know what their reaction was to this wonderful news. [email protected] Pictures will be accepted. Every staff member receives this blog as well, and they are welcomed to send in their response as well. Here are a few items just to get us started:
Woodlawn
There has been major construction here at Woodlawn all summer. The finishing touches are being put on the classrooms, while our parking lot has been in complete rebuild mode! Next week I will introduce all of the new teachers as we are still signing contracts. There are staff members coming and going all over the place.
PTO
Visit the PTO BLOG!!
MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
Make your Locker Set Up Day quick and easy - visit the Woodlawn PTO's Membership Toolkit before you come. Order Gym Clothes, Locker Shelves, Special Lunch, Dessert Day and more. Your orders will be ready for pick up so you can go straight to your lockers! Access the Toolkit though the PTO blog or click here: https://woodlawnmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/home
An Invitation to Newcomers to Our District 96 Community
Has your family recently moved to the United States or are you and your student(s) new to this area?
On Aug. 9 at 7 p.m., parents of registered students in Kindergarten–Grade 8 are invited to Twin Groves Middle School, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove, for a program to welcome you to our community and introduce you to our District 96 culture.
Learn about and understand our home-school connection, classroom dynamics, patterns of communication to expect from our teachers and administrators, and more. Ask questions and help us understand how we can best support you as newcomers acclimating to the culture of a new school district, neighborhood, and community.
While all interested parents are welcome, please note that the focus of this evening is not specifically curricular and general procedural information, which will be shared with all District 96 parents on their students’ designated grade-level Curriculum Nights.
Rather, this is an informational opportunity for parents who–like their students–are experiencing our social customs and practices for teaching and learning for the first time.
If you are unable to attend on Aug. 9, a second Newcomers’ Welcome is offered on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Woodlawn Middle School, 6362 Gilmer Rd., Long Grove.
Questions? Please contact Director of Language and Early Literacy Katie Sheridan at [email protected]
6th Grade Parents
Earlier this week, you received an InstantMessenger (our important/emergency notification system) notice from me related to turning in paperwork for your incoming 6th grader. Remember, we must have your physical and immunization forms before we mail out class assignments for the 2017-18 school year. Get them in a.s.a.p. If you haven’t already done so!!
Locker Set Up Day
Wednesday, August 16th from 4-7p.m. the PTO, Mrs. Kupsco, Mrs. Bird and yours truly will be here to welcome our Woodlawn students (at that point, school will start in 15 hours and 45 minutes), back and let them set up lockers and walk their schedule. Parents, you can order your special lunch, dessert day and other items through membership toolkit. This is a great day to come back and visit with the entire Woodlawn community!
Schedules
Will be live this Thursday at 4p.m. You will receive an e-mail with all of the information. All you have to do is log in to School Insight. Should we start that countdown?
Curriculum Nights
Come and meet all of the teachers your child will have this year. 6th grade will be Monday, August 28th while 7th & 8th grade will be on Tuesday, August 29th. Each night begins in the gym at 7p.m., followed by a walk of your child’s schedule.
National Champion
Congratulations to Woodlawn 8th grader, Track & Field member Ray Zhao on his AAU junior Olympic national championship for high jump! His winning height was 5’ 8.75”. That is almost taller than I am (**I claim to be 5’10”, when in reality I am much closer to 5’9”). Way to go Ray!!
http://pa.milesplit.com/videos/226643
Finally, I love Woodlawn. I have been so fortunate to be the principal at this school for the past 12 years. Wow. The students, staff and community have been, are currently and always will be held to a high standard of achievement and expectation. Woodlawn is a special place where the staff is highly collaborative, possessing the best working culture I have ever seen. Our culture is essential for the success of all, making sure that your child is exposed to a safe, positive environment where they can take chances and explore being a middle schooler. For those of you that haven’t witnessed my blog, I like to have fun with it. I will tell stories, make silly comments and try to make it enjoyable to read. Parents, please introduce yourself to me and if you ever have a question, do not hesitate to approach me. We will figure it all out together, as partners, through the middle school years. I look forward to seeing everyone in roughly 386 hours at locker set up day.