We are off to a fast start! For myself, this was a fast, action filled week as we prepared, hosted locker set up and then welcomed our students back for the 2017-18 school year. I have been so impressed with our students and how truly excited they were to be back at school. Next week we start with a great, real life, hands on activity. District 96, in conjunction with our science coaches and teachers, has purchased eclipse filtering devices so that every student can witness this rare event. Here is the note from our district:
In the afternoon on Mon., Aug. 21, District 96 students will take their science study outside to see the solar eclipse.
Supervised by our teachers and faculty, children in Grades KDG–8 will be outside to view the eclipse–each using an approved filtering device manufactured specifically for safe solar observation. (Note that students typically having recess during the time of the eclipse will have indoor recess, going outside only for the specific viewing time with their classroom teacher.)
Before or on the day of the eclipse, teachers will discuss with our students what they will be seeing and why this natural phenomenon is occurring. They may also participate in additional related classroom activities varying by grade level.
Please direct any questions regarding this science learning opportunity to your building principal.
Please visit the PTO Blog!
District 96 Band & Orchestra Boosters – Membership ToolKit Sign-Up is Now Active!
Do you have a student participating in the band or orchestra programs this school year? If so, you will want to stay “in the know” and create an account in the Boosters Membership ToolKit! In our ToolKit you will have access to the order forms for the required concert polo shirts, forms to order items for Booster fundraisers and to register for events (such as treats for after-concert socials, Gift Cards, Booster membership/donations, and the “End of the Year” party) as well as forms to sign up to volunteer at Booster events. You will also be able to make purchases with your credit or debit card! Offerings will be added throughout the year as we get closer to event dates. Please note that most forms will now be located here, and will no longer be sent out by your band or orchestra director, so it is important that you set up an account to stay informed! To create an account and get started head to https://bandandorchestraboosters.membershiptoolkit.com and follow the prompts. If you already have a Membership ToolKit account with the PTO at your school, you can use the same e-mail and password to set up this account. Questions? Please contact Sharon Anderson at [email protected].
Picture Day - CHANGE OF DATE!!!!
Picture Day will be this Wednesday, August 23rd! (Last week it was advertised as being on the 24th) Your Woodlawn student was given an order form as they exited their last class today. They should have stuffed it in their backpacks and brought it home to you (what could possibly go wrong with giving a middle school student directions to bring this home as they exit their last class of the day?). Extra forms will be available in the Woodlawn office.
Map Testing
We will begin our Fall MAP testing this week. Here is the schedule for the week:
Wed 8/23
6th Grade Math - Morning
7th Grade Math - Morning
Thursday 8/24
8th Grade Math - Morning
6th & 7th Grade Reading - Afternoon
Friday 8/25
6th & 7th Grade Make Ups - Morning
8th Grade Reading - Morning
Monday 8/28
All make ups will be finalized.
Hot Lunch Price Change
I just want to be sure that all parents are seeing this information...Hot lunch has increased in price this year from $2.60 per lunch to $2.75.
Musical Tryouts
"Love to sing, dance, or act? Do you want to learn how to build a stage and design costumes? Come try out for this year's musical: Oklahoma! Information packets can be found in Mrs. Woeckel's, Ms. Wronkiewicz's, or Mrs. Wesbecher's room. An electronic copy can also be found HERE. Auditions will be next week on Wednesday, August 23rd and Thursday, August 24th. No experience needed!"
iPad Awareness
Parents, I need your help. Please talk with your student about taking care of their iPad. Last year, Woodlawn had the most broken iPads in the district. If you ever see your child throw their backpack, remind them that they will be without their iPad if it breaks. I will continue to talk with our students about this issue. Thanks.
Curriculum Nights
Mark your calendar! Curriculum Night is a great time to meet your teachers and hear about the curriculum your child will receive this year.
6th grade will be Monday, August 28th.
7th & 8th grade will be on Tuesday, August 29th.
Each night begins in the gym at 7p.m., followed by you following the schedule of your child.
Daily Announcements
We will not be reading our daily announcements to the students this year. (Don’t worry, they didn’t listen to them anyways) Instead, we will be posting them on the website, Schoology and on Teach Ease. We will also post them on the monitors in the cafeteria. Click here to see the link.
Finally, I am not going to lie to you, this was a draining week and I am glad that we can now get down to the business of school. I had the pleasure of helping our 6th graders figure out their lockers over the last few days. Call me crazy, but teaching them this basic skill is kind of fun, but it has moments of frustration for everyone involved. I have been especially impressed with the manners all of our students have shown in the first two days of school. Our 7th & 8th graders have grown so much and I am thrilled to see them back in the hallways. Great start...possibly, one of our best ever.
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I will tell stories, make silly comments and share personal stories from my life, giving you a little insight into the guy in charge of your fantastic middle school. Also know that I am a person who has a bunch of irons in the fire and proofreading my blog for spelling or punctuation errors escapes me from time to time. I am going to ask forgiveness in advance, because I know it will happen. My wife is a reader of this blog and she will correct me at home, so please do not feel as though you have to let me know about my mistakes...she is way ahead of you. I kind of feel that she enjoys telling me as well.
This blog will become live at 4:15p.m. each and every Friday. There will be a SchoolMessenger e-mail that alerts you that it is time to get your middle school information fix.