Woodlawn Principal's Blog 1/19/18

It is Friday and we are past the halfway point of January.  I am very happy with how the students are doing and especially how they conduct themselves around the building.  Honestly, I wish that I could bottle this 8th grade group.  They are a really good group!  


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Stevenson Fine Arts Tour

Our 8th grade students were treated to a special assembly today!  Stevenson students discussed and performed from a variety of different clubs including the band, orchestra, flag squad, art, drama and chorus. Make sure you ask your 8th grader about it, they may want to join one of these groups next year!  


Enhanced Lock Down Drill

Yesterday, our students experienced an enhanced lockdown drill.  This means that instead of going into lockdown and staying in the room, Woodlawn and D96 have been trained to discuss what options students have.  I strongly recommend you asking your child how it went.  From my point of view, it was a very positive experience.  


7th Grade Students

Our 7th Grade students are taking the Constitution Test next week. The Woodlawn PTO would like to help them get ready with a pizza lunch THIS Wednesday, January the 24th. All seventh graders will get a free lunch of pizza, water and a popsicle along with a patriotic gift to encourage them to study hard and do their best!  Thanks PTO and much like all of us, it is time to pass the Constitution test.  Side note, when President Reagan was shot, George H. W. Bush was V.P. but out of the country at the time.  I remember watching the press conference with Secretary of State, Alexander Haig claiming that he was in charge of the country.  Going back to my Constitution studies, I said, “That is wrong!”.  When both the President and Vice President are incapacitated, the next in line is….The Speaker of the House of Representatives.  At the time, it was Tip O’Neill.  I think that I was 15 years old at the time.  Yikes!


Simplifying Stevenson Program is Jan. 22

Simplifying Stevenson is a Q&A program for parents of current Grade 8 students. The purpose of this popular program is to give parents the opportunity to ask Stevenson students (District 96 alumni!)–seniors and freshmen and SHS Principal Troy Gobble–questions about how SHS students choose their classes and extracurricular activities, make summer school decisions, make the transition from middle school, balance the workload, and more. No preregistration/RSVP is needed and all interested adults are welcome.

Monday., Jan. 22, Twin Groves Middle School Learning Center, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., BG, 7–8:30 p.m. (Arrive late/leave early as your schedule requires)

Bring your questions! Need more info? Call 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.


Community Informational Meeting: Solar Energy in KCSD96

On Tues., Jan. 23, Kildeer Countryside School District 96 administrators and their consultants will host an informational meeting for the community about the solar energy installation to occur on the Country Meadows/Woodlawn campus this year. The purpose of the meeting is to present the project and to inform about the District's decision to move to an alternate energy source for this campus. The community is welcome to attend this meeting on Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Woodlawn Middle School Learning Center, 6362 Gilmer Rd., Long Grove. Please call 847.459.4260 with questions.


Finally, I was watching the Vikings (who I despise) play the Saints last Sunday.  My wife had her cousin in from Minnesota, so I had to hold in my feelings for the team from the state of 10,000 lakes.   Anyways, on the last play of the game, the Vikings throw a miracle pass and win the game.  Before the play, I gave the Vikings absolutely no chance because they had to go 60 yards for the touchdown.  The defense messes up, the guy catches the pass and there is dancing in the streets of Minneapolis.  For me, I am looking for the deeper message.  Maybe it is one of these:

  1. Whenever you think you have seen it all, you haven’t  

  2. Keep working hard and good things will happen

  3. Never quit

  4. Believe  

I think it is pretty clear to everyone that I like sports.  Now the reason I like sports is in moments like the one in Minnesota.  As long as you still have a chance, it can happen. On the other side of the coin, man-o-man do I feel bad for the Saints.

Have a good weekend.