We are in the homestretch of the school year. I have never been a countdown person so I have no idea how many school days are left. Instead, after today there will only be 2 blogs before the end of the school year. It is always my hope that the Woodlawn community enjoys reading the blog and that I have slipped a little humor into your weekly reading. We have a bunch of end of the items in the blog this week.
Learning Center/Library Book Fines
Students need to return their books to the library by Monday, May 14th. Those students who have overdue books need to settle their fines before they receive their yearbook. Please ask your student if they need to return a book or pay a fine.
PTO Blog
Please visit the PTO Blog and look for the Student Supply Kits!!!
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you to our PTO for treating us like royalty this week. We are so lucky to have a great working relationship with our parents. Each year the entire staff is amazed by the time and energy put in by the PTO chairs who run this event. Thank you again Woodlawn PTO.
Juuling (Similar to vaping)
I am hearing more and more about juuling. Earlier in the school year, the rumors were that this is happening outside of school. Lately, I am hearing that this is happening at school. I have been on the lookout and thankfully, haven’t found anyone doing here at Woodlawn. Please have a talk with your child about the dangers of this type of activity.
Band concert
As usual, it was a fantastic show. I am so proud of the students and how great they sounded! Mr. Craw had this group ready and playing beautifully.
FAMILY FUN OPPORTUNITY: BIKE RODEO – Sat., May 19
in the St. Mary's Church Parking Lot (South), at the northwest corner of Buffalo Grove and Lake Cook Roads, 12 – 2 p.m., Sat., May 19.
The Buffalo Grove Police Department is sponsoring a Bike Rodeo– a bicycle skills course designed by the office of the Illinois Secretary of State to help kids test their bike riding skills. The Bike Rodeo is open to children of all skill levels, ages 5–12 year old, and features multiple prizes by age group–and a new bike grand prize. MORE INFO
Train with Stevenson Coaches
Stevenson Athletics & the Patriot Recreation Education Program (PREP) are presenting Futures Night on May 21, 6–8 PM, at Stevenson for future SHS Patriot Athletes currently in Grade 7 or 8. SHS encourages 1st-time athletes to attend. MORE INFO
The Woodlawn Wolves' Difference
Our Woodlawn Student Council, sponsored by Ms. Khan, recently held a ping-pong tournament fundraiser. The proceeds will help make a significant difference for the quality of life for others. I'm proud of our students for the difference they choose to make! READ MORE
PARENTS OF CURRENT 8TH GRADERS...
Does your current 8th grader have a positive lunch account balance?
No later than Fri., June 8, you may transfer that positive balance to a younger brother or sister who is enrolled in District 96 for the 2018–2019 school year.
To do so, log into your K-!2 Payment Center account and choose "Transfer Funds" on the left side of the website home page.
OR, if you do not yet have an account for your 8th grader's younger sibling, send a "Transfer Request" email to Michelle Mize in the Business Office.
Be sure to include the names of BOTH your graduating 8th grader AND the remaining D96 sibling whose account should receive the transferred amount.
Note: All un-transferred positive lunch account balances in excess of $10 will automatically be refunded. A check will be issued on June 20 and mailed to the home address in our database.
Stand Strong Catalyst Students
Traveling to Springfield to meet lawmakers, the WL Catalyst students had an amazing experience on Wednesday, learning how to advocate for change in our world. They met with lawmakers--some of whom disappointed the students with their answers and some of whom made them really happy! They stood behind the Tobacco 21 bill sponsors, Senator Morrison and Representative Lily, both of whom complimented and thanked the students for being there. Whether or not the bill passes, the students made a difference Wednesday by being present and expressing their concern about vaping and juuling in their communities.
MAP Scores
Accessing Your Student's Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) growth report on May 18
On Fri., May 18, the District will send you an email after 4 PM with instructions for accessing your child's MAP student progress report online.
Please make a note to watch for that email coming late in the afternoon on Fri., May 18.
iPad Policy Change for 2018-19
There is a district wide change in our damaged iPad policy heading into next year. You have been getting updates from most of the year related to broken iPads at Woodlawn. Here is the statement going to all schools for next year.
The end of the year is a busy time for everyone, but it's always good to get a head start and thinking next year. The policy concerning iPad damage will be different next year. This change is reflected on the flyer below and in greater detail in the 2018-19 Student Handbook. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
8th Grade Events
We are a couple of weeks from the last day of school for our 8th graders. The last day of attendance for them is a half day on May 25th. We have a lot planned right up to our 8th graders last day. Here our some important upcoming events so please mark your calendars!
Friday, May 18 - Bowling Party at Brunswick Zone in Vernon Hills (6:30 - 8:00)
Wednesday, May 23 - Locker Clean Out
Thursday, May 24 - Graduation Practice and Great America Trip
Friday, May 25 - PTO Sponsored 8th Grade Party (Includes Breakfast, a DJ and yearbooks will be handed out)
Tuesday, May 29 - Graduation 8p.m. at SHS
Required Summer Reading
School District 96 recognizes that summer reading is critically important for a student's continued academic growth.
Students entering Grade 6 or 7 or 8 in the 2018–19 school year have a required summer reading assignment that is due on the first day of school.
Please read this PARENT LETTER for more info.
Your student must read at least ONE BOOK from The Power of One SUMMER READING LIST.
CLICK ON THIS LINK (CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH) for details of the Middle School Summer Reading Assignment and the Parental Acknowledgment Form, to be signed by the student and his or her parent or guardian.
Please contact me with any questions.
Lloyd Bacharach
We had an outstanding assembly today! Lloyd Bacharach did his Yes You Can presentation for our 8th graders. They listened to Lloyd talk about his life experiences, the obstacles that he has overcome and how every one of our students should make the most out of their opportunities in life. This former Paralympian was a huge hit with our 8th graders.
Finally, it is tag month. For those of you who aren’t familiar with what I am talking about, myself and 5 other middle aged (and that is being generous) yahoos play a game of tag every May. Yes, it is just like a game of tag in your yard, except now we show up randomly in each others lives. Family picnic, tag you’re it! On the train heading to work downtown, tag you’re it! Umpiring a softball game, you guessed it, tag you’re it! The tag game used to be a May and November event, but my knee injury on slippery grass was the final straw and we decided to make it only one time per year because the injuries were piling up. I am a little worried about graduation this year. Tuesday, May 29th, I am a sitting duck. My buddies will research me, know that I will be at Stevenson and try to tag me. I say try because many in this group have lost a step...or two. I am 11 days into the month and haven’t been tagged yet. Just to let you know, we take this game very seriously. I have been working with family members (wives, children, daughters-in-law) on the inside to gain an advantage on where they might be at any given time. I promise to keep you in the loop throughout the month. I have never been “it” at the end of the game and I do not intend to be “it” this month. There is a movie coming out about a group of guys who play tag. I don’t feel that I have to go see it because I have lived it.
Have a great weekend!