Happy Friday! This was a really quick week that ended with our PTO parents handing out the dessert day treats to our students! Whenever the topic of dessert comes up, I refer back to my favorite movie of all time, Young Frankenstein. Dr. Frankenstein tells Igor (pronounced eye gore) “You made a yummy sound”. Funny stuff. Look for future Young Frankenstein references in my blog. Just a few items on the docket this week.
No School this coming Wednesday, September 19th for a District Holiday.
Click here to visit the PTO Blog.
Click here for the Daily Announcements.
Click here to visit the Band & Orchestra Blog
NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reports Sent Today
The District will send an email via School Messenger today (9-14-2018) between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. with instructions for accessing your child's Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) student progress report online.
The message will include links to more information about understanding student growth, RIT scores, and general information about the MAP assessment.
Please contact Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning Jeanne Spiller if you would like more information about your child's report: [email protected], 847.459.4260, ext. 8010.
Thought Exchange Partnership
Woodlawn is seeking parents to fill spots on our district Thought Exchange Partnership, formerly known as the Parent Review Committee! If you are looking for a way to get involved, be a voice for your school, and learn a lot, please consider joining. If you are interested in this opportunity, go to this link to express interest by September 28th! Please know this will be a lottery for the open spot. I will contact everyone once we have the member to let you know if you have been selected! The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 11th in the evening.
Purpose:
To share with parents information regarding district goals and initiatives, curricular and instructional innovations, programs and other informational topics. (i.e. District Goals, MAP and PARCC Results)
To review school board or school code required topics (i.e. Handbook, Discipline Policy, Grants, Calendar)
To understand parent perceptions and solicit feedback on school district topics to assist the district in communication and planning.
Lake County STEM Conference for 6-8 Grade Girls
Lake County is hosting a STEM Conference for middle school girls and their parents at Grayslake North High School on September 29th. This is the first time that a conference of this magnitude has been offered to all girls in Lake County. See the flyer on this link.
Explain This
I know that I say this every year, but why do we put a reporter on the beach when a hurricane is crashing into the coast? Basically, they tell you that there are hurricane force winds and rain is stinging their face. I am pretty sure that I could have guessed that by looking at the palm trees that were bent to the ground. One day, a reporter is going to be injured.
Mailbox Information
I knew that there was a story. Thank you to the people who reported that the mailbox I wrote about last week has indeed been struck and destroyed 3 times by people speeding down the street. A lovely older couple own the mailbox that was mentioned. I also spoke with the PTO Executive Board who have either had their mailbox crushed or have been known to hit a mailbox in their day. This strikes a nerve with me because my mailbox met an early demise when a D96 administrator dropped me off at home and proceeded to run it over on her way out of my driveway. Because I fear that administrator, I cannot name her in this blog. One parent mentioned that they have had their mailbox turned to rubble 3 times themselves and completely understood what those poor people were experiencing.
Finally, my wife and I have different parenting styles. I feel as though we balance each other well but there are times when it can be seen by our children. When something happens that can be prevented we are usually calm but my wife can be fiery, whereas I am more cynical. An example of this came a few years ago when I went to drop my daughter off at 7a.m. orchestra practice. This was the one time time I was the drop off guy, and the other 100 times, my wife was the driver. As my daughter and I arrived at the across town middle school and it came time to get out of the car I heard her say, “Oh no! I forgot my viola!”. My response was, “No problem let’s go back and get it.” As we drove out of the parking lot and down the road, it was very quiet in the back seat. After about a mile down the road, my daughter said, “Mom would have handled this much differently”. My response was, “Yeah, I’ll just tease you about it the rest of your life.” At the time, she laughed. 4 years later, she has seen that when the opportunity arises, I bring it up to her and whatever crowd is around us. At this point, my daughter would have appreciated my wife and her style of parenting in that moment. I wonder how do parenting styles work in other families?