We are rolling through February and thankfully, the weather cooperated with us this week! The students have been awesome at Woodlawn and we continue to roll on in the classroom. I just have a few items for the blog this week.
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RESCHEDULED: Simplifying Stevenson for Parents of Current 8th Graders – Feb. 21, 7–8:30 p.m.
Parents of current 8th graders whose students will attend Stevenson High School are invited to this popular Q&A featuring panelists who are current Stevenson High School seniors and freshmen. This is an evening for parents to ask questions and hear from SHS students (District 96 alumni) how they made the transition to high school, manage their time, choose extracurriculars, balance their workload, and more. Principal Troy Gobble will also share info and answer questions.
Questions about this parent program?
Contact KCSD96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, 847.459.4260, ext. 8136
Check out the Woodlawn Daily Announcements
DUAL LANGUAGE INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM FOR PARENTS
Parents of incoming kindergartners interested in learning more about the Dual Language program beginning in the 2019–2020 school year are invited to an informational meeting at Willow Grove Early Learning Center, 777 Checker Dr., Buffalo Grove, on Tues., Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m.
Questions? Please call 847.459.4260, ext. 8022, or contact the public info coordinator [email protected]
Thanks to the Custodial Crew
Our custodians have done a great job of clearing snow, keeping the building warm and running, without a hitch. On those cold days last week, our custodians came in, did their normal late shift and made sure things were safe for our students. Way to go, Greg!!
Create a Sticker for Our Teachers!
On March 1st teachers from District 96, 102, 103 and 125 will meet at Stevenson High School to participate in a workshop. The workshop will focus on the diversity within our community and how educators can create an equitable learning environment for all students. Our aspirational goal is to create a community in which all students feel they belong as their authentic selves. We are reaching out to students to help design a sticker with a slogan that will unite all of us around a common theme of respect and inclusion of all.
If you are interested in submitting a design and slogan for consideration, please email a document as a .pdf with your design to [email protected] or turn in a paper copy to the main office in your school. With your submission, please include your full name, grade and school you attend. Your slogan and design may contain images, words or a combination of both and should not be bigger than 6 x 3 inches. Your submission must be an original creation.
Designs need to be turned in on or before Friday, February 8th. If your design is selected you will be contacted by email by February 15th.
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¡Crea una Calcomanía Para Nuestros Maestros!
El 1º de marzo los maestros de los Distritos 96, 102, 103 y 125 se reunirán en Stevenson High School para participar en un seminario. El seminario se enfocará en la diversidad que existe dentro de nuestra comunidad y cómo los maestros pueden crear un ambiente de aprendizaje equitativo para todos los estudiantes. El objetivo que aspiramos es crear una comunidad en la cual todos los estudiantes se sientan que pertenecen como seres auténticos que son. Queremos que los estudiantes ayuden con el diseño de una calcomanía en el que tenga un eslogan que nos unirá en torno a un tema común de respeto e integración de todos.
Si estás interesado en enviar un diseño y un eslogan para ser considerado, por favor manda un documento .pdf por correo electrónico con tu diseño a [email protected] o entrega una copia en papel a la oficina de tu escuela. Con tu formulario de envío, por favor incluye tu nombre completo, grado y la escuela a la que asistes. Tu eslogan y diseño pueden contener imágenes, palabras o una combinación de ambos y no debe medir más de 6 x 3 pulgadas, además debe ser una creación original.
Los diseños deben ser entregados para el viernes 8 de febrero o antes.
Si se elige tu diseño te enviaremos un correo electrónico antes del 15 de febrero.
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Finally, I honestly believe that I am in a partnership with the entire Woodlawn (and D96) community. I would not want it any other way. I like talking with people and trying to come to an agreement that benefits everyone. There are times when I have to take on an authoritarian role, which I accept, but honestly, I prefer dialogue. Working with students is energizing for me. I know that they are anywhere from 11 to 14 years old, but they amaze me with their insights. I collaborate with our teachers/aides/office staff, who are absolutely student focused and care about student learning and safety on a daily basis. Our District Office professionals who are cutting edge on educational best practice and allow me to have success in my role as principal. The group that I have always had a great relationship with is our parents. There has always been a level of respect that goes both ways and after 13 years here at Woodlawn, that healthy respect is still going strong.
With February being Black History Month, I had a couple of wonderful conversations with parents asking what we were doing, if anything, to reinforce this throughout the school. In the past, we have had book displays with African American writers in our Learning Center (we currently have a culturally diverse display). We’ve also displayed BHM information on our monitors in the cafeteria. After listening (and I strongly believe that listening is a skill that has to be developed) to the parents, I believe that there is an opportunity for widespread cultural growth at Woodlawn. After meeting with my Leadership Team (1 person from each team in the building) this morning and looking to the future, we brainstormed how to be more inclusive for all of our students. Our discussion this morning included the observation of when you walk the halls of Woodlawn, you will see many, many different cultures represented. We have 9+ months in our school year, what if we acknowledged many cultures on a monthly basis? One month could be famous writers, another could be actors, mathematicians, scientists, etc…
One of our D96 values is Every Child, Every School Every Day. I believe in our value system and will continue to work to make Woodlawn the most inclusive, safe and fun environment for students that I possible can.
If you know me at all, you know I love my quotes. Here are a few of my favorite quotes to celebrate Black History Month:
Greatness occurs when your children love you, when your critics respect you and when you have peace of mind.
-- Quincy Jones
Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.
-- Barbara Jordan
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself—the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us—that's where it's at.
-- Jesse Owens, Blackthink (1970)
I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear.
-- Rosa Parks
Have a vision. Be demanding.
-- Colin Powell
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
-- Booker T. Washington