Woodlawn Principal's Blog 11/12/21

Happy Friday everyone!  We had an outstanding Special Lunch day today and our first in person orchestra concert, in almost two years happened on Tuesday night.  Mix in basketball games, poms practice, our clubs and Woodllawn was a hopping place to be.  Check out the blog!  


Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to our students who participated in the orchestra concert on Tuesday night!  I am so impressed with your performance under the direction of our amazing conductor, Mrs. Wronkiewicz.  Check out these pictures!  


BOOK FAIR STARTS TUESDAY, NOV 16TH!

The PTO SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR will be held in the Woodlawn Learning Center, November 16th - 19th.  The fair will be open from 7:30am - 3:15pm Tuesday-Thursday, and 7:30am - 12:30pm on Friday.  Books make great gifts…   “Books bring us together"  

Visit the PTO monthly blog


NEW *Symptoms, Close contacts, and Quarantine*

If you have any questions about symptoms, close close contacts or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage. 

Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage. 


Dress Code

In case your student tells you about this, or more likely, doesn’t tell you about this, we went over the guidelines (again) for dress code.  Ask your student about it.


Parking Lot 

Please do not cut through or form a double line in the parking lot.  As the weather gets worse, we must keep the safety of our students at the forefront of our minds.  Stay in line and take the extra minute or two in order to keep our students safe.  


NEW *Covid Metrics*

To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process.


It Is Time to Revisit

Six years ago, right around this time, I put together something that shaped my thinking about the future of Woodlawn and where we were heading as a school.  We did an exercise that made an impact on our functioning as a school.  I examined the belief systems of myself, this staff and a sampling of our students.  It was put into writing and shared with the community. 

Times change and they change quickly.  I have always looked at the Woodlawn community as something special because of our support and belief in each other.  As the leader of this amazing school, (and yes, I honestly believe that we are an amazing school) difficult conversation must be had.  The last two years have been taxing, trying to move forward when we are pulling in different directions leads to uncertainty and questions. I am going to discuss difficult topics head on and remind myself and this community what we are all about.  Look for these discussion in future blogs.  

 

Finally, some of my favorite quotes:

  • Power plus influence equals my responsibility.  
  • Believe and you are halfway there. Great things in business are never built by one person, they are done by great teams of people.  
  • As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.  
  • A good leader takes a little bit more than his share of the blame and a little less share of the credit.
  • Leadership is not about titles, it is about trust.
  • A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to become a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.  

Have a great weekend!