Welcome Woodlawn parents to the first Principal Blog for the 2023-24 school year! For those of you who are new to Woodlawn, my name is Greg Grana and I am the principal of this amazing school. This is my 31st year in District 96 and my 18th year as principal here at Woodlawn. Yikes! Just reading that makes me feel like an antique. My goal for the principal’s blog is to get you information, give you an insight to the school and maybe give you a chuckle from time to time. In 13 days, the students will be back in school!
First Day of School
The first day of school is Thursday, August 17th. School goes from 7:45-11:10a.m.
Please note, this is a HALF DAY for students.
The first full day of school will be Friday, August 18th. It will be a regular school day, running from 7:45a.m. - 2:30p.m.
D96 Calendar for the 23-24 school year.
New Woodlawn Staff Members
I am really excited about the new staff members who are joining Woodlawn this year. This is an amazing group of professionals who have experience working with middle school children and fit the culture of our building and the expectations of this community.
- Brigitte (Lyman) Cameron - Assistant Principal
- Erin Cooper - 6th Grade Language Arts
- Sarah Gord - 4-8 Grade Literacy Specialist
- Kristin Johnson - Spanish Teacher
- Ryan Nuebling - Health Teacher
- Breanna Hill - School Psychologist
- Hector del Rio - 8th Grade Math/Science
- Kelley Belew - 6th Grade Special Education
- Angela Ryg - Literacy Coach
- Carrie Collins - Language Development Coach
iPads
Remind your student to find their iPad, charge it and bring it to school on the first day of school. Seems logical but they might need a reminder.
Student Schedules, Bus Information, Locker Assignments
Student schedules, bus information, and locker assignments will be available electronically on Wednesday, August 9th on 8a.m.. Please look out for an email from the district on the 9th.
Locker Set Up Day
Locker Set Up Day will be Wednesday, August 16th from 4:30-6:00p.m..
During this time, the school will be open for students to set up their lockers and walk through their schedules. Classrooms will be locked but the building will be open for students to walk their schedules. This is a great time to practice locker combinations.
PTO Monthly Blog. It will be updated next week!
Picture Day
This year, picture day will be Wednesday, August 30th. Make ups will be on October 18th.
Further information will be in a future blog.
NEW *School Lunch Programs*
Families will receive an email on Monday, August 7th, from Kildeer96 Food Service with a subject line of “D96 Food Service Information” that will include information on the District's online meal pre-payment system and online application site.
To learn more about the school lunch program, please visit our District Website. Within this link, you will find menus and how to complete pre-payment for meals. Applications for free and reduced meals are available on the District’s website. If you have any questions, please contact the school office at 847-353-8500 or [email protected].
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Parent Drop Off
Parents, it is essential that you follow the rules for our parking lot drop off and pick up. I understand that you may need to get to work or that you are running late, but we all have to make the system work in order to keep students and staff safe. Please follow the following rules:
- When dropping off or picking up your student, stay in a single file line as seen in the diagram below.
- Do NOT cut through the aisles or drop your child off in the parking lot aisles. This is dangerous for students and teachers alike. See the red block areas noted.
- Pull up as far as you can and have the students ready to get out of the car quickly. We have a long line of people trying to drop off their student so we have to be efficient.
- Do NOT drop off in the bus lot or the Country Meadows lot.
- Stay in a single file line and do not double up lanes.
- Be courteous to each other.
Activity Bus Dismissal Procedure
Starting on Monday, August 21st the Woodlawn Activity Bus routes will begin.
Students board the buses starting at 3:15 PM. The buses typically leave between 3:30-3:50 PM.
Clubs, Activities, and Study Halls
Activities and Study Halls will start on Monday, August 21st.
The activity period for clubs, activities, and study halls is from 2:30 PM-3:15 PM.
Curriculum Nights
6th Grade Curriculum Night: Monday, August 28th.
7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night: Wednesday, August 30th.
ILC Curriculum Night will be Monday, August 28th.
More information to come.
2023-2024 KCSD 96 Approved Snack List
Access the 2023-24 KCSD 96 Approved Snack List.
Finally, I like to end my blog with a little story or something that I find interesting or funny. I do this so that the community gets a feel for who I am and how you must have a sense of humor when working with middle schoolers. Here is an example... For those of you who were reading the blog last year, you may remember that I live on the very edge of Palatine on a lovely cul-de-sac. Behind my property line is unincorporated Palatine where there are no rules. That being said, the house two doors behind mine has brought in chickens and a rooster. I told the parents that this rooster is controlling my life with his rooster-like hours and 4a.m. morning shout outs. Well, rooster watch 2023 now has this guy strolling around yards and at one point, on a Sunday morning, I thought he was going to enter restricted ground space (my yard) and we were going to have it out once and for all. I am talking a no holds barred battle to the finish grudge match. When he was 10 yards away from my property line, I walked over and we made eye contact. There was head bobbing, side glances and a lot of macho maneuvering from each of us. Neither of us was going to back down and I was sure that this was going to escalate, Anchorman style. Just when I thought I was going to have an actual battle royale with this fowl, I am pretty sure we both backtracked slowly in order to save face. When I shared this story with the office staff and asked them who would win, I was disappointed to tally a 4-2 decision in favor of the barnyard fowl. I will keep you updated on any future run-ins.
Have a great weekend!