Happy last Friday in August Woodlawn! We had a really nice first full week of school as the students and staff are getting to know each other. I love seeing the 6th grade students get acclimated to our systems and our 7th & 8th graders are really doing great. Next week I will be looking forward to seeing our parents in the building for curriculum nights.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, August 28th - 6th Grade Curriculum Night- Along with ILC Curriculum Night 7p.m.
Tuesday, August 29th Early Release 1:30p.m. Dismissal
Wednesday, August 30th Picture Day - Say Cheese
Wednesday, August 30th - 7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night 7p.m.
Wednesday, August 30th MAP Testing
Thursday, August 31st - MAP Testing
Monday, September 4th - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Curriculum Nights - This Monday & Wednesday
- 6th Grade & ILC Curriculum Night: Monday, August 28th
Start in the Woodlawn Gym for a presentation with Mr. Grana & Mrs. Cameron 7p.m. Curriculum Night lasts until 8:35p.m.
Please bring a copy of your child’s schedule.
- 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night: Wednesday, August 30th
Start in the Woodlawn Gym for a presentation with Mr. Grana & Mrs. Cameron 7p.m.
Curriculum Night lasts until 8:35p.m.
Please bring a copy of your child’s schedule.
MAP Testing
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in the NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) on Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday, August 31st. The MAP assessment is a norm referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote students' academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test during the school day. Students will take the reading assessment Wednesday and the math assessment on Thursday.
6th Grade: Assessment will begin at 8:30am following PE/Exploratory classes
7th/8th Grade: Assessment will begin promptly at 7:45
A healthy breakfast, good night’s sleep, and some positive words of encouragement will help set up students for success!
The Parking Lot
Parents, I would like to thank (most of) you for doing a great job in the morning dropping your child off and keeping the line moving.
Now we have to talk about after school.
Please stay in the Woodlawn line for parent pick up. I understand that the line is very long and it might take 5-10 minutes to get through. Regardless, I need you to stay in the line and not park in spots, wait in the parking lot aisles or go over to Country Meadows.
Also, we must let the buses from both Woodlawn and Country Meadows out of the parking lot by yielding to those buses.
Thank you to everyone. I appreciate your cooperation.
6th Grade 'Welcome to Woodlawn' Lunch
The PTO is excited to host a 'Welcome to Woodlawn' pizza lunch for our 6th grade students this coming Wednesday, August 30th. Free lunch will be provided to all the students. We invite all 6th grade parents to come help serve and see their child during lunch. If you would like to come, please visit Membership Toolkit and sign up under Volunteer Opportunities—> 6th Grade Event/Lunch - August 30th so we can have your name tag ready for you if you are already in the system. Lunch runs from 12:00-12:25 so we ask you to arrive at 11:45am. We hope to see you Wednesday!
Don’t forget, you must wear a hat and have an ID if you are not in the system!
Last Call for Spirit Wear!!
Spirit Wear sales close Sunday 8/27 at midnight. Be sure to log onto Membership Toolkit and check out all the great items we are offering this year. Any orders placed during this sale will be delivered to your child's classroom.
Special Lunch and Dessert Day
Special Lunch and Dessert day are now available. Please visit Membership Toolkit to purchase Dessert Day Hersheys twice a month for the whole year and select options for Special Lunch.
If you previously purchased Dessert Day and Special Lunch you will receive an email regarding a credit to your Membership Toolkit account that can be used to reorder the new options.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding while we navigated the new district guidelines.
If you have any questions please contact Dana Mills at [email protected].
Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION
On Friday, September 1st, Woodlawn will be conducting the annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION. Students will be learning age-appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill EDUCATION with their school peers.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education with the other peers, please contact Greg Grana at [email protected] The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the education.
The actual safety drill will not be for a few weeks. I will communicate the date of the drill in an upcoming Principal’s Message.
Erin’s Law (NEW)
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 researched and observed best practices and programs for delivering this instruction, selecting Be Seen & Heard ©. For more information about this presentation please go to www.victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2
This developmentally appropriate and interactive program focuses on teaching children skills to keep them safe from danger or abuse. Concepts discussed will include distinguishing safe from unsafe touches, safety rules at home and school, saying NO, safe/unsafe secrets, and telling a trusted adult, as well as reinforcing that an adult’s touching him or her is not the child’s fault.
Opt-Out Procedures
The presentation for Woodawn students will be during the school day on September 13th, 2023. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected]
Picture Day
Picture day will be held this Wednesday, August 30th during our PE classes. Please make sure you fill out the picture form for your child.
Middle School Health
Please click HERE to access the 23-24 Health Education letter.
Click here for the Woodlawn Daily Announcements
Sports Physicals-
Any 6th, 7th, or 8th Grade student interested in Cross Country, Girl's Basketball, or Soccer must have a current Sports Physical to participate. There will be no exceptions. Now is a great time for families to check and get everything in order.
If you have any questions about your child’s current Sports Physical, please contact Denise Kaufmann at [email protected] or call the Woodlawn main office at 847-353-8500.
Finally, working at this middle school is a gift. I say that because each day, something happens that brings a smile to my face. Making connections with students and listening to their stories make me laugh out loud. In the past 24 hours, I have heard from students who want to write a series of novels, are wildly excited about their role in the upcoming musical and how they will create a powerpoint presentation for me to justify an after school club. Seriously amazing and inspiring stuff! The creativity and excitement of a middle school student is infectious. I witnessed a bunch of boys wearing football jerseys here today and even though they were on the same team, when I asked them who they were playing, their responses ranged from Woodstock to Joliet. There is a joy that the students bring that cannot be measured, only admired. My goal and the goal of this staff is to encourage them to share and keep their excitement level high. Now don’t get me wrong, as they walk into the building in the morning, it looks like they are zombie extras from the Walking Dead. However, when they wake up, they are so ready to be challenged. Working here has been my life for most of the last 25 years and I would not trade it for the world.
Have a great weekend!