1/26/24
Another week is in the books here at Woodlawn. Our students are working hard and the staff is motivating the kids to do their best. Just a few items for the blog this week, so check them out!
Upcoming Dates:
1/30- Early release 1:30 p.m. dismissal
7th Grade Parents
This Wednesday, January 31st, the PTO is buying pizza lunch for all 7th-grade students to celebrate halfway through middle school. You do not need to pack a lunch that day.
Illinois Youth Survey- 8th Grade Only
On Monday, February 26th, the 8th Graders will be taking the Illinois Youth Survey.
Please click HERE for more information.
If you would like your child to opt out of the survey, please email Mr. Grana at [email protected]. Thank you.
Geography Bee
Congratulations to the 2024 Woodlawn Geography Bee Champion, Robert Ginger, and all who competed in the final competition yesterday! Advait Nagarkar finished in 2nd place, and Sanjay Devabhaktuni took 3rd place. All Woodlawn students participated in the schoolwide geography bee in their social studies classes in early January, and those with the top 10 scores in the school advanced to the final competition. The other finalists competing were Safeena Shaikh, Tamoghna Gattupalli, Connor Dessing, Aarit Perswal, Janie Tsai, Frank Kosciak, and Alex Radon, who all showed impressive geographic knowledge.
NEW *24-25 Kindergarten Registration Open*
Are you the parent of a kindergarten student or friends with someone who is? Please help us get the word out! Kindergarten registration is now open for the 24-25 school year. Families who complete registration by April 30th may attend Kindergarten Kick-Off in May at Willow Grove Early Learning Center and receive a free t-shirt while at the event! Kindergarten Kick-Off is an exciting event designed to welcome and introduce incoming kindergarten students and their parents/guardians to Willow Grove, supporting a successful transition into school and kindergarten. Please follow this link to learn about the steps to register. Fully registered families will receive additional
information about Kindergarten Kick-Off and more in early April.
If your child is already attending Willow Grove in the early childhood program, you will automatically receive a registration link in March for kindergarten. Please wait until you receive that link to proceed with registration. You will still want to complete the registration process by April 30th to receive your child's free t-shirt and attend Kindergarten Kick-Off.
Please note that your child must be 5 years old by September 1st, 2024 to attend kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year.
https://www.kcsd96.org/wg/kindergarten-registration
Click here for the Woodlawn Daily Announcements
Finally, I have been trying to think of a topic all week that is lighthearted, fun, or inspirational. The only thing on my mind has been the passing of my father-in-law Bob Sweeney. I always like to think about those people who were incredibly inspiring and made me a better person. My father-in-law did not pick me and I did not choose him, yet we were thrust into each other's lives through his daughter. If you ever want to talk about someone who ruled with a thundering velvet hand, it was Bob. He was a long-time Chicago Police Officer who worked his way up to the rank of Captain but remained the most modest and witty man. On my wedding day, he sought me out and said, “Remember, THESE are the good old days.” At the time, I laughed and did not think much of it. Through the years, five, ten, twenty, thirty years later, in a private moment, he would turn to me and say, “Do you remember the good old days?” He would then laugh and move on. Early on, before I was married, dating Bob’s oldest daughter was a little hazardous. He liked demonstrating his police take-down moves on a naive suburban kid. While in the front room of his Chicago bungalow, he would demonstrate to me that the thumb or arm doesn’t bend a certain way. While on the ground, I would hear my future wife shout to the front room, “Dad, let him up off the ground.” I know that the 6’4” dad was sending a message to a 5’10” suburban kid, but to this day, it is one of my fondest memories. He lived a great life and provided stability, leadership, and love to those who surrounded him. Bob will be missed, but he will always inspire those he loved. I hope you take a minute to remember someone who inspired you or, if possible, give them a call. It will lift you to a whole new level.