4/26/24
Another week has passed as we roll toward the final month of the school year. I am starting to feel sadness about sending this group of 8th-grade students to high school. This has been a fun school year and I know we will enjoy the month of May.
Upcoming Dates:
4/30- Early Release for Students-1:30 PM Dismissal
Spring MAP
Spring MAP will be administered on Wednesday, May 1st, and Thursday, May 2nd. The makeup window will extend to Thursday, May 9th.
***PEST TREATMENT APPLICATION NOTICE***
District 96 uses Integrated Pest Management--a program that combines preventive techniques, non-chemical methods (such as bait traps), and the appropriate use of pesticides (with a preference for products least harmful to human health and the environment).
On April 27, 2024, Schopen Pest Solutions will perform a preventative treatment on the school grounds of Country Meadows and Woodlawn Schools. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Miranda at the District Business Office (847-459-4260).
Health Forms
REMINDER - Students returning as 2nd and 6th graders have health form requirements available here.
Provide the required HEALTH FORMS as soon as possible to your school office.
Newcomer Coffee & Conversation is May 6
District 96 is hosting a spring Newcomer Coffee & Conversation at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 6, in the Ivy Hall Mat Room.
For planning purposes, attendees are asked to fill out this form: https://forms.gle/gmJJ6sD3uKsTzMa59. The sign-up deadline is May 2.
This is an event only for parents and guardians.
The Newcomer Coffee & Conversation is an informal opportunity for parents and guardians of newly registered students to ask questions and share their thoughts ~ with other parents and staff ~ about their experiences in the district. These parents might be experiencing the District’s social customs and teaching practices for the first time, just as their students have, and can glean from the experiences of others.
If you missed the last Newcomer Coffee in December, we encourage you to attend this conversation. You are welcome to be a part of this conversation even if you were able to attend the event, so we can hear how you are adjusting to the D96 culture.
Coffee and other refreshments will be served.
Questions? Contact Lubna K. Andrabi, D96’s Community Parent Liaison, @ [email protected] or 847.459.4260, ext. 8136.
2024-25 School Supply Kits Sales Are Live
Families can now order the 2024-25 School Supply Kit from Educational Products Inc. (EPI) at https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/ (enter code KCS096).
Order by July 9 for home delivery before the start of school in August.
For questions about your order, contact Educational Products at 800-365-5345.
The School Supply Kits are a fundraiser for the PTOs. Parents can buy the grade-level materials on their own; access the School Supply Lists at https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/school-supply-lists.
6th Grade Dental Forms Needed
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form, and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form
Dental examination forms, as well as dental waiver forms, can be downloaded from the District’s website.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise Kaufmann [email protected] or call the Woodlawn office at 847-353-8500.
Thank you for your prompt cooperation.
Click here for the Woodlawn Daily Announcements
Science Olympiad - 4th place in the State
Congratulations to our Science Olympiad team! This Woodlawn team finished with our highest finish at state ever! I am so proud of the work that our students, coaches, and parent volunteers put in to make this season a success. Way to go Science Olympiad Wolves!
Robotics Showcase
6th grader Shivansh Tripathi, competed last Saturday at the 4-H Robotics Showcase Contest (Best Teamwork category) conducted by the College of Lake County. He won his division! Way to go Shivansh!
As you may know by now, I really like dates that have a flow to them. Since last Saturday (4/20/24), all the way through Monday (4/29/24), we have had a streak of palindrome days. Next May, we will have the same experience. Too cool.
Finally, I have this belief that life experiences come full circle. When I graduated from college, I intended to become a high school varsity baseball coach. I had played throughout college and wanted to change my experience into something positive for high school athletes. After coaching for several years, I learned that leadership was as much about putting your faith in people as it was the knowledge of the game. It became obvious to me that placing players in pressure situations, allowed them to show you what they were capable of. Eventually, I was allowed to lead a high school program. The issue I had was the program I took over had a losing mentality and before we could worry about the basics, we needed to shake the mindset that bad things were going to happen. Easier said than done. Having won many games and multiple division titles as an under-level coach, losing at the varsity level wore on my psyche and positivity. My first team finished at 3-23 on the season but to this day, I contend that it was the best coaching job I have ever done. We improved so much but unfortunately, the results were not in the win/loss column. After two seasons, I was spent and couldn’t accept that I was in a place where finger-pointing and blame were acceptable. I returned to the under-level program and soon after was “drafted” into school administration. I do not regret leaving varsity coaching for a minute because Woodlawn has been my team and winning happens here every single day. Fast forward to 2024 and my favorite professional baseball team, The Chicago White Sox, is an absolute train wreck. When they lose tonight, and they will, they will be 3-23. Unfortunately, I do not have the same faith in this White Sox team as I did in a group of try-hard, pimple-faced kids.
Last week, my son was named the varsity basketball coach at Conant High School. It is strange to see his name in the press release. I know the hours of hard work and dedication it is going to take for his program to be successful. My hope for him is that his experience matches my administrative experience. Incredible staff (aides, office workers, teachers, A.P.’s, custodians, etc…), strong support through the system (district level, school board), and an unwavering commitment from the community. If he gets that, he will be successful beyond his wildest dreams.
Have a good weekend.