5/2/25 <----------------- Palindrome. Love it!
Another week is done and it is time to start looking at our end-of-the-year activities. We still have a good amount of time so the learning continues, and I cannot help but tell you that the days are almost going too quickly for me. The one thing I could always count on, no matter how challenging things were, was walking into this building and knowing I had the support of this staff and our parents. Just a few items for the blog this week.
Upcoming Dates:
5/13- Early Release- Students dismissed at 1:30 p.m.
5/23- Half Day- Students dismissed at 11:10 a.m.
5/23- Last Day for 8th Graders
5/26- No School
5/27- 8th Grade Graduation 5:30 p.m.
5/29- Last Day for 6th and 7th Graders
5/29- Half Day- Students dismissed at 11:10 a.m.
Scholastic Bowl
Congratulations to our Woodlawn Scholastic Bowl-winning team on their IESA Regional competition win:
Lalita Ganta, Aarit Perswal, Sai Kanderi, Srikar Mangalampalli, Pratik Vikram, Gaofei Wang, Aayush Manohar, Surya Ravipati
Virtual Backpacks
District Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/about/virtual-backpack
Woodlawn Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/w/virtual-backpack
Assembly
We ended the day with a Spirit Week assembly for the students. We had a dinosaur dance-off, music from our band, games, and activity recognition. Our P.E. staff did an incredible job of putting this together and I am so proud of everyone for their hard work and participation.
Click here for the Woodlawn Daily Announcements
8th Grade End of the Year Activities
8th grade parents should have received an email regarding end-of-the-year activities for our outstanding group of 8th-grade students.
Here is a list of upcoming activities for our 8th Grade students:
Friday, May 16th
8th Grade Bowling Party - @ Bowlero in Deer Park
- Tuesday, May 20th
Gown & Ticket distribution
- Wednesday, May 21st
Tech Collection & Locker Clean Out
- Thursday, May 22nd
Great America 9:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
- Friday, May 23rd
PTO Breakfast & Awards Assembly
- Tuesday May 27th
Graduation at Stevenson High School @ 5:30 p.m.
Dental Exams for 6th Grade Students ONLY
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination has an upcoming due date, 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 - Click Here
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination - Click here
If you have any questions, please contact our School Nurse, Mrs. Kaufmann [email protected]
Finally, there are times when you make the right choice. As a business major in college, I made it to my junior year and I wasn’t sure that business was the path I wanted to take. My dad, brothers, sister, and uncles, were all in the business world, so it seemed only logical that I studied business as well. I was taking all of my required classes, including accounting, when one day, it became very clear to me that I was destined to be a teacher. My motive was selfish, I wanted to become a baseball coach and win championships. I thought it would help me erase the bad experience I had in high school, so in the middle of class, I stood up, walked to the education department, and signed up to be an education major. Soon after I called my dad and told him my plan. The first words out of his mouth were, “Why would you ever want to work with little kids?” I laughed and told him, I was positive that this was what I was meant to do. In 1988 (yes, I am sure you were in elementary school at the time), the job market was tough, so I spent time working for my brother and then substitute teaching. After working three years at a private school, I was hired in District 96 and I knew that I had found the place that I wanted to work. In 1999, I was transferred to Woodlawn, and soon after I was named an administrator. I am so proud to have been part of this district and especially, this school. Woodlawn has been my focus, and my home away from home. We have been excellent for a long time and I know the tradition of excellence will continue with this staff, under the leadership of Greg Bays. The days are flying by, but we still have work to do.
I did have my chance at coaching high school baseball and I loved it, but being a principal, at this school, in this community, is where I was destined to be. So yes, I absolutely made the right choice and we built our championship teams, year after year. Somehow, things have worked out incredibly for me and I thank all those around me, students, staff, the district, and the Woodlawn community. This Monday, I am down to 18 days with students. Wow. Too fast...