Woodland ROAR Report

Header Images: 1st Graders at Woodland Elementary

Woodland D50 on Facebook and Instagram!

Aug. 29, 2025

Dear Woodland Families,

Today our Wildcats finish their first full week of school, and from all accounts we are off to a great start! It didn’t take long to fall back into the familiar and comforting cadence of the school year: bus stops (kudos to our amazing District transportation team!) full of eager students, the middle school fields full of athletes after school, and refresher lessons about ROAR behavior in our hallways. The transition from summer to school mode can be a tough one, but we did it! Thank you for helping your student arrive at school on time and prepared to learn as we embark on this school year full of possibility and opportunity together.

Last week, I shared some time-tested ideas for a strong start to the school year, including making connections with your child’s teacher and inviting you to attend school and District events. It was great to see so many 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents and guardians at our middle school Curriculum Nights this week. Please take a look at the story block below or the District Events Calendar for additional opportunities to get involved. Intermediate Curriculum Nights are next week; while you are there you can check out the PTA Book Fair as well. These events are designed to give you access to our schools, allow you to see your child’s classroom, and to build relationships with the people who support your students throughout the year.

Today we begin our Friday Early Release schedules for students at all four schools. For those of you new to the District, students are released early on Friday afternoons so that Woodland staff members can engage in professional development activities. This schedule gives our staff dedicated time each week to grow professionally, to practice new skills and strategies, and to collaborate with their teams. These Early Release days are marked by green boxes on the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar (English / Spanish).

As a reminder, there is no school on Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. I hope the long weekend gives everyone the chance to rest and recharge those batteries!

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend,

Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent

Woodland D50

• Aug. 29 - Friday Early Dismissal For Staff Professional Development
• Sept. 1 - District Closed for Labor Day, No Student Attendance
• Sept. 2 - CLC Registration for Free Adult Education Classes (See Below)
• Sept. 3 - Intermediate 4th Grade Curriculum Night, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 4 - Intermediate 5th Grade Curriculum Night, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 5 - Friday Early Dismissal For Staff Professional Development

Primary - 12:40 p.m., Elementary - 1:00 p.m., Middle School - 1:45 p.m., Intermediate - 2:30 p.m.

• Sept. 3 - 5 - Intermediate Book Fair. Students will attend during PE Class, and you can check out the book fair at Curriculum Nights.
• Sept. 9 - 2nd Tuesday Fundraiser at MOD Pizza. 20% of your bill will go directly back to Woodland! Show Flyer.
• Sept. 11 - Elementary Book Fair and Family Fun Night
• Sept. 15 & 16 - Primary Book Fair
• Sept. 17 - PTA Meeting, 7 p.m. The meeting will be virtual. Watch for the signup link coming soon!

Too busy to Volunteer for the PTA?

No problem. We understand! Here are two easy ways to support the PTA even if you don't have time to volunteer.

1. Join the PTA as a member! There is no requirement to volunteer, but your membership dues support the PTA annual budget. This also adds you to the email list to learn about upcoming events, and offers you one more way to stay connected to what is happening at the schools.

2. 2nd Tuesday Restaurant Fundraisers! Your family needs to eat dinner anyway. Once a month you can eat out and a portion of your sale will go directly back to Woodland students and classrooms.

If you do have time to volunteer, the PTA NEEDS YOU! Woodland is a large district, and many people think they have tons of volunteers. This is a misconception and a small but mighty team is carrying a heavy load. There are many volunteer opportunities that fit all schedules and interests. Please consider joining the PTA today to hear about volunteer opportunities. This is a great way to meet other district families!

The Woodland School Board of Education Governing meeting was held on August 28, 2025. Please see below for a summary of highlights from the meeting, or we welcome you to watch the meeting HERE.

Thank you for your continued support of Woodland District 50!

Thank you to the Woodland Family Coordinators for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Learn more about Woodland's Family Coordinators.

A. Presentation on the Opening of the School Year - Dr. Machak shared a presentation on the opening of the 2025-26 school year. View Presentation.

B. Strategic Plan Update - Finance Goal - Chris Bobek, Associate Superintendent of Business Services provided an update on the Finance goals for the 2025-26 school year. View Presentation.

Under Consent Agenda is where you will find approval of Board Meeting minutes, Policy Revisions, and approval of the monthly Financial Reports, Treasurer Reports, and Board Payables for the month. These reports are posted to the website after the meeting.

A. Approval of Revised District Van Driver Job Description - The Board approved the revised District Van Driver Job Description per the edits suggested by the Board of Education at the July 24, 2025 Governing meeting.

B. Approval of Disposition of Technology Hardware through RePower Logistics - The Board approved the disposal of over 800 technology devices through RePower Logistics. The devices are obsolete, no longer functional or beyond economical repair. There is no cost to the district for the disposal.

C. Approval of Revised Board Policies

• 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
• 2:265 Title IX Grievance Procedure
• 4:15 Identity Protection
• 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited
• 7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools
• 7:60 Residence
• 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment
• 7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
• 7:200 Suspension Procedures

D. Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes: Closed and Regular Minutes 7-24-25; Policy Committee Minutes 8-14-25, and Closed and Open Special Meeting Minutes 8- 26-25

E. Approval of Monthly Financial Reports, Treasurer Reports for the month of July and Board Payable list for the month of August 2025

The business that takes place under "Action Items" is first reviewed by the Board of Education at the previous monthly governing meeting under "Reports/Discussion Items". An item will first be presented as a Report or Discussion item for the Board of Education members to be introduced to the topic and allow time for questions, review, and revisions before that item is moved to the Action Items portion of the agenda for a vote the following month.

A. Approval of Closed Minutes to be Opened to the Public - The Board approved closed session minutes to be opened to the public as presented in closed session at the August 28, 2025 Governing meeting.

B. Memorandum of Understanding – Changes to Insurance - The Board approved of the Memorandum of Understanding to the Collective Bargaining Agreement adding Blue Advantage HMO medical plan at no cost to the district.

C. Memorandum of Understanding – Athletic and Fine Arts Stipend at Middle School - The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding to the Collective Bargaining Agreement adding stipends for coaching Girls Flag Football, E-Sports, and a Vocal Music Director at the Middle School at a cost of $12,572.00.

D. Approval of Human Resources Report/Information - The Board of Education approved 31 appointments, 21 resignations, and one retirement.

• Pre-K WELE Teacher
• Kindergarten Teacher
• WELE Paraprofessional
• Third Grade Teacher (2)
• Social Worker
• Second Grade Teacher
• Registered Nurse
• Assistant Restorative Practices Facilitator (2)
• Fourth Grade Teacher
• PE Teacher (2)
• Fourth Grade Dual Language English Teacher (2)
• ESL Teacher
• Special Education Paraprofessional (4)
• Paraprofessional
• Eighth Grade English Language Arts Teacher
• Special Education Teacher (2)
• English Language Arts Teacher
• Success Center Counselor
• School Secretary
• Van Driver
• Bus Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Guest Teacher

E. Approval of Social Emotional Behavioral Mental Health (SEBMH) Professional Development and Coaching - The Board approved Social Emotional Behavioral Mental Health Professional Development and Coaching to support staff at a cost of $55,000.

F. Approval of Curriculum Consultant Supports for FY26 – McTighe and Associates Consulting, LLC and Tracey Jakaitis - The Board approved adding curriculum consultant supports for FY26 through McTighe and Associates Consulting, LLC and Tracey Jakaitis at a cost of $92,250.00.

Reports and Discussion Items are placed on the agenda as an introduction to a topic. If the topic will require a vote, it will be brought back under "Action Items" at the next regularly scheduled meeting. This allows Board Members to familiarize themselves with the topic and ask questions, or request additional information and modifications before voting on the matter. The following topics were introduced as a Report/Discussion Item at this month's meeting:

A. Written Report on Van Program vs. 3rd Party Transportation Option - Associate Superintendent Chris Bobek provided a written report on the estimated savings of acquiring five vans to help offset the rising costs of 3rd party transportation services.

B. Written Report on District Assessments from the 2024-25 School Year - Dr. Trisha Shrode, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning has provided a report on the 2024-25 school year district assessments. The report includes a chart with the assessment, grade/s that participated, description and purpose, the testing window, total testing time, and if it is a federal or state mandate.

C. Written Report on FY26 Budget - During the months of July and August, the tentative budget was updated to reflect changes that have occurred since the June 26, 2025 Board of Education meeting.

D. Written Information on Revised Board Policies - The Board Policy Committee met on August 14, 2025 to review the suggested revisions to the policies below.

• 1:10 School District Legal Status
• 1:20 District Organization, Operations, and Cooperative Agreements
• 1:30 School District Philosophy
• 2:10 School District Governance
• 2:80 Board Member Oath and Conduct
• 2:130 Board-Superintendent Relationship
• 2:240 Board Policy Development
• 4:50 Payment Procedures
• 4:55 Use of Credit Cards
• 4:80 Accounting and Audits
• 4:180 Pandemic Preparedness; Management and Recovery
• 7:190 Student Behavior
• 7:210 Expulsion Procedures
• 7:250 Student Support Services
• 7:255 NEW Students Who are Parents, Expectant Parents, or Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence
• 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students

E. Receipt of any Freedom of Information Act Requests - There were no FOIA Requests for the month of August.

A. Announcements and Committee Reports

• Written Report on IASB/State Update
• District Committee Updates

B. Board Improvements/Status Requests and Future Board Items

• Prairie Crossing Presentation
• Board Member Attendance Policy
• IASB Board Governance Workshop

You are always welcome to go back and review meeting materials, presentations, Board Payables, Finance Reports and the video recording from a regularly scheduled Board Meeting on the district website HERE (select the meeting date to view supporting materials). These items are typically posted within 24-48 hours after the meeting.

Woodland will once again be offering a Saturday Study Hall & Homework Help program for students to receive additional academic support, and/or to provide a quiet place to work on projects. The program will be offered every Saturday starting Sept. 6, 2025 (except for Winter Break, Spring Break, and school/government holidays) from 8 - 11 a.m. This is a great resource for students of all academic levels!

• Learn More HERE.
• Registration is required. Fill out this form.

We invite you to join the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) for the first meeting of the new school year! Martha Lucía Aristizábal, bilingual therapist at Warren Township Youth & Family Services, will be presenting on "How to Help Prepare Your Child for the Start of the School Year."

Date: Sept. 11, 2025

Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Woodland Intermediate School

Teachers from the Dual Language Program will be there to do crafts and play games with the children. There will be prizes for the fist 10 families to arrive, as well as snacks. We hope to see you there!

For more information on BPAC and for updates on future meetings visit our website.

Introducing WISE – Woodland Inclusion and Special Education Empowerment! Woodland invites you to join the Special Education Resource Group for parents. WISE is a great place to connect with other district families, get to know Woodland staff members who can help with resources, and get answers to your questions.

Please Join Us for the 1st Meeting of the 2025-2026 School Year!

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Educational Support Center, Oak Room

Please visit the website for more information and future meeting dates.

Woodland is excited to offer another series of programs designed to share resources with families about supporting your child's education and strengthening the home to school connection. More information will be shared as each event approaches, but please take a look at the Parent University sessions we are developing for you and add the dates to your calendar!

• Oct. 18, 2025 - Supporting Students During the School Year, In-person event
• Dec. 8, 2025 - Dual Language Support for Non-Spanish Speakers, Virtual
• Feb. 23, 2026 - Helping Kids Form Healthy Relationships, Virtual
• April 11, 2026 - Keeping Kids Learning Over Summer, In-person event!

Learn more about Parent University HERE.

Registration will be starting soon for the next round of Free Adult Education Classes through the College of Lake County (CLC). These are FREE classes offered at Woodland Intermediate School for adult learners.

In-Person Registration begins Sept. 2, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Location: Woodland Intermediate, 1115 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee

Testing and registration may take up to three hours, and childcare is available. Please bring a picture ID and your CLC student number. Call 847-543-2485 or 847-543-2872 with any questions. New Student? Apply online if you have never taken classes at CLC before.

Classes offered:

High School Diploma HSD (GED) Class in Spanish

• Tuesday / Thursday, Sept. 16 – Dec. 4, 6 – 9 p.m.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Monday / Wednesday, Sept. 15 – Dec. 8, 6 – 9 p.m.
• Tuesday / Thursday, Sept. 16 - Dec. 4

Learn More: Flyer in English and Spanish

Please visit Woodland's Virtual Backpack to learn about other events and resources in the community. New events are added all the time, so check back often.

Featured this week:

• Bike Rodeo – Hosted by the Gurnee Police Department
• Gurnee Get Together - Live Music and Family Fun
• Worry-less Warrior - Parent Group
• FREE CONCERT! Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Swift Experience

Woodland D50 uses BusWhere to provide GPS tracking of your child's bus. Registering for an account will allow you to track the ETAs of your child's morning and afternoon bus routes. You can track the bus right from your phone or tablet using the "BusWhere for Schools" app or on your computer's web browser at buswhere.com. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out by phone (847) 856-3644 or email at trans@dist50.net.

Follow Woodland on our socials for school updates, celebrations, and job opportunities!