Back to School Headquarters

July 31, 2026

Dear Woodland Families,

I hope that this newsletter finds you enjoying the final weeks of a memorable and relaxing summer. Everyone here “in the W” is so excited to start the new school year and have all of our Wildcats back. We are ready to officially kick off back to school communication! August moves quickly, so I want to make sure you have all of the information you need to be prepared for our most incredible year ever.

Things that families can do now:

• Register Your Wildcat - If you have not yet completed the registration process, please do that immediately in Skyward Family Access. If registration is not complete, you will NOT be able to see your child’s teacher assignment on Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. when the information is posted in Skyward.

• Visit the Back to School Headquarters - Your one-stop-shop for back to school information is the Back To School HQ page on the Woodland website. Here you will find the school year calendar, information about the first day of school and dismissal times, school supplies, medication drop off, upcoming events, and more.

• Attend Welcome Back Events - We have several back to school events planned to help families connect with Woodland leaders, teachers, and peers, get familiar with our schools, ease any back to school nerves, and start off the year with positive energy. District Events Calendar

While our Wildcats were away, our buildings have been buzzing with activity all summer long. From cleaning and painting, to technology upgrades and construction projects, our teams have been working hard to make sure our schools are ready to welcome you back on August 19. Our dedicated staff has participated in professional development, curriculum writing, ordering and sorting of new classroom materials, developing lesson plans, and hiring and onboarding new colleagues.

Next week we will welcome new team members for New Teacher Orientation, co-host a full day Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) training for educators with Warren D121 and Gurnee D56, and district leaders will be meeting throughout the week to continue working on the implementation plan for new goals set forth by the Board of Education. All of this work is centered around our mission to provide exceptional learning experiences that foster critical thinking in a nurturing learning community.

Each new school year gives us the opportunity to start fresh with renewed energy and focus. Please consider this your invitation to get involved, share your voice, and help shape your child’s educational journey. We welcome not just your student, but also your entire family and you into our Woodland learning community. We value a strong home-school partnership and believe this relationship is a crucial component of your child’s academic success. If I can help support you in any way, please feel free to contact me directly at RMachak@dist50.net.

Enjoy the rest of your summer; I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent

Woodland D50

8/7 & 8 - Gurnee Days (Walk with Woodland in the parade)

8/19 - First Day of School for 1st-8th Grade (Half Day)

• Elementary Dismissal at 10:50 a.m.
• Middle School Dismissal at 11:35 a.m.
• Intermediate Dismissal at 12:20 p.m.

8/19 - Primary: Welcome Times, 9 - 10:30 a.m. OR 1 - 2:30 p.m.

8/20 - First Day of School for Primary - Early Childhood and Kindergarten

8/20 - Woodland Board of Education Meeting

8/23 - PTA Event: Playground Playdate & Kona Ice Truck, 1 - 3 p.m.

8/24 - WMS: 6th Grade Curriculum Night, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

8/25 - WMS: 7th/8th Grade Curriculum Night, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

8/26 - Primary: Curriculum Night - Mono Kindergarten 5:30 - 7 p.m.

8/27 - Primary: Curriculum Night - Dual Language & Early Childhood (EC)/WELE, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Woodland Elementary - Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Student dismissal at 10:50 a.m.

Woodland Intermediate - Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Student dismissal at 12:20 p.m.

Woodland Middle School - Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Student dismissal at 11:35 a.m.

Woodland Primary - Thursday, August 20, 2026*

• *Please note: Grades 1 - 8 start on Aug. 19, but the Primary School starts on Aug. 20!

• Kindergarten is a full-day program.

• Early Childhood and WELE are half-day programs for students who qualify through a screening process. Students in EC and WELE attend in either an AM or PM session.

REMINDER: The district uses an early dismissal schedule on Fridays for staff professional development.

Friday Early Dismissal Schedule:

• Primary - 12:40 p.m.

• Elem 1:00 p.m.

• Middle School 1:45 p.m.

• Intermediate 2:30 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: The Friday early dismissal schedule starts on Friday, Aug. 28. The first Friday of the school year, Aug. 21, will be a full day of school.

2026-2027 School Year Calendar in English

2026-2027 School Year Calendar in Spanish

Did you know that you can report your child's absence in Skyward? Use the reporting system in Skyward for a quick and convenient way to report absences in ONE place. (This is for full day absences only. To pick your child up early from school, please contact the school office.)

How it works: A parent may enter an Absence Request by logging into Skyward and entering the request for one child, or multiple children from the same household. Once logged into Skyward, select “Attendance” from the left column, and follow the prompts to indicate which child will be absent, the date(s), and reason for the absence.

Make sure your child is ready for the school year! Registration must be complete in order to access class schedules, teacher assignments, and transportation info. Complete registration in Skyward Family Access as soon as possible.

Questions? Contact Registration at Registration@dist50.net

Teacher assignments will be available in Skyward Family Access on Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. If you do not see your child's teacher listed in Skyward after Aug. 8, it may be because you did not complete the online registration process.

Your child's basic bus route information can be found in Skyward Family Access! (starting early August)

A more detailed schedule for those with busing needs that fluctuate throughout the week can be found in Versatrans e-Link. As a reminder, your Versatrans login and password is your "Family ID number" and this can be found in Skyward Family Access under “Student Information”. (View "My Child's Family" and look for "Family ID Number".)

To request a bus stop change, submit the Revised Bus Information form (English / Spanish). The last day to request a bus change for the first day of school is August 14. Any changes submitted after that date will take effect on September 14.

The Music/Band Bus is the early bus for Woodland Middle School students involved in the music program. Register early to secure your spot!

Questions? Call 847-856-3644 or email trans@dist50.net.

Transportation delays are to be expected the first few days of school. Please know that our Woodland bus drivers will be 100% focused on getting your child home safely. We provide this information every year as a reminder, and to ease your Back-to-School nerves.

For families who are new to the district, or have not participated in the meal program before, breakfast and lunch service is offered at each school. You are able to add money into your child’s account through Skyward Family Access to purchase meals, or you may qualify for the Free and Reduced Meal Program. Applications will be emailed to all families in August. More information about school breakfast and lunch options, including menus and FAQs, can be found on the district website under “Meal Programs”. (We will continue to update this information as we get closer to the start of school so check back often.)

ATTENTION: There are new requirements for the Free and Reduced Meal application this year. Once the application is released, please read through it CAREFULLY so there are no delays in processing or loss of benefits! Additional information in English and Spanish.

At the June 25 governing meeting, the Board approved the Parent and Student Handbook for the 2026-27 school year. The Parent and Student Handbook is offered in a digital format on the district website, or you can download a printable version in English or Spanish.

• Parent Student Handbook - English
• Parent Student Handbook - Spanish

Medication Drop Off for ALL schools will be on Monday, Aug. 10 at the Middle School from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 3 - 7 p.m.

Nurses and health assistants from each school will be on hand to take medications, physicals, vaccine forms and discuss health needs prior to the first day of school.

REMINDER: The deadline for vaccines and physicals is Oct. 15, 2026.

Options for before and after school childcare:

Champions - Childcare Provider On Site at Woodland

Champions is a great option to consider for after school care, days off, Early Release Fridays, and more. This program is offered on site at Woodland, but this is a separate provider that partners with the school district. In order to participate in Champions programming, you need to enroll your child in their programs.Visit the Champions Website or contact Area Manager Jacki Gloss at Jacki.Gloss@discoverchampions.com for more info.

• Safe and sound environments

• Talented and nurturing teachers

• STEM skills galore

• Inside (and outside) play

• Help with homework

• Reliable year-round programs

• Flexible Scheduling

• Tuition Assistance

Gurnee Park District C.A.R.E.

District 50 C.A.R.E. at Hunt Club Park Community Center
The Gurnee Park District offers quality after school care for children K-8th grades. The program is relaxed and recreational-based to counter-balance the day's educational activities. Children enjoy activities, games, and outdoor play, as well as a variety of arts and crafts before and after school. Visit the Gurnee Park District website.

Popsicles with the Principal - Monday, Aug. 10 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Primary Welcome Times - Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 9 - 10:30 a.m OR 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Primary Parent Coffee - Thursday, Aug. 20 from 8 - 9 a.m.

Popsicles with the Principal - Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Back to School Event - Monday, Aug. 17 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. OR 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Popsicles with the Principal - Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 3 - 5 p.m.

INT Meet & Greet - Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Back to School Bash - Thursday, Aug. 13 from 3 - 5 p.m.

WMS Sneak Peek - Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 12:30 - 2 p.m.

For more details about these events click here.

(Photos from Aug. 2025 Events)

We are excited to once again represent #LifeintheW at the annual Gurnee Days Festival Aug. 7 & 8, 2026! Team Woodland will be joining in the community celebration by marching in the parade on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and volunteering in the KidZone on Saturday from 12 - 2:45 p.m.

The Gurnee Police Department's Safety Stars & Dilly Bars Back to School Bash is back — and bigger than ever! It will take place on Friday, August 14, from 5–7 p.m. at Welton Plaza. This free, family-friendly event brings together local Gurnee school districts, the police and fire departments, public works, the Mayor of Gurnee, and more to celebrate back-to-school safety.

Date: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

Time: 1 - 3 p.m.

Location: Woodland Elementary Playground

Playdate & Kona Ice Truck Flyer in English
Playdate & Kona Ice Truck Flyer in Spanish

This event is hosted by the Woodland PTA & Woodland Educational Foundation.

Date: Sept. 11, 2026

Time: 4 - 7 p.m.

Location: Woodland Middle School

Visit the Roar Run website to learn more & register

As the year begins, make sure you take advantage of all the resources Woodland has to offer!

Does your child need:

• Additional support in Reading, Math, or another subject area?
• A quiet place to finish homework, or work on a project?
• Help with researching or writing a paper?
• Help studying for a test?

Our certified teaching staff is ready to help! Learn more about Wildcat Saturday Study Hall and start taking advantage of this FREE resource in September.

Woodland's Parent University provides parent and families with opportunities to learn how they can support their students from home and strengthen the home-school-connection! We believe that parent and guardian involvement plays an important role in student success. Discover new strategies, helpful tools, and valuable resources to support your Wildcat's success!

Upcoming Sessions:

• 9/21/26 - Understanding the iReady Assessment and How to Support Students
• 1/11/27 - Attendance Matters!
• 3/15/27 - Helping Kids Form Healthy Relationships and Social Skills in Early Childhood
• 5/3/27 - Supporting Bilingual Skills Over the Summer

All sessions are virtual.

Learn more about Parent University and about upcoming sessions on our website.

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. Learn more about WISE on the our website.

Stay tuned for 2026-2027 meeting topics and dates! Coming Soon!

Follow Woodland D50 on our socials for school updates, celebrations, and job opportunities!