Back to School Headquarters

It's official--this is the first communication for the 2025-2026 School Year! We have a lot to share to prepare you and your Wildcat for the beginning of the new school year. Please visit the Back to School Headquarters page on the district website for all the information you need for Back to School Events, Reminders, and Important Dates. Link to resources, find welcome letters from your child's principal, and other tips and tools all in ONE SPOT!

8/7 - Primary: Chillin' with the Principal, 3 - 5 p.m.

8/9 - 10 - Gurnee Days! (Walk with Woodland in the parade - see below)

8/11 - Medication Drop Off, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 3 - 7 p.m.

8/12 - Intermediate: Popsicles with the Principal, 3 - 5 p.m.

8/13 - Elementary: Popsicles with the Principal, 3 -5 p.m.

8/14 - WMS: Back to School Bash, 3 - 5 p.m.

8/15 - Safety Stars and Dilly Bars, 5 - 7 p.m.

8/18 - Elementary Back To School Event, 2:30 - 4 p.m. OR 5:30 - 7 p.m.

8/19 - WMS Meet & Greet, 12:30 - 2 p.m.

8/19 - Intermediate Meet & Greet, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

8/20 - First Day of School 1st-8th Grade (Half Day)

• Elementary 10:50 a.m.
• WMS 11:35 a.m.
• INT 12:20 p.m.

8/20 - Primary: Welcome Times, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. OR 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

8/21 - First Day of School: Primary - Early Childhood and Kindergarten

8/28 - Woodland D50 Board of Education Meeting

Woodland Elementary - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - Student dismissal at 10:50 a.m.

Woodland Intermediate - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - Student dismissal at 12:20 p.m.

Woodland Middle School - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - Student dismissal at 11:35 a.m.

Woodland Primary - Thursday, August 21, 2025*

• *Please note: Grades 1 - 8 start on Aug. 20, but the Primary School starts on Aug. 21!

• 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.

School Year Calendar in English or 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. 8 in the afternoon. 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 Aug. 9)

A more detailed schedule for those with busing needs that fluctuate throughout the week can be found in Versatrans e-Link. (starting Aug. 8) 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) by Aug. 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.

For families who are new to the district, or have not participated in the meal program before, Woodland provides breakfast and lunch service at each school. Families are able to add money into their child’s account through Skyward to purchase meals. There is also a Free and Reduced Meal Program for families that qualify (Applications will be emailed to all families in August). Visit the district website under “Meal Programs” for more information.

At the June 26 governing meeting, the Board approved the Parent and Student Handbook for the 2025-26 school year. For FY26, the Parent and Student Handbook will be offered in a new digital format on the district website, or you can download a printable version in English or Spanish.

Medication Drop Off for ALL schools will be on Monday, Aug. 11 at the Middle School from 8 a.m. - 12 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 records is Oct. 15.

Back-to-school shopping starts here! Visit the Woodland PTA website to access the 2025–2026 School Supply Lists. Find your Wildcat’s grade level and get a head start on preparing for the new school year.

Join us for a back to school conference on Preparing for Success: Helping Students Build Resiliency and Starting the School Year with Confidence!

This panel discussion will have representatives from our school districts, mental health providers, and a school resource officer.

Following a presentation “Building Resilience and Managing Worry in Children: A Brief Toolkit” by therapist Neil Hemmer from Zacharias Center, the panel will provide additional insights and take questions from the community on any subject related to starting the school year.

Date: Monday, August 25

Time: 6 - 7:15 p.m.

Location: Virtual Presentation

This free event is hosted by Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth (HCHY) Warren Township-Gurnee. For More Information and to Register visit the Warren Township Center website.

S3, E1: Back to School 2025!

Host: Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent of Schools, Woodland D50

Guests:

• Dr. Elizabeth Sánchez Szepesi, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability

• Tia Martinez, Director of Educational Supports and Innovation

• Niki Scofield, Primary Principal

• Yamilette Sosa, Director of Language Acquisition

Topic: Welcome to Season Three of the Woodland Wildcast! To kick off the school year, we have a brand new episode for you. In this Wildcast we will be getting to know two NEW team members - and two team members returning in a NEW role! Learn more about district initiatives, back to school tips, and other plans for the 2025-2026 School Year.

Chillin' with the Principal - Thursday, Aug. 7 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Primary Welcome Times - Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 9 - 10:30 a.m OR 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Popsicles with the Principal - Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Back to School Event - Monday, Aug. 18 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. OR 5:30 - 7 p.m.

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

INT Meet & Greet - Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Back to School Bash - Thursday, Aug. 14 from 3 - 5 p.m.

WMS Meet & Greet - Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 12:30 - 2 p.m.

For more details about these events click here.

We are excited to once again represent #LifeintheW at the annual Gurnee Days Festival Aug. 9 & 10, 2025! Team Woodland will be joining in the community celebration by volunteering at Ribfest on Saturday at 6 p.m. and marching in the parade on Sunday from 12 - 1 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 15, 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.

For more details about these events click here.

Join us for a delicious cool treat and a fun time playing at the Elementary Playground. Thank you to the Woodland PTA for bringing the Kona Ice Truck to our school!

Date: Sunday, Aug. 24
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Location: Woodland Elementary Playground

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

Woodland Primary • Woodland Elementary • Woodland Intermediate • Woodland Middle