Woods Lake Family Weekly
Week of Monday, March 2, 2026 (week 26)
Mission and Vision Statement
Vision: Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet Center of the Arts will educate every child, every opportunity, every time!
Mission: Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet Center of the Arts, is a place where academics and the arts create opportunies in a safe, collaborative environment.
Principal Prather's Post
Dear Woods Lake Families,
I hope you are well. We are grateful for your partnership and want to share a few important updates, celebrations, and reminders as we move into March. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students thrive!
Celebrations from the Week
- Happy March! The year is moving quickly — March brings Reading Month and Women’s History Month. We’re excited about the learning and celebrations ahead.
- Kindergarten / PEEP Orientation: This Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 AM and again at 5:30 PM. Please see the flyer sent home for more details. We look forward to welcoming families and sharing what to expect for incoming students.
- Small wins: Thank you to families who have been supporting morning routines, homework, and class participation — your efforts are making a real difference in students’ learning and confidence.
Important Announcements
- WIDA testing: Testing will continue after this Tuesday. Thank you for helping students arrive on time and prepared so they can complete their tests.
- Spring conference preference sheets (purple): These were sent home this Monday. Please:
- Select your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for day/time on the purple form.
- Return the form as soon as possible — the due date is this Friday, March 6th.
- Students who bring the form back before Friday will earn Artie slips for turning it in early.
- Sibling conference scheduling: We plan to schedule conference times for siblings who attend our school next Monday, March 9th to make family conferences more convenient.
- One School, One Book program: We’re excited to participate this month! Every student will receive a copy of the book and a reading schedule soon. At school we’ll do fun, related activities. This is a great opportunity for families to:
- Read aloud to younger students at home,
- Listen to older students read, and
- Engage in conversations about the story together.
Additional Information
- Flyer reminders: Check your child’s backpack important documents such as the purple Conference Preference document or Kindergarten/PEEP Orientation flyer . If you need another copy of the purple conference preference sheet or the orientation flyer, please contact the office and we’ll send one home.
- Communication: If you have questions about testing, conferences, or events, call the main office or reach out directly to your child’s teacher. We’re here to help and want to make participation as easy as possible.
We are grateful for your continued partnership, flexibility, and support. Your involvement helps our school community flourish — thank you for everything you do for our students.
We look forward to working with you throughout March and beyond. Please reach out if you need anything — together we make Woods Lake a wonderful place to learn.
Warmly,
Ms. Prather
Interim Principal
Woods Lake Elementary
Kindergarten/PEEP Orientation
We are so excited for our mystery book reveal! Stay tuned....
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run participants must be current 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders. Girls will meet after-school two days per week for 90 minutes. Our trained and caring coaches will lead their teams through fun and dynamic lessons intended to develop critical social-emotional life skills, while creatively integrating running and other physical activity.
- GOTR 2026 Program Dates: March 16 - May 16, 2026
- GOTR 5K Event: May 16, 2026
- GOTR Final Celebration Practice: May 18 or 19, 2026
Note: All team offerings are dependent upon securing the required volunteer coaches. Interested in helping girls be joyful, healthy, and confident? Click HERE for more details!
Captured Moments from Last Week
Under the Sea Literacy Night
Woods Lake Spelling Bee Competition
📅 Upcoming Dates to Remember 📅
3/4: Kindergarten Orientation, 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM
3/6: Spring Conference Preference Day/Time Sheets (purple) due back to teachers today
3/9: Sibiling Conference Scheduling in the AM completed by teachers
3/10: Spring Conference Confirmations slips are sent home to parents/guardians
3/11: Fourth and Fifth Grade Student Kalamazoo Orchestra Symphony Field Trip, 9:15-11:30 AM
3/12: Global Reading Challenge for Fourth and Fifth Grade Students @ Woods Lake, 10:15-11:15 AM
3/13: Popcorn and Pickle Day (Bring in $1.00 March 9th-12th for a pickle or a bag of popcorn), Black History Program, 9:35 AM and 2:30 PM, Spring Conference Confirmation Slips are due back to teacher
3/18: Vision and Hearing Screening, Final Spring Conference Confirmation sheets are sent home to parents/families
3/19: No School for Students/PD for Teachers/Staff, Global Reading Challenge @ KPL, 6:30 PM
3/20: No School for Students/Records Day
3/23: First Grade Library Field Trip, 9:30 and 10:30 AM
3/24: Spring Conferences, 4:00-8:00 PM
3/26: Spring Conferences, 12:00-8:00 PM
3/27: No School for Students/Comp Day
3/30: No School for Students/Spring Break
3/31: No School for Students/Spring Break
4/01: No School for Students/Spring Break
4/02: No School for Students/Spring Break
4/03: No School for Students/Spring Break
Woods Lake Family Resources
Woods Lake Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Woods Lake PTO Website
PowerSchool Parent Portal
COMING SOON
Look back at prior family newsletters from this year
Check out our school's website!
Contact Information
Email Me: prathersm@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Website: https://woodslake.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
Location: 3215 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 337-0790
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WoodsLakeElementary/