Woodland D50 News and Information

Header Images: Classroom visits at Woodland Primary!
Left - Ms. Gaulin's classroom, Right - Ms. Caughill's classroom

Oct. 18, 2024

Dear Woodland Families,

Here at Woodland we continue to emphasize student engagement to build connections and a sense of belonging in our classroom and school communities. I saw many students taking advantage of opportunities to participate in the classroom and beyond as I traveled around the district this week. From before school clubs and intramurals at Intermediate, to active and engaged learning during online safety presentations at Middle School, to new a mosaic rock garden at Elementary, to planting pumpkin seeds at Primary School, Woodland students are making their mark!

School engagement doesn’t end once the bell rings, however. I’ve shared information previously about the benefits of a strong partnership between home and school, which is a cornerstone of our students’ success. When parents and families actively participate in school life, it enhances the learning experiences of the student and creates a supportive, vibrant community for our children.

A great place to start would be to accept our invitation to participate in an upcoming school or district event. Family schedules are busy and often complicated, to be sure, but I hope you’ll consider getting involved in the various parent groups at your child’s school and attending some of the exciting upcoming events we have planned.

As you will see in this newsletter, each story block presents an opportunity, or an invitation, to get involved: Woodland is culminating its month-long observance of Hispanic Heritage with a community celebration at the middle school tomorrow from 11:30am to 2:30pm. All district families from all four schools are invited to join us; the PTA has volunteer time slots available for a number of upcoming events and fundraisers; the Woodland Educational Foundation is hosting a BINGO night next Friday; the WISE Special Education Parent Group meets next Wednesday; you can support the district clothing drive through November 1, and our annual Holiday Food Drive will be starting soon.

Because ours is a large district, it can be easy to fall into the trap that “they have plenty of help” or “how much more impact will one more volunteer have?” The truth is, we need your voice, too. If there are any barriers to your participation that I can help address, please let me know. We are doing big things at Woodland this year, and we want everyone to feel like they have an opportunity to contribute to #LifeintheW in meaningful ways.

Your participation in the life of the district contributes to the positive culture we’re all trying so hard to cultivate here. As Brené Brown writes, “sometimes the bravest and most important thing that you can do is just show up.” Being there is more important than you might think. I hope to see you around the District soon!

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend,

Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent

Woodland D50

• Oct. 18 - Friday Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
• Oct. 19 - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, 11: 30 a.m., WMS (English / Spanish)
• Oct. 23 - WISE: Woodland Inclusion and Special Education Empowerment
• Oct. 24 - Woodland Board of Education Meeting
• Oct. 25 - Friday Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
• Oct. 25 - Neon Bingo, Woodland Educational Foundation Event, 5 p.m.

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

• Oct. 18 - DUNK FEST! 3-on-3 basketball tournament. More information.
  
• Oct. 20 - WRSA Trunk-or-Treat, 1 - 3 p.m. Register Here.
• Oct. 21 through 25 - Middle School Book Fair. Sign up to Volunteer!
• Nov. 12 - Wendy's (Flyer: English / Spanish)
• Nov. 14 - November PTA General Meeting
• Nov. 15 & 16 - Signature Chocolate Pick Up

Join us for Woodland's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Oct. 19 at Woodland Middle School! This is a districtwide event for all students, staff, and families from all four schools.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 19

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Woodland Middle School, Cafeteria A (Enter through "B2" Doors)

The event will include Music & Dancing, Arts & Crafts, Food Samples, Community Organizations and more!

• Event Flyers: English / Spanish
• Facebook Event Invitation

Introducing WISE – Woodland Inclusion and Special Education Empowerment! This initiative started last year as a Special Education Resource Group for parents, and we are ready to bring you a whole new series of programs for year two. WISE will be 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.

Join us for the first WISE meeting of the 2024-2025 School Year:

• Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23
• Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
• Location: Woodland Educational Support Center (District Office)
• Register/RSVP

Topic: Managing Behaviors and Meltdowns: Strategies for Parents

Families will learn proactive strategies to de-escalate behavior and manage meltdowns. The session will also provide tips on how to help children with self-regulation.

Presenter: Stacey Cusenza, BCBA

With almost 20 years of experience in both education and behavior analysis, Stacey Cusenza has provided support to students, staff, and families in schools, clinics, and homes. She has expertise in a variety of disability areas and supports teams to put plans in place to help students be successful in the school setting.

Resources:

• Follow this page to see future meeting dates and topics.
• Contact: Vasiliki Frake, Director of Educational Services at vfrake@dist50.net.

The Woodland Educational Foundation is throwing a Neon Bingo Night party! Join us for a night of fun and prizes in support of the Woodland Learning Community.

Date: Friday, Oct. 25
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.

Location: Brittane's Event Center, Gurnee

Event Details & RSVP

Did you know that you may be eligible for Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus from Xfinity? Internet Essentials from Xfinity brings affordable, high-speed internet to your home so you can have greater access to homework, job opportunities, healthcare and benefits, education resources, and more. You may qualify if you are eligible for public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP SSI, and others.

For more information, to apply, and to see if you qualify visit the Xifinity website.

Did you see the announcement that Woodland will be rolling out a new bus app to help parents and guardians more accurately track their child's bus? Look for an email invitation to join BusWhere on Monday, Oct. 21. The subject line will read: “[BusWhere] Welcome to BusWhere”. Once you get this email, you can connect to your child's bus route and start tracking!

Morgan Ghys, Miss Gurnee 2024 (and former Woodland student) needs your help! Morgan has once again partnered with Caring 4 Kids, a local organization helping children in need in the Gurnee community, to set up a Clothing Drive. She is collecting new and gently used hoodies and crewnecks to keep kids warm and comfortable as we head into fall and winter.

If you want to participate, collection boxes will be placed at each Woodland school and in the district office. We are accepting donations through Friday, Nov. 1. Morgan will be hosting an event at Gurnee Mills Mall on Sunday, Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and all donations brought to Woodland will be sent over for her event. If you want to show your support in person, you are welcome to stop by with your donations!

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 in Virtual Backpack:

• WMS Music Boosters Fundraiser - Butter Braid & Cookie Dough
• Gurnee Police Department & Viking D56 Parent Night about Weapon Safety, Oct. 22
• Grandwood Park Park District Craft Fair, Nov. 2
• Carmel Catholic High School Open House & Entrance Exam
  
• Gurnee Park District Family Art Night