Woodlawn Update - 10/23/23

From the Principal
Woodlawn Families,
We want to thank those who joined us at Parent-Teacher Conferences. It's always a joy to celebrate your children's progress and growth. Contact your child's teacher to connect if you weren't able to attend.
Your feedback helps us continue to better our school community. If you haven't already, please take a few moments to complete two brief surveys. Thank you!
This Week:
- Picture Day is this Thursday.
- Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign promoting drug awareness and a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
- Eat at Freddie's this Wednesday, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit our PTO.
- Read-a-Thon: Remember to log your minutes! It's a fantastic opportunity to foster a love for reading in our children while raising funds for our school.
- Join us for our Friday morning opener, where we'll be stepping back to the '90s as part of our decades-long journey. Our goal is to revisit the roots of Woodlawn, all the way back to 1924, when our school was built.
As always, thank you for your partnership!
-Jayci
IMPORTANT DATES
ATTENDANCE (08/16/23-10/20/23)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Read-A-Thon
Our school Read-A-Thon begins on Monday October 23, 2023 and is sure to be a fun and exciting event.
We understand that your time is valuable. We also know that providing the best education for your child is important. That's why we are encouraging everyone to activate their student's Read-A-Thon account as soon as possible. The instructions are straightforward, making it quick and hassle-free, and it should take less than 5 minutes of your time.
This account will serve as a hub for recording and monitoring your child's progress as a Reader during the Read-a-Thon, and for you to share their Read-A-Thon message with friends and family. Use the link below to activate your student's Reader account:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/yxDMpQ/1
Thank you so much for your participation and support. Together, we can make this Read-A-Thon an amazing experience for our young readers!
Woodlawn Elementary PTO
“State of the Schools” Address
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis will share a “State of the Schools” Address 6:30-7:30 p.m October 24 in the Liberty Memorial Central Middle School auditorium, featuring district celebrations and student performances. All are welcome to attend.
Beyond the Boardroom: Visit With Your Elected School Leaders
The Lawrence school board is offering opportunities for staff and community members to drop by and visit informally with their elected school leaders. “Beyond the Boardroom” will be held at 7:30 p.m. October 30 in the Schwegler library. December’s “Beyond the Boardroom” will be held at 6:00 p.m. Dec. 4 in the cafeteria at Community Connections at Pinckney. Bring your questions and suggestions. The board looks forward to visiting with you. Community members may attend at any location. The full schedule, once finalized, will be posted to www.usd497.org/SchooBoard.
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
WOODLAWN STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
Classroom Teacher Change
Ms. Finch, one of our dedicated first-grade teachers, has submitted her resignation, which will take effect on October 27th. I understand that this news may cause concern, but please be assured that we ensure a smooth transition and continuity of your child's learning.
Ms. Finch's contributions have positively impacted many students. While sad to see her go, we understand that personal circumstances sometimes necessitate such decisions.
Here are some key details regarding the transition:
- Effective Date: Ms. Finch's last day with us will be October 27th. HR and Woodlawn staff have worked diligently to find a qualified replacement and are pleased to announce that we have hired Mrs. Leah Burzinski. Mrs. Burzinski is a graduate of the University of Kansas with over ten years of experience in education.
- Transition Plan: Leah will observe the class this week and assume full responsibility for the classroom on Monday, October 30th. To help facilitate a smooth transition, we will be hosting a Meet the Teacher event on Wednesday, November 1st, from 3:30-4:30. This will be an opportunity for families to come and meet Mrs. Burzinski.
- Continuity of Learning: We are committed to providing a seamless transition for your child. Mrs. Burzinski will continue the curriculum and provide a positive and stable learning environment.
- Support for Students: We understand that change can be challenging, especially for young students. Our primary focus remains the well-being and education of your children. We will provide additional resources and support to help students adapt to the change and ensure their academic progress remains on track.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this change. We value your partnership in your child's education and will always work to provide a positive and stable learning environment for all Woodlawn students.
USEFUL LINKS
Jayci Roberson | Principal
Email: Jayci.Roberson@usd497.org
Website: https://www.usd497.org/woodlawn
Location: Woodlawn Elementary School, Elm Street, Lawrence, KS, USA
Phone: 785-832-5920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodlawnelementary/
Twitter: @WLRiverhawks