This past week, our school was filled with excitement and pride as we welcomed families to our annual Open House—a true celebration of learning, creativity, and community! Hallways and classrooms came alive with vibrant displays of student work, giving parents and guardians a front-row seat to the incredible growth and achievements their children have made this year.

From stunning artwork and thoughtful writing samples to innovative math projects and dynamic cooperative learning displays, our students proudly showcased the many ways they've explored, created, and collaborated throughout the year. It was a powerful reminder of just how much learning can happen in a single school year—and how much joy it can bring.

The evening also featured more than 20 community vendors and partners from across the district and local area, sharing resources, activities, and opportunities with our families. It was wonderful to see so many connections made between our school and the broader community we’re a part of.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without some fun! Wiley the Wildcat, our beloved school mascot, was there to greet families and pose for photos, while students of all ages enjoyed games, popcorn, candy, and more. Whether it was a kindergartener playing a carnival game or a 5th grader beaming with pride while showing off a science display, the night was full of joy, laughter, and meaningful moments.

Thank you to all the families, staff, and community members who made this evening such a success. Our Open House is more than an event—it’s a capstone celebration of all that our students have accomplished, and a beautiful way to bring our school community together. 💙🐾

This past week, our 4th grade students had an exciting opportunity to try out a variety of band instruments as part of our annual "Instrument Exploration" event! With guidance from our talented band directors, Ms. Dorgan and Ms. Muetz, every student rotated through instrument stations to explore each family of instruments—woodwinds, brass, and percussion (including xylophones!). Whether it was buzzing into a trumpet, testing out a clarinet, or finding rhythm on the drums, students had a blast discovering new sounds and talents.

This hands-on experience is designed to help students get ready for the chance to join band in 5th grade, a beloved and enriching part of our music program. By trying out each instrument, students can make informed choices about what might be the best fit for them next year.

The timing of this event was perfect—it followed an inspiring combined band performance at the Middle School, where our current 5th grade band students performed alongside middle school musicians. This concert not only showcased the progress and possibilities in band, but also symbolized an important transition: our 5th graders preparing for middle school, and our 4th graders looking ahead to 5th grade and new opportunities—like joining the band!

We’re so proud of our students for exploring with open minds and making joyful noise together. Whether they choose to join the band next year or not, experiences like these build confidence, curiosity, and a love for music that lasts a lifetime. 🎵

Attention 4th Grade Students! You have the opportunity to join Band next year as a 5th grader! Band is an optional class that begins in 5th grade, students tried instruments this week during the school day with their homeroom. Visit our website for up to date information.

https://sites.google.com/dist50.net/woodlandintermediateband/home

A required Band presentation video is on the website, followed by a google form sign-up to enroll your child in band. Please contact the band directors with questions: jmuetz@dist50.net and edorgan@dist50.net

We are incredibly proud to share that Ms. Renae Burau, our Intermediate School Social Worker, was recognized this past week at the Lake County Educator of the Year 2025 celebration for her outstanding contributions to student mental health and well-being.

Held in Grayslake, this special event brought together educators, support staff, and community leaders from across the county to honor those who go above and beyond in their service to students. It was my privilege—alongside members of our Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Machak—to be there in person to celebrate Ms. Burau and other remarkable nominees from our district.

Renae's compassion, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to student mental health have had a powerful impact on our school. Whether she's guiding students through difficult moments, partnering with families, or collaborating with staff, Ms. Burau consistently models what it means to support the whole child. Her work is vital—not only in helping students thrive academically, but also in ensuring they feel safe, supported, and seen.

We are so fortunate to have her as part of our team at Woodland Intermediate. This recognition is well-deserved and a wonderful reminder of the dedicated professionals who serve our students every day.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Burau on this incredible honor! 👏🐾

Last week, our 4th grade classrooms turned into mini science labs as students participated in an unforgettable hands-on STEM experience—a real squid dissection! With the help of dedicated parent volunteers and enthusiastic teachers, students explored the inner workings of this fascinating ocean creature, applying scientific observation skills and collaborative learning in action.

This engaging lesson wasn't just about biology—it was about building 21st-century skills. Students worked in small teams to examine squid anatomy, identify key structures, and make connections between form and function. They practiced collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, all while engaging in meaningful scientific inquiry.

Our parent volunteers played a crucial role in guiding and supporting students throughout the experience. We are incredibly grateful for their time, enthusiasm, and willingness to dive right in (pun intended!). Their presence helped make this event a truly memorable one.

This is the kind of learning we love to celebrate at Woodland Intermediate—messy, meaningful, and memorable. When students get to roll up their sleeves and explore with their hands and minds, they build deeper understanding and lasting curiosity.

Stay tuned for more exciting STEM adventures ahead!

In light of recent events that may be weighing on the hearts and minds of our families, I want to share a resource from the American Psychological Association (APA) that offers thoughtful guidance for talking with children about difficult or upsetting news.

Children are more aware than we sometimes realize. Even when adults try to shield them, they often pick up on distressing information from peers, overheard conversations, or media. When something unsettling happens—whether in the world, the community, or close to home—it’s important for children to feel safe, heard, and supported.

Here are a few highlights from the article:

• Don’t wait to talk—be proactive. Children may imagine things are worse if adults avoid the topic.

• Use age-appropriate language and let them lead with questions.

• Share your feelings honestly, modeling how to manage emotions in a healthy way.

• Be clear, calm, and truthful. It’s okay to say “I don’t know” when there isn’t an answer.

• Reassure children of their safety and let them know you’re always there to listen and support them.

• Take care of yourself, too. Caring for your own well-being helps you care for your child’s.

📖 You can read the full article here:
How to talk to children about difficult news – APA

We want to support you as partners in helping them navigate the world with resilience and care.

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we want to remind families of a simple but important message: every single school day still matters—including the last day of school on June 3rd, which is a half day.

While the end of the year brings excitement and anticipation for summer, it's also packed with meaningful, joyful, and community-building events that make these last weeks incredibly special for our students. From our Wildcat Talent Show to our Field Day and the Trimester 3 Referral-Free Celebration, we’ve planned these engaging experiences to celebrate all the hard work and growth our students have accomplished together.

That said, we want to be transparent: our school is currently trending at the same level as last year when it comes to chronic absenteeism (defined as 18 or more absences in a school year). But we know from past experience that this number can easily increase in the final weeks, especially when families choose to start their summer early.

Please help us finish strong by ensuring your child is present and engaged every day. Consistent attendance supports not just academic progress, but also friendships, routines, and a positive sense of closure for the year.

Let’s make these last days count—for learning, laughter, and lasting memories! 🐾

The halls were buzzing with excitement this past week as our PTA Scholastic Book Fair returned for a three-day celebration of reading—and it was a fabulous success! Thanks to the incredible support of our families and volunteers, we estimate that the fair brought in over $10,000, with a substantial portion going right back to support our school and students.

Every student had at least one opportunity to shop during their PE class, and it was wonderful to see so many of them thoughtfully choosing books that sparked their curiosity and love for reading. From graphic novels and nonfiction to chapter books and fun journals, there was truly something for every reader.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and heart of our PTA officers, as well as the many parent volunteers, including members of our School Board, who took time out of their busy schedules to help students explore the wide selection of books. Their presence showed just how deeply connected our school community is—and how committed we all are to supporting literacy and learning.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! With the funds raised and the books in students’ hands, the Book Fair has once again proven to be one of our favorite and most impactful traditions. 📖💙

PTA Calendar Art Contest! The PTA is accepting artwork submissions for our 25/26 Calendar NOW - 6/4. More details!

Were you unable to attend the book fair at Intermediate? Online sales will still count toward our fair totals! You can shop the INT fair online HERE through 5/25.

COMING SOON!

Supply Pack Sale! Be on the lookout for the annual supply pack sale. You can preorder your supplies for next year and have them delivered directly to your home in August. Take the stress out of back to school shopping and support the PTA at the same time!

It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I share that Mr. Ricardo Gómez Pimentel, 4th Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Intermediate, has been named Woodland’s Teacher of the Year as part of the Village of Gurnee’s annual recognition program! 🎉👏

Mr. Gómez is not only an exceptional educator but also a dedicated parent in our district—a combination that makes his impact on our community especially powerful. His leadership within our Dual Language Program has helped shape a culturally rich, academically rigorous environment that supports bilingualism, biliteracy, and belonging. Colleagues consistently praise Ricardo’s collaborative spirit, thoughtful insight, and ever-positive attitude. Whether he's guiding young learners, supporting fellow educators, or partnering with families, Mr. Gómez leads with integrity, joy, and a deep commitment to student success.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Ricardo as part of the Woodland Intermediate team—and we’re even luckier to have his family as part of our larger Woodland community. Please join me in celebrating this well-deserved honor!

Mr. Gómez, along with Woodland’s Staff Member of the Year, Amanda Medina (Transportation Dispatcher), will be recognized by the Village of Gurnee Board on May 5, and again at the Woodland D50 Board of Education meeting on May 22.

💚 Read the full announcement and see photos of the winners and finalists here: https://secure.smore.com/n/j5sydb

We are thrilled to congratulate two of our incredible Wildcats—Tessa Wells and Matthew Bear—for being recognized as Illinois Principals Association (IPA) award recipients! Each year, this special event honors two students from every school who go above and beyond to lead with kindness, integrity, and dedication to their school community. Tessa and Matthew exemplify these values in every way, from their academic excellence to their peer support and inclusive spirit.

At the annual IPA Student Recognition Breakfast, school leaders had the honor of celebrating these remarkable students alongside their proud families. Thank you, Tessa and Matthew, for representing Woodland Intermediate and District 50 so well. We are incredibly proud of you!

We are so grateful to the more than 50 parent volunteers who helped make our Spring Classroom Parties a joyful success! Thanks to your time, energy, and creativity, our students enjoyed an afternoon filled with crafts, games, music, and smiles—all in celebration of the strong, caring community we’ve built together at Woodland Intermediate.

These special events are more than just fun—they're powerful moments of community building, where students, families, and staff come together to support one another and create lasting memories. Thank you for partnering with us and showing our Wildcats what it means to lead with heart. We couldn’t do it without you! 💚

At Woodland Intermediate, we’re always looking for creative ways to keep students engaged—especially as summer draws near. That’s why we’re proud to offer a variety of fun field trips and guest speakers throughout the year, including enriching spring experiences that spark curiosity and deepen learning. This week, our 5th graders enjoyed one such visit thanks to Ms. Bridget Hengels, whose class welcomed Mr. Andy from the Lake County Farm Bureau for an interactive and educational presentation on nutrition.

Mr. Andy taught students about the five major food groups—Fruits, Grains, Vegetables, Dairy, and Protein—and how each one plays a vital role in helping our bodies grow, stay strong, and stay energized. To make the lesson memorable, students worked together to build the ultimate balanced meal: a giant, nutritious pizza! From veggies and grains to dairy and protein, and yes—even tomatoes as fruit—it was a delicious way to learn about healthy eating.

A huge thank you to Mr. Andy and the Farm Bureau for sharing their expertise, and to Ms. Hengels for always finding creative ways to connect classroom learning to the real world. At Woodland, we believe learning should be meaningful and fun—and this visit was a perfect slice of both!

As we enter the final month of the school year, we want to take a moment to emphasize just how important consistent attendance remains—even as summer approaches. While it might feel like the year is winding down, these last weeks are packed with essential learning, engaging activities, and meaningful opportunities for students to connect with their peers and teachers.

More importantly, for many students, each day this month could be the difference between regular and chronically absent status. Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—can have serious and lasting effects, especially during the intermediate years (grades 4–8). Research shows that students who are chronically absent during these critical years are more likely to struggle academically, fall behind their peers, and experience long-term consequences such as:

• Lower standardized test scores and grades

• Increased risk of dropping out of high school

• Fewer college and career opportunities

• Reduced earnings and employment stability in adulthood

• Greater risk for physical and mental health issues

• Weaker social and emotional development

Attendance isn’t just about seat time—it’s about staying connected, staying engaged, and building momentum for future success. That’s why we work hard to keep learning active and meaningful throughout the spring, including hands-on activities, guest speakers, field trips, and collaborative projects that reinforce key concepts in fun, memorable ways.

If your child is close to reaching chronic absentee status, this final stretch is a vital time to turn that around. Let’s finish strong—together. Every day matters, and every day your child is here is another step toward success—in school and in life.

Thank you for your continued support in helping your student show up, engage, and thrive. 💚

We are excited to welcome families to our Woodland Intermediate Open House on Wednesday, May 14, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Please note that some calendars have listed the time incorrectly, and we want to clarify that the correct time for this event is 6:00–7:30 PM.

Open House is a wonderful opportunity for you to celebrate your child’s growth and see firsthand the incredible work they’ve done this year. Classrooms will be open for families to explore student projects, connect with teachers, and learn more about the many things students have accomplished across the curriculum. It’s also a perfect time to thank the amazing educators who have guided and supported your child throughout the year.

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating a fantastic year of learning together! 💚

A recent article from Vanderbilt University Medical Center highlights growing concerns about excessive screen time in children—especially its effects on health, behavior, and social development. While technology has its place, doctors are seeing more cases where prolonged screen use is contributing to serious physical and mental health challenges in children.

One pediatric endocrinologist from Vanderbilt, Dr. Nidhi Gupta, shares how daily habits with screens can silently harm a child’s long-term well-being—especially when tied to sedentary behavior, disrupted sleep, and social isolation.

📊 Key Findings and Statistics:

• Type 2 diabetes in kids aged 6–12 is rising and often linked to poor diet and excessive screen time.

• Children often underestimate their screen time, reporting 1–2 hours but averaging 3–6 hours daily.

• Excess screen time can lead to physical complications—like painful cysts from prolonged sitting or worsened conditions in children with chronic diseases.

• The dopamine “reward” cycle triggered by screens mimics behavioral addictions like gambling.

• Children with limited social outlets may turn to online games for connection, leading to increased isolation.

• Most experts recommend no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time per day for children (not including schoolwork).

💡 What Parents Can Do:

• Monitor screen time using built-in phone settings (both for kids and parents).

• Create a family media plan to set healthy boundaries and mutual accountability.

• Encourage children to “replace screen time with green time”—prioritizing outdoor play, exercise, hobbies, and family interaction.

• Power down devices at least 30–60 minutes before bedtime to support healthy sleep habits.

This research is a powerful reminder that screen time habits are a serious issue—and that small changes can protect not only our children’s current health but their long-term well-being too.

-8th Grade PTA Scholarship applications are DUE Wednesday 5/7. No late submissions will be accepted. Extra forms are available in the Middle School office.

-Were you unable to attend the book fair at Middle? Online sales will still count toward our fair totals! You can shop the MIDDLE Book Fair HERE through 5/4.

COMING SOON! Be on the lookout for announcements regarding supply pack sales for next year and the annual PTA Calendar Art Contest!

SAVE THE DATES!

5/13 - Final Second Tuesday Fundraiser at Red Robin in Gurnee. Stay tuned for more details

5/14-5/16 - INTERMEDIATE Book Fair. Students will shop during the day and the fair will also be open during Open House on 5/14. VOLUNTEERS Needed.

5/15 - FINAL General PTA Meeting, 9am IN PERSON at ESC

Registration is OPEN NOW for all students—including returning students, incoming kindergarteners, and new students. Completing registration early is essential to ensure your child is officially enrolled for the 2025–2026 school year.

Early registration is especially helpful when it comes to honoring the valuable feedback you’ve provided about student placement and classroom preferences. The sooner we receive your registration, the better we can plan to meet your child’s needs and build balanced, thoughtful classroom communities.

To register or learn more about the process, please visit the Woodland Website. There, you'll find step-by-step instructions, key deadlines, and resources to support you every step of the way.

If you have questions or need support, our Registration Department is here to help—don’t hesitate to reach out!

Let’s set the stage for another great year—register today!

We’re excited to celebrate the season with our Spring Classroom Parties on Friday, April 25th—a fun Woodland tradition that brings students, staff, and families together in the spirit of community and connection.

Thanks to the support of our amazing parent volunteers, each classroom will enjoy games, crafts, and spring-themed fun. Most parties will take place from 1:40–2:30 p.m., with our 4th Grade Dual Language hallway celebrating earlier from 12:50–1:40 p.m.

These events are more than just a great time—they’re also a part of our schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework. One of the key goals of PBIS is to build a strong sense of belonging, and these celebrations give us the opportunity to strengthen relationships between home and school, recognize positive behavior, and create joyful memories.

We are grateful for the parents and guardians who signed up to help organize crafts and activities, and we appreciate your continued partnership in making our school a warm and welcoming place. Together, we’re helping our Wildcats grow not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.

Here’s to a spring celebration filled with laughter, creativity, and community spirit! 💐

We are thrilled to invite our 5th grade families to attend our Spring Music Concerts next week! Our talented students have been hard at work preparing for these performances, and we can’t wait to showcase their musical growth and teamwork.

Each concert will take place in the evening at Woodland Intermediate. Please see below for your child’s scheduled performance time:

🎵 Tuesday, April 22

• 5 West Concert – 6:00 p.m.
  (Poremba, Silasiri, Klein, Lanzito, Rakosnik)

• 5 East Concert – 6:45 p.m.
  (Hengels, Cooksey, Turner)

• 5 Dual Language Concert – 7:30 p.m.
  (Veronie, Raths, Gonzalez, Meinke)

🎵 Thursday, April 24

• 5 East Concert – 6:00 p.m.
• (Fetuz, Rodriguez, Herren, Ziegler, Rosen)

• 5 West Concert – 6:45 p.m.
  (Werner, McCowen, Lother, Rakosnik)

• 5 Dual Language Concert – 7:30 p.m.
  (Rosenblum, Ibanez, Benitez, Del Campo)

We look forward to seeing our families there to support and celebrate our young musicians. These performances are a beautiful reminder of the creativity and confidence that grow through music education—thank you for being part of the audience that makes it all so meaningful!

Woodland Intermediate is excited to announce the return of our beloved WILDcat Show – the Lip Sync and Dance Showcase! Students are invited to perform their favorite school-appropriate song by dancing, lip syncing, or—new this year—singing solo or in a group!

Participants may create their own choreography, wear fun costumes, and choose a theme that fits their act. Acts are typically about 1 minute in length, depending on how many students sign up.

Important Information & Dates:

• Parent permission forms are due by Wednesday, April 30
  ➡️ Email Mrs. Valkenaar with questions

• Wednesday, April 30, 8:05–8:50 AM: Required Informational Meeting & Rehearsal (MPR)

• Wednesday, May 7: Music due (email or submit via Schoology to Mrs. Valkenaar)

• Wednesday, May 21, 8:05–8:50 AM: Rehearsal in MPR

• Wednesday, May 28, 3:50–5:00 PM: Dress Rehearsal & Community Performance (stay after school)

• Monday, June 2: In-school WILDcat Show during the school day

All performers must attend the meeting, rehearsal, and after-school performance.
We can’t wait to see our Wildcats shine on stage!

We are proud to announce the winners of this year’s Cool Tools Poster Contest, a fun and creative way for students to show what they’ve learned about positive behavior at school through our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program.

As a reminder, Cool Tools are the behavior expectations we teach and reinforce across different school settings—like the hallway, lunchroom, and playground. These tools help students understand how to be safe, respectful, and responsible no matter where they are in the building.

Over the past few weeks, students submitted posters illustrating these expectations, and the results were impressive! After a schoolwide vote, here are our 2025 winners:

🏆 Multiple Cool Tools: Mila David – Mr. Threewitt’s Homeroom
🏆 Playground: Briana Joshova – Mr. Threewitt’s Homeroom
🏆 Lunchroom: Sophia Oreskovich – Maestro Gonzalez’s Homeroom
🏆 Assembly: Sophia Poncato – Mrs. Santner’s Homeroom
🏆 Bathroom: Benjamin Fletcher – Mrs. Santner’s Homeroom
🏆 Hallway: Emma Cordona Navarro – Maestro Campanella’s Homeroom

Congratulations to our amazing student artists and behavior champions! Their posters will be proudly displayed throughout the school as reminders of what it means to show WILDCAT PRIDE every day.

Thanks to the creativity and initiative of 4th grade teacher Jane Weiland, students at Woodland Intermediate had the unique opportunity to learn from nationally renowned children’s author and math educator Greg Tang through a live virtual lesson on Zoom. Jane organized the special session for her class and invited others to join, turning it into a schoolwide celebration of math learning.

Greg Tang, best known for his engaging books like The Grapes of Math and Math-terpieces, is on a mission to make math more intuitive and enjoyable for students across the country. With a background in economics, business, and math education, Tang blends problem-solving, poetry, visuals, and humor to help students deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts.

During the session, students explored clever strategies to solve math problems in creative and efficient ways—many using puzzles, patterns, and real-world thinking. The excitement was contagious, and students were left inspired and confident in their math skills.

Thank you, Ms. Weiland, for creating such an enriching and memorable experience for our Wildcats!

As we begin planning for next school year, families are invited to complete a placement input form based on their child’s learning style and any important considerations.

🔹 Current 4th Grade Families (rising to 5th)
Please complete the Intermediate Placement Form to share learning style insights or other relevant input. Requests for specific teachers are not accepted, but thoughtful feedback is welcome.
➡️ Click here to complete the 4th grade form

🔹 Current 5th Grade Families (rising to 6th)
Middle School is preparing student schedules. Use the Middle School Placement Form to share any special considerations.
➡️ Click here to complete the 5th grade form

🕐 Deadline for both forms is Monday, April 21.
Late submissions will not be accepted. Thank you for your input and partnership!

We want to remind families about the importance of monitoring children’s use of internet-connected games and apps. A recent case in California involved a 10-year-old who was lured away from home by an adult posing as a friend through the popular game Roblox and the messaging app Discord.

Thankfully, the child was found safely—but the incident is a stark reminder that many games and platforms have chat features that can expose children to inappropriate or even dangerous interactions.

As part of our PBIS focus on safety, we encourage families to:

• Regularly check the games and apps your child uses

• Monitor who they’re communicating with online

• Use parental controls where possible

• Keep the conversation going about safe and respectful online behavior

• 
  

A few minutes of supervision can help prevent real harm.
➡️ Click here to read the full news article from NBC

Let’s work together to keep our Wildcats safe—both on and offline.

4/21-4/25: Middle School Book Fair! Students will shop during the school day. Preview the fair, set up an e-wallet or shop online HERE.

Were you unable to attend the book fair at Primary or Elementary? Online sales will still count toward our fair totals! You can shop the PRIMARY Book Fair HERE through 4/20 and the ELEMENTARY Book Fair HERE through 4/22.

Woodland D50 Weekly Highlights – Week of April 21

🌱 Upcoming Events Across Woodland:

• Primary: Earth Week celebrations

• Elementary: Spring class pictures

• Intermediate: 5th Grade music concerts and spring parties

• Middle: WMS Cares! Community Service Night on April 23, 6:30–8 p.m. Flyer & Details

🎓 Board of Education Meeting – April 24: Celebrating our Science Olympiad team, Dual Language Program, and welcoming newly elected Board members.

📅 Woodland Career Fair – Saturday, April 26, 8–11 a.m. Join us at the District Office to explore teaching and support staff roles. Register Here

📚 Book Fair Updates: Missed the in-person fairs? Online shopping still supports our schools!

• Primary Fair – through April 20

• Elementary Fair – through April 22

🎨 Live Arts Festival – Friday, April 25, 6–9 p.m. at Warren Township High School Celebrate student creativity with art, music, workshops & more. Free admission!

🔧 Tech Volunteers Needed Help unbox, update, and prep Chromebooks this summer. Volunteer Here

💙 Support Blue Kids Campaign Learn more about this initiative for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Info Here

This week, our students experienced a vibrant cultural enrichment assembly titled Raqsah wa Qissah: An Arab Dance Folktale, presented by artist and educator Phaedra Darwish and her team. With a rich background in instrumental and vocal music, musical theatre, and global dance traditions, Phaedra brought the beauty and depth of Middle Eastern culture to life through a dynamic blend of storytelling, music, and dance.

Students were introduced to the lively rhythms and expressive movements of raqs sharqi (oriental dance), while also exploring the cultural roots and regional traditions behind the art form. The performance was both entertaining and educational, offering students an opportunity to reflect on the value of cultural heritage, artistic expression, and global connection.

Events like this are part of our ongoing commitment to helping students become more culturally aware and respectful of the diverse world around them. We are grateful to Phaedra Darwish and her company for sharing their talents and inspiring our students through this joyful and meaningful experience.

We’re excited to share that our Intermediate School website has been updated with expanded and improved information about our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program! Families can now more easily learn about the systems and supports we use to foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive school climate.

Highlights include:

• Our ROAR Expectations – Students are taught to Be Respectful, Take Ownership, Be Accepting, and Be Ready in every area of the school using consistent, universal language.

• ROARazon Store – Every other week, students can use ROAR cash they’ve earned for positive behavior to “shop” for fun rewards.

• Student Leadership Program – Learn how student leaders are selected each trimester and the traits we look for in role models.

• Social-Emotional Supports – Access resources related to Second Step, our research-based SEL curriculum, including grade-specific scope and sequence documents.

• Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) – Read about our supportive program designed to help students build confidence, self-regulation, and strong relationships.

We encourage families to explore these resources and stay connected with the supports that help every student thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
👉 Visit the PBIS section of our website here to learn more!

Soon, we will begin working on class lists for the upcoming school year. We do our best to ensure that each classroom has positive group dynamics and is well balanced. As we start this process, if you have information you would like us to consider as it pertains to your child’s learning style, please complete the form below by Monday, April 21st.

Many factors go into student placement in order to set all students up for success. Requests for a specific teacher are not recommended—please provide general information to help us in our placement process (teaching style, special considerations, etc.). Please note that making a request does not guarantee it can be honored.

That said… I know some of you may still include hopeful suggestions for classmates your child would like to be placed with—or not placed with—and even a favorite teacher or two. 😉 I get it. Just know that I read every submission with care, and I genuinely appreciate your trust and partnership as we work to create the best learning environment possible for each student.

This spring, Middle School teachers and administration will start working on scheduling students for the upcoming school year. If you have information that you would like for us to consider as we begin the scheduling process, we would like for you to complete this form.

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY APRIL 21st . We will not be accepting submissions after the date.

Here is the LINK to the form.

While most of our students speak and act respectfully every day, we know that some still use language that doesn't belong in school — including profanity, inappropriate jokes, and at times, racially or culturally insensitive comments. In a school our size, even a small percentage of students engaging in this behavior impacts our community.

Often, students don’t fully understand the impact of their words. Some are surprised to learn certain phrases are offensive; others say they've heard the language online or use it jokingly with friends. Regardless of intent, we want all students to know that words matter, and that school must be a place where everyone feels respected.

We continue to address this through our Code of Conduct, PBIS, and SEL curriculum, and more recently through small group conversations with students who need a clearer understanding of the expectations. These discussions are helping students reflect on the language they use and how it affects others.

We will keep working every day to ensure our school is a safe, respectful space for everyone. I am including more information on this topic below so that we can work together to keep students from being exposed to this language and also to understand the importance of the words they choose to use.

A recent study revealed a concerning truth: even on YouTube videos aimed at children, the comments section can contain a surprising amount of inappropriate content — including toxic language, insults, obscenities, threats, and hate speech.

Researchers analyzed over 3.7 million comments from popular children's shows and found that:

• 1 in 10 comments were toxic

• 7% included insults, and

• Other categories like threats and hate speech were also present — even on videos for children as young as 3 to 5 years old.

Alarmingly, these types of comments often appear under seemingly safe content like cartoons or educational videos. What’s more, the comments with toxic or harmful content tended to receive high engagement — likes and replies — making them more likely to be seen.

Why does this matter? Even if the video content is appropriate, the comment section may not be. Children who read these messages can be exposed to harmful ideas, language, and interactions that affect their emotional development and online behavior.

👉 Tip for families: If your child uses YouTube, consider disabling comments, using the YouTube Kids app (which removes comments entirely), or watching together and talking about what they see. Keeping kids safe online includes watching what’s written — not just what’s watched.

Having open, age-appropriate conversations with your child about race and racism is one of the most powerful ways to build empathy, compassion, and awareness. A recent article from Nemours KidsHealth reminds us that staying silent can send the wrong message — that racism doesn’t matter or isn’t our responsibility to address.

The article offers practical advice for parents, including:

• How to start and continue meaningful conversations based on your child’s age and understanding

• Tips for reinforcing your family’s values around fairness, respect, and justice

• Suggestions for creating a safe space where children feel comfortable expressing feelings and asking questions

• Everyday actions families can take to appreciate differences, celebrate diversity, and speak up against injustice

These conversations don’t have to be perfect — what matters most is that they happen. You can read the full article here.

4/17: Save the Date, April PTA Meeting, 7pm via ZOOM REGISTRATION Required

4/21-4/25: Middle School Book Fair, VOLUNTEERS needed. Preview the fair and/or set up an e-wallet HERE.

Were you unable to attend the book fair at Primary or Elementary? Online sales will still count toward our fair totals! You can shop the PRIMARY Book Fair HERE through 4/20 and the ELEMENTARY Book Fair HERE through 4/22.

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of our Intermediate Choir Concert, which played to a packed house this week! With over 100 talented student singers, our choir has been meeting early each morning to rehearse—and their dedication truly shined on stage. Under the outstanding direction of Ms. Andrea Little and Ms. Ann Souza, students performed a wide variety of songs, including crowd favorites from Wicked. The energy, enthusiasm, and talent on display made for an unforgettable evening. Thank you to all the families who came out to support our young performers!

This past week, students in grades 3–5 participated in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) on three separate mornings. To help our students perform at their best, we followed a modified schedule that protected a two-hour testing window each day. While this temporarily disrupted our usual routines, it provided a calm, focused environment for students—and there's solid reasoning behind this. Research consistently shows that students tend to perform better on academic tasks in the morning when their minds are fresher and attention spans are stronger (Goldstein, Hahn, Hasher, Wiprzycka, & Zelazo, 2007).

The IAR is the state assessment that measures how well students are mastering the Illinois Learning Standards in English Language Arts and Math. It gives us important insights into both individual progress and school-wide growth, helping us adjust instruction to better meet students’ needs.

You may recall that our reading achievement data has shown meaningful growth in recent years. In 2021—our first year back to full testing after the height of the pandemic—only 23.2% of students met or exceeded expectations. Since then, we’ve seen steady gains year after year. In 2024, that number reached 38.5%, surpassing even our pre-pandemic performance of 33.7% in 2019. Not only have we closed the gap caused by COVID-related learning disruptions—we’ve gone beyond it.

While we don’t yet have the official results from this year’s assessment, we are hopeful that this positive trend will continue. It’s a reflection of our students’ hard work, the dedication of our teachers and support staff, and the strong partnership we share with you at home.

Thank you for supporting your child during testing week—and for being a vital part of our school community.

Each year, Woodland District 50 screens all students in grades 2–7 for potential placement in Advanced or Challenge classes in Math, English Language Arts, and Spanish Language Arts (Middle School only). These courses are designed for high-performing students who may need a different curriculum to meet their learning goals.

The process uses multiple data points and a team-based approach to ensure fair and thoughtful placement. Students who qualify will receive notification by mail in mid-June.

➡️ Learn more about how placement decisions are made and what these programs offer by reading the full letter here: www.dist50.net/advancedacademics

Soon, we will begin working on class lists for the upcoming school year. We do our best to ensure that each classroom has positive group dynamics and is well balanced. As we start this process, if you have information you would like us to consider as it pertains to your child’s learning style, please complete the form below by Monday, April 21st.

Many factors go into student placement in order to set all students up for success. Requests for a specific teacher are not recommended—please provide general information to help us in our placement process (teaching style, special considerations, etc.). Please note that making a request does not guarantee it can be honored.

That said… I know some of you may still include hopeful suggestions for classmates your child would like to be placed with—or not placed with—and even a favorite teacher or two. 😉 I get it. Just know that I read every submission with care, and I genuinely appreciate your trust and partnership as we work to create the best learning environment possible for each student.

This spring, Middle School teachers and administration will start working on scheduling students for the upcoming school year. If you have information that you would like for us to consider as we begin the scheduling process, we would like for you to complete this form.

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY APRIL 21st . We will not be accepting submissions after the date.

Here is the LINK to the form.

I know parenting in the digital age isn’t easy—and when it comes to cell phones and social media, there’s a lot to keep up with. That said, we’ve seen more and more situations lately where students are struggling due to late-night texting, unkind group chats, and hidden social media activity that causes real emotional harm.

So here’s our gentle but important plea:

Please take your child’s device at bedtime and secure it somewhere outside their room. Adolescents need sleep, and phones in the room can lead to late-night messaging, drama, and distractions that follow them into the school day—exhausted and overwhelmed.

We also urge you to:

• Check their devices frequently for group chats and social media posts that contain harmful language or unkind behavior. Even “joking” comments can take a toll.

• Look for hidden apps—some are disguised as calculators or folders but actually store secret photos or messages. Others might have "shadow" accounts within apps like Instagram or TikTok. This article is a great guide: 🔗 Tips for Finding Secret Apps and Accounts

• Block numbers that are unfamiliar, toxic, or from “frenemies” who contribute to anxiety. Please remind your child that deleting a chat is not the same as blocking the number. Blocking sets a boundary and stops the behavior from continuing.

I know life is busy. But just a few minutes spent checking your child’s phone can be life-saving—figuratively and sometimes literally. It’s one of the most powerful things you can do to protect their mental health, safety, and confidence as they navigate a world that often moves faster than they’re ready for.

We’re in this together, and we’re here to help. If you ever need guidance or support, don’t hesitate to reach out.

4/7-4/8: Primary Open House and BOOK FAIR. Adult and/or Teen VOLUNTEERS needed!!! Can't make the fair? You can also shop online through 4/20.

4/8: Second Tuesday Fundraiser, Portillo's, 5:00-8:00pm, MUST mention Woodland PTA when ordering in person or enter code PORTILLOS41 when ordering online.

4/9-4/10: Elementary Family Fun & Games Night and BOOK FAIR. Adult and/or Teen VOLUNTEERS needed!!! Can't make the fair? You can also shop online through 4/22.

4/17: Save the Date, April PTA Meeting, 7pm via ZOOM REGISTRATION Required

4/21-4/25: Middle School Book Fair, VOLUNTEERS needed. Preview the fair and/or set up an e-wallet HERE.

Woodland is proud to partner with the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center (LCCAC) in support of the Blue Kids campaign again this year! The Blue Kids campaign is an annual event to raise awareness and share resources in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

To kickoff the campaign, the LCCAC held an awards ceremony to acknowledge valuable partners in law enforcement, healthcare, and the community. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Angelo White, Woodland Crossing Guard, for receiving the Community Superhero Award. He was recognized for the love and joy he is spreading to the Woodland learning community, and all those who drive by his little corner of positivity at the Washington and Almond intersection in Gurnee! Thank you for keeping children safe, and being a positive light in our community. (More Photos)

For more information on the Blue Kids Campaign, as well as on upcoming events, visit the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center's website.

Detective Hansen is bringing positive and age appropriate messages to students in the classroom about how they can be their own superhero, or they can get help from a trusted adult.

Last week, Intermediate students participated in a variety of activities to celebrate Respect Week and promote understanding of different learning profiles and a sense of belonging for all. Throughout the week, students contributed to a vibrant Respect Mural, listened to daily announcements that shared information about different disabilities, and engaged in meaningful discussions about kindness and respect.

The week culminated in our Respect Week Assembly on Friday, March 14th. During the assembly, we welcomed special guests from the National Association for Down Syndrome and were honored to hear from two former Woodland students, Rebecca and Thomas, who are also Special Olympics athletes. They shared their inspiring experiences, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and respect. We also provided updates on our **Bocce Ball Unit and Event** and our progress with the **Unified Champion School Application**.

Thank you for supporting our journey to become a Unified Champion School and, most importantly, for helping us demonstrate that Intermediate is a school where everyone belongs!

As many of you already know, Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up this week. On both Wednesday and Thursday we have half days of school. On Wednesday, conferences are in-person and on Thursday, conferences are virtual. If for whatever reason you missed signing up online and would like to see if there is still availability, please contact your teacher(s) directly via email.

Congratulations to Vividh, a 4th grader from Mrs. Outinen’s classroom, for winning our Pi Number Bee by reciting an incredible 302 digits of pi from memory! Vividh could have continued even further, but our scorecard only went up to 300 digits — amazing work!

Our top runners-up were:
🥈 Vaishali – Mrs. Ziegler’s Homeroom – 180 digits
🥉 Adeline – Mrs. Rath’s Homeroom – 125 digits
🏅 Kale – Mrs. Rosenblum’s Homeroom – 123 digits

A huge shout-out to all 84 students and one staff member who participated. Great job, everyone! 🤩🥧

The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is now open for responses, and Woodland invites you to provide feedback through this annual tool. The survey is anonymous, and only takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. We use the survey data year after year to guide improvements in the district. We turn to this data throughout the year and track trends over time, but we don’t have access to the results unless we have a minimum of 20% participation at each school. The more responses we receive, the more meaningful the data! The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving Woodland schools, and survey responses are confidential.

Take the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey today!

Available in English and Spanish

Addressing the "Game of Telephone" at School

At Intermediate, we strive to foster a positive and supportive environment for all students. However, we sometimes see situations where students unintentionally create drama by spreading rumors or misinterpreting information — much like the classic "game of telephone."

In some cases, this behavior goes beyond simple misunderstandings. Some students may act as "pot-stirrers" — sharing incomplete or exaggerated stories that pit friends against one another. While this can happen under the guise of being helpful or loyal, it often leads to conflict, hurt feelings, and a negative school environment.

We encourage parents to talk with their children about the importance of healthy friendships and the impact their words can have. Remind them to pause before sharing information and to seek help from a trusted adult if they're unsure how to handle a situation. Together, we can help our students build stronger, more positive relationships.

A helpful way for students to reflect before speaking is to use the THINK strategy:

T – Is it True?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Important?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?

If they can't answer yes to ALL of these questions, best to not to say it!

By encouraging students to THINK before they speak, we can help prevent misunderstandings and promote a more respectful school community.

Woodland School Board Candidate Forum - On Monday March 10th, the PTA held a virtual forum for the candidates running in the April 1st election for the Woodland School Board. The recording of this forum is available HERE. The PTA is acting as a neutral party and will not be endorsing any specific candidate(s). This forum aims to allow the community members an opportunity to learn more about all the candidates running for the school board in the upcoming election.

• Mar. 14 - Friday Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
• Mar. 17 - Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year Opens
• Mar. 19 & 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• Mar. 20 - Woodland Board of Education Meeting
• Mar. 21 - No Student Attendance
• Mar. 24 - 28 - Spring Break, No Student Attendance
• Mar. 31 - School Resumes
• April 4 - Friday Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
• April 5 - Parent University: Keep Kids Learning Over Summer
• April 7 - Dual Language Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) Meeting, 7-8 p.m. - Virtual

Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year

New This Year: Registration opens for ALL students (returning students, incoming kindergarteners, and new students) for the upcoming school year on Monday, March 17, 2025.

For more information on registering a new student or a returning student for the 2025-2026 school year, visit the Woodland Website. There you will find detailed instructions, important deadlines, and helpful resources to ensure a smooth registration process. If you have any questions or need assistance, the Registration Department is available to help!

Mark your calendars—registration starts on March 17th!

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Ups Open Soon!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up on March 19th and 20th, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher and discuss their progress. Conference sign-ups opened on Monday, February 24th, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

For step-by-step instructions on how to sign up, please visit:
Sign-Up Instructions

We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s success!

The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is now open for responses, and Woodland invites you to provide feedback through this annual tool. The survey is anonymous, and only takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. We use the survey data year after year to guide improvements in the district. We turn to this data throughout the year and track trends over time, but we don’t have access to the results unless we have a minimum of 20% participation at each school. The more responses we receive, the more meaningful the data! The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving Woodland schools, and survey responses are confidential.

Take the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey today!

Available in English and Spanish

Please help Intermediate retain our informal title of having a greater percentage of parents responding to this survey than other schools- a little competition never hurt anyone.

PS: If you have more than one student, you can take the survey once for each school they may attend. For example, if you have a kindergartner, 2nd grader, 4th grader, and 7th grader, then you could take it once for each school.

At the end of last month, our Spring Musical Production performed not only for all of our students, but also sell out shows for the whole school community. Our student performers were amazing in both their acting and singing. Shout out to April Cooksey, Bridget Hengels, Andrea Little and all the other staff members who have helped make this year’s musical such a success! Our school is lucky to have such dedicated teachers who bring the fine arts to the next level! We are so incredibly lucky to have so many parents who volunteered to support the show.

On Friday, Februrary 28th, our Intermediate Wildcats were visited by FourPoets, OneMic, a spoken word poetry group from Northern Illinois University. During this interactive assembly, these artists shared original poetry highlighting Black History, including a special “Poem on the Spot” inspired by our school. Additionally, they performed and created a live painting that celebrated Black Culture. Combining poetry, art, and Black History this event was a fantastic way to conclude Woodland’s celebration of Black History Month.

Respect Week at Woodland Intermediate – March 10-14, 2025

Woodland Intermediate is excited to celebrate Respect Week in partnership with Special Olympics of Illinois! This special week promotes inclusion, acceptance, and respect for people of all abilities. Each day, students can show their support by participating in fun spirit days while learning about the power of inclusion.

🌟 Monday, 3/10 – "In My Respect Era" – Wear something from your favorite era (Swiftie style or a decade)!
🐾 Tuesday, 3/11 – "WILD about Respect" – Show off your wild side with animal prints or bold patterns.
🎩 Wednesday, 3/12 – "Thinking about Others" – Wear a hat to remind yourself to choose inclusion.
🧦 Thursday, 3/13 – "Dare to be Different" – Rock mismatched socks or patterns to celebrate uniqueness.
🎨 Friday, 3/14 – "#Life in the W is Respect" – Wear colors supporting different disabilities or show school spirit in green & white.

Encourage your child to participate and join us in making our school a more inclusive place! #ChooseToInclude #RespectWeek

Respect Week Assembly – Celebrating Inclusion at Woodland Intermediate

Woodland Intermediate is excited to host our Respect Week Assembly on Friday, March 14, 2025! This event highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive school environment and our journey to becoming a Special Olympics Unified Champion School—a school that actively promotes inclusion through sports, leadership, and whole-school engagement for students of all abilities.

Assembly Highlights:
🏅 Guest Speakers: Representatives from the National Association for Down’s Syndrome will share insights on fostering understanding and support for individuals with Down syndrome.
🎾 Bocce Ball Update: We’ll provide an update on our Bocce Ball unit and upcoming event, showcasing student participation and achievements.
🌟 Unified Champion School Application: Learn about our progress in becoming a Unified Champion School, a designation for schools that embrace inclusive sports, student leadership opportunities, and a culture of respect and belonging.

Thank you for supporting our mission to make Woodland Intermediate a truly inclusive community where everyone belongs!

3/8: READY, SET, GLOW! PTA Family Dance, 5:30-7:30pm at Woodland Intermediate Cafeteria, Admission is just $2 per person, pay at the door. More Details. Adult and Teen VOLUNTEERS needed! ALSO - we will be collecting donations for Save-a-Pet at the dance. Click HERE for accepted items.

3/11: Second Tuesday Fundraiser, Raising Cane's, 4:00-10:00pm, MUST mention Woodland PTA when ordering in person or enter code RCFUND96 when ordering online. More Details.

3/13: March PTA Meeting, 7pm via ZOOM REGISTRATION Required

As children increasingly engage with social media, it’s important for parents to be aware of how online interactions can impact real-world social dynamics, especially at school. Social media platforms, while offering a space for connection, can also amplify conflicts, create misunderstandings, and even contribute to bullying. These online behaviors often spill over into school life, making it crucial for parents to monitor their children's social media usage. By setting guidelines, discussing responsible online behavior, and staying engaged with their digital lives, you can help ensure that your child has positive online interactions that don't affect their social relationships at school. Supervising their social media habits helps create a safe and supportive environment both online and offline.

Ultimately your student's access to these devices and social platforms outside of school is your decision. But their interactions at night and over the weekends with one another over social media often play out at school. Even if some of these interactions seem like they are "roasting" each other, teasing, or even "just messing around", often one exchange can spin out of control later. By way of analogy, we do our best to prevent children from playing tag at recess. We do this because one "tag" that is perceived to be too hard, turns the game from tagging to pushing to fighting. Online interactions outside of school can play out in similar ways at school.

Parent University Webinar - March 10, 2025

The next Parent University Event is all about "Turning Everyday Activities Into Learning Opportunities!" Please join us for a free webinar for a presentation by Scholastic Education Solutions. The target audience for this presentation is Early Childhood - 5th grade.

Register Now!

When: March 10, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Presenter: Javonne Aponte, from Scholastic Education Solutions

Learning isn't limited to screens, books, or a lesson packet - it's all around us! Join us as we transform everyday moments into exciting learning adventures.

Woodland Intermediate has been actively celebrating Black History Month with engaging activities and events for our students! Our equity leaders organized a Black History Month art contest. Congratulations to Ariana, James, and De'Nae for winning!!! Also, Mrs. Simons’ art classes created projects inspired by Black history—some of which will be on display at this weekend’s event. Students have also learned about influential historical and contemporary figures through whole-school announcements.

Additionally, our Cultural Enrichment bulletin board in the main hallway highlights important contributions and achievements. The month’s celebrations will culminate in an all-school assembly on February 28, featuring 4Poets, 1Mic, a dynamic performance group that will share stories of history, culture, and inspiration.

We are proud to honor and celebrate Black history as we continue to learn and grow together!

Don't Forget about the District's Culminating Event Today!

When: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Woodland Middle School, 7000 W. Washington St., Gurnee, IL - Cafeteria A, enter through B2 doors

On Saturday, February 22 join us at Woodland as we celebrate Black History Month! This event will honor and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Black community--not only at our school, but also in the community, country, and the world.

Our celebration will include:

• Musical performances from Woodland’s Kindergarten Class & the Woodland Elementary Choir

• Musical performance from Yolanda Brooks, founder of ARIZE Beyond School of Music

• Dance performance from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated; Nu Lambda Sigma Chapter Step Show

• Dance performance from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and the ZYA Youth Groups

• Spoken word performance from poet Sharon Epps

• Black Dads Rock! Discussion Panel

Additionally, there will be family-friendly crafts and art projects, and Woodland’s Art Show followed by the announcement of the contest winners.

This event is open to ALL Woodland families.

As you may recall from a previous edition of this newsletter, our students recently made valentine's to send to local seniors. At Woodland Intermediate, we are proud of our students for spreading kindness beyond the classroom. Recently, we received a heartfelt letter from a resident of Thomas Place in Gurnee, a senior living community, who was deeply touched by the handmade Valentine’s Day cards our students created. She shared how much she looks forward to receiving them each year.

In addition, she expressed her admiration for a beautifully drawn picture she received from one of our students, Emma P., during our Christmas caroling visit. She was so moved by the artwork that she has kept it displayed all year!

This letter is a wonderful reminder of how small acts of kindness—like a card or a drawing—can bring joy and connection across generations. Thank you to our students and staff for making a difference in our community!

Grab some pixie dust and fly over to Woodland Intermediate for a magical performance of Peter Pan! Step into the enchanting world of Neverland as Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, leads Wendy, John, and Michael Darling on an unforgettable adventure. Along the way, they’ll meet the playful Lost Boys, the loyal Tinker Bell, and face off against the villainous Captain Hook and his band of pirates.

📅 When: February 27 & 28, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Where: Woodland Intermediate School
🎟️ Tickets: $5.00 at the door

Important Ticket Information: Due to auditorium capacity limits, only 200 additional tickets will be available for purchase at the door each night. Families of cast members have already received tickets, so if you haven’t secured yours yet, be sure to arrive early!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, adventure, and Neverland magic—we can’t wait to see you there!

As we move into the spring months, students in grades 4 and 5 will participate in state assessments to measure their progress in key academic areas. While the testing windows span several weeks, students will only spend a few days in total over the next two months actually taking the assessments. Below are the upcoming assessments and their testing windows:

📌 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) – This assessment evaluates students' skills in ELA/Literacy and Mathematics. Testing will take place:
🖥️ Online: March 3 – April 18, 2025
📄 Paper: March 3 – April 4, 2025
More about IAR

📌 Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) (5th Grade Only) – A state-required assessment measuring science proficiency.
Testing window: March 3 – April 30, 2025
More about ISA

📌 Dynamic Learning Maps-Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA) – For students with significant cognitive disabilities, covering ELA, Mathematics, and Science (5th Grade Only).
Testing window: March 12 – May 7, 2025
More about DLM-AA

For additional details, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s assessment page: ISBE Assessments

We appreciate your support in ensuring students are prepared and ready to do their best!

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Ups Open Soon!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up on March 19th and 20th, providing a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher and discuss their progress. Conference sign-ups will open on Monday, February 24th, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

For step-by-step instructions on how to sign up, please visit:
Sign-Up Instructions

We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s success!

The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is now open for responses, and Woodland invites you to provide feedback through this annual tool. The survey is anonymous, and only takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. We use the survey data year after year to guide improvements in the district. We turn to this data throughout the year and track trends over time, but we don’t have access to the results unless we have a minimum of 20% participation at each school. The more responses we receive, the more meaningful the data! The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving Woodland schools, and survey responses are confidential.

Take the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey today!

Available in English and Spanish

Please help Intermediate retain our informal title of having a greater percentage of parents responding to this survey than other schools- a little competition never hurt anyone.

PS: If you have more than one student, you can take the survey once for each school they may attend. For example, if you have a kindergartner, 2nd grader, 4th grader, and 7th grader, then you could take it once for each school.

The PTA needs your input! The PTA is hosting a School Board Candidate Forum in March. The goal of this forum is to allow the community members an opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for the School Board in the upcoming election. The PTA is looking for input on questions you would like to ask the candidates. Please use this Google Form to submit questions to be considered for the forum. Responses will be accepted through March 2nd. Thank you for your participation!

SAVE THE DATES:

3/8: PTA Family Dance!, stay tuned for details

3/11: Second Tuesdays Fundraiser, Raising Cane's Gurnee, stay tuned for details

Stephanie Ingram

President

Woodland Dist 50 PTA

dist50pta@gmail.com

In today's digital age, social media plays a significant role in the lives of children and teenagers. A recent study by Security.org highlights the growing concerns among parents regarding their children's safety on these platforms. The findings reveal a clear call for stronger protections and regulations to ensure that kids can navigate social media safely.

Key takeaways from the study include:

• Stronger Protections Needed: A significant 67% of parents believe that current social media laws should be more stringent in protecting children from online dangers.

• Parental Control is Crucial: An overwhelming 86% of parents support requiring parental permission for kids to create social media accounts. Furthermore, 84% desire full access to their child’s profiles, emphasizing the importance of monitoring online interactions.

• Education on Social Media Safety: A remarkable 85% of parents agree that social media safety should be a part of the school curriculum. They recognize that education is vital in equipping children with the knowledge to navigate online spaces responsibly.

• Concerns Over Data Privacy: Privacy issues are top of mind for parents, with 90% advocating for social media companies to stop collecting personal data from children. This highlights a significant demand for better data protection practices within these platforms.

• The TikTok Debate: While only 31% of parents support an outright ban on TikTok, half believe that restricting access to this platform could enhance children's online safety. This divide showcases the ongoing debate over the best approach to ensuring digital safety.

As parents, it is essential to stay informed and proactive about your child's online presence. Engaging in open conversations about social media, setting boundaries, and advocating for stronger regulations can contribute to a safer digital environment for our children.

For more details on the study and parents' perspectives on social media legislation, visit the full report at Security.org: Parents React to Social Media Legislation. Together, we can work towards a safer online experience for our kids.

Here are some links from respected professional organizations that provide information about dangerous social media trends and ways for parents to supervise their children's online activity.

1. American Academy of Pediatrics - Media and Children's Health
   This resource provides guidance on how to manage media use among children, including the potential dangers of social media and strategies for supervision.
   American Academy of Pediatrics - Media and Children's Health

2. American Psychological Association - Social Media and Children: What Parents Should Know
   This article discusses the risks associated with social media and offers advice for parents on how to talk to their children about safe online behavior.
   National Association of School Psychologists - Social Media and Children

3. Common Sense Media - Social Media: A Parent’s Guide
   Common Sense Media provides a comprehensive overview of social media platforms, including safety tips, privacy settings, and how to have conversations with kids about online behavior.
   Common Sense Media - Social Media: A Parent’s Guide

Pictured below you will see an amazing instructional strategy and learning activity: The Talking Circle. In this case, Ms. Veronie, a 5th Grade Dual Language teacher, is facilitating a talking circle for students who are comparing and contrasting Legends and Dramas. This type of talking circle has several hallmarks, including the use of a talking piece, set norms for participation, and a facilitator.

Talking circles can be used for a variety of purposes outside of academics, including restorative conversations for the classroom community and community building discussions. Dr. Machak and I were invited into the circle and it was a privilege to participate alongside our students. As many of you know, the first goal in our Academics and Identity section of our Strategic Plan is:

Goal 1: Student Identity and Belonging Students will exhibit an increased sense of belonging in the classroom through instructional strategies which are aligned with their individual languages, abilities, heritages, and cultures.

Talking circles are just such an instructional strategy that promotes community and communication. As the research on this strategy suggests, "[w]hen students belong, they open up, and when they open up, they belong."

This week our instructional specialists (featured in last week's edition) set up a new and fun display in our main hallway. The images below show our aspirational goals for passing lessons in the iReady online Learning Path. We are tracking both Reading and Math for both 4th and 5th grades to foster some competition, but also hoping for an aggregated school-wide goal too! As you may recall from previous issues of this newsletter, iReady's Learning Path is tailored to each child's academic level and are adaptive- as students do better, the challenge level increases accordingly.

Our initial goal was 32,000 lessons passed, but after just a week, we may need to increase that because students have responded dramatically, no doubt in part due to this display! In just one week, they several thousand lesson across the building! I have included below additional screen shots and documents to help you help your student to find and log into this great program. It is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week and students receive instruction alongside their assessments. If they ever tell you, they don't have anything academic to work on, you can always say "What about iReady?" and smile coyly as they grow extremely quiet in reaction to your "insider knowledge" of their school day.

As our students explore the exciting world of social media and online communication, I want to share some important points about digital safety—especially concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create deceptive online identities.

Understanding the Concern

Recent advances in AI have led to sophisticated tools that can generate profiles and messages appearing remarkably genuine. This means that sometimes an individual with less-than-good intentions could use AI to mimic a trusted friend or even a family member online. While AI can offer many benefits, it’s important for us to be aware of how it might also be misused to deceive our young students.

What Does This Mean for Our Children?

Imagine your child receiving a message from someone who seems familiar, only to later find out that the “person” was not who they appeared to be. This is a reminder for us to stay informed and encourage our children to be cautious. It isn’t about creating fear—it’s about promoting safe online practices and open communication.

For further insight into these concerns, I recommend reading the following article:

• AI and Deepfake Concerns: Deepfake deception: How AI is blurring the lines of reality

This article offers deeper perspectives on how AI is being used online and reinforce the importance of digital literacy.

Practical Tips for Parents and Students

• Talk Openly: Encourage your child to discuss their online interactions. If something feels “off” or confusing, they should feel comfortable coming to you for advice.
• Verify Identities: Teach your child that if they’re unsure about who they are chatting with online, it’s always best to verify by calling or speaking with the person face-to-face.
• Protect Personal Information: Remind your child never to share personal details—like their home address, school name, or phone number—without first confirming the identity of the other party.

Our school is dedicated to helping students navigate the digital world safely, and your support is crucial in reinforcing these practices at home. By working together, we can ensure that our children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying protected from potential online deceptions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU ARE STILL READING, AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE POWER OF AI- THE ENTIRE ARTICLE YOU JUST READ WAS WRITTEN BY CHATGPT!!!

I JUST ASKED IT TO "write an article from a principal of an intermediate school that cautions parents about social media and online dangers for their students, particularly how AI could be used to deceive them in terms of who they are chatting with online. Make sure it isn't too long or scary, but also include links to established and reputable publications that reinforce the dangers described"!!! So if you thought it was me, you were deepfaked!

Our Kids Heart Challenge has been great! We have raised over $5,000! Today was the last day of the fundraiser, however, some students have asked if they can bring more in this weekend. This is awesome, so we will extend the fundraiser one more week. It will officially end next Friday 2/14. So keep encouraging your children to get those donations. It’s for a great cause! Click here to scan the QR Code or to Register On-line.

Keep working on completing Finn’s Mission. Nine more students and our school gets entered into a drawing for a $10,000 PE equipment makeover. Let’s make it happen boys and girls.

Here is an update on the teacher contest, the teacher with the most students registered will win a $25 gift card to Amazon. Keep up the hard work boys and girls, you're doing great!

2/11: Second Tuesdays Fundraiser, Lou Malnati's Gurnee and/or Grayslake location, 4pm-10pm. Must mention Woodland PTA when ordering or enter code GPFUND24 when ordering online. More details.

2/13: February PTA Meeting at 7pm via ZOOM. Registration Required.

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

• Feb. 7 - Friday Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
• Feb. 10 - Dual Language Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) Virtual Meeting, 7-8 p.m. (Email GNavarro@dist50.net for the link)
• Feb. 11 - Second Tuesday Fundraiser at Lou Malnati's, Promo Code and Flyer
• Feb. 12 - WISE: Supporting Your Child in the Community
  
• Feb. 13 - February PTA Meeting, 7 p.m., Virtual (Registration Required)
• Feb. 14 - No Student Attendance
• Feb. 17 - Presidents Day, District Closed & No Student Attendance
• Feb. 21 - Friday Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
• Feb. 22 - District Wide Black History Month Celebration (More Information)
• Feb. 27 - Woodland D50 Board of Education Meeting

Friday Early Dismissal Schedule

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

Woodland’s Black History Month Celebration, Feb. 22

Join us for a Black History Month Celebration!

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: Woodland Middle School, Cafeteria A (Enter B2 Doors)

ALL District Families are welcome!

open_in_newzoom_out_map

Event includes:

• Art Show and Art Contest Winners
• Student & Community Performances (Musical, Dance, Spoken Word)
• Black Dads Rock! Discussion Panel*
• Family-friendly crafts
• Food available for purchase from the Supreme Fries & More Food Truck

*If you are interested in being a Black Dads Rock panelist, please fill out this google form.

Event Flyer: English & Spanish

Event Program (Schedule of Events): English & Spanish

This past week included daily challenges for students to demonstrate kindness to one another, but also our Change Challenge. Throughout the week, in addition to fun ways to commemorate the week- from quirky hats to school spirit colors- students also found opportunities to demonstrate kindness to each other, our staff, and the wider school community. Friday culminated with an annual tradition of making Valentine's Day messages with our school resource officer, Detective Kelly Hansen, to be distributed to senior citizens at local retirement homes. The money collected from this week's coin drive event will support our district's food drive efforts which have seen an increase in demand over the past year. We appreciate everyone's generosity of both spirit and spending.

Our content area specialists in math and reading are one of many incredible teaching and learning supports that our district provides. Experienced teachers all, these professionals provide job-embedded coaching which research shows to have dramatic results on both teacher effectiveness and student learning. These specialists help teachers to analysis student data, design effective lessons and interventions, demonstrate lessons, and even provide them opportunities for non-evaluative feedback on their practice.

At Intermediate, we have two reading specialists, Donna Kallal and Kelly Shiffer, and two math specialists, Michelle Newman and Pam Valkenaar. They work side by side with our students and teachers to make sure that our professional learning is on-going, targeted, and responsive to the evolving needs of both our students and staff.

This week provided an excellent example of their work in action with Michelle Newman hosting a math volume lab for students and teachers. Several classes throughout the week attended the workshop which serves as an opportunity for teachers to see new methods of instruction and students to engage in different learning activities. Pictured below, are students from several of the classrooms that attended from classrooms such as Ms. Werner"s, Ms. Lanzito's, Ms. Ziegler's, and Ms. Feutz's classes.

We have completed three weeks of the Kids Heart Challenge and have raised over $4,600! There is one week left, keep encouraging your children to get those donations. It’s for a great cause! Click here to scan the QR Code or to Register On-line.

Keep working on completing Finn’s Mission. Eleven more students and our school gets entered into a drawing for a $10,000 PE equipment makeover. Let’s make it happen boys and girls.

Here is an update on the teacher contest, the teacher with the most students registered will win a $25 gift card to Amazon. Keep up the hard work boys and girls, you're doing great!

As you may have seen in the district newsletter, we concluded our final round of the spelling bee. Congratulations to Vikram V. for winning 1st Place, and to Rameen R. for earning 2nd Place/Runner-up in the Intermediate School Spelling Bee! (More Photos: Facebook / Instagram)

Some incredible facts about the final round:

• The final round which started with 4 contestants and ended with 2 lasted as long with as many, if not more, words than the first round that started with more than more 40 and ended with 4!
• Rameen won 1st last year and finished 2nd this year! Wow!
• The final set of words came from vocabulary that was rated at a 9th-10th grade level
• The winning word was "cache", defined as "a collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place."

Special thanks to our coordinator of this even, Mrs. Jen Silasiri, a 5th grade West Hallway teacher.

As many of you know, a significant portion of our Illinois Report Card, as a school and a district, is based on our chronic absenteeism rate (students who miss 10% or 18 days of the school year). I am happy to report that from two years ago (FY23) to last year (FY24), we reduced our overall Chronic Absenteeism rate from 22.4% to 15.7%. For comparison the Illinois average was 26.3% in FY24. So far this year, we are tracking similarly to last year:

Chronic Absenteeism # of Students Comparison as of 1/27: 34 (FY25); 32 (FY24); 42 (FY23)

I am hoping that we can strive together to have every student in school every day that is possible. One thing to remember is that students will only receive a half-day of attendance if either of the following things occur:

• They arrive after 9:50 am
• They depart before 3 pm, assuming that they arrived on time (by 9:05 am).

If you need to drop students off late or pick students up early, please try to remember these times to ensure students get credit for as much attendance as possible. Obviously, being in school helps them to learn each day which is the most important thing!

2/11: Second Tuesdays Fundraiser, Lou Malnati's. Stay tuned for details

2/13: February PTA Meeting at 7pm via ZOOM. Registration Required.

All district families are welcome to join us at Woodland Middle School on Feb. 22, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. as we celebrate Black History Month! There will be live performances, a student art show, and we are bringing back the very popular "Black Dads Rock!" panel again this year. If you are interested in being a Black Dads Rock panelist, please fill out this google form. (photo from Feb. 2024 event)

Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIpnUoRN4zUUtzEiN7dzpQPpaOsRo1z1IYP-PwnaHcGnpoKA/viewform

The week of January 22-26, 2024 Woodland Intermediate will be participating in the Great

Kindness Challenge! Students will be invited to complete acts of kindness at home and in our

community. Students are invited to dress up and spread kindness each day of the week as well.

We will also be collecting change (coins) as a fundraiser for our district's food bank program. So check those couches and behind the dresser or anywhere else you might have some pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and more to donate!

Feel free to visit the Great Kindness Challenge Family Edition:

https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/familyedition

The students are doing a great job raising money for our Kids Heart Challenge! We are over $4,200 and still rising. We have 2 weeks to go, so encourage your children to get those donations. It’s for a great cause!

Click here to scan the QR Code or to Register On-line.

We are really trying to have the students complete Finn’s Mission which includes Hands only CPR. Having the knowledge and skill to do so is a great tool to have. One will never know when it is needed. Our goal is to get 18 students to complete the mission. If we do, our school gets entered into a nationwide drawing for a $10,000 PE equipment makeover.

Here is an update on the teacher contest, the teacher with the most students registered will win a $25 gift card to Amazon. Keep up the hard work boys and girls, you're doing great!

This week, although slightly postponed due to E-Learning, we held some of the preliminary rounds of the Spelling Bee! Student homeroom representatives came together demonstrated their perspicacity with just how much of a logophile they are! While those weren't their specific words, there were many like them and there will be many more next week at the finals! If you get a chance, please check out the photos from the event on our district's social media! Special thanks to Jen Silasiri who coordinates this event for us each year!

Facebook 5th Grade

Facebook 4th Grade

Instagram 5th & 4th Grade

As many of you know, part of our ROAR expectations are the ideas of taking Responsibility and Ownership within their day at school. One way that this is done is with classroom jobs. As you may be aware, being line-leader is a highly sought-after position! Given the often competitive nature of this job and our desire to prepare students for the future, Ms. Butera turned assigning classroom jobs into a fun activity of actually interviewing for these positions. This activity promoted students preparation, oratory skills, and interpersonal skills. These are some of the so-called "soft skills" that recent research has shown to be critical for student success in the long run. Students had to interview for the positions and also have references- many thanks to the Parents, Grandparents, and athletic coaches out there that played along and corresponded with Ms. Butera about their students "career" goals. Students had a great time and it was a wonderful example of both ROAR and the real-world combining in our classrooms.

Each school year, as part of the Health/PE curriculum, fourth graders at Woodland Intermediate School participate in lessons focusing on the changes that occur during adolescence. The lessons address self-esteem, friendship, and hygiene.

Similarly, fifth graders at Woodland Intermediate School participate in lessons focusing on the changes that occur during adolescence. The lessons address the physical, mental, and social changes during puberty with an emphasis on self-esteem, self-concept, and hygiene.

Attached are two letters that detail the materials used to cover these topics, including video links. Please review them. Any student can opt out of these units should their parents/guardians so choose I stand ready to answer any questions about this unit. To answer the most common question, nothing related to the birds and the bees, gender, or sexuality is discussed for these units. The reference to puberty is related to physiological changes. For example, the increasing need for the consistent use of deoderant as compared to when children were younger!

1/31: International Night, 6-8pm at Woodland Middle School. Currently looking for families interested in creating a display of their culture or homeland. Click HERE for more details and to signup to create a display (by 1/27)

There is still time to sign up for Parent University! Woodland will be hosting a Parent University Conference on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Our expert speakers will discuss a range of topics including Building Independence, Middle School Literacy, Supporting Children in their Hardest Moments, Belonging, Vaping, Collaborative Problem Solving, and more. We hope to see you there!

Date: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: Woodland Middle School, 7000 Washington Street, Gurnee - Door B1

Register: Woodland Parent University Registration

Breakfast, coffee, and snacks will be provided. Childcare is available.

Join us in Celebrating Black History Month by participating in Woodland’s Art Contest: Honoring Black Excellence. This contest is open to everyone PreK through 8th Grade. Submissions are open till Feb. 7, 2025. English / Spanish

Save the Date for Woodland’s Black History Month Celebration

All district families are welcome to join us at Woodland Middle School on Feb. 22, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. as we celebrate Black History Month! There will be live performances, a student art show, and we are bringing back the very popular "Black Dads Rock!" panel again this year. If you are interested in being a Black Dads Rock panelist, please fill out this google form. (photo from Feb. 2024 event)

It’s that time of year to start our Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser. We had a blast today with our annual kick-off. The goal for this year is $10,000 and the kids are super excited because if we reach it, Mr. Sheldon and the PE staff will get a Pie in the face. Lets Go Woodland Students!!!

This is Woodland Intermnediate’s 28th year working with the American Heart Association, and we are approaching $650,000 in donations. Not only are we asking for donations, but we are pushing Finn’s Mission. Finn is a young boy who represents the AHA and has overcome his own Heart issues. To complete Finn’s mission one has to go through 7 steps, one being Hands only CPR. The American Heart Association has teamed up with the NFL, who has been a huge supporter of the Kids Heart Challenge. They are offering their own incentive for students who complete the mission.

Each student was given an envelope along with an information sheet to explain more of the fundraiser. Specifically how to register and get donations. They have made it so easy that you just need to scan the QR code and fill in the information.

There are many contests and incentives that we have going on during these next few weeks to help get the support and participation of our students and families. Please read the attached KHC Contests/Incentives to see what they are. If you have any questions please reach out to your child’s PE teacher.

We hope that they have fun and learn how beneficial their work is in getting donations for the American Heart Association.

Here are some helpful links:

Register on-line

NFL incentive

Rivets Incentive

Information Sheet with everything

Chicago Wolves Sheet

Racine Kenosha County Third Coast F.C.

Please sign up here if your student is interested in participating in intramurals and/or clubs this Spring at Intermediate. These activities will take place at Woodland Intermediate on the dates and times noted in their descriptions. Participation in each program is dependent on availability. Your student can sign up for ONE intramural at this time (you can list your first, second, and third preferences)*. Teachers will send more detailed information once your student is a confirmed participant in the program. Club participation is limited to a number of participants depending on the activity. If we have more applicants than spots, students will be selected through a random lottery. More intramural/club opportunities will be available throughout the school year. Stay tuned! Sign-up forms for ALL Intramurals are due Friday, January 17th, at 9 am.

*if there is additional space after everyone gets at least one activity, then students will be allowed to do more than one, and allowed to be added to rosters after the due date if roster space is available.

Our goal is to maximize participation and ensure that everyone who submits an interest form gets at least one activity, before allowing students to have more than one.

Believe it or not, when we probe students mistakes on math assessments (classroom, school-wide or state wide), one of the primary drivers of student's selecting an incorrect answer is a computational, as opposed to a conceptual mistake. For example, with the problem: (Two-thirds) 2/3 Divided by (Three-Sevenths) 3/7 they remember, as I am sure we all do, that, when dividing fractions, you actual multiply them, but change the second number to it's RECIPROCAL. So they then rewrite the problem as 2/3 x(multiplied by) 7/3. However, when they multiply the numerators and denominators, they make an error from their lack of fluency with their math facts. They may write the answer as 16/9 because they multiply 2x7 incorrectly, when the answer should be 14/9 (I apologize that I had to write this out in long form as I know that everyone reading this had the correct answer long ago ;-).

To try and remediate these issues, the teachers use a tool called MathFact Lab, but this is also available to students at home, too. I am including the parent letter for this tool to aid you in helping students access it, in case they "forget how to login" over the weekend, for example. This way, if you ever find yourself asking some variation of the question "Don't you have something that you could be working on for school?" and they say "no, I should be fine doing Roblox/Fortnite/Youtube". You can say, well "why don't you log into MathFact Lab for 20 minutes or so" and then you can watch their eyes widen in shock and disbelief. I am kidding of course, but only a little bit :-). Seriously though, whether it's old-school flash cards, MathFact Lab, or another way, helping your students be fluent and confident with their basic math facts- everything from 1+1 to 12x12- this is a huge help for their overall success and ability to show all that they have learned in math on any and every assessment.

1/14: Second Tuesdays Fundraiser, Chipotle (Gurnee), 4-8pm. 25% of sales will benefit the PTA. You must show FLYER when ordering in person or use code N7LHJJZ when ordering online. Help us meet our goal of at least 50 families attending!

1/16: January PTA Meeting, 7pm via ZOOM, Registration Required

1/17: Family Game Night: "Escape Rooms", 6-8pm at Woodland Intermediate. FREE Family event, REGISTRATION required. More Details.

1/31: International Night, 6-8pm at Woodland Middle School. Currently looking for families interested in creating a display of their culture or homeland. Click HERE for more details and to signup to create a display (by 1/27)

Teacher of the Year

The nomination window is now open for the Village of Gurnee Teacher of the Year! Do you know a Woodland teacher who inspires students of all backgrounds, abilities, and academic levels to reach their full potential? A teacher who leads or participates in activities that positively impact the school’s climate and culture? Someone who fosters an environment of care, respect, responsibility, and inclusion both inside and outside the classroom? If so, we’d love to hear from you—nominate them for Teacher of the Year by Monday, Jan. 27!

NEW: Staff Member of the Year

We’re excited to invite you to send in your nominations for Staff Member of the Year! The Woodland learning community relies on many different people to keep our district running. This recognition has traditionally been reserved for certified staff only, but the Village of Gurnee has opened up a new category to celebrate the valuable contributions of school district support staff. This nomination process will run parallel to the Gurnee Teacher of the Year contest and we are excited to expand the annual recognition program to include non-certified staff. Deadline: Monday, Jan. 27

We are looking forward Friday, December 20th, not just because it is the last day before Winter Break, but also because it is our Winter Party and another opportunity to welcome parent volunteers to build our classroom communities. Students will engage in games, crafts, and other activities to strengthen their relationships all the while having fun. These are some of the most memorable days of school from a student perspective- your children will not want to miss them. This coming week is a regular week of school like every other and each day of attendance counts like any other. Unless it is truly unavoidable, we ask you make sure your student is present and on-time every day!

This past week almost 120 different students auditioned for parts in our Spring Musical, Peter Pan, Jr. As you may have seen on Schoology, the cast list was announced late Friday afternoon and included 43 different students from across the building. As the rehearsals progress and the performances approach, there will be additional opportunities for students to participate in the musical as members of the stage crew. We look forward with much anticipation to this production and appreciate all the time and effort our Directors, cast, parent-volunteers, and families will put into making this production undoubtedly another smashing success when it debuts at the end of February.

Take a look as Intermediate Students participate in the Hour of Code program in honor of Computer Science in Education Week. The goal of this initiative is to introduce students to the world of computer science through engaging and fun coding activities, with the hope of sparking future interest in coding and the tech field. The first activity had students listening to verbal instructions to see if they could create a picture following the algorithm. Then students selected an activity from a choice board based on how much previous coding experience they had. Thank you to our dedicated Tech Integration Specialist, Tori Minarik for organizing and bringing this exciting learning opportunity to our students.

Over the break, if you are looking for a way to both stimulate your child academically, but also interact with them socially, I suggest that you ask them to write anything from a sentence to a paragraph to a story to an essay, whatever their ability level. Then, in whatever form is easiest- verbally or in writing- give them comments (perhaps with more love and tenderness than this video clip 😄) and ask them to rewrite it based on your comments. This is an activity that forces them to think critically, focuses their attention to detail, and helps them self-assess in the long-run. (For those of you curious, the Movie is a River Runs Through It (1993). This qualifies as a "Next-Level Dad Joke": Referencing movies from 30 years ago! As a Third-Level Dad Joke and test to see if anyone is actually reading this, my Hollywood look-alike, Brad Pitt, also stars in this movie.

Students will bring their Chromebooks home with them over the winter break. Given the variability of the weather, we want to be prepared on the off chance that there is an e-learning day when we comeback to school the first week of January 2025. Given that they will have their devices with them, I am including some information on ways they can use iReady to stay engaged academically and how you can monitor their progress. In addition to iReady (described below), I would suggest that you work with students on their Math Facts either with good old-fashioned flash cards or one of the apps available on Clever for them called MathFact Lab.

We are so grateful to the PTA and all of the volunteers who helped to staff the Holiday Shop. Our students absolutely love this opportunity to buy gifts for their loved-ones (hopefully) and themselves (for sure). Regardless of the recipients, this is a wonderful fundraiser for our PTA and it benefits the district in so many ways. Thank you all who took part in it on Thursday and Friday.
Upcoming PTA Events:

• Jan. 16 - Next PTA Meeting!
  
  
• Jan. 31 - Save the Date: International Night

A Look Ahead: Coming in 2025

We have so many fun and exciting things happening at Woodland at the start of the new year. Here is a sneak peek at these events! More details to follow.

• Teacher of the Year Contest - Nominations begin Jan. 7
• Parent University (virtual) - Keeping Kids Safe Online, Jan. 13
• Winter Fest - Jan. 24
• Parent University Event (in-person) - Supporting Student Learning, Jan. 25
• International Night - Jan. 31
• Black History Month Celebration - Feb. 22

Wildcat Summer Adventures 2025 - Watch for registration details coming soon, and save the dates!

Prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday Break, we hosted two days of conferences. There has been consistent positive feedback relative to the experience, particularly relative to our new system of conference sign-ups through Skyward Family Access. Parent reported that it was intuitive and easy to schedule for the whole family across the district. Teachers reported an ease of reporting features and communication. Additionally, we saw increased sign-ups for teachers and professionals across the building. Teachers who heretofore have not had very many conferences in years past, including specials, PE and other staff members, reported an increased number of sign-ups for this round of conferences. We also received constructive feedback that will help us build on these successes for the next round of sign-ups and conferences. Thank you to all of stakeholders for ensuring open lines of communication throughout this process.

This past week, our music teachers directed all of our 4th grade students in their fall music concerts. Ms. Andrea Little and Ms. Ann Souza conducted our students in a variety of song and instrumental performances. Over the course of two evenings, families had the opportunity to see every 4th grade homeroom in one of these concerts. We are grateful to all of the families that came to celebrate their students success.

On Friday, December 4th, with the financial support of the Woodland PTA, we hosted a performance from of the Iron Bear Singers brought to us in conjunction with the Trickster Cultural Center. Students had the opportunity to learn about the history of several Native American cultures, languages, traditions, and history. The presenters, drummers, singers, and dancers engaged performed throughout the day to all students during three performances. These assemblies represented the culminating activity for a month's long effort in support of Native American Heritage. Month.

Students will be taking their Winter iReady Diagnostic Assessments. These assessments are a progress monitoring tool for teachers to gauge students' progress since their baseline assessments in the Fall. They will be taking these assessments in their core classes of Math and ELA during their regularly scheduled day. With few exceptions, all students will be taking their Reading Assessment on Monday and Tuesday, December 9th and 10th. They will be taking the Math Assessment on Thursday and Friday, December 11th and 12th. The majority of students may not need two days to take the test. However, we are allowing two days because there are some students who work very methodically through the assessment which is wonderful. This testing schedule should be an improvement relative to our Fall Assessments as it should prevent the vast majority, if not all of the students, from taking both assessments- in whole or in part- on the same day.

One of the primary goals of this newsletter is to help the school and parents to align our efforts on behalf of our students. To that end, periodically I try to include additional resources, techniques, and strategies that we can use that are both meaningful and manageable for all stakeholders, including families, regardless of their student's learning profile. Along those lines, one simple math strategy that is both accessible and relevant to all students is asking them to write their own math problem. No matter where they are in terms of curriculum, ability, or mastery, you can ask your student to create their own problem. This could be as simple as just the numbers themselves or you could encourage their creativity by asking them to create a word problem. As you will see below, this is a research-based strategy that prompts both academic engagement and higher-order thinking. Of course, after they write it they can challenge you to solve it or talk you through their process. This doesn't have to be a long drawn out process, but rather something you could incorporate into whatever is currently going on with your family or even requests they have of you. I don't know where I would get such an idea, but perhaps your student is desirous of spending excessive amounts of time watching youtube videos or scrolling social media. You could ask them to write/create a problem about what this means for their lives. For example, if the average US teen spends almost 5 hours a day on social media, how many days, weeks, and months would this mean this teenager would be on social media in across a year's worth of time? Sadly, this typical daily amount of time would mean that they would spend 76 days or almost 11 weeks or just shy of three months straight on social media every year.

12/10 - Second Tuesday Fundraiser: Jimano's Gurnee ALL DAY. Help us meet our goal of at least 50 families attending! Proceeds will be used to fund ROAR rewards at all schools.

12/10 - December PTA Meeting CANCELLED, please join us Jan 16th!

12/12-12/13 - Holiday Shop is coming! The shop will be open 5:30-8:00pm on both evenings at Woodland Intermediate in the Multipurpose Room. INT students will have the chance to shop during PE class both days. NEW BONUS FEATURES: Family Photo Booth, Free Family Crafts, Hot Cocoa Bar and Bake Sale! More details. Click HERE to VOLUNTEER!

A Look Ahead: Coming in 2025

We have so many fun and exciting things happening at Woodland at the start of the new year. Here is a sneak peek at these events! More details to follow.

• Teacher of the Year Contest - Nominations begin Jan. 7
• Parent University (virtual) - Keeping Kids Safe Online, Jan. 13
• Winter Fest - Jan. 24
• Parent University Event (in-person) - Supporting Student Learning, Jan. 25
• International Night - Jan. 31
• Black History Month Celebration - Feb. 22

This coming Monday and Tuesday are half days of school with a 12:20 pm dismissal. Please note that this is the same schedule as the first day of school when it was a half day. These half days provide time and opportunities for parents and teachers to conference about their students' progress so far this year.

Attendance on these days is just as important as any other. Absences on these days contribute markedly to both individual and school-wide attendance goals. Remember that you will have 5 full days with your students home from school next week. I am willing to bet that at some point, perhaps on Friday afternoon, you will say to yourself, "I wish there was a half day of school right now for my students." While I can't provide that for you then, we do have it on Monday and Tuesday to build your stamina for the rest of the week! 😁

Every student in our school has access to the learning platform of iReady. For those of you that remember PathBlazers from MAP, this is the same idea. Each student has a personalized learning path in both Reading and Math that includes instruction, practice, and assessment. The specific learning path that students is based on the iReady Diagnostic that students took in the fall. They will take another diagnostic in the Winter before the break and the path will adjust. The iReady Lessons have a game-like user-interface to encourage student engagement. Additonally, many teachers create fun incentives and games in their classrooms to encourage students to work independently on this platform. For example, pictured here is a poster by which Ms. Hengel's math class monitors their progress towards a classroom incentive based on the number of lessons they pass. I encouage you to talk with you students about iReady. If and when you ask, "Do you have anything from school that you could/should work on?" and the say, "no," know that there is always iReady to either help fill in gaps or push students ahead based on their individual needs. As we approach a long holiday weekend and a longer break, this could be a great tool for your to use with your students. I included a screenshot so you know the icon on Clever and a video to give you more detail about progress through a lesson for your student.

This past week, Ann Souza and Andrea Little conducted the Intermediate Choir in the Fall Concert. In front of a packed house, the choir, which has a membership of over 100 students, performed a variety of songs. The theme of the concert was one of Gratitude during this season of Thanksgiving. The students were fantastic and even pulled off a wonderful rendition of Moana's "You're Welcome!" to cap things off. Students will have another chance in the Spring to participate with choir and Ms. Little also encouraged students and families to look forward to the our musical auditions. More information will be coming to you soon about this and other amazing performing arts opportunities.

Thank you to all of our families for supporting the choir members participation with many an early morning ride to school and, of course, your attendance at this week's performance.

SAVE THE DATES:

12/10 - Second Tuesday Fundraiser: Jimano's Gurnee ALL DAY

12/10 - December PTA Meeting 7pm via ZOOM, Registration Required

12/12-12/13 - HOLIDAY SHOP! Stay tuned for more details. VOLUNTEERS Needed!!

In order to create spaces of belonging for all families within the district, we would like to gather information to help us know more about your family. Please take a moment to complete this survey and give us feedback on the survey. Con el propósito de crear un espacio de integración para todas las familias del distrito, nos gustaría recopilar información que nos ayude a conocer mejor a su familia. Por favor, tómese un momento para completar esta encuesta y darnos su opinión sobre la misma

Today was the official end of the Trimester and we took the occasion to celebrate our students for their excellent ROAR behavior. This morning, students who were referral free were eligible for a raffle for some extra fun and excited with a game time. As you can see from the pictures, they had the chance to meet with friends from across their grade levels and play some games together.

This afternoon, our student leaders hosted our Raffle Prize Drawing! We had almost two dozen different prize packages from sports to style to Principal for a day! Students either earned raffle tickets or purchased them with the ROAR cash they had earned this trimester. We held a drawing live through Zoom so students could see and hear their names called for all these fun prizes!

Finally, as some of you may know, students who sometimes struggle to make good choices the first time around are support through a system called Check In, Check Out. With the support of an staff member, these students work on specific aspects of their decision making over a period of time to make better choices. With feedback and incentives, it is their goal to resume an independently responsibility around their ROAR behavior. Today, we had a special celebration for the many students who had graduated from Check In, Check Out, too!

On Monday this week, we celebrated our Veterans Day with a special program for our school community members who are veterans or active duty service members. Our choir performed patriotic songs and our students read poems and essays that they had written for the occasion. As you can see, we had representation from across many branches of our armed services. We are so grateful to everyone who attended and humbled by their sacrifice, patriotism, and contribution to our nation's freedom.

As part of our week-long celebration of our nation's veterans and active duty members, our choir performed at both the assembly mentioned above, but also during our morning announcements. Here is their rendition of the National Anthem, which was broadcast throughout the school over the announcements this week.

This week Ms. Emily Dorgan and Ms. January Muetz conducted our Fall Band Concerts. We are so proud of our 5th grade band students. For many, if not most, this is their first opportunity to play an instrument. They persevere through the difficulties of learning everything from how to just make your instrument make a sound, let alone a note, let alone the note you want, to reading music, too! In addition to performing for our families, they also performed in front our students as well for dress rehearsals. This is a great way for our students to hone their skills, but also for our 4th graders to see an exciting opportunity that awaits them next year!

This past Tuesday morning, it was my pleasure to represent Woodland Intermediate at the Gurnee Exchange Club. They presented a Young Leadership Award to one our students, Emersyn Brincks. Not only did she just star in the Fall Play, but she is also a member of our school band. She excels academically in our advanced classes and her leadership has earned her the title as a Student Leader for our PBIS system. Outside of school, Emerson is also an athlete, playing soccer for FCLC. It was my pleasure to present her with this award and I am so proud of her achievement as I know her family is too. She is truly a great representative of our school.

The Gurnee Exchange Club also gave each school in the district a new American Flag to ensure that our pride in our nation is on full display in the front of the school. We are grateful for their generosity. They are also responsible for our Freedom Shrine which adorns our main hallway. Pictured below, you have likely seen this if you have been in our building, but wanted to highlight that the Exchange Club donate this display to our school many years ago.

Don't forget that you can now access Trimester 1 report cards through Family Access. My email yesterday included detailed directions. Additionally, make sure, if you haven't done so already that you sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences. The window to do this closes on Monday afternoon. See our prior editions of the newsletter for sign up directions through Family Access.

11/15-11/16: Signature Chocolate Pick Up at Woodland Middle School (Cafeteria B). Friday hours will be 5:30-7:30 and Saturday 10:00-12:00. More Details and Volunteers needed.

Upcoming Events (Details to Follow)

• 2nd Tuesday Fundraiser, Dec. 10 - Jimano's Pizza in Gurnee
• Holiday Shop, Dec. 12 & 13
• International Night, Jan. 31

Stuff the Bus: Woodland Transportation Department Event

If you are out and about shopping on Thursday, November 21st and you see a Woodland Bus you can donate for the Annual Food Drive then and there!

Date: Thursday, Nov. 21

Time: 4-7 p.m.

Locations: Gurnee Jewel, Grayslake Butera, Gurnee Aldi, and Gurnee Target.

Shop with an Educator!

On Monday, December 2nd your student is invited to join their current or former teacher to shop for selected items to donate to the Annual Food Drive.

Date: Monday, Dec. 2

Time: 4 - 7 p.m.

Location: Gurnee Target

This week (including tonight at 7 pm!) our Fall Play The Tale of Snow White debuted in front of both our students and staff, and also our families. The cast and crew put on a delightful show and their ability to perform in front of such large audiences at such a young age is truly amazing! We are so grateful to our parent volunteers who have helped with everything from costumes to set pieces to student supervision during rehearsals, not to mention out of this world concessions during intermission! We hope you can make it tonight at 7 pm to their final performance. We also are so appreciative of the time and effort Ms. Cooksey and Ms. Karen Moore the directors put into the production along with our other staff members who have contributed along the way. Below are a few photos from the production.

Use the Skyward App on a Mobile Device, if possible: The interface is easy and straightforward regardless, but our initial testing shows the easiest user experience is with the Skyward Family Access App on your phone or mobile device. Here are links for those, if you don't already have it. Skyward App for Apple; Skyward App for Google/Android

View this video for a tutorial.

Sign Ups Close at 4 pm on November 18th.

We would love your participation and attendance at this event, especially if you student's family includes a service member. Some reminders about this event:

• Students they can invite their Veteran to the Ceremony: https://forms.gle/mcLqSNBvGTx6q6Jt5
• The Veterans Day Writing Contest is open! Students need to follow the directions on Schoology to join the course and enter their submission. We will accept submissions through next Thursday, winners will be notified Friday 11/9.
• Salute to Service Spirit Week will take place 11/11-11/15. Fliers will be in mailboxes Thursday 11/8.

To all of our Veterans and their families, thank you for your service!

Here is a summary of a longer page on social media challenges. I encourage you to click here to see the entirety of it, including a listing a many currently popular challenges that are dangerous, if not life-threatening.

Kids are eager to participate in internet challenges on TikTok and Instagram. While trying to flip a water bottle right-side-up or creating your own slime to play with can be fun, some internet challenges quickly turn dangerous.

Due to peer pressure, the desire for social media recognition, and the rush of doing something potentially dangerous, you might find your child interested in trends like “The Benadryl Challenge” or the “Shell On Challenge.”

As a parent, there are multiple things you can do to mitigate the risks of these challenges:

• Show interest and take your child seriously.
• Talk to them about how each step of a challenge works.
• Practice general internet safety.
• Model responsible behavior.
• Consider how and whether to use parental controls.

Are you looking for more information about a particular challenge? Check out the full article below to see our list of challenges to know about in 2024.

For example, do you know about the Penny Challenge? If the answer is no, then you should click the button below to find out.

11/12: Second Tuesday Fundraiser - Wendy's in Gurnee 5:00-8:00pm. More Details

11/14: November PTA General Meeting, in person at 9:00am at ESC

11/15-11/16: Signature Chocolate Pick Up at Woodland Middle School (Cafeteria B). Friday hours will be 5:30-7:30 and Saturday 10:00-12:00. More Details and Volunteers needed.

Today was our Fall Fest Celebration! We were thrilled to welcome parent volunteers across the building to help us create, sustain, and enhance our sense of belonging and school community. From games to social activities with our without costumes students, staff, and families had a great time celebrating our school community. Take a look at some of the great pictures below to see all the fun that was had. As always, we are ever so grateful for kindness, generosity, and involvement of our parent and family community.

As we have noted in prior editions, parent teacher conference sign up will be conducted through Skyward Family Access. Starting at 8 am on Monday, November 4th, you will see a new section in your display that allows for conference sign-ups. This will work for all of your students at Woodland District 50 whether they are at Intermediate or the other three schools. Please note that conferences are on November 25th and 26th and are either in-person or virtual depending upon the date. While you will have the opportunity to sign up for any teacher that your child sees during the day, you are not obligated to do so.

Here again are the directions and video for how to use Skyward Family Access to sign-up for your student's conferences. Use the Skyward App on a Mobile Device, if possible: The interface is easy and straightforward regardless, but our initial testing shows the easiest user experience is with the Skyward Family Access App on your phone or mobile device. Here are links for those, if you don't already have it. Skyward App for Apple; Skyward App for Google/Android

Monday, November 4th: Skyward Family Access for Conferences Opens at 8 am

Tuesday, November 5th : NO SCHOOL-Election Day

Thursday & Friday November 6-7: Intermediate Fall Play

Monday, November 11th: Our Annual Veterans Day Ceremony is Monday, November 11th at 9:45 am

Monday, November 18th: Skyward Family Access for Conferences Closes at 4 pm

Monday, November 25th & 26th: 12:20 Dismissal for Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday-Friday, November 27th-29th: NO SCHOOL-Thanksgiving Holidays

While many students have dressed up for Halloween this week, we want to note that we have also attended to the fact that there are a variety celebrations this week for families with in our community. Included below are resources and information that some teachers have used and that we want you to have also for students broaden their understanding of our diverse and inclusive school community.

Some of our students will begin celebrating Diwali from Thursday to Friday and some students will begin celebrating Day of the Dead on Friday!

Here are some resources and activities for both!

Diwali Presentation

Diwali Math Puzzle

Diwali Coloring Sheet

Day of the Dead Virtual Field Trip

Dia de Muertos Math Puzzle

Sugar Skull Coloring Page

Save the Dates!

11/12: Second Tuesday Fundraiser - Wendy's in Gurnee 5:00-8:00pm.

11/14: November PTA General Meeting, in person at 9:00am at ESC

11/15-11/16: Signature Chocolate Pick Up at Woodland Middle School (Cafeteria B). Friday hours will be 5:30-7:30 and Saturday 10:00-12:00. Volunteers needed.

It's that time of year again! The Woodland Team has begun preparations for the the Annual Holiday Food Drive. Through the generous donations from our staff, students and their families, we plan to set up a Woodland Food Pantry to offer additional support to Woodland families during the holiday season.

We are accepting non-perishable food donations and financial donations now thorough December 2, 2024.

For more information on what items are needed, how to make a financial donation, and other ways to participate in this event, visit the Annual Food Drive webpage or take a look at our special Annual Food Drive Newsletter.

Keep an eye out for more information as supplemental events and activities are planned throughout the month!