Woodland D50 News and Information
Aug. 25, 2023
Header Image: A group of 8th grade students
attends Woodland Middle School Meet and Greet.
Message from the Superintendent
August 25, 2023
Dear Woodland Families,
It is wonderful to have our staff and students back together. When they arrived at school this week, our students were greeted by friendly school staff and members of the district office team ready to welcome them back. It was readily apparent which students were the “veterans” at each school and which ones were experiencing their new school for the first time. We loved helping your children find their way to a classroom, help them carry a bag of school supplies or two, share a fist bump, and offer best wishes for a great school year: our goal was to ensure that each child experienced the #LifeintheW welcome they deserved and to make sure that each child knows how much she or he has been missed.
Throughout the month of August, I’ve shared details in this weekly space regarding all of the initiatives and planning taking shape at the school and District level to ensure a smooth and successful start to the school year. From leadership meetings to professional development opportunities, welcoming new and returning staff, and numerous back-to-school events for our students and their families, August flew by quickly. We’ve captured some of these moments in a video to help celebrate the start of the new school year. The video debuted at the Board of Education Meeting last night. You can find it below. I hope you enjoy this trip back in time to revisit some of the key moments from this past month that culminated in our students’ return to school on Wednesday & Thursday.
Thank you for trusting us with your children this week and for partnering with us as we kicked off the 2023-2024 school year. Thank you also for your patience and support as we responded to the extreme heat weather emergency on the first two days of school. All the variables involved in changing Wednesday’s and Thursday’s schedules required, quite literally, the entire community pulling together to make it work. I know that many parents’ work schedules were impacted by these changes and for that I apologize. It’s been said that adversity doesn’t build character so much as reveal it, and I am so incredibly grateful to and proud of our AMAZING teachers, staff, and administration who jumped in immediately to make sure that all of our children remained safe during this unprecedented stretch of hot weather. Our community partners also stepped up for us in several important ”behind the scenes” ways this week: to Katie Rost and Champions Childcare, Sabrina Hinkens and the Gurnee Park District, and to all our friends at Arbor Food Service…. ‘ppreciate you!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have for making this school year our best year ever at Woodland.
Wishing you a safe and happy weekend,
Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent
Woodland D50
Important Dates
- Aug. 28 - Register for Free Adult Education Classes (see story block below)
- Aug. 30 - 7th & 8th Grade Curriculum Night
- Aug. 31 - 6th Grade Curriculum Night
- Sept. 1 - School Improvement Planning (SIP) Day, Early Release
- Sept. 4 - No School, Labor Day
PTA Events
- Aug. 26 - FREE Kona Ice and Playground Playdate, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Woodland Elementary
- Aug. 28 - PTA Meeting (VIRTUAL), 7 p.m., Register HERE
- Sept. 5 - 8 - Intermediate Book Fair, Volunteers Needed!
Renew your membership for the 2023-2024 school year today! Even if you are not able to volunteer at events or attend meetings, you can still the join the PTA to stay connected throughout the year. Your $15 membership fee is basically a donation to the PTA which goes directly back to our schools.
Woodland D50 Board of Education Highlights
The Woodland School Board of Education Governing meeting was held on Aug. 24, 2023. Please see below for a summary of highlights from the meeting, or we welcome you to watch the meeting HERE (typically posted within 24-48 hours of the meeting).
Thank you for your continued support of Woodland District 50!
Superintendent Report
For Dr. Machak's August report, he was joined by Dr. Thomas, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning with Equity to provide a Strategic Plan update to the Board. The focus of the report was on two core goals in the Education and Academics section regarding Student Identify and Belonging, and Collective Efficacy.
The district also recognized Gurnee Days Volunteers for helping with the "Woodland Rocks" float, and representing Woodland in the parade. Board members, administrators, staff, students, and family members volunteered to recreate album covers, decorate and assemble props, and handout goodies along the parade route. The Woodland team also volunteered at Rib Fest on Saturday to spend time interacting with the community outside of school.
The Superintendent Report also included a special video to capture all of the back-to-school preparations and celebrations leading up to the start of school.
Approval of Employment, Resignations, and Retirements
The Board of Education approved employment for the following positions:
- Physical Education Teacher
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Bus Driver
- Hall Monitor (4)
- Playground Supervisor (2)
- Paraprofessional (4)
- Guest Teacher (2)
Also under consent agenda, the Board approved the resignation of five staff members, and one retirement.
Approval of Donations
The Board of Education appreciates the donations from generous supporters to help enhance programming in the district.
- District - The district received donations of household and kitchen items, cleaning supplies, throw blankets, and other items of comfort to help our visiting teachers from Spain and Morocco get settled in their new home.
There is no dollar amount listed for the total donations accepted in August 2023. The total donation for July 2023 was $32.10, so that brings the total donation amount for the 2023-2024 school year to $32.10 to date.
Other Items Under Consent Agenda
Under Consent Agenda is where you will find approval of Board Meeting minutes, Policy Revisions, and approval of the monthly Financial Reports, Treasurer Reports, and Board Payables for the month. These reports are posted to the website after the meeting.
The following was also approved under Consent Agenda:
- Approval of Solution Tree Professional Development - Year Two
- Approval of Middle School English Language Arts and English as a Second Language Instructional Materials
- Approval of Property Tax Appeal Board Intervention Legal Appointment
- Approval of Revised District Receptionist Job Description
Action Items
The business that takes place under "Action Items" is first reviewed by the Board of Education at the previous monthly governing meeting under "Reports/Discussion Items". An item will first be presented as a Report or Discussion item for the Board of Education members to be introduced to the topic and allow time for questions, review, and revisions before that item is moved to the Action Items portion of the agenda for a vote the following month.
A. Approval of Board Agreements - The Board of Education began discussions in June to revise the current Board Agreements that were previously approved in July 2022. The Board met with a representative from Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) in June to discuss the roles, protocols, communication expectations and agreements between the Board of Education and the Superintendent. The discussion continued at the July 2023 meeting, and the revised agreements were approved at the August 24, 2023 meeting.
B. Approval of Board of Education meeting Minutes: Regular Minutes 6-22-23 - The motion to approve the Board of Education meeting minutes from the June 2023 meeting failed in July, and the Board requested revisions to more accurately reflect what transpired at the meeting. The Board discussed the revisions at the August meeting, and the minutes were approved as revised.
Reports and Discussion Items
Reports and Discussion Items are placed on the agenda as an introduction to a topic. If the topic will require a vote, it will be brought back under "Action Items" at the next regularly scheduled meeting. This allows Board Members to familiarize themselves with the topic and ask questions, or request additional information and modifications before voting on the matter. The following topics were introduced as a Report/Discussion Item at this month's meeting:
A. Written Report and Presentation on the FY24 Budget Development
B. Presentation of District Assessments and Results
C. Written Information on Revised Board Policies
D. Receipt of any Freedom of Information Act Requests
Board of Education Meeting Materials
You are always welcome to go back and review meeting materials, presentations, Board Payables, Finance Reports and the video recording from a regularly scheduled Board Meeting on the district website HERE (select the meeting date to view supporting materials). These items are typically posted within 24-48 hours after the meeting.
Parent Mentor Program Continues to Grow
After a successful first year, Woodland is looking for additional parent mentors. This year, the program is expanding to Woodland Intermediate!
The Parent Mentor Program is more than just parent volunteers visiting their child's classroom. These are Woodland parents who apply to be part of the program and complete a formal training program before being assigned to a classroom. Parent mentors work four days a week for two hours a day. While in the classroom they work one-on-one with students, lead small group activities, support the classroom teacher, and participate in weekly training and workshops to increase their skills and proficiency. After completing 100 parent mentoring hours, our program participants receive a stipend of $1000.
Woodland is the first district in Lake County to implement the Parent Mentor Program. Parent involvement is so important in a child’s education and we invite you to learn more by contacting Tanya Abbey at TAbbey@dist50.net or by filling out this Google Form.
Vaccine Clinic for 6th Grade Immunizations at WMS
DID YOU KNOW? Several grade levels require an updated physical and vaccination record for the 2023-2024 school year! The two main checkpoints for vaccines during the Elementary school years are Kindergarten and 6th Grade. Learn more here.
To help make sure Woodland 6th Grade students are in compliance with the required immunizations prior to the October 15 deadline and exclusion date, we are offering a vaccine clinic at Woodland Middle School. All immunizations will be administered by a licensed registered nurse. Each student will receive proof of their immunization record. A copy of the record will be placed in each student's school file.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 13
Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
Location: Woodland Middle School
Services Offered: Meningitis (First Dose), Tdap Immunization
Starting Strong: Saturday Study Hall & Homework Help
Did you know that Woodland offers free tutoring and academic support on Saturday mornings during the school year? This is open to ALL Woodland students, and support is offered in English or Spanish from certified D50 teachers!
Does your child need:
- Additional support in Reading, Math, or another subject area?
- A quiet place to finish homework, or work on a project?
- Help with researching or writing a paper?
- Help studying for a test?
Our certified teaching staff is ready to help!
Learn more about dates and times HERE.
Registration is Required. The green button below will take you to the sign-up form.
Adult Education Opportunities
COMING SOON! Free Online Spanish Classes
Woodland will be offering Free Online Spanish Classes for District 50 Parents, Staff, and Educators. Registration will open soon, so please watch for more details!
Adult Ceramics Class Offered at WMS in October
Are you interested in taking a ceramics class? You can take "Introduction to Hand Building in Ceramics" through CLC’s Personal Enrichment Program at the Middle School! In this course, you will learn the three main techniques to hand build ceramics, the process for firing clay, and glazing techniques.
- Who: This course is for adults, so the invitation is specifically for Woodland staff and adults with students in Woodland D50.
- Class Dates: Oct. 13, 20, 27
- Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Room F105, Woodland Middle School, 7000 Washington St., Gurnee
Learn more and register HERE. (Space is limited!)
Coupon Code: WMS2023 valid until Sept. 9
Free Adult Education Classes at Woodland
We will once again be partnering with the College of Lake County to provide free adult education classes at Woodland Intermediate. Classes will be starting soon!
High School Diploma (HSD) also known as GED
- Tuesday / Thursday, Sept. 19 – Dec. 12, 6:30 – 9:20 p.m.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Monday / Wednesday, Sept. 18 – Dec. 13, 6:30 – 9:20 p.m.
OR
- Tuesday / Thursday, Sept. 19 – Dec. 12, 6:30 – 9:20 p.m.
Register in person on Aug. 28 or Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. at Woodland Intermediate (1115 N. Hunt Club Rd., Gurnee). Bring a photo ID. Placement testing can take up to three hours, and childcare will be available. Questions: (847) 543-2485 or (847) 543-2872
Lake County Needs Your Feedback: Broadband Access, Sept. 13
Lake County is hosting a Community Broadband Meeting as part of an ongoing effort to strategically address the digital needs of all residents in Lake County. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at the University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake.
Broadband internet is essential for many aspects of our lives, including work, education, healthcare, and communication. However, not everyone in Lake County has access to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband. The information gathered from this meeting will help us to better understand the challenges and opportunities that exist regarding broadband access and to develop a Broadband Action Plan for the whole county.
Wildcat Music Boosters Spirit Wear
The Wildcat Music Boosters are excited to announce that their Woodland Music spirit wear is on sale now! Check out the online store today. Orders must be placed by Sept. 6.
All spirit wear will be ready the week of Sept. 18. in time for you to wear it to our upcoming Marching Wildcat events. Thank you for supporting the Music Boosters!
Download the Woodland D50 app from the iOS App Store or Android Play Store
I work for Woodland School District 50 in a communications and public outreach role.