Woodland D50 News and Information
Aug. 26, 2022
Superintendent Update: Message from Dr. Machak
Dear Woodland Families,
We are so happy to be back together for the start of the 2022-2023 School Year. This was a week of celebration as we reunited with old friends and started new relationships. We jumped back in to the routine of school refreshed from summer break, and ready to take on all of the excitement and challenges a new school year brings. I want to thank you for sending your children to school with a positive attitude and your love and support. We are off to a great start, and I can't wait to see what your children will accomplish this year.
See additional photos from the first week on Facebook and Twitter!
Woodland Text Alerts coming soon!
One of the things I really want to focus on this year is Communication from school to home. I want our families to feel connected to all of the information they need, whether it comes from the district office, or from your school principal. We know there can be a lot of information to keep track of, and not everyone has the same preference for how they receive that information. To help make sure you never miss an announcement or deadline, we will soon begin offering Text Alerts in addition to email. Watch for more information next week.
If you have any other suggestions for District and School Communication, please send your thoughts to our Communications Manager. You can reach Brooke Hagstrom by email at BHagstrom@dist50.net.
Please keep reading below for reminders about important dates, and to learn more about what happened at the August Board of Education meeting. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent
Woodland D50
Important Dates
- August 30 - 8th Grade Curriculum Night
- August 31 - 7th Grade Curriculum Night
- September 1 - 6th Grade Curriculum Night
- September 2 - School Improvement Planning (SIP) Day, Early Dismissal
- September 5 - Labor Day, No School
Woodland D50 Board of Education Highlights
The Woodland School Board of Education Governing meeting was held on August 25, 2022. Please see below for a summary of highlights from the meeting, or we welcome you to watch the meeting HERE (once it is posted).
Thank you for your continued support of Woodland District 50!
Superintendent Showcase
National Geography Challenge Winners
Congratulations to Ms. Natalie Housh and the 4th Grade Geography Challenge Team for your first place finish in the National Geography Challenge. Ms. Housh and some of the students from the team attended the meeting and gave a presentation to the Board of Education about the event.
Gurnee Days Parade Volunteers
Woodland School District 50 and the Board of Education were excited to represent our learning community in this year's Gurnee Days Parade, but unfortunately the parade was rained out. Even though the float did not travel down Old Grand Avenue, it did travel to all of our schools during the Welcome Back events so our students could see that we are "Wild About Woodland!" The Board of Education recognized the volunteers that helped create the Woodland float, including several district families who "Adopted an Animal" to help fill our zoo.
Approval of Employment, Resignations and Retirements
The Board of Education approved employment for several key staff members for the start of the school year including 14 new educators, 19 support staff members (such as paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and playground supervisors), and four new Substitute/Guest Teachers. Also under consent agenda, the Board approved the resignations of six certified staff members, and 11 support staff members.
Other Items Under Consent Agenda
- Elementary Improvement Plan Goals - The Board of Education approved School Improvement Plan Goals for Woodland Elementary. Woodland Elementary was designated as Underperforming for children with Disabilities based upon Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) scores from 2019. As a result of this designation, a team of administrators from Woodland and the Regional Office of Education created a School Improvement Plan that will focus on children with disabilities (IEP and 504 students), as well as goals for improvement in English Language Arts and Mathematics for all students.
- Elementary Office Construction Rebid - The Board of Education approved the rebid of the Elementary School Office Construction project. The project was originally bid in the spring, but Woodland received only one response and it was over original cost estimates. Administration believes that rebidding much earlier in the school year for construction in the summer of 2023 will hopefully lead to a greater response and reduced costs.
- Approval of the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan - The Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) updated the new Supplemental Savings Plan (SSP) resolution, and the deadline for districts to approve it is Sept. 30, 2022.
Action Items
There are no action items for August 2022.
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.
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 about FY22 Summer School
B. Written Report and Presentation on FY23 Budget Development
C. Written Report and Presentation on National Sex Education Standards
D. Written Report and Presentation on Board Room Audio/Visual System
E. 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.
Final Chance to Donate: School Supply Donation Drive
Woodland D50 and the Woodland PTA 50 have partnered with the United Way of Lake County to run a school supply donation drive for our students! This is the last weekend to donate:
π Bring new supplies to PTAβs Kona Ice/Park Playdate, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Woodland Elementary
π Purchase new school supplies from our Target Wish List
Free Adult English and Computer Classes
Woodland D50 has partnered with the College of Lake County to provide free classes for district families. Registration will take place in-person on Sept. 7, 2022 at 6 p.m. at Woodland Intermediate. There is no cost to participate and childcare will be provided on site.
- English as a Second Language
- High School Equivalency (HSE), also known as GED in Spanish
- Computer class
Classes begin in September and they are held in-person at Woodland Intermediate.
For more information, please call 847-543-2485.
Learn More (flyer in English and Spanish).
Upcoming PTA Events!
- Kona Ice Truck/Park Playdate:
The Woodland PTA will be hosting a Kona Ice Truck/Park Playdate for families to come together and celebrate the start of the school year. This is a FREE event and ALL Woodland families are welcome!
DATE: August 27, 2022
TIME: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Woodland Elementary Playground
- PTA Meeting, Sept. 1 - The first PTA meeting of the year will be on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Educational Support Center (district office). All parents, staff and community members are invited. Please join us!
- Spirit Wear Sales at Curriculum Night:
Look for the PTA table at each of the upcoming Curriculum Nights to find out what's happening this year, and purchase spirit wear. They are also looking for volunteers to help staff the table. Sign-up to Volunteer.
- ROAR RUN:
The Woodland PTA is very excited to bring back the ROAR Run! This is a Woodland family favorite event in the fall. During this event, families can participate in a 1 mile or 5K run/walk.SAVE THE DATE - September 23, 2022
Interested in volunteering? The PTA needs volunteers to help with packet pick-up the day before as well as multiple stations on the day of the event. Sign-up to Volunteer.