As Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to make sure attendance is a priority ALL YEAR LONG! We will continue to focus on helping our students be present, connected, and ready to learn!
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Jordan at Elementary!
Jordan De Leon, Woodland Elementary Family Coordinator
Hi Woodland Families!
As family coordinator at Woodland Elementary, I'm here to be a friendly face and a helping hand for our families, whatever they may need along the way. Whether it's finding transportation, connecting with community resources, navigating a challenge, or simply figuring out where to start, I'm always happy to help. If something comes up, please reach out - I want every family to know they have someone who will listen, support them, and help find a way forward.
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Jordan at Elementary!
Jordan De Leon, Woodland Elementary Family Coordinator
Hi Woodland Families!
As family coordinator at Woodland Elementary, I'm here to be a friendly face and a helping hand for our families, whatever they may need along the way. Whether it's finding transportation, connecting with community resources, navigating a challenge, or simply figuring out where to start, I'm always happy to help. If something comes up, please reach out - I want every family to know they have someone who will listen, support them, and help find a way forward.
7th Grade Challenge Math students work in groups to prepare for a test in Ms. Olekszy's class! #LifeintheW
As Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to make sure attendance is a priority ALL YEAR LONG! We will continue to focus on helping our students be present, connected, and ready to learn!
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Kristen & Lavonna from Primary!
Kristen Carruthers, Woodland Primary Kindergarten Family Coordinator
Starting kindergarten is a huge milestone for first-time parents and experienced parents alike! It marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and I’m honored to walk alongside every family. I’ve called the Woodland community home for more than 20 years, and my own children attended Woodland schools. This community is very special to me, and I’m here to help your family feel at home, too. From navigating attendance challenges to connecting with local resources, please never hesitate to reach out. We are in this together!
Lavonna Garner, Woodland Primary At-Risk Parent Facilitator
As the At-Risk Parent Facilitator at Woodland Primary School for PreK, I advocate for parents/guardians to be actively involved in their student's learning. I support the PreK Screenings, plan and facilitate family engagement and parent education events, and develop and maintain a network of relevant community agencies and parent resources to strengthen families. I collaborate with staff to understand and provide the support our PreK families need to help their students thrive!
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Ms. Gabriella Barshak - 5th Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Intermediate
• Ms. Prisila Velasquez - Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Primary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Ms. Gabriella Barshak - 5th Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Intermediate
• Ms. Prisila Velasquez - Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Primary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers during Math in Ms. McCowen's class! First they used a program to drag and drop fractions into the workspace to make whole numbers, then they practiced on dry erase boards. #LifeintheW
Looking forward to an amazing week in the W - join us!
This week at Woodland:
Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
Parent University (Virtual) Understanding the i-Ready Assessment
https://www.dist50.net/article/3097103
Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
September Woodland PTA 50 Meeting (Virtual)
Register for link - https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C0D4AA4A623ABF9CF8...
Sept. 23 at 7:30 a.m.
Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Machak
https://www.dist50.net/article/3129004
Sept. 24 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Elementary Book Fair Family Fun Night
https://www.givebacks.com/.../67de43a8-be41-4616-aa78...
Sept. 25 during the school day
2nd Districtwide Day of Service!
This week at Woodland:
Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
Parent University (Virtual) Understanding the i-Ready Assessment
https://www.dist50.net/article/3097103
Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
September Woodland PTA 50 Meeting (Virtual)
Register for link - https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C0D4AA4A623ABF9CF8...
Sept. 23 at 7:30 a.m.
Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Machak
https://www.dist50.net/article/3129004
Sept. 24 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Elementary Book Fair Family Fun Night
https://www.givebacks.com/.../67de43a8-be41-4616-aa78...
Sept. 25 during the school day
2nd Districtwide Day of Service!
Did you see the talented marching bands from Gurnee schools last night at Fill the Drum at Warren? Check out these pictures of our WMS Marching Wildcats from their performance! 🥁🎼🎷
Thank you to the Wildcat Music Boosters for helping capture these amazing shots.
Thank you to the Wildcat Music Boosters for helping capture these amazing shots.
Scenes from a third grade classroom! Mrs. Bogdala and her students are building literacy skills with dry erase boards, a sound wall, reading aloud, and recounting important details from the text to understand the central message, characters, setting, and events. #LifeintheW
Coding Unplugged!
Ms. Shiffer recently completed an unplugged coding lesson for Kindergarten students at Primary. The students had to help their animal find food and shelter with this hands-on, and screen-free activity. They learned new coding vocabulary words, and used problem-solving skills to think like a coder! #LifeintheW
(Pictured - Mrs. Garcia's Kindergarten Cheetahs!)
Ms. Shiffer recently completed an unplugged coding lesson for Kindergarten students at Primary. The students had to help their animal find food and shelter with this hands-on, and screen-free activity. They learned new coding vocabulary words, and used problem-solving skills to think like a coder! #LifeintheW
(Pictured - Mrs. Garcia's Kindergarten Cheetahs!)
Ms. Leech and her students at Woodland Middle School are annotating a short story with their literacy partners. In the photos, the students are completing their second read of the story and taking a deeper dive into the text by annotating and discussing the story with their partners. Great job! #LifeintheW
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Ms. Liana Jacobson - Health Teacher at WMS
• Ms. Soma Maity - 6th Grade Math Teacher at WMS
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Ms. Liana Jacobson - Health Teacher at WMS
• Ms. Soma Maity - 6th Grade Math Teacher at WMS
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
🚨STARTS THIS SATURDAY🚨
Have you heard of Woodland's Saturday Study Hall and Homework Help program? On Saturday mornings, all Wildcats have access to FREE tutoring and mentorship. Students can work one-on-one with Woodland teachers, or in small groups with their peers to complete homework, study for a test, get help on a project, have someone proofread their paper, practice speaking Spanish, work through a math concept that is giving them trouble, play educational games, and whatever else your Wildcat needs!
Some students come every week because this has become such a beneficial part of their routine, and some Wildcats only come when they need a quiet place to work on extra homework or study. Some of our students sign up when their parents can't help them with a certain subject, and some have joined us on Saturday morning when they are trying to catch up after missing a few days of school. Whatever the reason, everyone is welcome!
Program Details & Registration - You MUST register in advance! https://www.dist50.net/page/saturday-study-hall
Join us on Saturday mornings for a relaxed, no stress, supportive environment! #LifeintheW
Here are a few photos from last school year so you can see what it looks like!
Have you heard of Woodland's Saturday Study Hall and Homework Help program? On Saturday mornings, all Wildcats have access to FREE tutoring and mentorship. Students can work one-on-one with Woodland teachers, or in small groups with their peers to complete homework, study for a test, get help on a project, have someone proofread their paper, practice speaking Spanish, work through a math concept that is giving them trouble, play educational games, and whatever else your Wildcat needs!
Some students come every week because this has become such a beneficial part of their routine, and some Wildcats only come when they need a quiet place to work on extra homework or study. Some of our students sign up when their parents can't help them with a certain subject, and some have joined us on Saturday morning when they are trying to catch up after missing a few days of school. Whatever the reason, everyone is welcome!
Program Details & Registration - You MUST register in advance! https://www.dist50.net/page/saturday-study-hall
Join us on Saturday mornings for a relaxed, no stress, supportive environment! #LifeintheW
Here are a few photos from last school year so you can see what it looks like!
Today is DAY ONE of Parent Mentor training and we are so excited to welcome new (and returning) Parent Mentors to the team! After they complete training, the mentors will be assigned to a classroom where they will directly support teachers and students.
Parent mentors volunteer four days a week for two hours a day. While in the classroom they work one-on-one with students, lead small group activities, and support the classroom teacher. They also participate in weekly training and workshops to increase their skills and proficiency.
It's not too late! You can still sign up to be a Parent Mentor. Learn more here: https://www.dist50.net/article/3069871
Congratulations to Mallorie! She is a former Woodland Parent Mentor, and now she is the new Parent Mentor Coordinator for Gurnee School District 56! Woodland 50 and Gurnee 56 teamed up to train together throughout the week.
Parent mentors volunteer four days a week for two hours a day. While in the classroom they work one-on-one with students, lead small group activities, and support the classroom teacher. They also participate in weekly training and workshops to increase their skills and proficiency.
It's not too late! You can still sign up to be a Parent Mentor. Learn more here: https://www.dist50.net/article/3069871
Congratulations to Mallorie! She is a former Woodland Parent Mentor, and now she is the new Parent Mentor Coordinator for Gurnee School District 56! Woodland 50 and Gurnee 56 teamed up to train together throughout the week.
Ms. Watt and her students spent some time reading one of their new books! As they read, students looked closely at how the illustrations helped them better understand the story and then worked on identifying the different parts of the plot - the beginning, the middle and the end.
This is the joy of reading in the classroom!
This is the joy of reading in the classroom!
Today marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. We remember and honor the lives lost in the tragic events of that day. We remember the heroism and courage of every day heroes who rushed to help others. We remember the kindness of strangers and our ability to come together and support each other through the worst of times. These memories reinforce the promise that many of us made that day to “Never Forget”.
Photo 1: This photo was taken early this morning at Woodland Middle School by Kenny Lohfink (Operations & Facilities) after lowering the flag to half-staff.
Photo 2: District employees gathered outside the Educational Support Center for a moment of silence and to share reflections and memories on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
Photo 1: This photo was taken early this morning at Woodland Middle School by Kenny Lohfink (Operations & Facilities) after lowering the flag to half-staff.
Photo 2: District employees gathered outside the Educational Support Center for a moment of silence and to share reflections and memories on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
Two views during the Pledge of Allegiance!
1st Photo: Students in Ms. Figueroa's class get ready to lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the announcements at Woodland Intermediate this morning.
2nd Photo: Students in Ms. McCowen's class listen to the announcements and say the Pledge of Allegiance from their classroom.
#LifeintheW
1st Photo: Students in Ms. Figueroa's class get ready to lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the announcements at Woodland Intermediate this morning.
2nd Photo: Students in Ms. McCowen's class listen to the announcements and say the Pledge of Allegiance from their classroom.
#LifeintheW
Coffee & Conversation!
Dr. Machak invites you to stop by the district office for a casual conversation and a cup of coffee after you drop your student off at school. There is no formal agenda. This is an open house format designed to be social. Ask questions, share feedback, or simply visit with other Wildcat families.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Woodland's Educational Support Center, 1105 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
Not Able To Attend? Share Your Voice Here!
Community Voice Suggestion Box - https://forms.gle/5FzYbRxddHZWDPch9
RSVP to Yuliana Yucus at yyucus@dist50.net
Dr. Machak invites you to stop by the district office for a casual conversation and a cup of coffee after you drop your student off at school. There is no formal agenda. This is an open house format designed to be social. Ask questions, share feedback, or simply visit with other Wildcat families.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Woodland's Educational Support Center, 1105 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
Not Able To Attend? Share Your Voice Here!
Community Voice Suggestion Box - https://forms.gle/5FzYbRxddHZWDPch9
RSVP to Yuliana Yucus at yyucus@dist50.net
Science in action!
Students in Ms. Arvidson’s class put their laboratory skills into practice during a hands-on activity in science class.
Students investigated bath bombs–their ingredients, how they react, and how they dissolve. Through this experiment, students practiced making observations using their five senses, asking scientific questions, and drawing conclusions based on their findings.
Ms. Quinn and Ms. Newman are Building Thinking Classrooms at Woodland Intermediate! Watch as Ms. Quinn's Challenge Math students work in small groups to solve a complex problem using teamwork, collaboration, and the encouragement to take risks.
With this model, students jump right in and start "thinking" even if they aren't sure what to do or how to solve it yet. They aren't completing steps or following directions, they are noticing patterns, testing new ideas, and making connections in order to figure out what to do next.
The students are given a prompt and a few reminders and then they set out to solve the problem.
Reminders:
Everyone contributes (pass the marker)
Take turns
All ideas are good ideas
Be supportive
They are even encouraged to learn and take inspiration from the work they see happening in the other groups. Knowledge is shared!
#LifeintheW
With this model, students jump right in and start "thinking" even if they aren't sure what to do or how to solve it yet. They aren't completing steps or following directions, they are noticing patterns, testing new ideas, and making connections in order to figure out what to do next.
The students are given a prompt and a few reminders and then they set out to solve the problem.
Reminders:
Everyone contributes (pass the marker)
Take turns
All ideas are good ideas
Be supportive
They are even encouraged to learn and take inspiration from the work they see happening in the other groups. Knowledge is shared!
#LifeintheW
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Mr. Brian Todorovic - Data Analytics Manager
• Ms. Abby Dixon - Social Worker at Woodland Intermediate
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Mr. Brian Todorovic - Data Analytics Manager
• Ms. Abby Dixon - Social Worker at Woodland Intermediate
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
