Middle School

Only 38% of families have completed Returning Student Registration so far. Let's see how high we can get that number by the end of this week! (If you are one of the 38% - THANK YOU!) CALL TO ACTION: This is your reminder to complete Returning Student Registration before July 15. You have less than 3 weeks to get it done. We really need your information completed in July so that we can provide all the back-to-school information you need in August! TIP: Encourage others to do this BEFORE July 15. When registrations continue to trickle in after the deadline it impacts our ability to finalize class lists and bus routes.

Wildcat Summer Adventures: We have drones! The students built a structure, then flew a drone to inspect the structure as part of their mission today. Super fun hands on learning experience for these students. #LifeintheW

REMINDER: The district will be closed on June 19, 2024 in honor of Juneteenth. There will be no Wildcat Summer Adventures (WSA) or Extended School Year (ESY) on Wednesday, and all District and School Offices will be closed in recognition of the holiday. Summer programming will resume on Thursday.

Summer Series: Here are a few more photos of the work happening at the school district while students are on summer break. The Tech Team put out a call for volunteers to help them take inventory, clean, and update all district Chromebooks. Volunteers include teachers, staff, administrators, students, and Board of Education members. This is a big job, but many willing hands make light work! #LifeintheW

Our students might be on summer break, but the our dedicated administrators are back in the classroom Studying the Skillful Teacher! A school district is a busy place during the summer, so we will try to share a few behind the scenes photos over the next few weeks. We have a lot to do before our Wildcats return in August!

Future 6th Grade Wildcats are touring WMS! They are excited, and asking great questions. You can also check out this podcast where 7th graders at WMS answer questions and give advice to future 6th graders 💚 https://woodlandwildcast.podbean.com/e/episode-4-advice-for-future-middle-school-students/

We are hearing from the front offices at our Woodland schools that there is some confusion about the schedule for the last few days of school. As a reminder, the school calendar was revised to account for the two emergency/snow days we utilized this winter. To see the calendar: https://5il.co/2cvo2 Each school may have shared additional details in their weekly newsletters to help parents navigate the last few days. For example, 8th grade students had their last day of school last week. And Primary students may have a different last day depending on if they are Early Childhood or Kindergarten. Please refer to the most recent newsletter from your principal if you need additional clarification! Primary: https://secure.smore.com/n/wadn1 Elementary: https://secure.smore.com/n/hmsf4 Intermediate: https://secure.smore.com/n/fr784

Woodland Wildcast Episode 4: Advice for future Middle School students! 7th grade students discuss getting involved and making the most of their time at Middle School! Listen in as they give advice to incoming 6th graders and share their tales of belonging and making connections at Woodland. #LifeintheW Host: Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent of Schools, Woodland D50 Guests: Woodland 7th Grade Students - Ginny, Corbin, and Brooklyn https://woodlandwildcast.podbean.com/e/episode-4-advice-for-future-middle-school-students/

The Woodland Middle School Promotion ceremonies will be streamed on the Woodland Live YouTube channel on May 29 & May 30 at 6 p.m.! Families, friends, and supporters can watch their Wildcat cross the promotion stage from anywhere. https://www.youtube.com/@woodlandlive9671

Woodland Phone and Internet Outage: 5/24/24 at 2:10 p.m. We are currently experiencing a temporary disruption in phone and internet service across the district. Our Tech Team is working to resolve the issue.

The last Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting of the year was held on Wednesday night at Woodland Intermediate. This group has grown so much this year! The BPAC members are a great example of parent engagement in our district. While the adults participated in a presentation from Warren Township Youth and Family Services on the topic of Anxiety and services offered through United Way of Lake County, the kids had fun making crafts and hanging out with Tobias the Comfort Dog. Thank you to Alejandra Balsamo for your work throughout the year to bring our families together, and to the Dual Language teachers and other volunteers who help support the program. #LifeintheW

Congratulations to the 125 7th graders who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) this week! Throughout your time at Woodland, you have demonstrated the five pillars of NJHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship. We are so proud of you! NJHS Advisors: Mr. DeSanto, Advisor Mrs. Rubino, Assistant Advisor Ms. Malinoski, Assistant Advisor Mrs. Haerle, Assistant Advisor

REMINDER: Special Education Parent Resource Group Meeting, May 22! The topic for this next meeting will focus on school transitions, and what to expect as your child moves to the next school. We will also be providing childcare if needed. We look forward to seeing you! Date: May 22, 2024 - Time: 5 - 6 p.m. - Location: Intermediate School Library - RSVP: https://forms.gle/teDyNp7xZtcZtudD9

The Woodland D50 Board of Education will meet on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Review Agenda & Meeting Information HERE: https://secure.smore.com/n/s0whzf

Thank you to the Woodland Educational Foundation for hosting a Staff Appreciation BINGO Night on Friday. We had a great time! https://www.dist50.net/page/foundation

Congratulations to the WMS Girls Track Team for your performance at State!!! 💚 4X100M relay team - 3rd place 💚 4X400M relay team - 7th place 💚 400M Zoey D. - 7th place

Congratulations to Jeff Winiger - Bus Driver of the Year! Jeff Winiger was recently awarded the Bus Driver of the Year Award from the Transportation Department. His students know him as Mr. Jeff, and he has been part of the #LifeintheW team since 2021. To students and families, he is known for being kind, friendly and happy. To his friends in the Transportation department, he is known for his willingness to help and being a supportive coworker. Mr. Jeff has excellent attendance, and he strives to be a good role model for the Wildcats in his care. He has great student management skills and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Even though he has the largest Elementary route in over 12 years, he takes the time to get to know all of his students and their families. Learn more about Mr. Jeff and why he was selected as Bus Driver of the Year in the weekly newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/nbd6k Thank you for always going the extra mile Mr. Jeff!

It's a beautiful morning in Gurnee, and many of our Wildcats may be walking or riding bikes to school. Thankfully these amazing partners in safety get up early each morning to see our students safely through the crosswalks. Thank you to Angelo White and Joann Metzger for being one of the first friendly faces to greet our staff, students, and families as they walk, bike or drive by. We appreciate you and your big morning energy! Smile/Honk/Wave to show your appreciation today and help us spread the love to our crossing guards. 💚

An 8th Grade brother surprises his 3rd Grade sister as the "Mystery Reader" and their smiles might melt the internet! Thank you to Mrs. Estrada and Mrs. Bogdala for sharing this #LifeintheW moment with us 💚

Congratulations to Margarita Castrejón! Ms. Castrejón was named Lake County Middle School Teacher of the Year at the Regional Office of Education Awards Ceremony on May 8, 2024. Margarita is a Spanish Language Arts teacher at Woodland Middle School and a member of the Dual Language Team. In addition to her incredible work in the classroom, Ms. Castrejón was recognized for her contributions to the climate and culture of the district through the connections she builds with staff and students and her involvement in various clubs and committees. Thank you for making #LifeintheW such a great place to learn!