Woodland Parent University

Woodland is excited to continue to provide upcoming opportunities for parent involvement with Parent University. We are currently developing programming designed specifically for our families to give you the tools and resources you need to best support your child from home. You will see this is a continuing theme throughout the upcoming 2025-2026 school year because we have made a commitment to building a sense of belonging in #LifeintheW. This is a cornerstone of many of the initiatives in the strategic plan, and we strongly believe that parent/guardian involvement is a key indicator for student success.

Watch for our upcoming Parent Universities for the 2025 - 2026 school year. In the meantime, consider FAN Network for increased opportunities.

Parent University 2025-2026 School Year Presentations

Date	Format	Focus
TBD	Virtual and In Person (Woodland Middle School) Upcoming Events	TBD

PAST EVENT: Networking and Learning, April 5

Keep Kids Learning over Summer
The final Parent University event of the 2024-2025 school year was held April 5, 2025. This was an in-person networking and learning experience with a focus on Keeping Kids Learning over Summer.

Event included: Childcare, Food, Raffle Prizes! Event attendees have the chance to win free registration for the 2025-2026 school year. There were 10 winners. Woodland also teamed up with several community partners who shared resources, events, and programs they are offering over the summer.

Registration for this event is now closed.

Sessions for Families

· “Finding Print Everywhere"

· “Understanding Behaviors and Setting up a Calm Space”

· “Using Songs and Games to Make Learning Fun"

· "Behavior at Home-Summer Supports"

· “Visual Supports for Prompts and Building Independence”

· "Summer Self Care for Caregivers"

· "Sharing Family Stories and Traditions"

· Changing Schools - What to Expect and How to Support your Student

Sessions for Students

· “Bringing Stories to Life through Art”

· “So Now I’m a Middle School Student”

PAST EVENT: Mar. 10, 2025 - Virtual Parent University

A webinar was held and we talked about "Turning Everyday Activities Into Learning Opportunities," Presented by 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.

PAST EVENT: Jan. 25, 2025 - In Person Parent University

Date: Jan. 25, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Woodland Middle School, 7000 W Washington St., Gurnee

TOPICS:

Visual Supports for Prompting and Building Independence
Helping Your Child with Middle School Literacy
Supporting Children in their Hardest Moments
Device or vice? What you need to know to keep your child safe in a digital world
Understanding Behavior and Setting up a Calm Space
Schoology for Parents
Belonging: The Key to Children's Resilience
Vaping and Drugs in the Community
"Executive Function Essentials: Strategies for Success at Home"
The Securely Parent Dashboard
Collaborative Problem Solving
How to support Mindfulness at Home

SCHEDULE:

8:30 - 8:50 - Breakfast and Registration

9 a.m. - Concurrent Sessions

10 a.m. - Concurrent Sessions

10:50 - 11:10 a.m. - Coffee and Snack Break

11:10 a.m. - Final Sessions

*You are not required to stay for the entire event.

CHILDCARE:
Childcare is available but you must register in advance. Childcare will be provided by Warren Township High School student volunteers from the National Honor Society (NHS). Woodland Middle School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) members may also be onsite to help with activities. We appreciate our student volunteers for helping make this a great event!

Wildcat Saturday Study Hall is another option for childcare on Saturday, Jan. 25. This program will have extended hours on Jan. 25 to accommodate families who wish to attend Parent University!

Parent University Sessions Jan. 25, 2025

Interested in Working for Woodland?

The Woodland Human Resources Department hosted a Recruitment table at this event to learn more about career opportunities and what it means to be part of the #LifeintheW Team.

Past Event: Parent University Mini-Conference, April 2024

The April 2024 Parent University Event was also set up like a mini-conference.

Keynote: Stress Management for Busy Families!

School administrative teams hosted transition talks to answer frequently asked questions about their school for students transitioning to the next school.

Other Highlights: Student Safety at Woodland, Gun Violence Prevention, Equity and Belonging, Middle School Standards-Based Grading, and more!

Links:

Past Event: Teen Technology Use and Misuse (Virtual), February 2024

Dr. Patchin provided an overview of cyberbullying, including issues parents, educators, and teens need to know about how youth use and misuse technology to cause harm to their peers. The presentation defined and provided examples of cyberbullying and discussed the role of parents in preventing and responding to inappropriate online behaviors. Dr. Patchin also explained many of the online environments popular among adolescents today and strategies to make sure they are used safely and responsibly.

Past Event: Parent University Mini-Conference, January 2024

Parents were invited to attend a variety of sessions on supporting their students, safety, and navigating school technology and systems. The format was similar to a mini-conference with concurrent sessions on different topics relevant to parents and caregivers.

Supporting your Young Math Learner
Supporting Student with ADHD at Home
Social Media and Teens
Early Literacy Interventions for Parents
Seesaw for Parents
Schoology for Parents
Securly for Parents
Cyberbullying
Vaping and Drugs in the Community
How to Support Your Child and Their Rights
Building Connections to Foster Self-Esteem
Belonging: The Key to Children's Resilience

Past Event: The Three Myths that Undermine our Parenting (November 2023)

Event Description:
Our children are struggling emotionally in unprecedented ways and as parents, we are struggling to know how to best support them. Parents are experiencing the pressure of raising children at a time when academic demands are increasing, colleges are becoming more selective, and income inequity is placing greater pressure on financial success. Drawing on research from brain science, social sciences, education and 30 years of practice within schools, Dr. Doug Bolton will identify three parenting myths that create unnecessary pressure on parents and their children. Let's refocus our parenting energy on the things that support wellness in our children and ourselves!

Dr. Bolton is a very dynamic and engaging speaker, and he presented to our district families in the spring. He has continued to work with key staff and administrators at the Middle School for a strong start to this school year, and he genuinely understands many of the special qualities that make our district unique.

Woodland School District 50