8g Students Composing Music Using iPads

This week in Music class, Mrs. Rosen's eighth grade students have been composing a new jingle for the Woodlawn Newscast using iPads.  The level of student engagement was truly impressive, and it was great to see how many students felt at ease with the technology.  Thanks go out to Mr. Frishman for helping to set up the iPads and to Mrs. Rosen for the innovative planning.  We can't wait to hear the finished tracks!

    

Picture Day

Tuesday, August 30th is picture day here at Woodlawn!  Make sure your student has their order form for pictures with them tomorrow.  Extra order forms will be available in the office.

Beginning of the year!

We are off to a great start here at Woodlawn!  I have been very impressed with the politeness of our new 6th graders.  Every time I have given a student some assistance, they have thanked me.  Outstanding!   On our half day this past Wednesday, there was an electricity in this building.  The students were very excited about the start of the school year and it showed.  I am thrilled that everyone is back and that we are back in business.

6th grade curriculum night went very well on Tuesday.  The parents did a great job of finding their way through the hallways.  Special thanks to the students and parents of those 6th graders who were affected by a scheduling issue on the Friday before school started.  You all handled it with the utmost class.

7th & 8th grade curriculum night is tonight, Thursday, August 25th.  Your participation is appreciated and essential for the success of your student.

I was thrilled with the turnout at locker set up day.  The students and parents really made that day work out well.  Make sure that you give a quick look to our Woodlawn website and focus on our PTO link to see the special lunch, dessert day and gym clothes forms.
http://www.kcsd96.org/W/PTO_news-2011-12/current.pdf

I will be talking about our new technology program in future blogs.

Finally, I have to comment on the state of baseball in Chicago.  My comment is bad.  Football anyone?

Getting back into the school groove...

As we all look forward to the start of another exciting school year, some of us could use a few tips on how to effectively get back into the swing of things.  Listed below are a few suggestions written by a colleague that you may find helpful as you and your family prepares for another great school year.

See you next week!

¨ Reestablish bed times for school nights.  Although this is difficult with the warm weather and late sunsets, it is essential for learning that children get enough sleep each night.

¨ Make a plan for after school activities.  Schedule adequate time for homework, play, sports, clubs, and practice.

¨ Scale Back TV and video game time.

¨ Establish a family reading time instead of watching TV.

¨ Keep a large calendar.  Mark each family member’s activities in a different color pen.  You can do this electronically, too.

¨ Collect important phone numbers.  Update doctor, work, cell phone, and other listings for the school office, after school programs, and a few neighbors.

¨ Create a car pool.  Compare schedules and determine which parents can drive when.

¨ Develop a backup plan.  Find another parent who will exchange school pickup favors in case you get sick or are delayed by work or traffic.

¨ Spruce up a study place.  Every child in the family should have his/her own special place to study and do homework.  Include pens, pencils, erasers, a dictionary, and other needed supplies.

¨ Set up a file for school papers for each child. Place all school notices in it so you don’t misplace them.  These days, you also might want to set up email folders for the emails that you will be receiving from school.



¨Establish important positive habits.  Get the children in the habit of getting ready for school the night before.  Set out clothes, pack lunches, and place backpacks loaded with completed homework by the back door.

Woodlawn 8/11/11

Welcome to the 2011-12 School year!  I am so excited about the opportunities that await every student, teacher and parent as we enter another school year.  Here is a quick look at the beginning of the year activities.  

Monday, August 22^th

4:00-7:00p.m.       Locker Set Up

Tuesday, August 23^rd

7-8:15p.m.            6^th Grade Curriculum Night

Wednesday, August 24^th

7:45-11:10a.m.     First Day of School

Thursday, August 25^th

7:00-8:15p.m.       7^th & 8^th Grade Curriculum Night