"Are you ready for some footbaaaaaaalllllllll!"

I have to say, by far and away, the Fall season is my favorite time of year.  

Not only do we have the joy of relishing in the energy that so many young adults carry with them as they return to school, but the weather starts to cool off, the leaves turn to beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red prior to falling and becoming targets for leaping toddlers (mine included), and the major league baseball season reaches its fever pitch (mercifully for my Cubs).  But nothing compares to the pomp and circumstance that accompanies the kick off to the NFL season.  

Will this be the year that my beloved Bears return to the glory recently reserved to those from a previous generation?  This season, will Brian Urlacher be carried off of the gridiron atop his shield, as he has earned that right at this point in his carrer?  Will Aaron Rodgers discount-double check twice-too-many times leading to a lost step in his otherwise recent dominant play?  Who knows.  That's the fun of it all.   

It is no coincidence that we'll feel the first true crispness in the air of the season this weekend, and I hope you all get out and enjoy it.

Here's what's in our lineup for next week...

• We'll finish up with our first round of NWEA MAP assessments in reading and math by mid week.  We'll use this data for a variety of purposes from determining appropriate text-complexity for our readers, targeted interventions for students in need and other areas of potential student growth.

• The Woodlawn PTO will hold its first General Meeting on Wednesday, September 12 at 9am in the Learning Center.  All are welcome to attend.

• The Board of Education meets Tuesday night at 7pm

• Next week is National Suicide Prevention Week.  A few of our 8th grade students felt compelled to join us in our effort to spread the word.  These students will be making daily announcements that include statistics, signs to look for, and how to prevent suicide.  Additionally, we will spread the message that there are people here to help, if needed; Ms Franks (counselor) Ms Tripp (social worker), and Ms McDevitt (social worker).  Please feel free to contact them if any concerns or questions arise.  

• Our Cross Country team competes at Twin Groves on Monday at the Hawthorn Invitational in Vernon Hills on Friday

• Our Soccer team (BLUE) is home against West Oak on Tuesday and home against Fremont on Wednesday; our SILVER team is at Fremont on Wednesday

• Our Girls Basketball team (BLUE) is home against Twin Groves on Tuesday and at Daniel Wright on Thursday; our SILVER team is at Twin Groves on Tuesday and home against Daniel Wright on Thursday

Enjoy, and have a great weekend,

Chris

Da Bears

PS:  Don't forget to check out the Weekly PTO Newsletter

PPS: I wanted to share some of the parent responses to the age old question of "When am I ever gonna use this math later in life?!?!" that Ms. Carpenter asked the parents of her students at curriculum night a couple of weeks ago... 

When Am I Ever Going to Use Math...

1. When I set a clock to wake me up before I go to work

2. To build the ultimate iPod one hour playlist

3. Building a bridge

4. To figure out how much fabric you need for your new curtains

5. When I am driving and trying to figure our how much longer it will take to drive

8. When I figure out what the cars gas mileage is...and then translate it to liters/km for a

friend

9. I use math to figure out how much to charge in my business

10. You will use math to: do bills, check stocks, read reports for work, to cook

11. When I help my sons do their homework

12. To figure out the sale price on shoes

13. When I go shopping and try to figure out the best deal

14. To know what youʼre doing in high school science & math classes

15. Speeding mileage of the car. Following a recipe

16. When I purchase gifts and plan birthday parties

17. Cooking, baking, flower arranging

18. To keep track of time

19. Buying things for my children!

21. Calculating math grades

22. When I buy my morning Starbucks

23. When I tip at restaurants

41. Everyday somehow, somewhere, you will use math!

43. Figure out your profit

44. I use math everyday to calculate what $ rate to charge for healthcare

48. Save & invest your money

49. To measure 2x4 wood studs

50. I use math everyday at work-calculating percentages, analyzing graphs

51. I use math when there is a sale, 20% off, 40% off, etc.

52. Completing your income tax returns

53. Preparing TPS reports  (Murphy's favorite... There's a double-secret bonus prize, if you catch the movie reference)

55. Forecasting, Excel Spreadsheets, Payroll

56. To find the best deal when you shop

57. To figure out how much money you make from your job

58. You can bargain when you buy things overseas, like Korea : )

59. To answer the question “When will we get there” without asking your parents!

60. Measure the amount of color to be used to color hair

62. To figure out how much money you will save at the next clearance sale

64. When I make a quotation on pricing for a new product we are trying to sell

65. Comparison analyze for your salary (i.e. the $12 that you bring home)

70. Buying furniture & measuring spots in your house where itʼs going

71. Calculating pricing costs for business contracts to make sure you make a profit

72. Helping your kids with their homework