Old Man Winter Reminds Us of His Power

The Fall Party is Tonight, from 6-8:00pm.  If you haven't already purchased tickets, they are $8 at the door.  A raffle, drink, and snack tickets are included with admission.  Please promptly pick up your students at 8pm.  Please.

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Please click the link above, or here, to visit the PTO Newsletter.

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We had an action-packed week this week here at school.  Besides the run of the mill fun that comes with middle school life, the 6g students were treated to the mathtastical wizardry of Mike Byster, and all students took part in CAMFEL; The Pledge assembly.  Camfel is a visual/audio bonanza with the solid message of encouraging students to value one another.  

This is one of the follow up questions that students were encouraged to think about after the show: "What can you pledge to do that would make your school a more welcome and safer place?"  Ask your child... what would they pledge?

Mike Byster, 6g students, and many parents

Thanks to the PTO Cultural Arts committee for their continued support.

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The 2012 ILLINOIS STATE SCHOOL REPORT CARDS are now online on the District 96 website. State and federal laws require public schools to release report cards to the public annually, providing the opportunity to compare data–including academic, financial, and demographic information–statewide.  Each State School Report Card also includes information on areas of success and planned improvement.

Illinois students in Grades 3 – 8 take the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). Reading and math are tested in Grades 3 – 8; science is tested in Grades 4 and 7 only. In overall student performance on the ISAT administered March 2012 in reading, math, and science, 96.6 percent of District 96 students in Grades 3–8 meet or exceed the Illinois Learning Standards.


See STATE REPORT CARDS for each District 96 school, as well as a STATE REPORT CARD FOR THE DISTRICT.

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STANDARDS-BASED REPORTING "Question of the Week" 

What are the Common Core Standards?

We've spoken a great deal about the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to which our learning standards in District 96 are directly aligned. As indicated on the CCSS website, the Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. You can see the standards themselves for all grade levels by visiting the CCSS site (linked above). 


But how are these standards changing our work, and how do they fit in with standards-based reporting? The CCSS are far more rigorous that previous versions of the Illinois State Standards, the research-base that we have historically used to develop our learning standards and curriculum frameworks.  The chart below illustrates the standards in place for 8th graders in the past. This was our list of reading standards, based on the past version of the Illinois State Learning Standards:

Reading Standards--8th Grade

Identify the best summary of a fiction or nonfiction passage.

Draw literal meanings and inferences about text   and support them with textual evidence.

Determine inferential meanings within a poem.

Compose an extended response by combining details from a text (stated ideas) with inferences and connections (unstated ideas).


The chart below illustrates our current standards for reading at the 8th grade level. As you can see, there are many more standards! More importantly, the complexity of what we expect students to do is clearly at a new level. These are the mastery level, or 3.0, targets for ALL 8th graders in District 96. 

CCSS-Aligned Reading Standards--8th Grade

LITERATURE

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text explicitly says.

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of inferences drawn from the text.

Determine a theme or central idea of a text.  Analyze the theme or central idea’s development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot.

Provide an objective summary of the text.

Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings and verbal irony.

Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts or media.

INFORMATIONAL TEXT (NON-FICTION)

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text explicitly says.

Determine the central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas.

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

Evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text assessing whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient.

Determine an author’s point of view (perspective) or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.

Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic.


Clearly, the rigor and clarity have increased, which is good for kids! Now, consider the fact that, for  learning standards where it is appropriate, we have created scales to clarify what it looks like for a student who has already mastered the standard to truly extend their learning. This "4.0" thinking helps us differentiate to truly take our students to new levels. Our new reporting format will allow us to clearly articulate for students--and parents--what specific standards students have mastered, where they need additional instruction, and where we have been able to extend their thinking. This level of specificity will truly impact student learning and take our communication to new levels!

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Don't forget to check the Homework Hotline for daily lists of assignments.

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Mr. Grana reading to students in the ILC program.

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Students, and teachers, are all encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes on Halloween day next week.  Stop by, and perhaps you'll see me and Mr. Grana dressed up, too.

Bundle up, and have a great weekend,

Chris

The Why? Behind SBR

Thanks to all of the parents that joined us last Thursday night for an informational gathering at Twin Groves to discuss our current and future realities surrounding standards-based reporting (SBR).  As we all shift our practice and thinking to accommodate this approach towards communicating student progress by specific academic learning target and work habits, we wanted to share some of the research that has guided our thinking as a district.  Click here to access a few informational articles.

Stay tuned for additional shared learning opportunities centered on SBR, or click here for an informational SBR podcast that was posted back in the spring by Jeanne Spiller, D96 Director of Professional Development.

We truly value your enthusiasm and feedback, so don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have moving forward.

Thanks again,

Chris

This week at Woodlawn...

Tickets to our Halloween Party will go on sale next week in our cafeteria.  Students can purchase tickets for this fun and exciting event which will take place one week from today, Friday, October 26th.  I will have a reminder coming to you in a blog next week.  Every year, people are curious to see what Mr. Murphy and I will team up as for a Halloween duo.  Two years ago it was the poorly chosen Mario and Luigi, while last year we were nerds.  This year some suggestions have been Batman & Robin (I would have to be Batman, albeit more of a resemblance to Adam West than the younger, more hip guys), Dumb & Dumber (staff members thought of that one) or Ponch and John from CHiPs.  I know that everyone is very excited to see how this turns out.

Before you forget, go to the top of this page and click on the link for the PTO NEWSLETTER!

Tonight is the Hot Mama fundraiser in Deer Park.  Go to the Hot Mama store in Deer Park from 7-9p.m., enjoy some refreshments and if you mention Woodlawn when you make your purchase, the school will get a portion of the proceeds.

Last night we held our Standards Based Report Card informational meeting at Twin Groves and had an outstanding discussion surrounding the reasons why we are heading toward a more informational system.  One of the questions that came about from the parents is "who are the experts in SBR and where can we get some additional information."  I will be including links to articles in upcoming blogs so that you can get familiar with the experts.  Thank you to all of the parents and teachers who attended last night.

6th grade parents--The outstanding Brainetics show, a favorite of Woodlawn Middle School,  put on by Mr. Mike Byster, will be this Wednesday, October 23rd, beginning at 8a.m.  Mr. Byster would like to invite all parents to attend this truly amazing use of mathematical systems.  Parents are asked to R.S.V.P. to the main office if they would like to join this wonderful show.

Congratulations to Brett Lukas who took 23rd place at the state cross country meet.  Brett ran like the wind against 180 of the best runners in the state.  Way to go Brett!

Our girls basketball and soccer teams had very good showings in their conference tournaments.  I am proud of the effort and sportsmanship shown by everyone on our teams.  Go Wolves!

Congratulations to Eileen Hoang, 7th grade cello, and Marissa Katz, 7th grade viola, for their selection to the IMEA Festival Orchestra!  Eileen and Marissa competed with over 300 of the best orchestra students from over 60 schools in the Northwest suburbs to claim their spot in the 120-member orchestra.  The festival will take place on Saturday, November 3 at Wauconda High School.

Finally, I just want to say that our students are really doing a great job in school and I am proud of the effort they are putting forward.  We are always trying to teach our students how to be citizens as well as students. 

Have a great week.  

Greg 

Woodlawn Blog.

PLEASE VISIT THE PTO NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING ON THE LINK ABOVE.

Mark your calendars!  This coming Thursday evening, we will be having a Standards Based Report Card information night at Twin Groves Middle School.  We will be showing you our progress toward implementation and answer questions that you might have regarding the subject areas that are doing our SBR pilot program.  The evening begins at 7p.m.

Yesterday, Mr. Murphy posted some exciting news regarding an easier way to access homework hotline.  I recommend you create a bookmark to the homework hotline page so that you can access the work your child is going to be expected to complete.  Check out the post from yesterday listed below for information.

Good luck to our girls basketball teams as our tournament begins this week.  Go Wolves!

Brett Lucus will be representing Woodlawn at the state cross country meet this weekend at ISU.  Brett has done an amazing job and we will all be pulling for you!! Go get em Brett!

Our phone system has been on the fritz a few times this week.  It drives us crazy and I know how it impacts parents.  Thank you for your patience.  If this continues, I will be updating parents on our plan so that you can communicate with the school.  Right now, all I can do is give you Howard Frishman's (Tech Coach) personal cell phone number, 867-5309.  If you recognize that number, you lived through the 80's.  Seriously, if you have a problem and you are unable to get through on the phone line, e-mail myself or Mr. Murphy and we will be able to assist you very quickly.

Have a great week.

Greg

Woodlawn Homework Hotline

Just as of this week, we've updated how we organize and share teachers' daily homework assignments.  We've created a website devoted to posting daily assignments, sorted by grade level.  The information is basic by design, but meant to be a meaningful resource for our teachers, students and parents to utilize when necessary.  Teachers frequently post more detailed information about long term projects, assessments, or learning targets on their websites, so we encourage you to check them out periodically, as well.

You can access the Woodlawn Homework Hotline directly by clicking and bookmarking the site (click here), or you'll find the quick link, "Homework Hotline," listed on the Woodlawn homepage (click here).  

Check it out, and let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the site.  It's new, and we'd appreciate the feedback!

Talk soon,
Chris

Woodlawn today!

Click the link above to visit the PTO Newsletter!

Do you ever wonder what happens at a teacher institute day?  

As our students and families enjoyed a gorgeous (alright, it was overcast)  Friday off from school, all District 96 teachers and administrators convened at Stevenson High School, along with the staffs of Stevenson and the 7 neighboring elementary school districts that feed into the high school, to discuss current and better literacy practices and to collaborate as to how we can best provide our students with the strategies necessary to be successful now in the 21st century.

Our keynote speaker today, Dr. Nancy Frey of San Diego State University, spoke about encouraging us to find ways in which to stretch the reading and thinking of our students beyond our current practices.  Here are a few excerpts from her book, "Teaching Students to Read Like Detectives" (2012) that resonated with us:

"The habits of asking questions, discussing concepts, and formulating opinions are vital in an age when we are becoming our own editors.  To teach reading and writing as a passive act when, in fact, it has become more proactive leaves our learners vulnerable to propaganda, half-truths, and one-sided opinions."

"Students must be taught to analyze text with the eyes of a detective who is never content with surface-level impressions but instead continually returns to the text to consider information from many perspectives."

"We (Frey and others) propose that within classroom communities an instructional shift must occur that prepares students to investigate texts in ways that enable them to scrutinize, critically analyze, produce, and communicate information." 

As impassioned educators, it is our responsibility to teach our students to become readers who are not satisfied with the superficial, and today, we learned a variety of new ways in which we can help achieve that goal.

Just like your student, teachers need to be lifelong learners. Also, enjoy your 4 day weekend!  

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It is time to go through your coat closet and donate your gently used coats for our coat drive.  Students can drop off the coats to a bin, right near our main office.  In the past, Woodlawn families have done an amazing job of sharing their coats with the less fortunate.  You will get another reminder from me over the next few weeks!
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Ladies and gentlemen, please park in one of our designated parking spots when you visit our school.  Recently, I noticed numerous open parking spots, but cars were  parked all around the curb.  Besides being a safety issue, it is simply the right thing to do.
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I have been writing a newsletter for 10 years now.  When I was at Kildeer elementary school, the newsletter was a high pressure, had to be done by 9a.m. so that we could print out the hundreds of copies that went home to the parents.  Our current blog, which gives parents in depth, meaningful information has been a great way to communicate.  Personally, having "followers" cracks me up.  The only one in my house that listens to me is Wrigley, my sheltie.  I also know that Wrigley listens to me with the hope of receiving a treat.  My typical tongue in cheek sense of humor may have been taken the wrong way last week.  We were pointing out that it is amazing that we have so many followers and that we hope to continue to grow those numbers.  Jenny Smith, the outstanding principal at Kildeer has taken it as a challenge and is now trying to raise the numbers of followers at her school.  Every principal in this district amazes me.  They are dedicated, cutting edge people who always have the best interest of students at the forefront of their decision making process.  Heck, those of you have had the pleasure of working with Heather Friziellie (principal of Twin Groves) over the years know that she is an amazing principal and person.  Probably the best administrator I have ever known.  Twin Groves and Woodlawn staff and administration have never been as collaborative, sharing information to make each of our buildings a better place to be and every student benefits greatly!

Have a great week.  Regarding the Chicago baseball season, may I be the first to say, "wait until next year".