Winter Break is here!!!!

I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

Here is Mr. Grana's holiday wish list...

I would like Woodlawn peace (and world peace).
I would like for parents to park in actual parking spaces in our lot and not park along the sidewalk.
I would like for cars to not sit in the no parking zone while waiting to pick up their kids.
I would like for parents to call their students in absent on the Friday before break.
I would like the PowerSchool SBR field test to be easier to understand (we are working on it).
I would like no bus issues in the new year.
I would like students to realize how lucky they are to go to this school.  
I would like for everyone to have a great Winter Break.

Please help me make all of my dreams come true.

Greg Grana

December 14, 2012

Much like everyone else, I am saddened and disgusted with the school shooting in Connecticut today.  Everyone in the Woodlawn community sends our heartfelt sympathy to the victims, families and school community in Newtown, Connecticut.  Safety is and always has been our top priority.  As a school, we are prepared to handle emergency situations.  We hope that our practice emergency plan will never be tested,  but we continue to do our drills just in case.  Resource Officer Janet Freeman has been a part of our practice drills, gives us points for improvement and all of the current trends in law enforcement related to school disturbances.  Please know that we are doing everything possible to keep your children safe while they are here at school.  In light of this tragedy, any District 96 student that has questions or would like to talk to our counselor, professionals will be made available.  

If you have a small chunk of time, check out this link for Standard Based Report Cards.  One of the teachers in the district created this website, which helps parents see how to follow reporting practices within SBR.  This is a valuable asset for parents and students to navigate the parent portal for PowerSchool.  

With the holidays approaching quickly, there are times when you simply do not know what type of gift you should give to certain people.  Worry no longer! The band and orchestra holiday gift fundraiser is here.  Click here to see the numerous organizations that you can purchase gift cards through. This link can also be found the homepage of our D96 website.

Here is a quick reminder that Artsonia is up and running again this year. Check out artsonia.com to see what your student and Mrs. Kile has been doing in the Art Room. You will find items to purchase that feature your child’s artwork and creative expressions. I cannot think of a better way to find an inexpensive, unique gift this holiday season.  Additionally, the school receives a percentage of any orders you place which goes toward enriching our students’ art and specials programs.

Please click on the link to the PTO newsletter at the top of this blog.  

I hope that everyone has a great weekend. 

Greg Grana

Woodlawn Today

From the Greg Grana parent file…Realizing that I am probably the last one to know this, there is a new app called "snap chat" that allows kids to send a picture to someone, which disappears in five to ten seconds after viewing.  It is apparently very popular among kids.  My senior in high school showed this to me last night and was having a lot of fun sending goofy pictures back and forth with his friends. As I thought about this with my principal hat on, it made me a little bit nervous. After researching this further today, there are already “workarounds” to capture the picture before it disappears. As always, talk with your children about the benefits of technology, but know that a captured picture can be very dangerous.  My kids are tired of hearing this message, but I always say that digital is forever.   

On Monday and Tuesday this week, Mr. Murphy and I met with each of the grade levels and had honest discussions about Standards Based Report Cards and how they are going to impact students.  I am very proud of our students and the thoughtful discussions we were able to have.  Students discussed their SBR experiences thus far and brought up questions like “how will this transfer to a college application?”.  I loved the forward thinking of our students.  We are going to continue having these meaningful discussions with students and inform the students how the targets are tied directly to our new reporting system.  

With the holidays approaching quickly, there are times when you simply do not know what type of gift you should give to certain people.  Worry no longer! The band and orchestra holiday gift fundraiser is here.  Click here to see the numerous organizations that you can purchase gift cards through. This link can also be found the homepage of our D96 website.  

In previous blogs, I have mentioned that our 8^th graders are a terrific group of young adults.  Here is a picture where our 8^th grade girls created an impromptu mirror of support.  Parents, this is truly an amazing group of 8^th graders.  The messages included phrases like, "You rock", "Never give up", "Girl Power!"...This group of students really understands how to treat each other .  

I hope that everyone has a great weekend.  This group of students has really set my weekend in motion.  

Take Care,

Greg Grana  

 

Writing Introductory Paragraphs

Mrs. Gord's 6th grade Language Arts classes came up with a couple of interesting ways to remember what information is most essential to include in an introductory paragraph.  The idea to write songs (and dance routine) came right from the students.  Check them out... the clips are brief and should bring a little holiday cheer to you!

Have a great week!

Chris