Woodlawn Principals' Blog 1/11/13

Welcome back!  It was great to see our students return from Winter Break! We are off to a good start as we plunge into a very busy January. 

Please visit the PTO newsletter link at the top of this page!

Placement & MAP TESTS

This week, we have Stevenson placement tests for our 8^th graders on Monday through Thursday.  Our 8^th graders will also be taking the Spanish placement test the following week.  All 6^th & 7^th graders, along with chosen 8^th graders will be taking MAP tests this week as well.  Reading and Math are the focus for our MAP tests.  Please make sure that your students are getting plenty of rest and a good, nutritious breakfast every day!  I am very excited about the placement tests because our students are ready!

District 96 Foundation Winners

I am proud to announce the following.... Several Woodlawn staff members are recipients of the 2013 Staff Innovative Grant Awards sponsored by the District 96 Foundation. This year’s initiative was created to recognize those applicants whose projects concretely displayed innovation. Woodlawn’s winners were among twelve finalists whose ideas not only exemplified professional commitment to excellence in learning, but captured novel methods and/or technologies to elevate and advance student performance. Congratulations Liz Kile, Jessica Woods, and Michelle Ponsolle-Mays!  If you wish to find out more about each winner’s project(s), stop by the display in the main office.

Parents, mark your calendar for this upcoming District 96 SEL program

Working well with others, demonstrating empathy, managing emotions, making positive choices–these are essential life skills for success in the workplace and the world. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) addresses helping students build these important skills.


• How is District 96 implementing social and emotional learning? What does SEL look like in D96 elementary and middle school classrooms? 

Please plan to attend the SEL parent program on Tues., Jan. 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mat Room at Ivy Hall School, 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove. Staff will discuss the influence of SEL in their classrooms and Student Services Director Kimberly Dahlem and Assistant Student Services Director Kim Lechner will explain district wide SEL goals.  District 96 is focused on educating the whole child.  Social Emotional and academic learning go hand in hand for students to have success. 

Mid Terms

Mid Term for second trimester is upon us.  You can expect a phone call from teachers if your child is currently in the D/F range in any of their classes.  Additionally, if you have concerns or questions about the grades your student currently has, please contact your teachers. 

Student E-mail

Starting Monday, students will have access to a District 96 email account. For more information, please check out specific information from our Technology Department.  These student accounts are secure and that they will be closely monitored. Students will be educated over the next couple of weeks as to what they can do with their D96 e-mail account.  Make sure you read the link to so that students are clear on what the expectations are for usage.