Woodlawn State of the Union 2/15/13

Before we begin, please visit the PTO Newsletter link at the top of this page!

Welcome to President’s Day Weekend!  After watching the State of the Union speech this week, and knowing that I will never be the commander in chief, I will have to settle on presiding over Woodlawn Middle School.  Imagine myself standing at the podium in a nice suit, Old Glory hanging from the rafters behind me, Mr. Murphy seated behind my right shoulder (obligated to clap at everything I say) and over my left shoulder, the next in line of succession, which would obviously be Mrs. Kupsco.   Envisioning that as the backdrop…

Madam Administrative Assistant, Assistant Principal Murphy, Teacher Representatives and the Woodlawn Community, it is my honor to keep you up to date with the state of Woodlawn this week.  On this past Monday evening at Ivy Hall School, we met to discuss the realities of the Common Core.  It was a lively crowd, many of whom had serious questions surrounding the most pressing Common Core  issues of the day.  Here is a brief recap of the details from that evening:

COMMON CORE UPDATE

Thanks to those of you who came to Monday night's presentation about the new Common Core State Standards. For those of you who couldn't come or want to know more, please take a look at the presentation. 

You may wonder what we mean when we refer to the Common Core Standards. The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new Math and English Language Arts standards for K‐12 education known as the Common Core Standards.  The goal is to better prepare students for success in college and the workforce in a competitive global economy. 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. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. 

Forty-five states, including Illinois, have adopted the Common Core Standards. Why has Illinois opted to adopt these new standards?

•                Our expectations for what students must know and be able to demonstrate were different in 1997 when Illinois adopted the current standards.

•                The new standards aim to provide clear, consistent academic benchmarks with “fewer, clearer and higher” academic standards for essential learning and skills. The standards were developed while considering the standards of top performing countries and the strengths of current state standards.

•                The 2010 state standards provide benchmarks for academic progress (skills and knowledge) that students should have at the conclusion of each grade level. This will allow teachers to establish the best approach to help their students meet those standards.

•                Students and parents will clearly understand the knowledge students are expected to attain each year.

Please visit the Common Core website, where you can learn more about the rationale for the standards and view the standards themselves. As always, feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss or learn more. 

To be clear, the Common Core Standards define WHAT we teach and WHAT we expect students to know and be able to do. In next week's blog, I'll write to explain how the Common Core Standards are related to but very different from Standards-Based Reporting, which defines HOW we report student achievement. Also, we'll provide a link to our specific pacing guides so you can see how the targets are structured and instructed...and so you can help your child based on the pacing of the targets themselves.

Chorus Concert

Ladies and gentlemen, on top of the Common Core this week, we the people were able to witness amazing singing performances from the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade chorus members.  Since the children are our future, I feel confident that these talented individuals will lead us forward.  Ms. Wesbecher and the students sang an assortment of melodies, and made all of us proud. 

D96 Foundation

When you talk about America, what could say freedom more than a baseball game and hot dogs?  Since it is too cold for baseball the next best thing is our District 96 Foundation fundraiser this Saturday, March 16^th  at Weiner Take All restaurant from Noon until 8p.m.  Democrats, Republicans and Independents are all welcome to join the festivities and get 10% of your purchase donated to the D96 PTO’s.  This is the type of bipartisan support we need in order to have growth and prosperity. 

ISAT Dates

Education has been a priority during my administration, and letting parents know where their children stand is essential!  Woodlawn will continue to show the county, state, nation and world, that these students are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.  Parents, ask not what is in it for you, ask what you can do for your student.  My recommendation is to get your children plenty of rest, make sure they have a healthy breakfast and it is essential that they report to school on time. 

Here is a listing of ISAT dates:

Wednesday, March 6--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Thursday, March 7--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Friday, March 8--testing all day for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

Monday, March 11--testing all day for 7th grade only

Stevenson Parent Network

Technology is essential, but you have to know what your students are up to and with whom they are talking.  All Woodlawn parents should see this event:

IS THERE AN APP FOR THAT? PARENTING YOUR PLUGGED-IN TEEN

Do you wonder what teens are really DOING with the tablets and smartphones that seem surgically attached?

The Community Parent Network invites all interested parents to hear Dr. Devorah Heitner, Lake Forest College professor of media studies, discuss the writing and research on teens' use of technology. This free program for parents will focus on topics relevant to teens age 12+. Mark your calendar to attend on Mon., Mar. 11, 7 p.m., Twin Groves Middle School Cafeteria, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove. An informed and humorous speaker with unique, in-depth understanding of her topic, Dr. Heitner will address the world of the digital native–kids today–including privacy, friending, popular apps and their purpose, creative ways to use technology to bring families together, and much more. 

This program is sponsored by the Stevenson High School Foundation, the Community Parent Network, D125 PPA, D103 PTO, D103 Learning Fund Foundation, D96 Foundation, D102, D76, and D73 PTO. Questions? Send email to CommunityParentNetwork@gmail.com  Request a reminder email

I would like to conclude my inaugural State of Woodlawn with this thought.  Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.  (I know that it was Lou Gehrig who said that, but it is just so cool.  Thanks for humoring me. 

Mr. Grana