Anyone know where I parked my Ark?

Wow, am I patting myself on the back this week... last fall, the lovely Mrs. Murphy and I decided to invest in a new sump pump and battery back-up, and boy are we happy with that decision.  Our power flickered a bit yesterday, and yet, our basement stayed nice and dry.  Hopefully, you were just as fortunate...

Please click on the PTO Newsletter link above.

Spring Book Fair
Speaking of the PTO... the Woodlawn community enjoyed a wonderful day at the Deer Park Barnes & Noble last Saturday.  We had a terrific parent and student turnout in support of the Spring book drive.  Students performed, sang, and read to children.  Mr. Donofrio, Mrs. Blair, Mr. Grana and I served customers in the cafe.  And Barnes & Noble made a healthy donation in support of Woodlawn.  We couldn't be more appreciative to all involved.

Here's some of the action...

Woodlawn Band

Lunch in the Cafe

 Fiddler on the Roof Cast

Special Guest Performers, Ms. Peters and her acclaimed tenor of a husband, Mr. Donald Kaasch

Scholastic Bowl

Superintendent Schmidt Subbed for a Day in PE
Superintendent Schmidt joined our PE classes this week.  She helped facilitate Tug o'War competitions between students.  We're always glad when she can join us, and she definitely had a great time hanging out with teachers and students.

Here's the meeting of the minds using formative data on the fly to regroup students during class...

Here are a couple of 8th grade teams competing...

Here is the 8th grade championship team competing against Mr. Berry and Mr. Frishman (and, no, Mr. Donofrio was not cheating!).

Mark your calendars...
4/23: Early Release Schedule
4/24: UPDATED Track meet, Fremont @ Woodlawn (rescheduled from 4/25)
4/29-5/10: Spring MAP Testing for all 6/7g students and select 8g students
5/1: UPDATED Track meet, West Oak @ Woodlawn (rescheduled from 4/11)
5/1, 5/2: Spring Musical: Fiddler on the Roof, Curtain goes up at 7pm
5/6 - 5/10: Teacher Appreciation Week
5/7: Early Release Schedule
5/10: ELL Cultural Day (Contact Ms. Yu for more information)
5/11: Mr. Murphy's Birthday
5/15: Orchestra Concert, 7pm
5/16: Band Concert, 7pm



Here's a picture of our set design team getting backgrounds ready for the musical...

LEAP Presents
Students recently presented their self-selected monologues, n which they recorded in our Tech Lab studios, to demonstrate their reading fluency.  It was a great celebration for the students who all enjoyed a bit of popcorn as they cheered each other on!

  

Finally, on a serious note regarding student use of social media services: Greg and I would very much appreciate that all parents have a conversation with your kids about social media services this weekend.  We've come a long way from AOL Instant Messenger, so please ask your students what forms of social media they use and how they use it.  Be mindful with whom students are communicating, which images or videos they share, and discuss your family expectations regarding accessibility limits.  

As a school, we are limited as to how far we can reach and support you when difficult situations arise with social media at home, but know that we have network filters in place that block access to a number of social media websites when students are on campus.  We expect that all students adhere to District 96's Student Acceptable Use Policy.  Click here for more information about Board Policy regarding technology usage.

I remember living in an era when my friends would call my house, and my parents could put a name to a voice; or my friends would ring the doorbell, and my parents could put a name to a face.  Today is different.  Many student interactions occur without those levels of basic parent involvement.  So, for those parents that regularly engage their students in conversations about social media, we wholeheartedly say, "Thank you."

If you have any questions or concerns about social media use in school, don't hesitate to give us a call at school, or stop by for a chat... the old fashioned way.

Best,

Chris