Happy Mother's Day

This week was Teacher Appreciation week and our PTO did an amazing job of recognizing our entire staff.  Each day of the week was celebrated with a breakfast, lunch, breakfast for lunch or cookie day. Friday was topped off with a “thanks for your commit-mint” treat bag that was a big hit with the staff.  I am speaking for the entire Woodlawn staff when I say that we are truly partners with the parents in this community, making our school a great place to learn.  Personally, I am extremely proud of the staff here at Woodlawn and I know how much each individual in this building cares for the well being of your children.  I think it would really show your support for our PTO by going to their newsletter right now! The link is at the top of the page.

Security

District 96 has installed new safety systems at the main entrances of each school.  For those of you who have visited Woodlawn this week, thank you for your patience and understanding as we attempt to refine our new system.  For anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to experience our new video and lock system, as an extra level of security, we are now able to monitor people as they approach the building and “buzz” them into the building through each of the two doors leading into the main office.  I find this humorous, but thus far the biggest issues have been:

1)    Visitors holding the “buzz in” button and then trying to talk

2)    Visitors getting stuck in the foyer because they are trying to turn the handle on the main door to the office

3)    Students who are tardy to school, finding the doors locked, and trying to get into the building

4)    Human error on the part of the office staff, often looking like Mrs. Whiggins on the Carol Burnett Show

Seriously, I have had a lot of positive comments from the parents saying that they appreciate the extra level of security.

End of the year field trip

We try to reward our students at the end of the year as an appreciation for their hard work, good behavior and positive attitudes throughout the school year.  When doing an end of the year field trip or event, we tie it to the curriculum and keep learning a part of the event.  Yesterday, our 6^th graders were rewarded with a trip to the theater to watch “The Croods”.  When this idea was brought to me initially, I was highly skeptical.  I wanted to know how this related to our curriculum and what would our students be learning.  I was told that the teachers would be assessing the students' understanding of the theme of the movie (one of our LA targets), discussing how some of the characters portrayed the characteristics of a hero (which connects to our current narrative writing target), and comparing the fictional portrayal of early cave men to the factual information (exaggerated vs factual history) they learned in Social Studies this year.  Additionally, the movie started out with the showing of Pangaea, which they learned in both Science and Social Studies.  Most importantly, it was fun and they may have learned something while spending time outside of the school walls with their friends.  

Here is a legal disclaimer

***LAWN TREATMENT APPLICATION NOTICE***

District 96 uses Integrated Pest Management--a program that combines preventive techniques, non-chemical methods (such as bait traps), and the appropriate use of pesticides (with a preference for products least harmful to human health and the environment).

On the weekend of May 11 & 12, 2013 the District 96 lawn treatment provider Zenith Landscape Group will treat grass areas adjacent to all District buildings. Signs will be posted to indicate that the treatments have been applied. In the event of rain, the applications will occur on the following weekend, May 18 & 19, 2013.

Mother’s Day

I would like to wish all our Woodlawn moms a Happy Mother’s Day.  You are all fabulous and you should be proud of how your children represent you here at school. We lost some wonderful moms this year, and my hope is that students or family members do something yourselves on Sunday that would celebrate their lives. 

Have a great week!  

Mr. G-