Elementary School

Woodland students joined students from around the world in an Hour of Code this week. These second grade students practiced their coding skills in the Elementary Library by coding Botley robots. You can learn more about the Hour of Code initiative at code.org.

Giving in the W! Thank you to our many volunteers for lending a helping hand to support the Woodland learning community on a chilly evening. We received so many generous donations over the past few weeks that helped make the Annual Food Drive event a success. Thank you to all who brought in non-perishable foods during the various donation drives and contests at each school, attended one of the food drive events in the community, donated online, or offered your time in support of this effort. We couldn't have done it without you! #LifeintheW

Scenes from Elementary’s Winter Parties! Part 2 of 2
Students spent the morning building snowmen, creating winter/holiday themed crafts, and playing reindeer games. Thanks to our amazing Teachers and Parent Volunteers, our Wildcats wrapped up the week with some well-deserved festive fun! ❄️☃️
#LifeintheW

Scenes from Elementary’s Winter Parties! Part 1 of 2
Students spent the morning building snowmen, throwing snowballs, playing games, and pinning the nose on Olaf. Thanks to our amazing Teachers and Parent Volunteers, our Wildcats wrapped up the week with some well-deserved festive fun!

One of our all time favorite partnerships!
Thank you to the amazing High School Mentors from Warren Township High School for spending time with our Wildcats every Wednesday morning.
The high school has late start on Wednesdays, but instead of sleeping in, these Blue Devils head to Woodland Elementary to start their day volunteering in the community. The high school students read, play games, and spend time talking one-on-one or in small groups with our students. They are great role models and mentors for the 1st/2nd/3rd grade students they are partnered with. #LifeintheW #WeAreWarren 💚🤍💙💛

Woodland is currently accepting letters of interest and applications to fill two vacancies on the Board of Education resulting from the resignations of Board Members Amy Sabor and Michael Senol.

Please read the announcement to learn more about the opportunity and the application process:
https://app.smore.com/n/mzyns

We ❤️ our community! Woodland has partnered with Warren Township to bring volunteers into our schools to read with our elementary students. Thank you, Community Readers, for spending time with our Wildcats, talking with them, and brightening their day with a friendly smile!

Thank you to all of our Woodland friends for joining us at Elementary's Shop with an Educator event on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025! We filled up one of our buses with your generous donations to the food drive.

This is a big week for the FOOD DRIVE! Please join us at one of these events to help boost donations. Or you can bring your donations to any of the schools throughout the week. Deadline - Dec. 10, 2025.
Dec. 1 - Elementary Shop with an Educator, 4 - 7 p.m. at Target
Dec. 3 - Stuff the Bus, 4:30 - 7 p.m. (Jewel, Marianos, Aldi, Butera)
Dec. 4 - Primary Shop with an Educator, 4 - 7 p.m. at Walmart
BONUS! If you join the Woodland PTA 50 Raise Right effort, you can support two things at once.
Learn more: https://www.dist50.net/page/annual-holiday-food-drive

Did you see the news about Mr. Reardon moving to a new position in the District Office? The Board of Education appointed Mr. Reardon to Assistant Director of Human Resources starting July 1, 2026. That means we are currently searching for a new Elementary Principal in the 2026-2027 school year. Woodland is seeking a dedicated, passionate, and student-centered educator to join the #LifeintheW team! Please help us spread the word.

Explore this position and more on our Careers Page:
https://www.applitrack.com/dist50/OnlineApp/default.aspx

REMINDER: Schedule for the Week!
🍂November 24 and 25 will be half-days of student attendance for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
🍁The district will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (November 26-28) for Thanksgiving Break.
Conferences Half Day Schedule - Student Dismissal Times:
🍂 Primary - 10:40 a.m.
🍁 Elementary - 10:50 a.m.
🍂 Middle School - 11:35 a.m.
🍁 Intermediate - 12:20 p.m.

Please welcome Det. Brittany Tazzioli to the School Resource Officer (SRO) Team! Brittany will be working with Det. Hansen to support our learning community.

Det. Tazzioli has been an officer with the Gurnee Police Department for more than eight years, and has served in law enforcement for 10 years. She is excited to work with our Wildcats and help support our district with compassion, care, and connection!

If you see Brittany around, make sure to welcome her to #LifeintheW!

The Heart of Local Education

November 15 is School Board Members Day in Illinois. We would like to take a moment to recognize and thank our Woodland Board of Education Members for their outstanding efforts and dedication to our Woodland learning community.

⭐ Thank you ⭐
President Brianna Powvens, Vice-President Amy Sabor, Secretary Joel Zwiefelhofer, Dr. Carla Little, Julia Plescia, Keri Rasmussen, and Michael Senol.

We are grateful for the time, care, and commitment you invest in our schools. Your leadership and dedication make Woodland a great place to learn, grow, and thrive!

Now Hiring! We have an opportunity to join the #LifeintheW team. Check out this position, and others on our Careers page: https://www.applitrack.com/dist50/OnlineApp/default.aspx

Ms. Benjamin's 2nd grade class made a new friend on Veterans Day. Say "hi" to Buddy! 👋
Buddy is Ms. Benjamin's 94-year old grandfather, and he served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He explained that he recently had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. as part of the Lake County Honor Flight and showed the students photos of his trip. The students at Elementary are collecting coins this week to donate to the Honor Flight! (Last year we raised almost $3,000 and were able to send two veterans on their honor flight.)
Thank you for your service, Buddy. ❤️🤍💙 #LifeintheW

Woodland is celebrating Veterans Day across the district with special events and recognition for staff and family members who served our country. We stopped by Elementary, where veterans and active service members spoke to our students about their roles and experiences in the military. Our Wildcats also learned how to deliver a sharp and respectful salute!❤️🤍💙#LifeintheW

Today we honor and celebrate Veterans in our schools, community, and across our country.

Thank you for you service and dedication.

Microtia Awareness Day was Nov. 9! Learn more in this video from Ms. Pierson and a few of our Woodland Students. Ms. Pierson is Woodland's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist/Hearing Itinerant Teacher. Great tips from our students by how to be a good friend. https://youtu.be/_l-P8wI4R9Q?si=BUWMk8Jkvp4_8KlE

National School Psychology Week is here and at Woodland we want to celebrate our hard working school psychologists. The work they do is instrumental in helping our students navigate their own unique paths and grow, succeed, and thrive. Thank you for all the work you do for our students and learning community!

#LifeintheW #SchoolPsychWeek #FindingYourPath

Take a look behind the scenes as the Wildcat Media Group puts together the Woodland Elementary Morning Announcements! The students are responsible for recording, creating, and editing the school’s morning announcements with Ms. Brooks & Ms. Watt. Club members participate in on-camera segments, read scripts, and assist with technology as part of the production process. It was so fun watching the creation process in action as the students helped each other adjust mics, practice lines, and edit their scripts on the fly! #LifeintheW