Elementary School

Top 5 Reasons to Attend Parent University!
In addition to the incredible sessions we have planned for you, here are 5 other great reasons you should attend Parent University…
5. Complimentary Coffee & Snacks ☕🍿
4. Free Childcare with Crafts & Activities for children ages 3 - 12 🎨
3. Community Partners & Resources 🤝
2. Amazing Speakers - Dedicated & Passionate Educators 💚
1. Raffle Prizes! Top prize - $100 Gift Card 🎉
(Photos from Previous Parent University Events)
Learn more and register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR1n9CSIZ4qjVNP8QPxXH8VUrlFrsZcYJ4uW7HY7pbmUkDRQ/viewform
Event Details & List of Topics: https://www.dist50.net/page/parent-university

Congratulations to James and Thomas for being recognized with a Young Citizenship Award from The Exchange Club of Gurnee! These students were selected for recognition based on the categories of Citizenship, Attitude, Academics, Service, and Leadership. Mr. Sheldon and Mrs. Drake spoke about how these students contribute to a positive learning environment at Woodland Intermediate and Woodland Middle School.
In addition to recognizing these amazing Woodland students, the Exchange Club presented Gurnee area schools with new American Flags. We appreciate this ongoing support from our wonderful community partners at the Exchange Club. #LifeintheW

Our Elementary Wildcats had a special visit from the Gurnee Fire Department today to learn all about fire safety! 🔥🚒

Some of our students impressed the firefighters (and their classmates) by showing off their fire safety knowledge with a Stop, Drop, and Roll demonstration.

The visit wrapped up with a look at the gear firefighters use to stay safe while protecting our community.

A big thank-you to the Gurnee Fire Department for stopping by and helping our Wildcats stay safe and prepared!

Ms. Graff's class had a great time playing an adjective game! They worked on describing pumpkins using different adjectives, then brought their pumpkins to life with a fun craft project.

Thank you Ms. Graff for sending in these awesome pics!

Thank you to Village of Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood, and Warren Township Supervisor Elmer Fallos for joining the Woodland and River Trail Parent Mentors for a "Beyond the Classroom" training today. AND Congratulations to Gurnee School District 56 for joining the Parent Mentor Network. We are so excited for you to see the impact that parent mentors have in the classroom!
Both Woodland and Gurnee 56 are currently looking for additional Parent Mentors. Fill out the interest form HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjAwrBarPnAZTFRRFPKUYibYKS-VFx6rxBB9_6nbg3rsr96Q/viewform

Today is National Custodian Appreciation Day. Please join us in thanking our incredible Woodland custodians!
Our custodial team works tirelessly every single day to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming for students, staff, and families. From classrooms and hallways, to cafeterias and gyms, their hard work allows our Wildcats to learn and grow in a healthy, comfortable space. Please take a moment to show your appreciation for the custodians who help keep Woodland running! This is #LifeintheW

October is National Principals Month, where we have the opportunity to recognize dedicated school leaders for the important role they play in our Woodland learning community. The celebration will last all month long because in Illinois, Principal Appreciation Week is October 20–24, and Principal Appreciation Day is Friday, October 24.

This month, we are celebrating the hard work, leadership, and never-ending support our principals provide every single day. From guiding our staff, to inspiring our students, to connecting with families, our principals are key to success in #LifeintheW!

Please join us in showing your appreciation for the countless ways they make a difference in our schools and in the lives of our Wildcats. #ThankAPrincipal

The last day of September brings a close to Attendance Awareness Month! Our schools have been celebrating the importance of attendance during the month; however, even though the month is done, building strong attendance habits continues all year long!
Today, Wiley stopped by to celebrate our classrooms in Elementary that showed great attendance. Wiley’s visit was a way to recognize the teamwork between families, students, and staff in building strong habits that support learning and success, and to cheer on and encourage our Wildcats to keep showing up!
Thank you for working with us to make daily attendance a priority. When our Wildcats are “Here Today, they are Ready for Tomorrow!”

Woodland's districtwide Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration event is this Saturday! We hope to see you there #LifeintheW
Date: Saturday, Oct. 4
Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Woodland Middle School
Please join us for performances, music, arts & crafts, displays, and friendship!

The celebration of new Woodland teachers/staff continues. Please join us in giving a warm #LifeintheW welcome to Jaci Farstead! Recently, we visited Mrs. Farstead’s class at Woodland Elementary where she and her students were working hard on Geography and labeling maps with continents and countries. Teaching has been a dream of Mrs. Farstead her whole life and she is very excited to bring her passion and dedication to Woodland and our Wildcats!
We’ll continue highlighting our new staff members over the next few weeks, so keep those welcome wishes coming! 💚

The Woodland D50 Board of Education will meet on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Please note: The meeting starts at 6 p.m., but the first item on the agenda is a closed session. The public meeting will begin immediately following the closed session when the Board of Education returns to open session at approximately 7 p.m.
Watch on Woodland Live: https://www.youtube.com/@woodlandlive9671
Agenda: https://5il.co/3q5ua

This was a busy week of training for Woodland's Parent Mentors! They are ready to join their partner teacher in the classroom starting next week. This morning they had a meet and greet with the Principals and presented their versions of a "Perfect School" and explained how they will lead with their head, heart and feet.
It's not too late to join the program! If you are interested in supporting students and teachers in the classroom, please fill out this parent interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjAwrBarPnAZTFRRFPKUYibYKS-VFx6rxBB9_6nbg3rsr96Q/viewform

Thank you for attending the first Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting of the year! We had a great turnout to hear from Martha Lucía Aristizábal, a bilingual therapist from Warren Township Youth and Family Services. The topic was “How to help your children prepare for the start of the school year.” While the adults were engaging in the discussion, students were busy crafting with Woodland Dual Language teachers! Thank you to the United Way, Community Trust Credit Union, Starbucks, Jewel Osco, Waukegan Park District and Tacos El Norte for donating prizes and materials for this event. #LifeintheW
Save the Date for the next BPAC Meeting - Nov. 6
https://www.dist50.net/o/dist50/page/bpac

REMINDER: School Picture Day is Coming Soon!
Order in advance using the link you received from your school principal.
Elementary - Sept. 17

Middle - Sept. 18

Intermediate - Sept. 19

Primary - Sept. 24 & 25

Arigatō! Elementary students had special visitors from Japan today. A group of Japanese graduate students are studying to be teachers and they are visiting the United States through a program at the College of Lake County. The future teachers taught Woodland students the art of origami and answered questions about schools in Japan. Many students were excited to hear that soccer and Fortnite are also popular in Japan! #LifeintheW

The Parent Mentor Program is growing, and having tons of fun while doing so... Please join us for a quick information session to find out how you can be part of the Parent Mentor Program this year!
Sept. 9 - Primary, 8 - 8:30 (Champions Gym)
Sept. 9 - Intermediate, 9 - 9:30 a.m. (Rm W230)
Sept. 10 - Elementary, 8 - 8:30 a.m. (Rm 123)
https://www.dist50.net/page/parent-mentor-program

The celebration of new Woodland teachers/staff continues! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Courtney Odden to the #LifeintheW! An alum of Woodland, Courtney is excited once again be a Wildcat and give back to the community she loves.

We’ll continue highlighting our new staff members over the next few weeks, so keep those welcome wishes coming! 💚

As we get further into the start of the school year, we’re excited to introduce and celebrate some of our new Woodland teachers! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Linsey Ryan, who is starting her first year as a full-time Woodland teacher after serving as a long-term substitute last year.

We’ll continue highlighting our new staff members over the next few weeks—so keep those welcome wishes coming! 💚 #LifeintheW

Ms. Oballe’s 1st grade class was practicing their letter and spelling. They went on a hunt around their classroom to find words that began with the letter “i”.