Today is DAY ONE of Parent Mentor training and we are so excited to welcome new (and returning) Parent Mentors to the team! After they complete training, the mentors will be assigned to a classroom where they will directly support teachers and students.
Parent mentors volunteer four days a week for two hours a day. While in the classroom they work one-on-one with students, lead small group activities, and support the classroom teacher. They also participate in weekly training and workshops to increase their skills and proficiency.
It's not too late! You can still sign up to be a Parent Mentor. Learn more here: https://www.dist50.net/article/3069871
Congratulations to Mallorie! She is a former Woodland Parent Mentor, and now she is the new Parent Mentor Coordinator for Gurnee School District 56! Woodland 50 and Gurnee 56 teamed up to train together throughout the week.
Parent mentors volunteer four days a week for two hours a day. While in the classroom they work one-on-one with students, lead small group activities, and support the classroom teacher. They also participate in weekly training and workshops to increase their skills and proficiency.
It's not too late! You can still sign up to be a Parent Mentor. Learn more here: https://www.dist50.net/article/3069871
Congratulations to Mallorie! She is a former Woodland Parent Mentor, and now she is the new Parent Mentor Coordinator for Gurnee School District 56! Woodland 50 and Gurnee 56 teamed up to train together throughout the week.
Ms. Watt and her students spent some time reading one of their new books! As they read, students looked closely at how the illustrations helped them better understand the story and then worked on identifying the different parts of the plot - the beginning, the middle and the end.
This is the joy of reading in the classroom!
This is the joy of reading in the classroom!
Today marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. We remember and honor the lives lost in the tragic events of that day. We remember the heroism and courage of every day heroes who rushed to help others. We remember the kindness of strangers and our ability to come together and support each other through the worst of times. These memories reinforce the promise that many of us made that day to “Never Forget”.
Photo 1: This photo was taken early this morning at Woodland Middle School by Kenny Lohfink (Operations & Facilities) after lowering the flag to half-staff.
Photo 2: District employees gathered outside the Educational Support Center for a moment of silence and to share reflections and memories on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
Photo 1: This photo was taken early this morning at Woodland Middle School by Kenny Lohfink (Operations & Facilities) after lowering the flag to half-staff.
Photo 2: District employees gathered outside the Educational Support Center for a moment of silence and to share reflections and memories on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
Coffee & Conversation!
Dr. Machak invites you to stop by the district office for a casual conversation and a cup of coffee after you drop your student off at school. There is no formal agenda. This is an open house format designed to be social. Ask questions, share feedback, or simply visit with other Wildcat families.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Woodland's Educational Support Center, 1105 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
Not Able To Attend? Share Your Voice Here!
Community Voice Suggestion Box - https://forms.gle/5FzYbRxddHZWDPch9
RSVP to Yuliana Yucus at yyucus@dist50.net
Dr. Machak invites you to stop by the district office for a casual conversation and a cup of coffee after you drop your student off at school. There is no formal agenda. This is an open house format designed to be social. Ask questions, share feedback, or simply visit with other Wildcat families.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Woodland's Educational Support Center, 1105 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
Not Able To Attend? Share Your Voice Here!
Community Voice Suggestion Box - https://forms.gle/5FzYbRxddHZWDPch9
RSVP to Yuliana Yucus at yyucus@dist50.net
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Mr. Brian Todorovic - Data Analytics Manager
• Ms. Abby Dixon - Social Worker at Woodland Intermediate
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Mr. Brian Todorovic - Data Analytics Manager
• Ms. Abby Dixon - Social Worker at Woodland Intermediate
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Mr. Michael Brierton - Physical Education Teacher at Woodland Intermediate
• Mr. Quintin Fiala - Physical Education Teacher at Woodland Elementary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Mr. Michael Brierton - Physical Education Teacher at Woodland Intermediate
• Mr. Quintin Fiala - Physical Education Teacher at Woodland Elementary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
New curriculum in action! 💚🐯
In Ms. Chandrasekar’s class, our Wildcats are growing their reading and literacy skills!
In Ms. Chandrasekar’s class, our Wildcats are growing their reading and literacy skills!
A huge thank you to our AMAZING bus drivers for keeping "cool" 😎 in these hot temperatures! We appreciate you! #LifeintheW
WEDNESDAY: Team Up for Good Attendance - Wear your favorite sports team shirt or colors!
Looks like a few of the students in Ms. Beaudry's class will be cheering for the Bears this football season.
This week we are kicking off Attendance Awareness Month with a districtwide spirit week. Increasing overall student daily attendance is one of the three main goals of the Woodland Board of Education.
It's not too late to participate!
🦸♂️ THURSDAY: Favorite Character Day (Wear a shirt with your favorite character or colors)
💚🐯 FRIDAY: Be Present Be Proud Day (Wear green & white or Woodland spirit wear)
Looks like a few of the students in Ms. Beaudry's class will be cheering for the Bears this football season.
This week we are kicking off Attendance Awareness Month with a districtwide spirit week. Increasing overall student daily attendance is one of the three main goals of the Woodland Board of Education.
It's not too late to participate!
🦸♂️ THURSDAY: Favorite Character Day (Wear a shirt with your favorite character or colors)
💚🐯 FRIDAY: Be Present Be Proud Day (Wear green & white or Woodland spirit wear)
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Ms. Valerie James - 1st Grade Teacher at Woodland Elementary
• Ms. Danielle Dechter - 3rd Grade Teacher at Woodland Elementary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Ms. Valerie James - 1st Grade Teacher at Woodland Elementary
• Ms. Danielle Dechter - 3rd Grade Teacher at Woodland Elementary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
It’s Spirit Week at Woodland!
We are celebrating Attendance in the W all week long. Attendance matters and showing up every day makes a difference in out students’ learning, growth, and success.
If you need a little inspiration for what to wear each day, check out what our Family Coordinators would wear to show their spirit!
Keep showing up, Wildcats!
#AttendanceWorks #LifeintheW #YourPresenceMatters
We are celebrating Attendance in the W all week long. Attendance matters and showing up every day makes a difference in out students’ learning, growth, and success.
If you need a little inspiration for what to wear each day, check out what our Family Coordinators would wear to show their spirit!
Keep showing up, Wildcats!
#AttendanceWorks #LifeintheW #YourPresenceMatters
Safety in the W! It is very important to go over safety procedures and conduct safety drills at the beginning of the school year. This week, students went over how to evacuate through the back of the bus in the event of an emergency. Thank you to the Transportation team for providing guidance, and helping our students and teachers practice!
Here are just a few photos from the bus evacuation drill at Elementary and Intermediate.
Here are just a few photos from the bus evacuation drill at Elementary and Intermediate.
Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Wilinski want to know what is your favorite sport? 🤩
They hope your school year is off to a beautiful start!
They hope your school year is off to a beautiful start!
The first week of school is coming to an end, and our Elementary Wildcats celebrated with an all-school assembly, where staff and students reviewed our ROAR expectations for the new school year:
R – Respectful
O – Ownership
A – Accepting
R – Ready
Without a doubt, these Wildcats are ready to ROAR this school year!
R – Respectful
O – Ownership
A – Accepting
R – Ready
Without a doubt, these Wildcats are ready to ROAR this school year!
Our Elementary Wildcats are BACK and ready to take on the new school year! #LifeintheW
Welcome back to our amazing staff and dedicated team members–both new and returning! Thank you for joining us this morning as we kicked off the new school year together. It was so exciting to see our staff back together, connecting with one another, and ready to celebrate the exciting year ahead!
Elementary was buzzing during Popsicles with the Principal yesterday! Students and their families arrived ready to meet their new principal and APs, practice getting on and off the bus, and cool off with a popsicle or two!
Celebrate us today! WMS: Back to School Bash, 3 - 5 p.m.
Stay connected to District News, Events, Information, and Reminders with the Woodland ROAR Report. This is the weekly district newsletter. Look for it by email or text every Friday morning during the school year.
Here is the Aug. 7 edition - https://app.smore.com/n/mqnpy
Find a greeting from Dr. Machak, information about finding your child's teacher assignment in Skyward Family Access after 3 p.m. today, and transportation information for the first few days of school.
(If you did not receive the ROAR Report by text or email this morning, please reach out to Brooke Hagstrom at BHagstrom@dist50.net to make sure your contact information is correct in our system.)
#LifeintheW
Here is the Aug. 7 edition - https://app.smore.com/n/mqnpy
Find a greeting from Dr. Machak, information about finding your child's teacher assignment in Skyward Family Access after 3 p.m. today, and transportation information for the first few days of school.
(If you did not receive the ROAR Report by text or email this morning, please reach out to Brooke Hagstrom at BHagstrom@dist50.net to make sure your contact information is correct in our system.)
#LifeintheW
Welcome New Wildcats! 🐯💚
There is so much happening at Woodland as we make our way closer to the start of school. Our newest #LifeintheW team members officially kicked off the school year at New Teacher Orientation today. These Wildcats connected with district and school leaders, signed in to their district devices, met their mentors and new coworkers, and got excited for the new school year. We are so excited to have these educators as part of our learning community!
There is so much happening at Woodland as we make our way closer to the start of school. Our newest #LifeintheW team members officially kicked off the school year at New Teacher Orientation today. These Wildcats connected with district and school leaders, signed in to their district devices, met their mentors and new coworkers, and got excited for the new school year. We are so excited to have these educators as part of our learning community!
SPOTTED: Ms. Van Anrooy and Ms. Burens setting up a “lab classroom” at Elementary to put their training into practice! Lab classrooms showcase new instructional strategies, curriculum materials, and learning tools to bring the things we have been learning through training and professional development to life. These classrooms will be a place to learn, collaborate, and gather ideas for implementing exciting new practices throughout the school year. Featured in the background of this photo, Ms. Van Anrooy’s new UFLI Sound Wall in progress!
