Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and we asked our Woodland teachers to share their best advice, tips, and helpful ways families can prepare. We want to make these conferences as meaningful, encouraging, and helpful as possible for both families and students.
"These Spring conferences are student-driven guided by the teacher, of course. This should be an opportunity to celebrate your student and their hard work, success and achievement. Take advantage of it! And be sure to celebrate your student's efforts every day they bring finished work home. As you know, they thrive on positive feedback and celebrating their work does wonders for their confidence; alternatively, not celebrating it can send a message that their work and their efforts are not important. Please celebrate your student and their efforts each and every day!"
- Kathy Schumann, 1st Grade Dual Teacher
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"Here are activities to do at home that support home-school connections:
Clean up when you are done playing;
Stay at an activity for a period of time before going to the next activity;
Have your child take off their own coat and bag;
Hand washing;
Following directions and multiple step directions;
Asking for help using words and or sign language.
I know it can be hard to wait, but letting your child try is the best way to prepare them for school and beyond."
- Elizabeth Gaulin, Instructional K Teacher
"These Spring conferences are student-driven guided by the teacher, of course. This should be an opportunity to celebrate your student and their hard work, success and achievement. Take advantage of it! And be sure to celebrate your student's efforts every day they bring finished work home. As you know, they thrive on positive feedback and celebrating their work does wonders for their confidence; alternatively, not celebrating it can send a message that their work and their efforts are not important. Please celebrate your student and their efforts each and every day!"
- Kathy Schumann, 1st Grade Dual Teacher
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"Here are activities to do at home that support home-school connections:
Clean up when you are done playing;
Stay at an activity for a period of time before going to the next activity;
Have your child take off their own coat and bag;
Hand washing;
Following directions and multiple step directions;
Asking for help using words and or sign language.
I know it can be hard to wait, but letting your child try is the best way to prepare them for school and beyond."
- Elizabeth Gaulin, Instructional K Teacher
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and we asked our Woodland teachers to share their best advice, tips, and helpful ways families can prepare. We want to make these conferences as meaningful, encouraging, and helpful as possible for both families and students. Stay tuned over the next few days for more insights from our teachers!
"As students are leading their conferences, be quick with praise and encouragement, it can be intimidating to talk in front of so many adults.
Accountability is a skill that our students are actively working on. Therefore approaching tough conversations with curiosity and patience can help prevent your student from shutting down, and help them be able to self-reflect and engage in meaningful conversations."
- Andrea Schaper, Social Worker
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"I wish families would come to Parent Teacher Conferences ready to ask questions and share what they’re noticing at home so we can truly work as a team. When parents see the meeting as a partnership focused on growth—not just grades—it makes a powerful difference in supporting their child’s success."
- Elementary Teacher
"As students are leading their conferences, be quick with praise and encouragement, it can be intimidating to talk in front of so many adults.
Accountability is a skill that our students are actively working on. Therefore approaching tough conversations with curiosity and patience can help prevent your student from shutting down, and help them be able to self-reflect and engage in meaningful conversations."
- Andrea Schaper, Social Worker
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"I wish families would come to Parent Teacher Conferences ready to ask questions and share what they’re noticing at home so we can truly work as a team. When parents see the meeting as a partnership focused on growth—not just grades—it makes a powerful difference in supporting their child’s success."
- Elementary Teacher
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and we asked our Woodland teachers to share their best advice, tips, and helpful ways families can prepare. We want to make these conferences as meaningful, encouraging, and helpful as possible for both families and students. Stay tuned over the next few days for more insights from our teachers!
"Open communication between parents and teachers helps us understand and support your child better!"
- Mercy Kuruvilla, WMS Special Education Teacher
"Open communication between parents and teachers helps us understand and support your child better!"
- Mercy Kuruvilla, WMS Special Education Teacher
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and we asked our Woodland teachers to share their best advice, tips, and helpful ways families can prepare. We want to make these conferences as meaningful, encouraging, and helpful as possible for both families and students. Stay tuned over the next few days for more insights from our teachers!
"Since our spring conferences are student led, I'd like to encourage parents to ask open ended questions to their students during their conference. This allows students to open up more about things we've been learning in the classroom or share their desire to grow in a certain academic area. Support your child and their academic growth, celebrate their big and small wins!!"
- Lisette Sanchez, 2nd Grade Teacher
#LifeintheW
"Since our spring conferences are student led, I'd like to encourage parents to ask open ended questions to their students during their conference. This allows students to open up more about things we've been learning in the classroom or share their desire to grow in a certain academic area. Support your child and their academic growth, celebrate their big and small wins!!"
- Lisette Sanchez, 2nd Grade Teacher
#LifeintheW
Check out these recently posted positions to join the #LifeintheW team:
Intermediate Assistant Principal / Special Education Supervisor
Intermediate Assistant Principal
Facilities Manager (2 Positions)
Learn more about Careers at Woodland and link to Employment Opportunities HERE - https://www.dist50.net/page/careers
Intermediate Assistant Principal / Special Education Supervisor
Intermediate Assistant Principal
Facilities Manager (2 Positions)
Learn more about Careers at Woodland and link to Employment Opportunities HERE - https://www.dist50.net/page/careers
Ms. Coda and her class have an amazing student teacher! Ms. Lazcano has been working with her students, learning alongside the students and gaining hands-on classroom experience. From teaching and supporting lessons, to building relationships with students, Ms. Lazcano has been a great part of this classroom!
We are so happy to have her at Woodland and are thankful for all her dedication and enthusiasm that she brings into the classroom!
We are so happy to have her at Woodland and are thankful for all her dedication and enthusiasm that she brings into the classroom!
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and we asked our Woodland teachers to share their best advice, tips, and helpful ways families can prepare. Their goals are to make these conferences as meaningful, encouraging, and helpful as possible for both families and students. Stay tuned over the next few days for more insights from our teachers!
"As educators, we are truly wanting to work with you. If there is a parent concern, please reach out to us sooner rather than at a conference. We want to make the most of the designated time, especially when students are present for the conference."
- Elementary Teacher
"As educators, we are truly wanting to work with you. If there is a parent concern, please reach out to us sooner rather than at a conference. We want to make the most of the designated time, especially when students are present for the conference."
- Elementary Teacher
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and we asked our Woodland teachers to share their best advice, tips, and helpful ways families can prepare. Their goals are to make these conferences as meaningful, encouraging, and helpful as possible for both families and students. Stay tuned over the next few days for more insights from our teachers!
Woodland Elementary had some amazing visitors today who helped show our Wildcats that Leaders are Readers!
Family members, Community Partners, District and School Leaders, and even hard working service dogs visited classrooms to read stories, and talk about the importance of reading and how it helps them in their lives and jobs.
Thank you to all of the leaders who took the time to read, talk with, and encourage our students!
Family members, Community Partners, District and School Leaders, and even hard working service dogs visited classrooms to read stories, and talk about the importance of reading and how it helps them in their lives and jobs.
Thank you to all of the leaders who took the time to read, talk with, and encourage our students!
School Social Workers Week is March 1-7, 2026!
We want to say the biggest thank you to all of our amazing Woodland Social Workers. The work they do each and every day is so important and has a meaningful impact on our students, their families, and our staff. Their care, dedication, and support make a difference, and we are truly grateful to have them as a part of the Woodland learning community.
#LifeintheW
We want to say the biggest thank you to all of our amazing Woodland Social Workers. The work they do each and every day is so important and has a meaningful impact on our students, their families, and our staff. Their care, dedication, and support make a difference, and we are truly grateful to have them as a part of the Woodland learning community.
#LifeintheW
True or False:
Ms. Balogh’s 1st grade students are really good at math.
TRUE!
Ms. Balogh’s 1st grade students are really good at math.
TRUE!
We are looking for an amazing administrator to join the Woodland Middle School Team. Check out this opportunity for a Middle School Assistant Principal position! hashtag#LifeintheW
Friendship Parties at Elementary!
Today, our Elementary Wildcats celebrated Valentine's Day and Friendship! It was such a great morning celebrating the season and friendship.
A big thank you to our Parent Volunteers for helping make these parties so special!
Today, our Elementary Wildcats celebrated Valentine's Day and Friendship! It was such a great morning celebrating the season and friendship.
A big thank you to our Parent Volunteers for helping make these parties so special!
Students throughout the district have been making Valentines for seniors in the community. Today is the day! We are on our way to join the Village of Gurnee and the Gurnee Police Department to spread the love and deliver the Valentines. 💌
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the February Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting with special guest Dr. Mario Guzman Sescosse. Dr. Guzman Sescosse's presentation was "Parenting: A Relationship of Love and Discipline" and attendees found it to be very informative and interactive. We also raffled off copies of his book and he was gracious enough to sign copies for the winners.
While the adults were learning, the children in attendance created crafts with a few of Woodland's Dual Language teachers and volunteers from the “Avanza” student group at Warren Township High School. Our friend Tobias Comfort Dog was there too!
Thank you to Community Trust Credit Union and Starbucks Gurnee for donating additional prizes for the event! We appreciate your support. #LifeintheW
While the adults were learning, the children in attendance created crafts with a few of Woodland's Dual Language teachers and volunteers from the “Avanza” student group at Warren Township High School. Our friend Tobias Comfort Dog was there too!
Thank you to Community Trust Credit Union and Starbucks Gurnee for donating additional prizes for the event! We appreciate your support. #LifeintheW
Wow!!! Thank you for coming to Woodland's Black History Month Celebration this past Saturday! It was a great event full of music and togetherness, amazing performances, wonderful support from our community partners and volunteers, and beautiful artwork by our talented students. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. #LifeintheW
We look forward to seeing you this Thursday, Feb. 5, at Woodland Intermediate for a presentation by Dr. Sescosse (6:30 p.m.). We will be raffling off signed copies of his books, gift cards, and bilingual books and games. There will also be crafts for the children, refreshments, and many more surprises!
Topic - Parenting: A Relationship of Love & Discipline
Learn More & Register HERE: https://app.smore.com/n/3v2d4
Thank you from the Bilingual Parenting Advisory Committee!
Topic - Parenting: A Relationship of Love & Discipline
Learn More & Register HERE: https://app.smore.com/n/3v2d4
Thank you from the Bilingual Parenting Advisory Committee!
Hip, Hip, Hooray - it's the 100th day!
Happy 100th Day of School Wildcats. Ms. Santos is using the excitement about 100 Days in a fun math activity for partners. Great job 1st graders 🤩 #LifeintheW
Happy 100th Day of School Wildcats. Ms. Santos is using the excitement about 100 Days in a fun math activity for partners. Great job 1st graders 🤩 #LifeintheW
Celebrating Groundhog Day in Art at Woodland Elementary! Students listened to a Groundhog Day book, then learned to draw their own groundhog in Mrs. Wilinski’s art classes. Shadow or not, these are some great artists! #LifeintheW
So... did the groundhog see his shadow?
2026 Groundhog Day Results:
Woodstock Willie (IL) - No shadow (Early Spring)
Punxsutawney Phil (PA) - Shadow (More Winter)
So... did the groundhog see his shadow?
2026 Groundhog Day Results:
Woodstock Willie (IL) - No shadow (Early Spring)
Punxsutawney Phil (PA) - Shadow (More Winter)
A classroom visit full of Kindness, birthday celebrations, and winter poetry! Thank you to Ms. Buckland's class for sharing your day with us. #LifeintheW
