Elementary School

Many thanks to State Representative Joyce Mason who met with us this week to review several pieces of legislation she is drafting to address our state authorized charter school funding issue. We are grateful for Representative Mason’s support and her unwavering commitment to the children of Woodland CCSD 50! #LifeintheW
To see more news and announcements, check out the Woodland ROAR Report for Friday, Jan. 30 - https://app.smore.com/n/sc8y0v

Black Dads Rock! on CLC Lancer Radio
The Music That Made Us: Black Fathers, Culture, and Community with Black Dads Rock
In a powerful and uplifting episode of CLC’s Lancer Radio, Professor Jay Wiltshire and Dr. Brent Steffens sit down with members of Black Dads Rock, a Woodland District 50 initiative dedicated to celebrating Black culture and challenging harmful stereotypes about Black fatherhood. Blending conversation with a thoughtfully curated soundtrack, the guests share songs that have shaped their lives and communities, using music as a springboard to explore identity, fatherhood, resilience, and representation.
Episode on CLC Lancer Radio - http://www.lancerradioclc.com/Show_Archives/Black%20Dads%20Rock%202026.mp3
Spotify: Black Dads Rock! Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2wq0RIv5T1cYU22ulWDUQK?si=a20c213b0c8f4c56&nd=1&dlsi=ffa2a44141a24d7e
Black History Month Celebration at Woodland, Feb. 7 - https://aptg.co/TV_3L_

Help us give a warm Wildcat Welcome on this very cold day!
Woodland welcomed three new #LifeintheW team members at last night’s Board of Education meeting: two new Board of Education members, Dr. Virginia Tate and Ms. Gabriela Valverde Strobehn, were sworn in at the meeting; the Board also appointed a new Elementary School Principal, Dr. Christopher Harmon, to start July 1, 2026 when Mr. Reardon moves into his new District-level Human Resources position.
See the rest of ROAR Report here: https://app.smore.com/n/4qk6y

WINTER FEST POSTPONED!
The Parent Mentor Winter Fest event has been rescheduled due to the extreme winter weather impacting our area tomorrow. The new date is Feb. 20, 2026. We hope to see you there! 🤩❄️
Event Flyer: https://aptg.co/zy4qVQ

Woodland D50 is closely monitoring the weather forecast for Friday, Jan. 23, which currently calls for extremely cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills. Please read this Winter Weather Update for more information - https://app.smore.com/n/2zx36

Congratulations to Ms. Wilinski and Ms. Hunt and their incredibly talented art students on your show opening last night in Gurnee! Muller Honda of Gurnee is currently featuring 89 pieces of Woodland Elementary student artwork throughout their showroom. The artists toured the art gallery opening last night with their families and celebrated with classmates on the success of the show. The students were so excited when they found their artwork and couldn't wait to show their supporters!
Thank you to Muller Honda for supporting the arts and celebrating student talent in our community! #LifeintheW

Tonight: Student Art Gallery Opening at Muller Honda of Gurnee!
Muller Honda of Gurnee
Wednesday, January 14, 2026,
6:00–7:30 p.m.
Woodland Elementary Student artwork will be displayed throughout the dealership, giving our young artists the opportunity to showcase their talents in a real-world gallery setting.
Please join us for an evening of art, community, and celebration as we recognize the creativity and accomplishments of our students. Families are welcome, and we hope you will take time to view the artwork, support our artists, and enjoy this memorable experience together.

Did you see that sunrise this morning? WOW!
Thank you to Mrs. Wilinski for sending in this beautiful picture from Elementary as she arrived for a great day in the W 🤩

January 9 is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Gurnee Police Department for all they do to support and protect our community.

We would also like to recognize and thank our incredible Woodland School Resource Officers (SRO) for the many ways they support our schools, staff, and students each and every day. Thank you for your dedication, partnership, and commitment to keeping our learning community safe. 💙

If you see Dets. Hansen, Tazzioli, or Gullifor make sure to say thank you and give them a high-five!

Thank you to our awesome Technology Team and the Tech Integration Specialists for creating this exciting EDTECH Camp for Woodland staff to kick off the January 2026 Teacher Institute Day! #LifeintheW

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