Hey Redbirds! Woodland hosted a table at the Fall Education Career Fair at Horton Field House in Normal, IL today. We met with future educators to discuss careers at Woodland. Thank you for stopping by our table to learn about #LifeintheW!
This week is National School Bus Safety Week and we are sharing six school bus safety rules every kid should know!
1. Stay Away from the Front of the Bus: Never walk in front of the bus unless your driver tells you it is safe to cross.
2. Always Listen to Your Driver: When crossing the street, wait for your driver's signal. Always look both ways before crossing.
3. Never Chase a School Bus: Be at your bus stop on time. If you miss the bus, never run after it.
4. Dropped Something? Tell Your Driver: Never reach under or near the bus to pick something up. Ask your driver for help.
5. Stay Out of the Danger Zone: Always stay at least 10 feet away from the bus unless you are boarding or exiting as directed.
6. Be Safe at Your Bus Stop: Stand in a nice, orderly line. No pushing, shoving, or horseplay.
Thank you for being our partners in keeping our school community safe!
Thank you to all the families who joined us for the first BPAC (Bilingual Parents’ Advisory Committee) meeting of the school year this past week. A special thank you to Martha Lucía Aristizábal from Warren Township Youth & Family Services for her presentation on “Emotional and Mental Well-Being and Anxiety” and to our community partners for sharing information about events and resources with our families.
CONGRATULATIONS! Dr. Carla Little was recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) at the Lake Division October 2026 meeting. Dr. Little has already achieved Legacy Board Leader status for her commitment to professional learning and participation in IASB events and training, in combination with serving on a school board for 25 years or more. Each year she will continue to receive Annual Merit Recognition based on her legacy status, and her continued service to IASB and public education.
IASB recognizes school board members for individual time and effort devoted to learning and leadership activities provided by the Association and for service to the public education community.
IASB recognizes school board members for individual time and effort devoted to learning and leadership activities provided by the Association and for service to the public education community.
The Woodland D50 Board of Education will meet on October 15, 2026.
View the Meeting Notice & Agenda HERE:
https://app.smore.com/n/acfq7
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.
View the Meeting Notice & Agenda HERE:
https://app.smore.com/n/acfq7
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.
Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, Oct. 14
Please join us for the first BPAC meeting of the year!
Emotional and Mental Wellness: What is Anxiety?
💚 Identify the signs of anxiety in your child.
💚 Practical techniques for calming the mind and preventing stress.
💚 When to seek help?
Presenter: Martha Lucía Aristizábal
Date: October 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Woodland Intermediate
RSVP: Register for this Meeting Here!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvboAjqhblOTJul_W3BWxhvR6LcX_4b9nIM6vT65mawQ9v-w/viewform
Please join us for the first BPAC meeting of the year!
Emotional and Mental Wellness: What is Anxiety?
💚 Identify the signs of anxiety in your child.
💚 Practical techniques for calming the mind and preventing stress.
💚 When to seek help?
Presenter: Martha Lucía Aristizábal
Date: October 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Woodland Intermediate
RSVP: Register for this Meeting Here!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvboAjqhblOTJul_W3BWxhvR6LcX_4b9nIM6vT65mawQ9v-w/viewform
🚨 This is only a TEST 🚨
One week from today, on 10/20 at 10:20 a.m., Woodland will conduct a test of our emergency alert system. All district parents/guardians listed as contacts in Skyward Family Access will receive a TEST email, text, and robocall to make sure you are getting the emergency notifications you need. Staff will receive the TEST message too.
We are partnering with Gurnee School District 56 and Warren Township High School; all three districts will conduct the same test, on the same day, at the same time, to raise awareness about the importance of keeping your contact information up to date. Please do not unsubscribe from these alerts!
If you receive the TEST message, no further action is needed. If you do NOT receive the message, we can work together to make sure your contact information is correct in Skyward.
🚨 This is only a TEST 🚨
One week from today, on 10/20 at 10:20 a.m., Woodland will conduct a test of our emergency alert system. All district parents/guardians listed as contacts in Skyward Family Access will receive a TEST email, text, and robocall to make sure you are getting the emergency notifications you need. Staff will receive the TEST message too.
We are partnering with Gurnee School District 56 and Warren Township High School; all three districts will conduct the same test, on the same day, at the same time, to raise awareness about the importance of keeping your contact information up to date. Please do not unsubscribe from these alerts!
If you receive the TEST message, no further action is needed. If you do NOT receive the message, we can work together to make sure your contact information is correct in Skyward.
🚨 This is only a TEST 🚨
The Operations & Facilities Team took advantage of the Teacher Institute Day to hold their preseason Snow and Ice Removal Operations meeting. They went over safety, operations, equipment, materials, techniques, strategies, resources and training.
We are sharing these photos to showcase the preparation and behind-the-scenes work our maintenance staff puts in to help keep our schools safe and operational throughout the winter season. Thank you O+F! #LifeintheW
We are sharing these photos to showcase the preparation and behind-the-scenes work our maintenance staff puts in to help keep our schools safe and operational throughout the winter season. Thank you O+F! #LifeintheW
REMINDER:
No Student Attendance on Friday, Oct. 9 for a Teacher Institute Day.
No Student Attendance/District Closed on Monday, Oct. 12 for the Holiday.
Have an enjoyable long weekend! #LifeintheW
No Student Attendance on Friday, Oct. 9 for a Teacher Institute Day.
No Student Attendance/District Closed on Monday, Oct. 12 for the Holiday.
Have an enjoyable long weekend! #LifeintheW
Choir rehearsals are underway at Intermediate! Our students met bright and early to warm up their voices and practice for upcoming performances.
The Intermediate Choir will perform at the school’s Veterans Day celebration and has their fall concert, Songs of the ’70s, coming up on November 12. We can’t wait to hear them sing!
The Intermediate Choir will perform at the school’s Veterans Day celebration and has their fall concert, Songs of the ’70s, coming up on November 12. We can’t wait to hear them sing!
Recently, Woodland’s Parent Mentor Program leaders presented to community and state leaders and discussed the value and impact of this amazing program. Along with District supporters and program participants, they shared program pathways, testimonials, and the many ways the Parent Mentors have strengthened our learning community.
Thank you to Lavonna Garner and Tanya Abbey for their leadership and dedication to growing this important program! Thank you as well to our community and state leaders for taking the time to support this program.
Thank you to Lavonna Garner and Tanya Abbey for their leadership and dedication to growing this important program! Thank you as well to our community and state leaders for taking the time to support this program.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Woodland’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration!
It was so much fun seeing everyone enjoy the music, dancing, food, and art. We always have a wonderful time celebrating with our learning community!
A special thank you to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, and community partners for helping make this event such a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
It was so much fun seeing everyone enjoy the music, dancing, food, and art. We always have a wonderful time celebrating with our learning community!
A special thank you to our incredible volunteers, sponsors, and community partners for helping make this event such a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Please help us welcome two new team members to Woodland!
• Ms. Angelina Gwinn - 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Elementary
• Ms. Marveli Mateos - 3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Elementary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Ms. Angelina Gwinn - 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Elementary
• Ms. Marveli Mateos - 3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Elementary
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!
• Ms. Caroline Branas - 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Elementary
• Ms. Michelle Verley - ISEC Kindergarten Teacher at Woodland Primary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
• Ms. Caroline Branas - 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Woodland Elementary
• Ms. Michelle Verley - ISEC Kindergarten Teacher at Woodland Primary
We are so excited to have you both on the Woodland team! This is #LifeintheW
Throughout September, Woodland has been celebrating Attendance Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month! Recently, our Intermediate students came together for special assemblies celebrating both.
Dr. Machak kicked things off with an exciting announcement, recognizing the 4th and 5th grade classes with the highest attendance rates in September.
Congratulations to Ms. Rodriguez’s 5th grade class and Ms. Syverud’s 4th grade class on this awesome accomplishment!
Students then went on to learn about Hispanic culture and storytelling from writer Vicky Weber, who shared her books featuring Taíno myths and legends and gave students a behind-the-scenes look at being a writer.
Keep showing up, Wildcats!
Dr. Machak kicked things off with an exciting announcement, recognizing the 4th and 5th grade classes with the highest attendance rates in September.
Congratulations to Ms. Rodriguez’s 5th grade class and Ms. Syverud’s 4th grade class on this awesome accomplishment!
Students then went on to learn about Hispanic culture and storytelling from writer Vicky Weber, who shared her books featuring Taíno myths and legends and gave students a behind-the-scenes look at being a writer.
Keep showing up, Wildcats!
Wildcats came together today to complete 50 service projects in one day to benefit our schools and the surrounding community as part of our Districtwide Day of Service. Team members in the district office used their lunch break to pack 50 period kits for Keeping Families Covered and to sort food and clothing donations for the Family First Center of Lake County. #LifeintheW
Wildcats came together today to complete 50 service projects in one day to benefit our schools and the surrounding community as part of our Districtwide Day of Service. Here are photos of our Intermediate students giving back to our community! #LifeintheW
As Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to make sure attendance is a priority ALL YEAR LONG! We will continue to focus on helping our students be present, connected, and ready to learn!
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Maria at WMS!
Maria Hristoforatos, Woodland Middle School Family Coordinator
Middle school is an exciting time filled with new experiences, new routines, and sometimes a lot to navigate. As your Family Coordinator, my goal is to be a familiar person families can turn to and help make the connection between school and home a little easier. Whether it’s an attendance concern, finding the right support at school, connecting with a community resource, or simply not knowing where to start, I’m here to help point you in the right direction. I’ve been part of the Woodland community for many years, and serving families in this community is especially meaningful to me. I look forward to getting to know your family throughout the school year and hope to see you at upcoming events!
As Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to make sure attendance is a priority ALL YEAR LONG! We will continue to focus on helping our students be present, connected, and ready to learn!
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Gabriela at Intermediate!
Gabriela Navarro Diaz, Woodland Intermediate Family Coordinator
At Intermediate, the students and staff know my main goal is making sure every child can walk through our doors EVERY DAY feeling like they truly belong and are genuinely happy to be here.
From helping with attendance challenges to linking your home with everyday support, I work directly with families whenever life gets in the way of a great school day.
Consider me your family's go-to partner in making school a comfortable place where showing up each day is easy!
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Gabriela at Intermediate!
Gabriela Navarro Diaz, Woodland Intermediate Family Coordinator
At Intermediate, the students and staff know my main goal is making sure every child can walk through our doors EVERY DAY feeling like they truly belong and are genuinely happy to be here.
From helping with attendance challenges to linking your home with everyday support, I work directly with families whenever life gets in the way of a great school day.
Consider me your family's go-to partner in making school a comfortable place where showing up each day is easy!
As Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to make sure attendance is a priority ALL YEAR LONG! We will continue to focus on helping our students be present, connected, and ready to learn!
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Jordan at Elementary!
Jordan De Leon, Woodland Elementary Family Coordinator
Hi Woodland Families!
As family coordinator at Woodland Elementary, I'm here to be a friendly face and a helping hand for our families, whatever they may need along the way. Whether it's finding transportation, connecting with community resources, navigating a challenge, or simply figuring out where to start, I'm always happy to help. If something comes up, please reach out - I want every family to know they have someone who will listen, support them, and help find a way forward.
Did you know that every Woodland school has a dedicated Family Coordinator? Meet Jordan at Elementary!
Jordan De Leon, Woodland Elementary Family Coordinator
Hi Woodland Families!
As family coordinator at Woodland Elementary, I'm here to be a friendly face and a helping hand for our families, whatever they may need along the way. Whether it's finding transportation, connecting with community resources, navigating a challenge, or simply figuring out where to start, I'm always happy to help. If something comes up, please reach out - I want every family to know they have someone who will listen, support them, and help find a way forward.
