Spring Charcuterie Club was a “treat”! Talented 4th and 5th grade students curated cute insects made out of fruits and vegetables, BabyBel lady bugs, Rice Krispie birds nests, butterflies, and more!
Congratulations once again to our outstanding Woodland Teacher and Staff Member of the Year winners–Jess Pierson, Woodland’s Teacher of the Year & Brandi Smith, Woodland’s Staff Member of the Year.
Last night, they were recognized at the Village of Gurnee Board Meeting, alongside the winners from Warren Township High School and District 56.
Thank you to the Village of Gurnee for celebrating the incredible educators in our community, and recognizing the impact they make for students and their families every day.
Last night, they were recognized at the Village of Gurnee Board Meeting, alongside the winners from Warren Township High School and District 56.
Thank you to the Village of Gurnee for celebrating the incredible educators in our community, and recognizing the impact they make for students and their families every day.
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this past Saturday!
We were very excited to host our district’s first-ever AAPI celebration, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. It was a great afternoon filled with music, delicious food, amazing performances, and creative student artwork and poetry.
Thank you so much to our Woodland families who volunteered their time, shared their cultures, and helped create a wonderful event. We are also grateful to our community partners for their support of our learning community.
We hope you enjoyed the celebration as much as we did!
We were very excited to host our district’s first-ever AAPI celebration, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. It was a great afternoon filled with music, delicious food, amazing performances, and creative student artwork and poetry.
Thank you so much to our Woodland families who volunteered their time, shared their cultures, and helped create a wonderful event. We are also grateful to our community partners for their support of our learning community.
We hope you enjoyed the celebration as much as we did!
We are excited to announce Woodland's winning Teacher and Staff Member of the Year in the annual Village of Gurnee contest.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
💚 Woodland's TEACHER of the Year - Jessica Pierson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist/Hearing Itinerant Teacher
💚Woodland's STAFF MEMBER of the Year - Brandi Smith, Woodland Middle School Hall Monitor
Announcement - https://app.smore.com/n/sg9xru
We are sharing this news today in case you want to show your support at one of the recognition events scheduled in May.
Upcoming Celebrations:
⭐️ 5/4/26 - The Village of Gurnee will recognize the Woodland winners, as well as the Gurnee 56 and Warren 121 winners on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Village Board Meeting.
⭐️ 5/28/26 - The Woodland D50 Board of Education will continue celebrating the winners and finalists at the May 28, 2026 Governing Meeting.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
💚 Woodland's TEACHER of the Year - Jessica Pierson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist/Hearing Itinerant Teacher
💚Woodland's STAFF MEMBER of the Year - Brandi Smith, Woodland Middle School Hall Monitor
Announcement - https://app.smore.com/n/sg9xru
We are sharing this news today in case you want to show your support at one of the recognition events scheduled in May.
Upcoming Celebrations:
⭐️ 5/4/26 - The Village of Gurnee will recognize the Woodland winners, as well as the Gurnee 56 and Warren 121 winners on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Village Board Meeting.
⭐️ 5/28/26 - The Woodland D50 Board of Education will continue celebrating the winners and finalists at the May 28, 2026 Governing Meeting.
⭐️ Next in the Parent University Series! ⭐️
May 13 - Supporting Your Student Through Academic Transitions - Is your student moving on up to the next school during the 2026-2027 School Year? Hear from leaders at each school about what to expect and how to prepare your Wildcat for this next step in their academic journey!
May 19 - Creative Ways to Keep Your Kids Engaged During Summer Break - Parent University is excited to collaborate with our partners at Warren Township Youth & Family Services to bring you fresh new ideas for keeping your Wildcats engaged during summer break. Creative ideas for getting kids off their screens and connected to family, peers, and nature.
Free Webinars for Families!
Learn More & Register Here: https://www.dist50.net/page/parent-university
May 13 - Supporting Your Student Through Academic Transitions - Is your student moving on up to the next school during the 2026-2027 School Year? Hear from leaders at each school about what to expect and how to prepare your Wildcat for this next step in their academic journey!
May 19 - Creative Ways to Keep Your Kids Engaged During Summer Break - Parent University is excited to collaborate with our partners at Warren Township Youth & Family Services to bring you fresh new ideas for keeping your Wildcats engaged during summer break. Creative ideas for getting kids off their screens and connected to family, peers, and nature.
Free Webinars for Families!
Learn More & Register Here: https://www.dist50.net/page/parent-university
Did you attend the Live Arts Festival at Warren Township High School on Friday? Congratulations to the many talented artists who had a piece of artwork in the show. Several Wildcats won awards, others were featured as part of the Buddy Project, and it was a great event for families to view art, listen to art, participate in art, and be inspired by the talented youth in our community!
2026 Live Arts Award Winners From Woodland
Elementary "Best in Show"
Grades 1 - 3
1st Place: Joyce (3rd grade)
2nd Place: Damian (1st Grade)
3rd Place: Skyla (1st Grade)
Grades 4 - 5
3rd Place: Chelsea (5th grade)
Grades 6 - 8
1st Place: Ella (7th grade)
Way to go Wildcats!
2026 Live Arts Award Winners From Woodland
Elementary "Best in Show"
Grades 1 - 3
1st Place: Joyce (3rd grade)
2nd Place: Damian (1st Grade)
3rd Place: Skyla (1st Grade)
Grades 4 - 5
3rd Place: Chelsea (5th grade)
Grades 6 - 8
1st Place: Ella (7th grade)
Way to go Wildcats!
⭐️ ATTENTION Incoming Kindergarten Families! ⭐️
Join us tonight at Woodland Primary for the Kindergarten Information Presentation. This is an event for parents and caregivers, with a presentation that will provide an overview of our programs - Monolingual & Dual Language.
Date: April 27, 2026
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location: Woodland Primary, 17366 W. Gages Lake Rd.
Gages Lake, IL 60030
English Flyer - https://aptg.co/lsF1CN
Spanish Flyer - https://aptg.co/NjcXKv
Please help us spread the word. Some families may not realize it is already time to start thinking about Kindergarten!
Join us tonight at Woodland Primary for the Kindergarten Information Presentation. This is an event for parents and caregivers, with a presentation that will provide an overview of our programs - Monolingual & Dual Language.
Date: April 27, 2026
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location: Woodland Primary, 17366 W. Gages Lake Rd.
Gages Lake, IL 60030
English Flyer - https://aptg.co/lsF1CN
Spanish Flyer - https://aptg.co/NjcXKv
Please help us spread the word. Some families may not realize it is already time to start thinking about Kindergarten!
Happening Now: Woodland's Annual Career Fair! We are here until 11 a.m. so please come say hello.
Stop by our Career Fair to explore open positions and see what makes Woodland a great place to work. Walk-ins Welcome
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 8 - 11 a.m.
Location: Educational Support Center, 1105 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
https://www.dist50.net/article/2786368
Stop by our Career Fair to explore open positions and see what makes Woodland a great place to work. Walk-ins Welcome
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 8 - 11 a.m.
Location: Educational Support Center, 1105 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
https://www.dist50.net/article/2786368
Woodland D50 Board of Education Highlights!
Check out the highlights from the April Board Meeting in the ROAR Report. https://app.smore.com/n/82ku9
The Board of Education welcomed Jay Wiltshire as a new member. Mr. Wiltshire was sworn in at the beginning of the meeting and he began his service on the Board immediately after taking the Oath of Office.
We also welcomed two new Assistant Principals, Heather Weideman (Intermediate) and Stephanie Reuter (Middle School), to our administrative team. Heather and Stephanie are already very busy serving the Woodland community in a number of important ways, Heather as a veteran teacher at Intermediate School and Stephanie serving as an active parent volunteer; both will begin their new roles on July 1, 2026.
To help us recognize April 19 - 25, 2026 as National Volunteer Week, the Wildcat Music Boosters led meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
And the Parent Mentor Program shared an update on the success of the program and highlights from this school year.
Check out the highlights from the April Board Meeting in the ROAR Report. https://app.smore.com/n/82ku9
The Board of Education welcomed Jay Wiltshire as a new member. Mr. Wiltshire was sworn in at the beginning of the meeting and he began his service on the Board immediately after taking the Oath of Office.
We also welcomed two new Assistant Principals, Heather Weideman (Intermediate) and Stephanie Reuter (Middle School), to our administrative team. Heather and Stephanie are already very busy serving the Woodland community in a number of important ways, Heather as a veteran teacher at Intermediate School and Stephanie serving as an active parent volunteer; both will begin their new roles on July 1, 2026.
To help us recognize April 19 - 25, 2026 as National Volunteer Week, the Wildcat Music Boosters led meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
And the Parent Mentor Program shared an update on the success of the program and highlights from this school year.
Congratulations Wildcats!
This week, eight students were recognized at the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) annual Student Leadership awards breakfast. Two student recipients from the highest grades at each school (Grades K, 3rd, 5th, and 8th) were honored for going above and beyond both inside and outside of the classroom.
Congratulations to Woodland's IPA Student Leadership Award recipients:
Primary - Elise and Nathaniel
Elementary - Scarlett and Gabriel
Intermediate - Vivienne and Vikram
Middle - Erin and Caylan
⭐️ #LifeintheW
This week, eight students were recognized at the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) annual Student Leadership awards breakfast. Two student recipients from the highest grades at each school (Grades K, 3rd, 5th, and 8th) were honored for going above and beyond both inside and outside of the classroom.
Congratulations to Woodland's IPA Student Leadership Award recipients:
Primary - Elise and Nathaniel
Elementary - Scarlett and Gabriel
Intermediate - Vivienne and Vikram
Middle - Erin and Caylan
⭐️ #LifeintheW
Opportunity is knocking!!!
Woodland's Annual Career Fair is THIS SATURDAY (4/25/26) and we are looking forward to meeting you.
Stop by our Career Fair to explore open positions and see what makes Woodland a great place to work. (Photos from last year so you know what to expect)
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 8 - 11 a.m.
Location: Educational Support Center, 1105 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHcRZsZPJIARNtGy6aUhV1qazpB0snJIa88COX0Cmb8fzgPw/viewform
Now Hiring For All Positions:
Early Childhood - 8th Grade Teachers, Special Education, Student Support Services (OT/PT/Speech/Social Work), Maintenance & Custodial Staff, Bus Drivers, Playground Supervisors, Substitute Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Dual Language Teachers.
Woodland's Annual Career Fair is THIS SATURDAY (4/25/26) and we are looking forward to meeting you.
Stop by our Career Fair to explore open positions and see what makes Woodland a great place to work. (Photos from last year so you know what to expect)
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 8 - 11 a.m.
Location: Educational Support Center, 1105 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHcRZsZPJIARNtGy6aUhV1qazpB0snJIa88COX0Cmb8fzgPw/viewform
Now Hiring For All Positions:
Early Childhood - 8th Grade Teachers, Special Education, Student Support Services (OT/PT/Speech/Social Work), Maintenance & Custodial Staff, Bus Drivers, Playground Supervisors, Substitute Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Dual Language Teachers.
April 22 is Administrative Professionals Day and we want to give a big thank you to all of our amazing Woodland Admin!
Thank you for everything you do for our students, staff, and learning community.
Thank you for everything you do for our students, staff, and learning community.
Rehearsals underway for the 4th Grade Music Concerts at Woodland Intermediate! #LifeintheW 🎶💚
We are excited to announce the Woodland finalists in the annual Village of Gurnee Teacher and Staff Member of the Year program. From approximately 280 nominations, we have selected five teachers and five staff members to be recognized as finalists. One person from each category will ultimately be selected as the District winners, but first we want to celebrate our finalists!
💚 Teacher of the Year Finalists: 🤩
Mary Wagner, Early Childhood Teacher
Nicole Balogh, First Grade Teacher
Esperanza Rubio, Spanish Intervention Teacher
Amy Bautista, 6th Grade Advanced and 7th Grade Challenge Math Teacher
Jess Pierson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist/Hearing Itinerant Teacher
🤩 Staff Member of the Year Finalists: 💚
Holly Yunker, Paraprofessional
Karen Hoppel, Paraprofessional
Gabriela Navarro Diaz, Family Coordinator
Brandi Smith, Hall Monitor
Natalie Monzo, Operations + Facilities
Thank you to our staff, families, students, and community members for submitting nominations and helping us recognize amazing educators and team members. Stay tuned to find out who will be Woodland's 2025-2026 Teacher and Staff Member of the Year for the Village of Gurnee!
💚 Teacher of the Year Finalists: 🤩
Mary Wagner, Early Childhood Teacher
Nicole Balogh, First Grade Teacher
Esperanza Rubio, Spanish Intervention Teacher
Amy Bautista, 6th Grade Advanced and 7th Grade Challenge Math Teacher
Jess Pierson, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist/Hearing Itinerant Teacher
🤩 Staff Member of the Year Finalists: 💚
Holly Yunker, Paraprofessional
Karen Hoppel, Paraprofessional
Gabriela Navarro Diaz, Family Coordinator
Brandi Smith, Hall Monitor
Natalie Monzo, Operations + Facilities
Thank you to our staff, families, students, and community members for submitting nominations and helping us recognize amazing educators and team members. Stay tuned to find out who will be Woodland's 2025-2026 Teacher and Staff Member of the Year for the Village of Gurnee!
Cool Club Alert!
Spanish Musical Club is one of Intermediate's newer clubs. This exciting group gives students the chance to combine their love of performing and musical theater with the Spanish language, no matter their experience level.
This club is for everyone–new performers or seasoned pros–interested in performing in Spanish.
They’ve just begun working on their production and are learning songs and diving into the script together. We can't wait to see what's next for this cool club!
Spanish Musical Club is one of Intermediate's newer clubs. This exciting group gives students the chance to combine their love of performing and musical theater with the Spanish language, no matter their experience level.
This club is for everyone–new performers or seasoned pros–interested in performing in Spanish.
They’ve just begun working on their production and are learning songs and diving into the script together. We can't wait to see what's next for this cool club!
April 15th is ASL Awareness Day!! Celebrate with us by watching our very own Woodland students sign the music video, “A Million Dreams”. So proud of them! Learn more about American Sign Language in an interview with Dr. Machak and Woodland's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Itinerant teacher, Jess Pierson afterwards!
Watch the Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmqgvGFNtyw
Watch the Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmqgvGFNtyw
Register now for the #LifeintheW Career Fair!
Join us on Saturday, April 25 from 8-11 a.m. at the Educational Support Center to learn more about career opportunities throughout our district and working in the W.
We hope to see you there!
https://forms.gle/crxbb16Cj1ycc9u87
Join us on Saturday, April 25 from 8-11 a.m. at the Educational Support Center to learn more about career opportunities throughout our district and working in the W.
We hope to see you there!
https://forms.gle/crxbb16Cj1ycc9u87
Woodland Intermediate Student Leadership Summit, April 2026
The PBIS Student Leaders from Woodland Intermediate participated in a Student Leadership Summit in recognition of their hard work and numerous accomplishments throughout the school year. The students were invited to submit essays on leadership and questions for the panelists about what challenges they face and what lessons they have learned. 10 essays and 10 questions were selected for the event. Students read their essays to kick off the assembly, and then a distinguished panel of leaders answered their questions one by one. This was an inspiring event and it is clear that these students will be great community leaders one day.
Panelists: (Left to Right in Photos)
⭐️ Carrie Flanigan, Lake County Children's Advocacy Center Director
⭐️ Robert Machak, Woodland D50 Superintendent of Schools
⭐️ Chief Jeremy Gaughan, Gurnee Police Department
⭐️ Thomas Hood, Village of Gurnee Mayor
Special Thanks to the Event Organizers:
⭐️ Tim Sheldon, Principal of Woodland Intermediate
⭐️ Det. Kelly Hanson, Woodland SRO/Gurnee Police Department
⭐️ Heather Weidemann, P.E. Teacher and PBIS Leader
⭐️ Gabriela Navarro Diaz, Woodland Intermediate Family Coordinator
The PBIS Student Leaders from Woodland Intermediate participated in a Student Leadership Summit in recognition of their hard work and numerous accomplishments throughout the school year. The students were invited to submit essays on leadership and questions for the panelists about what challenges they face and what lessons they have learned. 10 essays and 10 questions were selected for the event. Students read their essays to kick off the assembly, and then a distinguished panel of leaders answered their questions one by one. This was an inspiring event and it is clear that these students will be great community leaders one day.
Panelists: (Left to Right in Photos)
⭐️ Carrie Flanigan, Lake County Children's Advocacy Center Director
⭐️ Robert Machak, Woodland D50 Superintendent of Schools
⭐️ Chief Jeremy Gaughan, Gurnee Police Department
⭐️ Thomas Hood, Village of Gurnee Mayor
Special Thanks to the Event Organizers:
⭐️ Tim Sheldon, Principal of Woodland Intermediate
⭐️ Det. Kelly Hanson, Woodland SRO/Gurnee Police Department
⭐️ Heather Weidemann, P.E. Teacher and PBIS Leader
⭐️ Gabriela Navarro Diaz, Woodland Intermediate Family Coordinator
Congratulations to Isabella and Yasmeen for being recognized with a Young Citizenship Award from The Exchange Club of Gurnee! These amazing students were recognized this morning for the many ways they show leadership in our schools. From academic success, to involvement in clubs and activities outside of the classroom, and the way they show kindness to peers - these students make a positive impact on the #LifeintheW community and beyond. Way to go! ⭐️
The final Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting of the school year took place on Thursday, April 2.
Thank you to all the families who attended with their children. Ashley Camara and Cindy Gwaltney from Warren Township Youth & Family Services provide a presentation on Mental Health, focusing on depression and anxiety. The children enjoyed making crafts with Dual Language teachers and volunteers from the Avanza Club from Warren High School. Thank you to Starbucks, Tacos el Norte, 211 United Way, and Big Brothers Big Sisters for donating raffle prizes.
We greatly appreciate the families who attended the event despite the bad weather. We learned so much together! #LifeintheW
To learn more about BPAC, please visit our website - https://www.dist50.net/o/dist50/page/bpac
Thank you to all the families who attended with their children. Ashley Camara and Cindy Gwaltney from Warren Township Youth & Family Services provide a presentation on Mental Health, focusing on depression and anxiety. The children enjoyed making crafts with Dual Language teachers and volunteers from the Avanza Club from Warren High School. Thank you to Starbucks, Tacos el Norte, 211 United Way, and Big Brothers Big Sisters for donating raffle prizes.
We greatly appreciate the families who attended the event despite the bad weather. We learned so much together! #LifeintheW
To learn more about BPAC, please visit our website - https://www.dist50.net/o/dist50/page/bpac
