Middle School

Who is ready for Spring Break?
Here is the Spring Break Schedule:
March 20 - School Closed, No Student Attendance
March 23 - 27 - Spring Break, No Student Attendance
March 30 - Welcome Back Wildcats!
The Woodland Educational Support Center will remain open during Spring Break. If you need to stop by, please call ahead because many district office staff members schedule vacation days during the week while students are away. We look forward to welcoming our Wildcat family back to the district on Monday, March 30.
Have a wonderful Spring Break! #LifeintheW

There are so many cool clubs at Woodland Middle School! Part 3
WMS eSports has made a big impact! Students meet regularly to practice and compete with other schools in games like Splatoon, Super Smash Bros., and Mario Kart. This club offers a fun way to connect, compete, and work as a team!

The weather may have kept us inside this year, but the annual Pi Day Fun Run at WMS was full of music, energy, and pie! This is the one time where students are actually encouraged to run in the halls. 🤣 After completing 3.14 miles (walk or run), students and staff received a mini-pie and a high five. Great job Wildcats! 💚🥧

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

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

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

Student leadership - when the student becomes the teacher! Thank you to these WMS students for spending time with Detectives Hansen and Tazzioli to teach them important safety words and phrases in sign language to use in emergency situations. #LifeintheW

Congratulations to the WMS Volleyball Teams on an excellent season and great performances in the conference championships!
8th Grade Boys White - Conference Champs!
7th Grade Boys White - 2nd Place
8th Grade Boys Green - 3rd Place
8th Grade Girls Green - 3rd Place
#LifeintheW

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

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

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

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!

Band and Choir students from Woodland Middle School preformed this past Friday at the Nimcon Music Festival. Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Symphonic Band 1, and Symphonic Band 2 all took part and each group received high ratings and showed excellent musicianship.

Congratulations, Wildcats, for all your hard work and we can't wait to cheer you on at your concerts in May!

There are so many cool clubs at Woodland Middle School! Part 2

Black Student Leaders is an amazing club led by some amazing Woodland staff members.

In this club, students build leadership skills, find their voices, and learn what it means to lead with confidence and dedication.

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

✨Sneak Peek!✨
Our Intermediate Wildcats gave their classmates a preview of their upcoming musical, Alice in Wonderland, Jr.!
With their colorful costumes, creative sets, and songs straight out of wonderland, this is definitely a show you won't want to miss.
Performance Dates: February 26 & 27, 2026
Times: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $5.00
Just follow the White Rabbit for an amazing journey to Alice in Wonderland, Jr. – We hope to see you there! 🐰✨

Tiffany Drake Recognized as NAUW Northshore Branch Educator of the Year
On Feb. 21, 2026, the National Association of University Women (NAUW) Northshore Branch held its 31st Annual African-American Educators Luncheon. The event was a celebration of excellence in education focused on “Moving Forward But Remembering Our Past”. Woodland Middle School (WMS) Principal Tiffany Drake received the Educator of the Year award for her role in educating students and serving as a leader and role model for the youth in our community.
Learn More: https://app.smore.com/n/dhve1z
Congratulations to Mrs. Drake! #LifeintheW

There are so many cool clubs at Woodland Middle School!
Did you know they have an ASL Club? Well, they do!
Students meet up to learn new vocabulary, practice having conversations in American Sign Language, and build communication skills. This club is a great way to build connections and learn something new.

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

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. 💌