Middle School

Learning about students in Morocco through a Global Pen Pals activity in Mr. Aablouche’s class! This activity is a virtual cross-cultural exchange that connects 8th grade students from Woodland Middle School with high school students in Morocco. The students take turns asking and answering questions about school life, traditions, daily routines, and future goals with their pen pal.
The activity aims to promote cultural awareness and global citizenship while strengthening language skills. It also supports the development of digital skills, encourages respectful online communication, and fosters creativity through meaningful international interaction. Thank you to Mr. Aablouche and Mr. Bouhou from Morocco for creating this meaningful experience for your students! #LifeintheW

WMS 8th Grade Students had a unique opportunity to participate in mock interviews with district and school leaders, community partners, local businesses, and parent volunteers. This part of the Junior Achievement program simulates real job interviews for students. Volunteers asked questions about skills, interests, and teamwork, helping students learn career readiness skills through hands-on practice.
The students spent time preparing for this experience in the classroom with their teachers and peers, and they showed up ready to impress for their interviews!
Here are a few sample interview questions:
💚 What is your greatest strength? Give me an example.
💚 What is your greatest weakness? How have you worked to overcome it?
💚 How are you at working with others?
💚 Things can change quickly. How are you at adapting to change?
💚 Who is someone you admire? Why?
💚 What's the hardest thing you've ever had to do?
💚 What job or career are you interested in?
Your future is bright Wildcat! #LifeintheW

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

Advanced 8th Grade Spanish Language Arts students held court this week! Students were assigned roles such as defense lawyer, defendant, judge, and more, and acted out a mock trial centered on a case of spilled hot coffee.

After hearing the arguments, the judges deliberated and determined the outcome, explaining their reasoning and how they arrived at their decision.

Thank you to Ms. Somarriba and Ms. Castrejon for bringing hands-on learning experiences to our students!

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

WMS students had fun participating in Hour of Code/Hour of AI with Mrs. Walker. Some students became music producers to create an AI jam session or dance party, while others completed lines of code through Code.org, Tynker, and Scratch. Computer Science will continue at WMS this week. GO WILDCATS! #LifeintheW

Congratulations to the WMS 8th Grade Boys Basketball Team for winning the conference tournament! Way to Go Wildcats! 🤩🏀

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

Students in Ms. Wakefield's English Language Arts class work on finalizing their essays and work with peers to review and provide feedback for each other before turning in their final drafts. Ms. Rath jumped in to help as well. Great teamwork Wildcats! #LifeintheW

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

REMINDER: Schedule for the Week!
🍂November 24 and 25 will be half-days of student attendance for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
🍁The district will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (November 26-28) for Thanksgiving Break.
Conferences Half Day Schedule - Student Dismissal Times:
🍂 Primary - 10:40 a.m.
🍁 Elementary - 10:50 a.m.
🍂 Middle School - 11:35 a.m.
🍁 Intermediate - 12:20 p.m.

Jayla and Isabella asked Det. Gullifor to match their jeans and cowboy boot look on Friday. They reminded him throughout the week so he wouldn't forget. Not only did he show up wearing his cowboy boots today, but he brought a friend! Det. Parsell joined in on the challenge too. Fun Fact - Det. Parsell is a former Woodland student! We are so lucky to have such a great partnership with the Gurnee Police Department. #LifeintheW

Please welcome Det. Brittany Tazzioli to the School Resource Officer (SRO) Team! Brittany will be working with Det. Hansen to support our learning community.

Det. Tazzioli has been an officer with the Gurnee Police Department for more than eight years, and has served in law enforcement for 10 years. She is excited to work with our Wildcats and help support our district with compassion, care, and connection!

If you see Brittany around, make sure to welcome her to #LifeintheW!

Day Two of Junior Achievement Town at WMS! Students were given the opportunity to learn budgeting and the value of investing in their futures in this hands-on learning experience. Thank you to all of our volunteers for taking time out of your day to help our students learn and grow!
8th Grade JA Town - COMING SOON!
Keep an eye out for Volunteer Sign-Up details.

The Voice and Vibe Club made friendship bracelets at a recent meeting. This is a new club at WMS. The students select the types of activities they want to do, and Ms. Monterroso helps make it happen! #LifeintheW

Woodland Wildcats had a very special visitor today — Matt Eicheldinger! The author of Sticky Notes, storyteller, influencer, and former middle school teacher joined our 8th Grade Advanced Language Arts students via Zoom for an inspiring conversation. Our students were able to ask questions about writing, storytelling, and his journey as an author.
Thank you, Matt Eicheldinger - Author, for taking the time to connect with our students and share your story!
And a big shout-out to Mr. Golwitzer and Ms. Motley for bringing this meaningful experience to life for our Wildcats.

The Heart of Local Education

November 15 is School Board Members Day in Illinois. We would like to take a moment to recognize and thank our Woodland Board of Education Members for their outstanding efforts and dedication to our Woodland learning community.

⭐ Thank you ⭐
President Brianna Powvens, Vice-President Amy Sabor, Secretary Joel Zwiefelhofer, Dr. Carla Little, Julia Plescia, Keri Rasmussen, and Michael Senol.

We are grateful for the time, care, and commitment you invest in our schools. Your leadership and dedication make Woodland a great place to learn, grow, and thrive!