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
"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
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
"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
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
"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!
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.
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
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! 🐰✨
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
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.
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. 💌








Thank you to everyone who joined us for the February Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting with special guest Dr. Mario Guzman Sescosse. Dr. Guzman Sescosse's presentation was "Parenting: A Relationship of Love and Discipline" and attendees found it to be very informative and interactive. We also raffled off copies of his book and he was gracious enough to sign copies for the winners.
While the adults were learning, the children in attendance created crafts with a few of Woodland's Dual Language teachers and volunteers from the “Avanza” student group at Warren Township High School. Our friend Tobias Comfort Dog was there too!
Thank you to Community Trust Credit Union and Starbucks Gurnee for donating additional prizes for the event! We appreciate your support. #LifeintheW
While the adults were learning, the children in attendance created crafts with a few of Woodland's Dual Language teachers and volunteers from the “Avanza” student group at Warren Township High School. Our friend Tobias Comfort Dog was there too!
Thank you to Community Trust Credit Union and Starbucks Gurnee for donating additional prizes for the event! We appreciate your support. #LifeintheW









Check out the WMS Skateboarding Club in action! They have another trip scheduled in March. Club members teach each other new skills and encourage their friends to keep going. #LifeintheW
Club Motto:
"Be Relentless in What Matters! Fall, Get Up and Try Again!"
Club Sponsors:
Ms. Monterroso and Mr. Aablouche
Club Motto:
"Be Relentless in What Matters! Fall, Get Up and Try Again!"
Club Sponsors:
Ms. Monterroso and Mr. Aablouche










Wow!!! Thank you for coming to Woodland's Black History Month Celebration this past Saturday! It was a great event full of music and togetherness, amazing performances, wonderful support from our community partners and volunteers, and beautiful artwork by our talented students. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. #LifeintheW



We look forward to seeing you this Thursday, Feb. 5, at Woodland Intermediate for a presentation by Dr. Sescosse (6:30 p.m.). We will be raffling off signed copies of his books, gift cards, and bilingual books and games. There will also be crafts for the children, refreshments, and many more surprises!
Topic - Parenting: A Relationship of Love & Discipline
Learn More & Register HERE: https://app.smore.com/n/3v2d4
Thank you from the Bilingual Parenting Advisory Committee!
Topic - Parenting: A Relationship of Love & Discipline
Learn More & Register HERE: https://app.smore.com/n/3v2d4
Thank you from the Bilingual Parenting Advisory Committee!


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
To see more news and announcements, check out the Woodland ROAR Report for Friday, Jan. 30 - https://app.smore.com/n/sc8y0v

