Woodland D50 News and Information

Header Images: Dual Language Students at Woodland Primary enjoyed an assembly full of
singing, dancing, and learning in English and Spanish with 123 Andrés.
Thank you to the Woodland PTA for funding this assembly!

March 22, 2024

Dear Woodland Families,

I hope that you are already enjoying the first day of your well-deserved Spring Break, even though a look outside this afternoon feels more like winter vacation! We are probably competing for your attention today, but it’s important to us to send you our weekly newsletter to share highlights from last night’s Board of Education meeting. While many of our families will understandably put District correspondence on hold until we return from break, I know that some parents and community members have been waiting for the final draft of the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar to be approved by the Board.

As part of the current school year’s calendar development, the calendar committee moved several School Improvement Planning (SIP) Days to Wednesday in an effort to increase attendance on these important professional development days. We also built a five-day weekend “mini-break” into the calendar surrounding the Presidents Day holiday in February. I recently asked for feedback from both staff and families about these changes, and we used that feedback to develop the calendar that was approved by the Board of Education last night.

I reviewed the proposed calendar in detail at the February Board meeting. You are welcome to go back and listen to the conversation if you are interested in a deeper summary than I can provide in this space. Here are a few takeaways from the survey that I highlighted with the Board and that we took into consideration while developing the 2024-25 calendar:

• Almost everyone agrees that a consistent schedule is important. We saw in the survey responses that switching between Wednesdays and Fridays for SIP Days was confusing for some families.
• Friday was the preferred day for any schedule modifications due to parents having more flexible schedules on Fridays.
• The mini-break was a welcome addition for some, but others felt that five days away from school was too long.
• Many families and staff members were in favor of trying something new with scheduling staff professional development, the majority of them favoring an early dismissal over a late start.

As you will see in the 2024-2025 school year calendar, we are eliminating the monthly SIP Day which required a half-day of student attendance. Instead we are moving to a modified weekly schedule with an early dismissal on Fridays. These are not half-days; Fridays will be considered full days of school. Students will be in attendance for at least five hours and eat lunch at school on Fridays. Our “Early Release” schedule dismisses students between 65 and 80 minutes earlier than our regular bell schedule, depending on which school your child attends:

• SIP Day Schedule: PRI 10:40 a.m., Elem 10:50 a.m., MS 11:35 a.m., INT 12:20 p.m.
• New Friday Early Release Schedule: PRI 12:40 p.m., Elem 1:00 p.m., MS 1:45 p.m., INT 2:30 p.m.

A consistent theme in both the staff and family surveys was that, regardless of the actual content of the calendar, our community would like to see the following year’s calendar approved earlier in the year. I have discussed this request with the Board and with district leaders and you can expect this process to start sooner next year.

Please continue reading the newsletter for additional highlights, including the recognition of some amazing Wildcats, from last night’s meeting.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy Spring Break!

Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent
Woodland D50

• Mar. 22 - School Closed, No Student Attendance
• Mar. 25 - 29 - Spring Break, No Student Attendance
  
• Apr. 2 - Woodland Educational Foundation Meeting, Register
• Apr. 17 - School Improvement Planning (SIP) Day, Early Release
  

  PRI 10:40, ELEM 10:50, WMS 11:35, INT 12:20

• Apr. 20 - Parent University
• Apr. 27 - Woodland Career Fair

April PTA Preview - SAVE THE DATES! More details and volunteer info to come.

• Apr. 9 - Second Tuesday Fundraiser at Panera
• Apr. 11 - April PTA Meeting 7 p.m. via ZOOM
• Apr. 16 & 18 - Primary Book Fair
• Apr. 23 - 26 - Middle School Book Fair
• Apr. 24 & 25 - Elementary Book Fair

The Woodland School Board of Education Governing meeting was held on Mar. 21, 2024. Please see below for a summary of highlights from the meeting, or we welcome you to watch the meeting HERE.

Thank you for your continued support of Woodland District 50!

Woodland D50 students from the John Powers Center and Woodland Intermediate led the Board of Education in the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language in recognition of Disability Awareness Month.

Under the Superintendent Report:

• Woodland Middle School 8th Grade Student Trevion Montgomery was invited to the Board of Education Meeting to be recognized for his achievements on the wrestling mat this season. Trevion is an IESA Wrestling State Qualifier, and he was joined by his coaches Semaj Amen and Enrique Elena Puyal.
• Woodland Middle School started a Student Council this school year. Principal Drake, Student Council Sponsors, and Middle School Students shared a progress report with the Board of Education and District Administration.

The Board of Education approved employment for the following positions:

• Paraprofessional (3)
• Playground Supervisor (4)
• Bus Assistant
• Custodian
• Substitute Paraprofessional
• Substitute Registered Nurse

Also under consent agenda, the Board approved the resignation of six staff members, and five retirements.

The Board of Education appreciates the donations from generous supporters to help enhance programming in the district.

Elementary:

• The Blackbaud Giving Fund donated $80 to be used for student supplies.

Intermediate:

• The Blackbaud Giving Fund donated $160 to be used for student supplies.
• Thomas and Lindsay Cummings donated $1,000 to the Intermediate Drama program.

The total donations accepted for March 2024 was $1,240. This brings the total donation amount for the 2023-2024 school year to $28,270.60 to date.

Under Consent Agenda is where you will find approval of Board Meeting minutes, Policy Revisions, and approval of the monthly Financial Reports, Treasurer Reports, and Board Payables for the month. These reports are posted to the website after the meeting.

• Approval of Auditor Renewal Contract
• Approval of Revised Board Policies
• 2:40. Board Member Qualifications
• 4:60. Purchases and Contracts
• 4:130. Free and Reduced-Price Food Service
• 6:50. School Wellness
• 6:250. Volunteers
• 7:60. Residence
• 7:270. Administering Medicines to Students
• 7:285. Food Allergy Management Program
• 7:290. Adolescent Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention Programs
• Approval of Board of Education Meeting Minutes: Closed Minutes 2-22-24, Regular Minutes 2-22-24 and Regular Special Minutes 2-28-24
  

• Approval of Monthly Financial Reports, Treasurer Reports for the month of February and Board Payable list for the month of March.

The business that takes place under "Action Items" is first reviewed by the Board of Education at the previous monthly governing meeting under "Reports/Discussion Items". An item will first be presented as a Report or Discussion item for the Board of Education members to be introduced to the topic and allow time for questions, review, and revisions before that item is moved to the Action Items portion of the agenda for a vote the following month.

A. Approval of the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar - The Board of Education approved the district calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year. The District is required to submit a calendar annually that is approved by the Lake County Regional Office of Education, and the the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The approved calendar meets all of the ISBE guidelines, incorporates feedback from Woodland stakeholders, and aligns with neighboring school districts for Winter Break and Spring Break.

B. Approval of Revised Board Policy 5:250 Leaves of Absence

C. Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Honorable Dismissal of a Licensed Employee

D. Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Honorable Dismissal of an Educational Support Personnel

E. Approval of Skylight Replacement Bid at the Intermediate School - The skylight at Intermediate Schools is in need of replacement after persistent leaks over the years. Ongoing repairs have not alleviated the situation, and a full replacement is needed. The funding for this project was originally approved as part of the annual budget in September 2023, and Boller Construction Company has been selected as the lowest reasonable bid. The estimated cost of this project is $97,500.

F. Approval of Proclamation of Volunteer Week - The Board approved a resolution in honor of the many volunteers that support our learning community. National Volunteer Week is April 22 - 26.

Reports and Discussion Items are placed on the agenda as an introduction to a topic. If the topic will require a vote, it will be brought back under "Action Items" at the next regularly scheduled meeting. This allows Board Members to familiarize themselves with the topic and ask questions, or request additional information and modifications before voting on the matter. The following topics were introduced as a Report/Discussion Item at this month's meeting:

A. Presentation on Facilities Strategic Plan Update

B. Report on District Hazardous Crossings

C. Report on the Establishment of Non-Public Transportation Costs

D. Written Report on Food Service RFP

E. Written Report on District Treasurer Renewal

F. Written Information on Revised Board Policies

G. Receipt of any Freedom of Information Act Requests

A. Announcements

• IASB/State Update
• Discussion of information learned at the Equity Symposium and Advocacy Institute

B. Committee Reports

C. Board Improvements/Status Requests and Future Board Items

1. Discussion of Remote Participation in Governing Board Meetings

You are always welcome to go back and review meeting materials, presentations, Board Payables, Finance Reports and the video recording from a regularly scheduled Board Meeting on the district website HERE (select the meeting date to view supporting materials). These items are typically posted within 24-48 hours after the meeting.

Instructions for Summer Adventure Registration:

• Log in to Skyward Family Access
• Select "Online Forms" from the column on the left.
• Fill out the Online Form for Wildcat Summer Adventures

Program Dates: June 11 - July 3, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

(No School June 19)

Questions? Risa Cohen, rcohen@dist50.net

The 4th and final Parent University Event of the 2023-2024 School Year will be an in-person conference on April 20 from 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. The event will start with a keynote presentation on the topic of Stress Management for Busy Families. We are still putting the finishing touches on some of the other sessions, but you can expect opportunities to learn more about Student Safety at Woodland, Gun Violence Prevention, Equity and Belonging, Middle School Standards Based Grading, and more!

Changing Schools

Is your child moving up to the next school in August? Our school administrative teams will host sessions to provide you with a warm welcome, and answer frequently asked questions about their school. These sessions are designed to help set expectations as your child transitions to the next school in Woodland D50.

WIN PRIZES!

Woodland will be raffling off TEN free student registrations for the 2024-2025 school year. Parent University attendees will be entered into a drawing for a chance to waive your child's student registration fees!

Hiring in the W! Woodland is actively recruiting for several teaching and support staff positions. Please join us at the Woodland Career Fair to learn more about what it means to be part of the #LifeintheW Team. Woodland D50 is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Learn more: English / Spanish

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024

Time: 8 - 11 a.m.

Location: Woodland Educational Support Center, 1105 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee

Register Here!

Full list of current openings

• Early Childhood - 8th Grade Teachers
• Special Education
• Student Support Services
• Maintenance & Custodial Staff
• Bus Drivers
• Playground Supervisors
• Substitute Teachers
• Paraprofessionals
  
  

Woodland D50 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Launch Fundraiser, April 26

Save the Date for the Woodland Educational Foundation's fundraiser at Launch!

• Date: Friday, April 26
• Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
• Location: Launch Gurnee

Three Hour Action Pass and Great Raffle Prizes - stay tuned for more information. Check out the event on Facebook!

Please visit Woodland's Virtual Backpack to learn about other events and resources in the community. New events are added all the time, so check back often.

Featured this week in Virtual Backpack:

• Summer Bootcamp - Virtual Learning Summer Camp
• Spring Events through Gurnee Park District - Parents Night Out, Days Off, Bunny Bash
• Junior Golf Programs at Bittersweet Golf Club
• Warren Special Recreation Association's Summer Camp
• First Responders Expo, May 17, 18 & 19