The Woodland Brag Blog

8/12/15

There is a new post on the Woodland Blog about our newest Eagles.  Check it out.

woodlandelementary.wordpress.com

Please consider following the new blog so you get an email each time it is updated.

8/6/15

There is a new post on the Woodland Blog.  Check it out.

woodlandelementary.wordpress.com

Please consider following the new blog so you get an email each time it is updated.

8/1/15

I misspelled the new blog site in the last post. That will make following it pretty difficult. I have changed it on the 7/31/15 post but here it is also. Woodlandelementary.wordpress.com Please consider following the new blog. I have the newest list of licensed staff posted on that blog currently.

7/31/15

Hi everyone.  I have contacted this blog site and I can't get the changes made I would like so I have to move it.  The new site is:

woodlandelementary.wordpress.com

It has a subscription option also so you can get updates by email.  I hope everyone will stay connected and move with us to the new site.  I promise to communicate often with information and highlights of our year.  I just posted our newest staff list.  

7/6/15

I'm trying to continue using this blog, I don't have everything updated yet but am working on it.  Please be patient.

 

I'm hoping this finds the Woodland Community enjoying a fabulous summer including a great 4th of July weekend.  This is Toni Beckler and I wanted to take a second and tell you all how excited I am to be the new principal of Woodland Elementary.  It became official on July 1st.  I can't think of a better opportunity than to work with this amazing staff, these incredible students, and such a supportive community.  I truly feel blessed.

We have a lot of changes happening in the district and at Woodland for this coming year.  Although change is always hard and comes with challenges, it also offers the opportunity to build a stronger climate and culture.  That will be our goal this year, to listen, make adjustments, and grow as a school community.  Jill Metil, our new Assistant Principal, and I will be providing many opportunities to hear the "stories" of all the stakeholders in the building and use that information to ensure that Woodland Elementary works for all of us.  It is exciting work I can't wait to start.

Some important dates to know:

August 3, office opens

August 27, staff returns to work

September 2, Open House

(Because of data privacy laws, we will not be posting class lists on the website.  We are exploring the availability of each teacher sending an email to their new class. I will send more information about this as we get closer to Open House.)

I have been taking advantage of the time off this summer making memories.  My family, husband Steve, children Sydney (14) and Lucas (11), and dogs Percy and Chester, have already pulled the camper to Washington DC to marvel at the incredible memorials and museums there.  And now we are headed to my hometown to run the family bowling alley for a couple weeks. I love this family time and hope you are making those summer memories also.

I'll continue to post as changes occur over the summer, we have a few more coming.  Until then enjoy your family time and know how excited I am to get everyone back to Woodland Elementary for another amazing year.

 

Toni Beckler
Woodland Elementary Principal
Where Scholars "SOAR" to College and Career Readiness

6/11/15

Greetings!  I hope you are enjoying these first days of summer vacation and looking forward to the warm months ahead.  I also hope you and your children are continuing to read - together and independently - and exploring our world through experiences that help them learn and grow.  I remember summers with my own children and my goal to take them on as many "field trips" as I could (most free) during summer vacation.  It was such a great way to experience all the Twin Cities have to offer, connect with my kids, build their learning and background knowledge and have fun.

As my career comes to a close, I want to thank you for all you have done to make Woodland a fabulous place.  Together, over the past 13 years, we have built a school family that is positive and supportive, has fun together, and puts a laser like focus on doing whatever it takes to support each student.  WE have worked hard to close the opportunity and learning gaps for our scholars and make this the BEST school for each child in attendance.

It has been my honor and privilege to work with all of you over the years!  I have absolutely looked forward to coming to work each and every day and couldn't ever imagine doing anything else! I wish you the very best in the years to come and hope to see you in the community - and at some school functions.  :) The phrase, "Once a Woodland family member, always a Woodland family member" is one I now hold very dear to my heart!

Thank you!

Linda

6/5/15

Greetings!  It has been a TERRIFIC last week of school!  We had wonderful commemoration ceremonies for our fifth and sixth grade scholars, who then went to Valley Fair and Grand Slam.  Yesterday we had a great Patriotic Sing-along and Awards Assembly.  For me it has been a week of special events, words and hugs – and many emotions!   I had every intention of sending this note earlier in the week and I just didn’t get to it. For that I apologize. Plus, we had changes happening even yesterday!

I would like to introduce you to the 2015-16 Woodland staff. Due to the grade level reconfiguration our school district has undertaken, several of our school staff family members have chosen to accept other opportunities.  Here is a summary of this busy "staffing season":

Kindergarten:  

   Returning:

   Miss Courtney Bedford
   Mrs. Kymberly Saba
   Mrs. Franci Frisch

   New to the Team:

   Mr. Scott Lund (moving from second grade)
   Mrs. Jody Levy (moving from second grade) 

   *Mrs. Janna Cuevas, will be moving to a bilingual charter
    school.

First Grade:

   Returning:

   Mrs. Regan Granger
   Mrs. Melisa Halvorson
   Ms. Kara McGovern
   Mrs. Sarah Gute

   New to the Team:

   Mrs. Alexa Collordora (moving from sixth grade)

   *Mrs. Ann Lien has accepted a district instructional coach
    position.
   *Mrs. Liz Housman has taken a leave of absence.

Second Grade:

   Returning:

   Mrs. Nikki Kral
   Mrs. Laura Miller

   New to the Team:

   Mrs. Amber Dehn (moving from kindergarten)
   Mrs. Chris Pietsch (moving from sixth grade)
   Mrs. Jennifer Paulson (transferring from Birch Grove)

   *Mrs. Joni Hodsdon will retire.

Third Grade:

   Returning:

   Ms. Amy Goodrich
   Ms. Jeanne Heer
   Mrs. Donna Knutson
   Ms. Jodi Landers
   Mrs. Cindy Paulson

Fourth Grade:

   Returning:

   Mrs. Missy Buckley
   Mrs. Nicole Ewing
   Mrs. Stacy Harvey
   Mrs. Sarah Lee
   Ms. Melissa Sanchez

Fifth Grade:

   Returning:

   Mrs. Parvaneh Trobec
   Ms. Brenda Tollas
   Mrs. Laura Wagenman

   New to the Team:

   Mrs. Amber Sorenson (moving from sixth grade)

   *Mrs. Sandy Otto will be moving to Maple Grove Middle
    School.
   *Ms. Katie Leitschuh will be moving to Brooklyn Middle
    School.

Other Changes Include:

Leaving:

   Mrs. Carolyn Olson, special education teacher, retiring. 
   Mrs. LuAnn Gunderson, English language teacher, moving to
   start a new program at Rush Creek.
   Mrs. Hailey Olson, special education teacher, moving to
   Maple Grove Senior High.
   Mrs. Allison Wood, English language teacher, moving to
   start a new program at Elm Creek.
   Mrs. Laura Ellos, speech, moving to the Rockford School
   District.
   Ms. Laura Smith, English language teacher, moving to Osseo
   Middle School.
   Ms. Lexi Tullbane, English language teacher, moving to
   Maple Grove Middle School.
   Mrs. Kris Happe, gifted education, moving to Weaver
   Lake and Oakview.
   Ms. Julie McDonough, kitchen crew, moving to Edinbrook.
   Mrs. Brenda Braaten, kitchen crew, moving to Park
   Center Senior High.
   Ms. Michelle Johnson, ESP, taking a leave of absence.
   Mrs. Amy Lewis, ESP, has resigned.
   Mrs. Carrie O’Neill, ESP, moving to Osseo Middle School.
   Mr. Seth Ryan, Kidstop supervisor, moving to Edina Public
   Schools.
   Mrs. Janene Smith, instructional coach, returning to the
   classroom at Fair Oaks. 
   Ms. Sophia Tracy, Reading Corps tutor, leaving Woodland.
   Mrs. Alexia Meijer, Reading Corps tutor, leaving Woodland.
   Ms. Megan Czeck, ESP, leaving Woodland to attend graduate
   school in Denver.
   Mr. Joseph Krueger, orchestra instructor, moving to other
   district schools.
   Ms. Dawndra Thompson, full time substitute, moving to
   another district.

Joining our School Family:

   Mrs. Linda Kalk, special education teacher, returning from
   Zanewood.
   Ms. Terri Kendall, EL teacher.
   Ms. Maria Higueros-Canny, EL teacher.
   Miss Anne Fricke, EL teacher.
   Ms. Darby Ahartz, EL teacher.
   Mrs. Amy Branton, gifted education teacher (.6 Woodland/.4
   Edinbrook).
   Mr. Robert Diehl, instructional coach.
   Ms. Marie Peters, sixth grade this year, returning as our
   full time substitute teacher.
   Ms. Jill Metil, Assistant Principal, coming for Minneapolis
   Public School District.

Then, of course, as I retire from 35 years in education, the Woodland family is very lucky to have Mrs. Toni Beckler as its new principal.  She will do an amazing job and I look forward to watching Woodland continue to SOAR under her leadership.

So, as you can see, there have been MANY changes within our school family and there could be more over the summer.  We are so sad to say good-bye to our family members and excited about new opportunities for next year.

Stay tuned!  This family is going to continue to be amazing!

Have a wonderful summer!

Linda

P.S.  There will be at least one more blog entry from me before I leave. :)

 

   

 

6/5/15

5/26/15

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you have had a marvelous Memorial Day Weekend.  We should all be very thankful, and pause a moment, to honor and remember those who have "given up their todays, so that we can have our tomorrows".  I extend a heartfelt thank you to all those in our Woodland family who have served, or are serving, in the military.

It has been a BIG morning at Woodland!  Our physical education department, led by Mrs. Jenna Peterson, enrolled our school in the Step To It Challenge sponsored by the Minnesota Twins organization.  Due to the overwhelming participation by our Woodland family (over 170 registrations), we won a visit from the Twins.  Woo hoo!

This morning, Mr. Perry Castellano, the strength coach for the team, and Twins catcher Mr. Chris Herrmann visited Woodland to talk about the importance of exercise and movement in all of our lives. Chris Herrmann answered questions from many students about his role as the Twins back-up catcher. Mr. Castellano and Mr. Herrmann were also joined by TC, the Twins' mascot.  It was a fabulous morning for our school family!  Thanks to all who are participating in the Step To It Challenge and, once again, proving we are a terrific school family/community!

Go Twins!  And go Woodland!  Whether you are participating in the Step To It Challenge or not, please make sure exercise and movement are part of your regular family schedule.  Not only are they good for you, they can be very fun!

Enjoy the pictures from our special morning!

Linda

 

 

 

5/5/15

Greetings, again!  I want to share a wonderful experience that each of our sixth graders had on Monday.  

As part of our school mission to help each child "SOAR" to college and career readiness, our sixth graders, their teachers and chaperones had the pleasure of going on a field trip to the University of Northwestern College in St. Paul.  It was a beautiful day for a walk and tour of the campus!  The students were provided with an extensive tour and a Q & A session about college afterwards.  Many thanks to Mrs. Laura Larson for her coordination of this terrific event.

What a great way to expose our scholars to a college campus as they continue their journey to college and/or careers!

We continue to SOAR at Woodland!

Linda