Student Transitions
Incoming 6th Graders for 23-24 School Year
Dear Parents and Guardians:
While it might be hard to believe, we have come to the point of your child’s 5th grade where we have to start talking about transitioning to Wood Oaks. While we believe that it is essential for you to continue concentrating on your Shabonee School experience, we would like to make you aware of the upcoming transition activities we have planned for fifth grade students and parents.
I hope that these transition activities help you and your child prepare for three success-filled years at Wood Oaks. All of us at Wood Oaks strive to provide a positive learning experience for all of our students and understand that this starts with a smooth transition. If there are any questions that I can answer about the activities listed above, please give me a call. I look forward to meeting all of you very soon.
Sincerely,
Cari Beake
Principal
April 21
Student Welcome & Overview: April 21 during school day at Shabonee. This student only meeting will give our soon to be Wildcats a brief overview of a typical day at Wood Oaks. We will discuss the courses that they will be taking, as well as the world language and music options that will be possible at Wood Oaks.
April 24
Parent Orientation Meeting: April 24, 6:00 pm at Wood Oaks. This parent only meeting will give you information about the transition process, Wood Oaks scheduling and programing, and an overview of life at Wood Oaks. This meeting will be in-person only. We will share the presentation slides after the meeting.
May 5
May 5 - World Language & Music Elective Forms due. Parents will be emailed two forms after the Parent Orientation meeting: World Language Selection and Music Electives.
- Incoming 6th graders that do not have an IEP that requires a Resource class have the ability to choose from French or Spanish as a World Language. Some students will be recommended for an academic support class, Learning Pathways, in place of a World Language. Parents of students recommended for Learning Pathways will receive a separate email over the summer informing of this recommendation.
- Students wishing to continue with (or join) Band, Orchestra, or Chorus as an elective will complete the other form. All Wood Oaks students will have access to more STEAM electives when they are in 7th and 8th grade. As sixth graders, our music performance classes are the only electives open.
May 26
Students Tour Wood Oaks - On May 26, during the school day. Future Wildcats come to Wood Oaks with their classes during one of two different tours conducted by current Wildcats.
Summer Mailing
Summer Mailing - TBD. You will have an email from me over the summer outlining the start of the school year and any last minute details.
August 22
Incoming 6th grade Student Open House: Tuesday, August 22, 3:45pm - 4:45pm. Students ONLY. Incoming 6th grade students have an opportunity to meet their 1st period teacher, walk their schedule, and pick-up their Chromebook prior to the first day of school. This event is for 6th grade students only.
First Day of School
First day of School! Thursday, August 24: 8:10AM start. We will have a final orientation for incoming sixth grade students throughout the school day. Students will be able to learn their new locks, review our PBIS system of R.OA.R., meet their new teachers, and familiarize themselves further with the school building. Our entire staff will be supporting students with this transition, even beyond the first day.
Transition to GBN
Parent Meeting Presentation
Click the image below to view the PDF presentation from the Parent Meeting that was held on December 6, 2022.
Questions
If you have questions at any time about this transition process, please do not hesitate to contact Cari Beake. You can also find information through the GBN website’s enrollment page specifically related to the transition process.
General Information
The start of this transition process will begin on December 6 with a Wood Oaks parent meeting at 6pm at Wood Oaks. The Wood Oaks administrative team will give parents a general overview of the transition process. This meeting is optional and will not include staff from GBN.
On January 5 counselors from GBN will come to Wood Oaks during the school day to speak with our 8th graders regarding the registration process and to answer their questions about life at GBN.
This meeting will be followed by the 8th Grade Parent & Student Curriculum Night at GBN on January 10 starting at 6:30 p.m. Both of these meetings will give students and parents an overview of GBN’s classes and general school information.
GBN Activities and Athletics Parent & Student Night will be held on February 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts (CPA). During this meeting you and your student will hear more information about the extracurricular opportunities that will be available at GBN.
Student Placement
Wood Oaks teachers and GBN instructional supervisors will meet to discuss student placements for GBN starting in December and going through the first week in January. It is important to note that all placement decisions are the final decision of GBN. Wood Oaks staff will share class grades, work habits observed, and relevant test data to help GBN make those decisions. However, course placements are ultimately the decision of GBN staff.
Course placement recommendations will be emailed to parents from GBN on January 13 around 4 p.m. If families do not agree with the course recommendations, there will be a process for requesting a change of level. Information and a link to request a change of placement will be included in the email on January 13.
Any requests for change will be due to the GBN instructional supervisors on January 23. Wood Oaks students will then go to GBN on January 23 during the school day to meet with their counselors and register for their classes.
Considering Private School
If you are considering a private school in lieu of your child attending GBN, we encourage you to participate fully in the GBN articulation and registration process. Many times plans change down the road for unforeseeable reasons, and it is better to have the necessary arrangements in place for GBN. Once the registration for private school is confirmed, GBN registration can be canceled with a single phone call to their guidance department.
Upcoming Events
8th Grade Graduation
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Glenbrook South High School