1990-1999
Heading for the 21st Century
The Woodlin Elementary of the 90s is a modern, up-to-date school ready for the next century. The school dedicated its newest classrooms in 1990. By 1995, the 50th anniversary of the school, there were about 530 students. The school will probably reach its maximum capacity of 583 students by 1999.(Note: In fact in 1999, Woodlin enrollment is now close to 600 students, thank you MCPS!) Woodlin continues to welcome students whose families have arrived from homes where another language is spoken.
While most things have grown, a few have gotten smaller. All-day kindergarten ended as of the fall of 1992, and Woodlin stopped receiving money for many teacher aides in 1994. Ideas that were popular in Woodlin's early history have come back during this decade. In the 1940s, recycling was common because materials were scarce during World War II. Now 50 years later, students and teachers recycle paper, cans and foam cafeteria trays to help save the environment. Woodlin students' interest in the environment has grown into a month-long celebration in 1995 with a focus on preserving the world's rain forests.
Group learning is another idea that is returning. A former teacher remembers that in the early 1970s "students worked in groups to come to a conclusion." Today we call it cooperative learning. Woodlin students now also benefit from "hands-on-learning" where they can see how things like math and science are important in every day life.
Every year the school adds computers and software to keep up with the fast changing technology of the decade. Students can communicate on the Internet with a school in Brazil or do research using CD-ROMS in the media center. "I used a CD-ROM for my report on musical instruments in Japan," said a third grader. "I could show my class how the instruments sounded."
The student council is active and a new service club, "Woodlin Helping Others", started in the 1990s. Since 1992, 4th and 5th graders have been trained as peer mediators. They help students resolve problems with each other. Life after school is busy too with many after school classes and clubs. Because of our super staff, community partnerships, and active parent support, Woodlin remains a vibrant and exciting place for the shaping of tomorrow.
The first verse of the Woodlin school song captures the Woodlin spirit:
Let's go Woodlin, wizards are great.
We are the best, the best in the state.
These are our colors, the white and the blue.
To Woodlin, our school, we'll always be true.
While most things have grown, a few have gotten smaller. All-day kindergarten ended as of the fall of 1992, and Woodlin stopped receiving money for many teacher aides in 1994. Ideas that were popular in Woodlin's early history have come back during this decade. In the 1940s, recycling was common because materials were scarce during World War II. Now 50 years later, students and teachers recycle paper, cans and foam cafeteria trays to help save the environment. Woodlin students' interest in the environment has grown into a month-long celebration in 1995 with a focus on preserving the world's rain forests.
Group learning is another idea that is returning. A former teacher remembers that in the early 1970s "students worked in groups to come to a conclusion." Today we call it cooperative learning. Woodlin students now also benefit from "hands-on-learning" where they can see how things like math and science are important in every day life.
Every year the school adds computers and software to keep up with the fast changing technology of the decade. Students can communicate on the Internet with a school in Brazil or do research using CD-ROMS in the media center. "I used a CD-ROM for my report on musical instruments in Japan," said a third grader. "I could show my class how the instruments sounded."
The student council is active and a new service club, "Woodlin Helping Others", started in the 1990s. Since 1992, 4th and 5th graders have been trained as peer mediators. They help students resolve problems with each other. Life after school is busy too with many after school classes and clubs. Because of our super staff, community partnerships, and active parent support, Woodlin remains a vibrant and exciting place for the shaping of tomorrow.
The first verse of the Woodlin school song captures the Woodlin spirit:
Let's go Woodlin, wizards are great.
We are the best, the best in the state.
These are our colors, the white and the blue.
To Woodlin, our school, we'll always be true.