Woodland Park School District News
Oct. 22, 2021
Welcome to the Woodland Park School District e-Newsletter which is sent out weekly when school is in session. It serves as a glimpse of some of the wonderful things going on in our schools, as well as a point of reference for upcoming events.
Your Partner in Education,
Michele R. Pillari, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
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Community Helpers
Members of the West Paterson Fire Department and Woodland Park Police Department visited PreK students at School 1 and Charles Olbon School as part of Community Helpers Week. The children learned about fire safety and heard safety tips from the police officers. The students were also provided the opportunity to see all the gears and tools used in a firetruck and police car.
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Nature Walk
Students in Mrs. Morozowski's preschool class at Charles Olbon School recently enjoyed a nature walk. Leaves, acorns, and sticks were collected as a piece of the "discovery" curriculum.
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Studying Simple Machines
Mrs. Casanovas' PreK-4 class at School 1 began the simple machine study this week. The students were provided with a “feely box” which contained a simple machine. Using different senses of touch, the students were asked to describe what was felt.
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Math Challenge
After Mrs. Bouroult's fourth graders at Beatrice Gilmore School finished day two of Start Strong testing, the students worked in small groups to build, order, and compare numbers!
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Pumpkin Patch
The School 1 Home & School Association provided a pumpkin patch for all preschool students this week. Each student was provided the opportunity to choose their very own pumpkin and were also given a craft.
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Continuing A Tradition
The third and fourth grade students at Beatrice Gilmore School were treated to a wonderful outdoor assembly from the Passaic Valley Rotary Club. Rotary Member, Mrs. Roman, shared the mission of global and community outreach which the Rotary Club provides. Students were given their very own dictionary, a tool each child can keep with them for life! Thank you Passaic Valley Rotary Club!
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SNAC Hosts Virtual Meet & Greet With Guidance Counselors
The Special Needs Advisory Committee (SNAC) hosted a "Snac & Learn" with the district guidance counselors last Thursday. The goal of this meeting was to inform the parents in attendance of the numerous resources available throughout the school district.
"Our guidance counselors are a great resource and great support for our parents," said Dr. Irizzary, Director of Special Education & Student Support Services. "Reach out. We are all here for you anytime."
Mrs. Santucci, Guidance Counselor at Charles Olbon School, noted that she sees the students each and every day outside on line duty. She is available to work with them individually or in groups. She offers a virtual guidance room here with numerous resources for both students and parents.
Beatrice Gilmore School Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Farraye, also sees a lot of the students outside on playground. She said she works mainly to get the students and families any and all help that is needed.
Memorial School Guidance Counselor, Mrs. McGlame, works to ensure student records are in place as they transition to high school. She also does work with conflict mediation at the middle school level.
Founded in 2015, SNAC works to provide input to the school district regarding issues concerning students with special needs and provide support for parents. Find out more about SNAC here. SNAC Board Members are President-Maria Billson, Treasurer-Lisa Mistretta, Secretary-Gina Gerardi, School District Liaison-Tami Hajbi, and Board of Education Representative-Laura Spagnola-Vargas.
Maria Billson, SNAC President, noted that parents often need help navigating the ins and outs of an IEP and its helpful for parents, as it can be intimating for parents to talk to teachers and administrators. "SNAC is there for you," she noted.
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Board Of Education Selects New Member
Shannon Marren was sworn in to the Woodland Park Board of Education on Wednesday evening. Ms. Marren is filling the 11 weeks remaining on the term of former Board Member Christopher Mania, who stepped down. Ms. Marren, who is running for the board on Nov. 2, was one of four individuals who were interviewed for the position.
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Fifth Grade Committee Is Selling Vouchers For Krispy Kreme Original Dozens
The Beatrice Gilmore School Home & School Association Fifth Grade Committee is selling Krispy Kreme vouchers. The cost is $11 and the voucher is good for an Original Glazed Dozen the next time they visit a Krispy Kreme shop. Vouchers will be emailed to you once the HSA's minimum order requirement is met. To order a voucher, click here.
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Stop By The Farmers Market Tomorrow For Festive Fall Photo Fundraiser
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WPU Offers Free "Wellness Wednesday Parent Program"
William Paterson University's Pre-College Youth Programs has rebranded its parent program to the Wellness Wednesday Parent Program (WWPP).
The original mission was to service parents and guardians as the individual people they are and the struggles that come with your individual communities. Topics like how to interact with your LGBTQIA+ kids using modern language, creating accessible resources and knowledge of rights for parents who are immigrants, single parent empowerment sessions, and mastering tranquility are just some ideas.
The WWPP was created to fill the needs that we noticed had gaps for our community of parents. When you Google, “Parent Resources” you often find things only geared towards helping kids….not the parents themselves. WWPP aims to change that.
The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27. Workshops will run on the last Wednesday of every month for nine months. Workshops are free and held via Zoom.
To serve the community best, they have created a brief survey to understand what topics resonate most. All survey answers are anonymous and are 100% confidential. For more information, email youthprograms@wpunj.edu or call 973-720-3804.
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Memorial Middle School HSA Hosting Two Fundraising Events
The Memorial Middle School Home & School Association is hosting a Halloween dance on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be music, food, prizes, a haunted tunnel and fortune teller.
The HSA is also holding a Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser. Bundtlets are $6 each, 8" cakes are $30 each, and 10" cakes are $40 each. Flavors are: chocolate chocolate chip, vanilla, white chocolate raspberry, carrot, red velvet, lemon, and funfetti. To place an order or for more info., email Barbara at barbarakruszewski@outlook.com. Deadline for orders is Nov. 4. Pick up will be at 15 Westerholt Ave. on Nov. 22.
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Trick Or Trunk Registration Ends Sunday; Volunteer Trunkers Are Still Needed To Make The Event A Success
Registration ends on Sunday for the Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism & Drug Abuse's Trick or Trunk, to be held on Sunday, Oct. 31 from, 5 to 7 p.m. at the WP Boys & Girls Club, 8 Memorial Dr. Registration is required and can be done here. Cost to attend is a suggested donation of one bag of candy per family. This event is for residents only.
VOLUNTEER TRUNKS ARE STILL NEEDED! The Alliance is asking residents and businesses to volunteer for the event. This event cannot be a success without the community’s help. Currently, only 30 trunks are registered and ideally, 50 are needed.
Consider volunteering or buddy up with some friends to help. The only expenses are decorations for your vehicle and a small amount of treats to pass out. Families are asked to donate a bag of candy as admission which greatly offsets the amount of treats needed. To register your car (not attending children), text Michele at 973-219-9111 as soon as possible.
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Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following programs. While the Library building is temporarily closed due to flood damage, please check the website for event locations. Programming may be held outside, in the Municipal Building Community Room or via Zoom. Visit the Library's website here or Facebook page here. Its phone is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.
Monday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go. Join the group every Monday to discuss your weight loss journey via Zoom. Enjoy a relaxed, judgment-free zone to share your stories, recipes, tips, and more. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. - Yoga and chair meditation. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m. - Inside Out. Join Miss Sara for a very special story time centered on topics like diversity, inclusivity, teamwork, the environment, and more. Read, play games, do crafts, and discuss topics. Open to grades K-4. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m. - Sensory Play for babies to preK on the library lawn. Feel free to bring a blanket. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 4:30 p.m. - Bookmarked book club for grades 6 to 8. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is the book for the month. An excerpt will be read, followed by activities, crafts, or games based on the book. The book will be provided at the program. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time for babies to kindergarten age children. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. - Baby Snails story time for babies and toddlers. Join Miss Bri for early literacy outdoor story time on the lawn. Each week will have a new theme with stories, songs, rhymes, and more. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. - Join the Passaic County Health Department for a workshop on infectious diseases in the Borough of Woodland Park Municipal Chambers, 5 Brophy Lane. All are welcome, including walk-ins. This event will also be live-streamed. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales Storytime for children 3 and up. Join Miss Sara for stories, songs, rhymes, and more, with a new theme each week. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. - The Adult Book Club will meet to to discuss The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata. The eBook and audiobook versions of this title are available for download via Hoopla. The eBook can be found here. The audiobook can be found here. The meeting will be held in person or via Zoom. If held on Zoom, the link will be emailed as we approach the meeting date. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 28, 12 noon - Sit & Fit chair exercises. Join in on the second floor of Borough Hall in the Community Room for low-impact chair exercises for adults. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. - Spice of the Month Club meeting. Register here.
Saturday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. - Halloween Candy Chute. Join in on the library lawn for a story walk, obstacle course, and candy chute. Wear your costume! Registration is optional here.