Woodland Park School District News
April 14, 2022
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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Dino Dig
All of the students at School 1 and Charles Olbon School enjoyed a "Dino Dig" this week. The children picked several eggs filled with goodies compliments of the Home & School Associations.
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Prehistoric Shapes
Ms. Munro/Ms. Tobia's PreK-4 class at Charles Olbon School participated in a dinosaur activity after The Dino Dig event. Students traced dinosaur shadows and discussed various shapes that create a dinosaur such as triangles, ovals, and rectangles.
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Work Together Wednesday
Our educational community celebrated The Week of The Young Child this past week. On Work Together Wednesday, our preschool students were provided with the challenge of building a trap in order to catch a dinosaur, since they were scheduled to take part in a dinosaur dig later in the week.
Mrs. Guariglia’s PreK-3 class at School 1 made work hats and designed their very own dinosaur traps in preparation of the Dinosaur Dig.
Ms. Samra and Ms. Lucia’s PreK-4 class at School 1 planned, created and tried out their dinosaur trap.
Students in Mrs. Morozowski's Pre-K class at Charles Olbon School worked together to create their dinosaur trap.
Mrs. Woessner's "construction workers" read the story How to Catch a Dinosaur and worked together to create a dinosaur trap. The Pre-K class at Charles Olbon School took a class survey and tallied their choices to decide which color to paint the trap. The children cut out spots to decorate the trap.
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Spring Garden
Students in Ms. Face’s PreK-3 class at School 1 created a colorful spring garden.
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Chain Reactions
Students in the STEM class at Memorial Middle School tested their Rube Goldberg Machines. The students have been learning about the engineering design process and developed Rube Goldberg Machines as their final project.
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Across The Seas
The PreK-4 students at Charles Olbon School worked together to create a “Save Our Ocean” mural made of recycled materials to celebrate the end of the recycling unit.
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Open House
School 1 held an open house for the community and prospective students. Members of the administrative team were on hand to speak to attendees and provide tours throughout the building. Also on hand was Alfred Baumann Library Director, Linda Hoffmann, and Children's Librarian, Sara Rappa, as well as members of our Home & School Association.
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Family Friday
The Week of the Young Child concluded last Friday with Family Friday. A performance by Miss Jolie was provided in the Municipal Building sponsored by the Alfred Baumann Library. The children enjoyed dancing and having fun as a culmination of this special week.
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Autism Awareness Activities
Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School listened to a various read-alouds on the topic of Autism in honor of Autism Awareness Month. The students spent time discussing how all individuals learn in different ways. The children also talked about strateiges to use in order to help their friends who may learn differently. These activities build tolerance and acceptance as well as spreads kindness. At the end of the lesson, students designed their very own heart-shaped puzzle piece in support of their friends with Autism.
Ms. Brunini's class at Beatrice Gilmore School learned about Autism by listening to a story called My Friend Has Autism by Amanda Doering Tourville.
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Youth Month Kickoff
Woodland Park’s annual Youth Month kicked off on Tuesday at Memorial School with a visit from Mayor Kazmark. During this 60-plus-year tradition, our eighth grade students joined our Mayor for a whole group assembly in order to learn about the program and its similarities to running for real office. Students received descriptions of each role and were encouraged to run for election into these positions.
Elections will be held during homeroom. Following elections, the students selected for the positions will have a several opportunities to see their local government in action through a tour of the town and presiding over Municipal Court, a Board of Education meeting, and a Borough Council meeting.
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Clever Disguises
Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed disguising the turkey to hide from the farmer during Thanksgiving time so much that we thought a bunny could use some help, too. The children creatively designed ways to hide the bunny from the farmer. Families came together to help the spring bunny escape the farm.
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Get To Know The Special Police Officers
Through a shared service agreement with the Borough of Woodland Park, the Woodland Park School District is proud to have a Special Class Police Officers stationed at each of the schools. These officers work to keep the students safe, keep traffic moving safely around Borough schools, conduct security checks in the school buildings as well as follow up on residency concerns.
Special Class III Officer Peter Martin has lived in Hillsdale in Bergen County for the last 22 years. He is a single father with two daughters - Elisa, who is 14 and in 8th grade, and Samantha, 16, a sophomore in high school.
Officer Martin was a police officer in River Vale in Bergen County for 25 years. He was a detective for 10 years and retired in 2020 at the rank of Lieutenant. He began working for WPPD as a Special Police Officer in September 2021, assigned to Charles Olbon School.
When he is not working, Officer Martin and his girls like to ski and snowboard in the winter and spend time at the beach in the summer.
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Educational Foundation Paver Fundraiser
The newly formed Woodland Park Education Foundation kicked off its first fundraiser at the WP Health Fair last Saturday - "A Building Block to the Future." Engraved pavers are being sold which will be used to line the walkway entrance to Memorial Field Complex on Memorial Drive. The pavers cost $125.00 each and can be engraved with four lines with up to 13 characters on each line. All funds raised will expand and enhance educational opportunities for all students in the School District. For more information or to order a paver, click here.
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Cub Scout Pack 31 Fundraiser
Cub Scout Pack 31 of Woodland Park is having a Pampered Chef fundraiser. To shop the fundraiser and help support the boys and all their fun adventures, click here.
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BGHSA Reusable Bag Fundraiser
Starting May 4, New Jersey retail stores, grocery stores, and food service businesses may not provide or sell single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags are allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2,500 square feet, which may only provide or sell reusable carryout bags. Shop the Beatrice Gilmore School Home & School Association Boon fundraiser to pick up reusable bags. Check out the selections here.
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Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following programs. Visit the Library's website here or Facebook page here. Its phone is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.
Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m. - Lego Mania for children in kindergarten and up. Register here.
Monday, April 18, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go. Join the weight loss journey and share your tips, stories, and more. Register here.
Monday, April 18, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies. Join this new program for toddlers age 1 to 24 months. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and free play. Register here.
Monday, April 18, 11 a.m. - Yoga & Meditation. Let your problems go and relax for a while. Register here.
Monday, April 18, 3 p.m. - Spring Break Boredom Buster. Enjoy some old-school board games, crafts, Legos, and more. You can stay the whole time, or just stop by. Snacks will also be available. All ages are welcome. Register here.
Tuesday, April 19, 4:30 p.m. - Reading Rebels book club for grades 3 to 5. Register here.
Wednesday, April 20, 4 p.m - Snails & Tails. Join Miss Sara for a story time for ages 3 and up. Register here.
Wednesday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, April 21, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, April 21, 12 noon - Sit & Fit chair exercises in the Community Room in Borough Hall. Register here.
Thursday, April 21, 4 p.m. - Flower Power. Celebrate Earth Day by recycling old coffee cans into beautiful flower pots. Decorate your coffee can, plant flower seeds, and learn all about how to help your flowers grow. All aged children are welcome. Supplies are limited. Register here.
Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m. - Eating a Plant Based Diet. Passaic County's Health Educators will discuss the benefits of eating a plant-based diet. Register here.
Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m. - Ramadan Story Time. Join in for a very special Saturday story time to celebrate Ramadan. Enjoy stories, rhymes, crafts, and more - for the whole family. Registration is required here.