Woodland Park School District News
April 28, 2023
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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Autism Walks
On April 20, our students joined together to raise awareness and acceptance of autism. Above, students at Charles Olbon School lit it up blue and took part in a school-wide community walk with bubbles and music. Below, Beatrice Gilmore School and Memorial Middle School students joined together for three laps around the field pathway.
Prior to the autism walk, Beatrice Gilmore students chose to make posters during their lunch and recess to illustrate “I Can Be Me at BG!”
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Cafe Night
The Memorial Middle School music program, under the direction of music director Mr. Schaefer, held the first ever cafe night on Wednesday night. Students in the sixth grade jazz band, seventh and eighth grade jazz band, and choirs performed a selection of pop songs. There were several student solos as well. The event had a more casual vibe than a traditional musical showcase with dimmer lighting, cafe-style seating, and refreshments.
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Dino Dig
Students at School 1 and Charles Olbon School enjoyed a dino dig sponsored by the Home & School Association. Each was able to grab a set number of eggs that were filled with small trinkets and treats.
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Celebrating Earth Day
Ms. Antunez's first grade class at Charles Olbon School celebrated Earth Day by doing a scavenger hunt outside. Students were looking for different types of bugs and natural resources. The goal was to check off all the items on the list.
For Earth Day, students in Ms. Greco's second grade class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed learning about various ways to help our planet. This included planting flowers and trees. Students planted flowers of their own and will spend the next few weeks recording observations as they watch the plant grow.
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Tower Building
Mrs. Parker's students at Memorial Middle School had a blast building towers in Ms. O'Donnell's STEM class.
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Sound Scientists
Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School concluded a sound study in science by constructing and testing phones. The students used various materials to test which phone would produce the best quality of sound. The class learned that scientists may have to retest inventions to make things work better. They took notes to help make their next invention more successful. These first graders are looking forward to testing more materials to make improvements.
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Week of the Young Child
School 1 and Charles Olbon School marked Week of the Young Child, which was held April 1-7. The event celebrates early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. Mrs. Munro's PreK-4 class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed all of the activities that week including Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, and Paint and Sip Thursday.
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Brighten The Moon With Good Deeds
Mrs. Rasha Najim and Ms. Pamela Yesenosky created a unique opportunity for students to share in the spirit of kindness this month. In the third, fourth, and fifth grade hallways, a bulletin board was created to display stars of good deeds that students were recognized for. This new initiative, "Brighten the Moon with Good Deeds," created a sense of community in the building. Students are encouraged to continue random acts of kindness throughout their lives.
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Sort & Count
Mrs. Chiaravalloti’s PreK-3 students at Charles Olbon School were sorting, classifying, and counting using their sensory bins.
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Poet Tree
Students in Mrs. Hawkins' fifth grade class at Beatrice Gilmore are writing time capsule poetry, to be read to their future selves in 10 years.
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Administrative Professionals Day
Wednesday was Administrative Professionals Day. Memorial Middle School students presented Mrs. Manzi with flowers and a card to recognize her for helping to run the school smoothly and effectively. We salute all our administrative professionals for all their hard work and dedication to our students.
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Raising Awareness
The Health Club at Memorial Middle School is busy teaching students about allergies and how to control all of their allergy symptoms this season.
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Basketball Teams Honored
Mayor Keith Kazmark and the Borough Council honored the Woodland Park Panthers 7th and 8th grade girls basketball Team Amanullah for their Passaic Valley League championship. The team consists of Madison Amanullah, Jhyanna Beato, Vanessa Hackett, Tori Hackett, Bianca Maldonado, Joanie Mupo, and Deylani Salcedo. The Mayor and Council also honored the Woodland Park Panthers 7th and 8th grade boys basketball Team Snyder for their Passaic Valley League championship. The team consists of Mohamed Abdalla, Oshmar Cancel Moya, Luis Contes, Xavier Diaz, Lorenzo Flumenbaum, Talal Mansour, Tallon Napoli, Emir Safarini, and Jason Snyder.
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House Fundraising 5K
Launched in 2019, Memorial Middle School''s House System was implemented to improve the school's overall climate and build a positive culture. The system involves sorting all students into four houses representing character traits: earth for trustworthiness, wind for respect, fire for responsibility, and water for caring.
The house assignment process is conducted randomly to ensure students have opportunities to work and socialize with others outside their social circles, promoting a sense of belonging and connection. Teams participate in various events, accumulating points towards a final reward such as a house field trip.
To support the House System, a 5K Color Run will take place on May 6 with all proceeds going towards the cause. This fundraiser is open to anyone, so please spread the word. Students and staff are also invited to participate. To register for the event, click here.
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BGHSA Fundraisers
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COHSA Parents Night Out
The Charles Olbon School Home & School Association is running a fundraising parent's night out at Arts & Creations on May 11. Tickets are $40 and the deadline to order has been extended to May 1.
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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.
Monday, May 1, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go weight loss support group. Register here.
Monday, May 1, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies. This program for babies age 1 to 23 months includes stories, rhymes, songs, and free play. Register here.
Monday, May 1, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here. Monday, May 1, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons club for teens in grades 6-12. New and experienced players are welcome anytime. Register here.
Monday, May 1, 7 p.m. - Baumann Book Club will meet to discuss "Someone Else's Shoes" by Jojo Moyes. Register here.
Tuesday, May 2, 11 a.m. - Coffee And ... Looking for a friend or someone to chat with? Stop by the library, have a cup of coffee, and bring a friend or make some friends. Special guest will be Sen. Kristin Corrado. Register here.
Wednesday, May 3, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 2 and up. Join Miss Sara for a special story time featuring rhymes, songs, a craft, and more. Register here.
Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, May 4, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, May 4, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit chair exercise class. Register here.
Thursday, May 4, 6:30 p.m. - Bingo for adults. Prizes will be available. Register here.
Friday, May 5, 11 a.m. - Lunch & A Movie. Join in for lunch and a viewing of "80 For Brady." Register here.
Monday, May 8, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time for the whole family. Pajamas are encouraged. Register here.
Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4. Make a special Mother's Day craft, just for mom. Register here.
Tuesday, May 16, 1 p.m. - Crafternoon. Enjoy creating a beautiful craft to take home. Come and relax and let your creative juices flow with Linda. Register here.