Woodland Park School District News
Feb. 4, 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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Spelling Bee Finals
Memorial Middle School has wrapped up its third annual Spelling Bee. On Jan. 21, students competed an class competition during language arts. Two winners were successful in moving on to the next round. The finals were held last Friday with 36 competitors. The top five spellers are featured left to right in the photo above: Jillian T. (first place), Fouad S., Jake P. (second place), Matteo V., and Giovanni P.
Jake and Jillian battled it out for seven rounds before Jillian ultimately claimed victorious! She now moves on to the North Jersey Spelling Bee! Congratulations to all of our participants! Not only did these students earn this recognition, but they also improved spelling skills, increased vocabulary, and developed correct English usage that will help them in their everyday lives.
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House Games
Memorial Middle School House Leaders - Ms. Ament - House of Fire; Ms. Mangine - House of Earth; Ms. McGarrity - House of Wind; and Ms. Riviera - House of Water - led various activities which proved to be fun and competitive at the same time at last Friday's whole school House Event! Some of these activities included Hula hoop relay races in the gym, musical chairs games in the cafeteria, and Sudoku puzzles in the classrooms.
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Dramatic Play
Several PreK teachers continue to update the classroom's dramatic play area based on their studies, interests, and inquiry.
Mrs. Cieslak created a post office center for her class at Charles Olbon School. The students deliver to their classmates by reading the names as noted on the envelopes, sort large and small envelopes, and explore upper and lower case letters using alphabet postcards. The children are also working on fine motor skills by writing letters to friends.
Mrs. Mete’s PreK- 4 class enjoys a “skating rink” area in their dramatic play area. Students experience ice skating, playing hockey, ordering snacks, and preparing snacks for customers. These areas reinforce that importance of role role playing in order to encourages creativity and imagination, enhance communication skills, develop social and emotional skills, and enhance physical development all while having fun at the same time!
Mrs. Guariglia's PreK-3 class is enjoying time in a classroom store whereby the students purchase various items.
Ms. Morozowski's PreK class at Charles Olbon School is having fun with their classroom auto shop!
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Scavenger Hunt
Students in Ms. Samra’s PreK-4 class at School 1 participated in a scavenger hunt around the classroom in order to find items which represented various types of tubes. The children recorded tally marks each time a tube was found.
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Adding It Up
Ms. Macchiavello's first grade students at Charles Olbon School recently created addition number bonds.
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Dance Demonstrations
Beatrice Gilmore School students have been participating in a dance unit during PE class. Dances learned include: Achy Breaky Heart, Cha Cha Slide, Cotton Eye Joe, Cupid Shuffle, West African, and Zumba. As pictured above, students are collaborating and rehearsing before the group performs a unique dance which incorporates steps from previously learned dances.
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Mosaic Creation
Memorial Middle School students in Mrs. Skibinski and Mr. Pollicino's classes colored mosaic posters of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for a project inspired by Alfred Baumann Youth Services Librarian, Sara Rappa. It was a great opportunity for the classes to discuss kindness and leadership. The posters are on display at the Library and the school during February.
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Sizing Them Up
The students in Mrs. Woessner’s PreK-4 class at Charles Olbon School chose objects from around the classroom and demonstrated how to line them up from longest to shortest. They explored and discussed the different ways their objects could be arranged by size.
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Dream Catchers
Students in Mrs. Behnken’s class at Memorial Middle School watched and discussed Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech, I Have a Dream. Students then created dream catchers, writing about individual dreams and dreams for the world.
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Get to Know The BOE Trustees
Each week we are spotlighting one of our Board of Education members in order to celebrate and honor their volunteer service and dedication to the students and families of Woodland Park.
David Amanullah has resided in Woodland Park for 17 years. He and his wife Jackie have two daughters, Kaitlyn (16) and Madison (12). Mr. Amanullah is an attorney/partner at Alsaidi Chang Hamdan, LLC in Paterson.
Currently serving in the third year of his first term, he is a member of the Board’s Policy, Education and Finance committees.
Mr. Amanullah’s goals for the District this year include maintaining the health and well-being of students, teachers, and administration; continuing to improve all education metrics; successfully scaling up the Pre-K program; introducing and administering after-school sports programs; fostering and growing public-private initiatives through the Woodland Park Education Foundation.
In addition to his work on the Board, Mr. Amanullah is a Woodland Park Municipal Court substitute prosecutor and is involved with the Passaic Valley Elks, the Passaic County Bar Association, the West Paterson Boys & Girls Club, and the Women and Families Ascending Association.
Please join us in thanking Mr. Amanullah for his time and service.
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Kindness Hearts
Students in Memorial Middle School kicked off Kindness Month and created a tree outside of the cafeteria with hearts representing each member of the school community. Students committed to an act of kindness that they will carry out during the month. Members of the Student Climate and Culture Team, Emilia A., Tayeeba A., and Stephanie M. helped to coordinate this effort under the direction of Mrs. Glenn and Mrs. Behnken.
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Student Reading Assistants
Students in Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School take great pride in teaching each other the reading process. What a heartwarming way to grow positive reading habits!
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Year of the Tiger
Beatrice Gilmore School Nurse, Mrs. Roehrich, visited classrooms this week to teach students about the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Tiger.
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Mid-Year Milestone
"We're half way there!" Tuesday was the halfway point of the school year. Check out Anthony and Alexander's "Good Morning Woodland Park" special morning announcement video that may just feature some staff and students that you know. View the video here.
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Baseball, Softball Registration Open
Registration is now open for 2022 spring baseball and softball for children in grades PreK to eighth grade. For full details and to register, click here.
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Blind Date With A Book
This month, the Alfred Baumann Library is excited to offer patrons the chance to go on a “blind date with a book.” It’s simple - choose a book wrapped in paper, based on a mysterious description stuck to the cover, check it out, bring it home, and of course, read it.
There are titles for all ages: children of all reading levels can go on a “play date with a book,” while teens can choose from fiction or graphic novels; adults will find a selection of fiction, large print, and DVDs to choose from.
The Library hopes patrons discover something they have never read, or perhaps never even heard of. It is easy to judge books by their covers and be influenced by what we’ve heard about a certain title - the goal here is to introduce readers to something new, something that might just become their new favorite. Titles range from older books to brand new, so you really won’t know what you’ve chosen until you’ve unwrapped it! The Library hopes that "blind date with a book" is a refreshing, fun way to choose your next read. Rather than going by the bestseller lists or new releases, discover something you might not have been interested in otherwise, and challenge yourself to try something new.
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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, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go weight loss journey discussion group via Zoom. Share stories, recipes, and more. Register here.
Monday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. - Yoga & Meditation. Join in via Zoom for a relaxing yoga and meditation session. Let your problems go for a while and relax. Register here.
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 - Pajama story time for all ages. Join Miss Sara for a special bedtime story time. Pajamas are encouraged! This program will be held virtually via Zoom. Register here.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 3 and up. Join in for story time, songs, and a craft. Register here.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 10, 12 noon - Sit & Fit chair exercises in the Community Room in Borough Hall. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 10, 4 p.m. - Chill Out With STEM. The January session will be held virtually via Zoom. You will receive an email confirmation after registering that will include the Zoom meeting information. A special STEM kit will also be available to pick up at the Library. Register here.
Saturday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4.This month, we will be making heart sun catchers to celebrate Valentine's Day. Register here.
Monday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 4:30 p.m. - Reading Rebels for grades 3 to 5. We will introduce the book, read an excerpt, then enjoy activities, crafts, or games. This month, we will be reading "Matilda" by Roald Dahl. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m. - Jedi Training for grades 3 to 8. Complete Star Wars-themed activities, games, crafts, and more. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. - Natural Remedies for Immune Support. Learn how elderberries and other herbs can support our immune system. Speakers are Mary from Apothecary Mary and Tracy and Natalie from Sweet's Elderberry. Register here.