Woodland Park School District News
Jan. 28, 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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Branches of Kindness
Students in Mrs. Morozowski's Pre-K class at Charles Olbon School marked “No Name-Calling Week” with a kindness activity by making a tree named “Branches of Kindness.” On each of the red hearts, students wrote about the ways they are kind to one another. Students learned how acts of kindness can make a difference, especially when done intentionally.
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Circle of Compliments
School 1 PreK-3 teachers Mrs. Guariglia, Ms. Gilhooley, Mrs. Wittig, and Ms. Fayce's class read the story Be Kind and sat in a "compliment circle," rolling the ball to a friend, and giving them a compliment during "No Name-Calling Week."
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Creating Trick Words
Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed making trick words during class and creating objects during recess with new Play-Doh packs. It was the perfect activity for indoor recess fun.
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Sharing Their Dreams
Mrs. DiBona's third grade classes at Beatrice Gilmore School watched and discussed Martin Luther J. King, Jr.'s famous speech I Have a Dream. Students wrote, drew, and shared personal dreams for the world and created an Our Dreams for the World book for the classroom library.
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Secret Message
Even though kindness is no secret to the students in Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Lindsay's PreK-4 class at School 1, the students did find a "be kind" secret message on hidden papers. After the papers were found, the students painted with watercolor paints after reading the book Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller.
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Top Spellers
Students at Memorial Middle School took part in a great American tradition - the Spelling Bee! Last week, students competed in a class competition in language arts classes and two winners from each moved onto the school-wide bee. The winner of this round will move on to the next round to compete against other school winners. See next week's e-news for the results!
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Healing Hearts
In honor of "No Name-Calling Week," students in Ms. Casasnovas' PreK-4 class read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. The students learned that words are powerful and discussed how important it is to use kind words. Each student created a Band-Aid to help heal Chrysanthemum’s heart after some friends used unkind words which hurt her feelings.
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Indoor Fun
Ms. Samra's PreK-4 class at School 1 enjoyed taking part in an inside obstacle course during gross motor time.
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Changing The World
Ms. Samra taught a kindness lesson to her PreK-4 class at School that was shared in honor of Martin Luther J. King, Jr. and "No Name-Calling Week." Afterward, they created a poster college - "I Can Change The World With My Own Two Hands" - with colored globes and handshape cutouts.
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Tubes & Tunnels
Mrs. LaSala’s PreK- 4 class at School 1 created painted pasta tube necklaces to go with their tubes and tunnels study.
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Peace Quilt
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School designed a Peace Quilt. Each student designed and decorated a patch to tell about themselves and their interests. They love learning more about one another!
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Get to Know The BOE Trustees
January is designated Board of Education Appreciation Month. Every week during this month, we will spotlight each 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.
Our newest board member, who was sworn into her first term on Jan. 3, Shannon Marren is a lifelong resident of Woodland Park, for 25 years. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies, and is employed as a pediatric urgent care medical assistant.
Ms. Marren serves on the Board of Education’s Education Committee and is chair of the Community Relations Committee.
Her primary goals for the District this year include working with the newly appointed trustees in starting the Woodland Park Education Foundation, helping to open our second tuition-free Pre-K center, painting positive messages on doorways in our school buildings, and further developing the Community Relations Committee.
Ms. Marren serves as the Director of the Woodland Park Summer Camp and is preparing for her 10th summer there. She also works to fundraise for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is a CCD teacher at St. Francis of Assisi and advisor to the Monmouth University Dance Team.
Please join us in thanking Ms. Marren for her time and service.
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Lifting Students Up
The Social Emotional Bulletin Board at Beatrice Gilmore School now offers students a place to help themselves to positive affirmations and reinforcements. The "Words to Lift You Up" board is filled with balloons for the students to pick off and keep. Each balloon is a reminder for the students to "believe in yourself," "celebrate you" and more. The pictured student picked "You are Brave" as a reminder for himself that no matter what comes his way today - he is brave!
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Words Matter
This week the students of Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Serrano’s fourth grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School deepened their understanding of the positive impacts Martin Luther J. King, Jr. made with his powerful messages. After reading Doreen Rappaport’s book Martin’s Big Words, students were inspired to choose their own "Word of the Year." Students selected a word that represented something they felt strongly about, wrote about the significance of their word, and made bracelets as a visual reminder to bring the words to life daily.
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Valentines for Veterans
Students in Mrs. McDowall's class at Memorial Middle School who finished their test early got to make Valentine cards for veterans in place of doing PARCC homework. It was fun to hear them talking about the veterans and their grandfathers who served.
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Proud Reader
A student in Ms. Samra's PreK-4 class was so proud to read a book to Mrs. Castrovinci and his class.
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Kid of the Year Nominee
Congratulations to Memorial Middle School 7th grader Jayden Perez, who was selected as one of the top 20 candidates - out of 5,000 nominees - for the Nickelodeon & Time Kid of the Year. He is the only nominee from New Jersey.
Jayden is the founder of From The Bottom of My Heart, a non-profit 501(c) organization whose mission is to provide toys, clothes, food, and necessities to children, families, front-line workers, and pets around the world affected by hurricane, pandemic, or living in shelters. Catch a glimpse of Jayden and the other nominees on the Kid of the Year special to be aired on Nickelodeon on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. We are very proud of you Jayden!
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Spirit Socks Deadline
The Memorial Middle School Home & School Association spirit sock sale deadline is Monday, Jan. 31. Students from all district schools are encouraged to order. Orders will be delivered to each of the schools. Each pair is $10. The socks are made from combed and compacted cotton and are extremely comfortable to wear for everyday use and athletics.
If not a Memorial student, please note the school name at checkout. Orders can be placed here. Contact the Memorial HSA at wpmemorialhsa@gmail.com with any questions.
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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, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go weight loss journey discussion group via Zoom. Share stories, recipes, and more. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 31, 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. 1, 6:30 p.m. - Families are invited to join Heather Shasa, dietitian at ShopRite in Little Falls, to create healthy and fun recipes. This program will be virtual. An ingredients list and Zoom link will be provided after registration. Register here.
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 3 and up. Join in for story time, songs, and a craft. Register here.
Thursday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. - Photography Workshop with Jennifer Arcuri. Learn how to take those great shots that you've always dreamed of. The program will be held at Borough Hall unless otherwise decided as the date approaches. 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.
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.