Woodland Park School District News
June 11, 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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Youth Month Participants Meet With Officials
The Memorial Middle School Youth Month participants concluded the annual initiative with a visit Thursday morning from a few of their adult counterparts - Mayor Keith Kazmark, Councilman Gary Holloway, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michele Pillari, Alfred Baumann Library Director Linda Hoffman, Recreation Director Kelly Spinalli, and Department of Public Works Superintendent John Pietrowski Jr. Students received certificates of participation, a goodie bag and a cupcake.
Youth Month kicked off on May 5th with a virtual visit from Mayor Kazmark. He compared the program to all eighth grade students and its similarities to running for real office. Students received descriptions of the jobs available for election.
Following elections at school, the students selected were able to see the local government in action on May 19th, where the elected student officials participated in the Mayor and Council meeting via Zoom.
The 2021 Youth Month participants are: Mayor - Aidan Weeks; Council members: Jaslene Medina, Jorge Ramos, Joseph Papienuk and Ryan Sage; Borough Administrator - Danniel Moreira; Borough Treasurer - Noah Cheski; Borough Attorney - Sarah Ramirez; Borough Court Judge - Allyson Maldonado; Recreation Coordinator - Kolyha Garcia; Superintendent of Public Works - Robert Papienuk; Police Chief - Francesco Vincenti; Fire Chief - Zahir Collins; First Aid Squad Captain - Erin Ryan; Library Director - Gonzalo Vila; Superintendent of Schools - Katerina Stojanov; and Board of Education President - Joseph DaSilva
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National Honor Society Honorees Inducted
Last evening, Memorial Middle School held an induction ceremony for the 15 members of its National Junior Honor Society chapter.
The school's chapter was established last year. Ten students were initially inducted last spring. They were joined this spring by new inductees Ava Beirne, Anthony Billson, Mila Dragisic, Leah Marain, and Amayiah Pena. As an official induction was not held last spring due to COVID, all 15 students were officially recognized at the event and honored by family and friends in attendance.
The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding students. More than an honor roll, the NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship.
Seventh and eighth graders who achieve first or second honors in the first two marking periods of the school year are eligible to apply. The criteria for acceptance includes: participation in school activities, community service roles, special accolades, leadership positions, teacher recommendations and a written essay. Students are accepted accoding to a state mandated rubric.
The chapter meets regularly and completes various community service activities in order to help to make our community a better place. Individuals who have been accepted into NJHS are expected to complete community service hours outside of the work accomplished in school. Please join us in congratulating these students.
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Getting A Look Inside Amazon
Students in Mrs. Wilson's fourth grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School had the unique opportunity to take a live virtual field trip to an Amazon Fulfillment Center. Students learned about the steps in the process from ordering an item on Amazon all the way to when it arrives on someone's doorstep.
Each part of the tour highlighted a different area. The students learned about how Amazon is working to improve its efficiency in delivery with algorithms and how they are also seeking to always use energy-efficient methods for packaging and delivery. Students even got a sneak peek into future methods of delivery including drones, automated cars, etc.
The trip was complete with interactive trivia and a live question and answer session with Amazon employees. The students then had an opportunity to reflect and were surprised to learn that some jobs have been taken over by robots. Students also brainstormed what jobs can never be replaced with robots and learned what careers are available to them through the STEM industry.
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A Memorable Evening Out
The eighth grade class enjoyed their annual dance last Friday night. This year the dance took place at Vibe Burger in Riverdale. Organized by the Home & School Association's Eighth Grade Committee, the event was provided through the group's fundraising efforts. The students had a blast and danced the night away.
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Change of Scenery
Mrs. Skibinski's K-2 LLD at Charles Olbon School was outside on a nice spring day for independent reading time. They really enjoyed it!
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Collecting Data
Mrs. Scillieri's fifth grade STEM enrichment students have concluded a unit on density. The students worked together using the engineer design process and their knowledge of density to create foil boats that would float and hold passengers (LEGOs and pennies).
At their next session, they solved the density of real world materials such as distilled water, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol. Students led Mrs. Scillieri in finding the mass and volume of each material. Next, they solved the density of each liquid using a mathematical formula. Students completed a demo inquiry where they determined which liquid was most dense to least dense based on their data collections. Lastly, students determined that if materials had different densities they would not mix and layers would form.
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Getting Ready To Move On
School 1 Pre-K 4 students on Thursday morning had special pictures taken courtesy of the Home & School Association to mark their moving up to Charles Olbon School to kindergarten. Photos were taken of each student, and they will receive a copy in a Dr. Seuss Oh, The Places You Will Go photo frame, which matches the theme of the photoshoot.
All Pre-K 4 classes will all have moving up celebrations on the last day of school, June 22. Virtual classes will have virtual celebrations. In-person classes will have celebrations in their classrooms and parents will be able to attend virtually.
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Top Competitors
Memorial Middle School STRIVE students, under the direction of Ms. Scillieri, recently participated in the virtual Battle of the Books competition. They have been preparing for this since January. Memorial had two groups participate. Team 1 was Joaquin Vila, Isabel Tiseo, Nour Rahhal, Victor Puzio and Jessica Nuestro. Team 2 was Lily Aspirany, Tanush Patel, Joseph Iaancone and Kayla Valer. Team 1 placed third in the competition this year. Our students answered 90% of the questions correctly during the competition, an excellent score as the competition was intense.
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Final Days of BG
Ms. Brunini's class at Beatrice Gilmore School started a countdown for the last 10 days of school and leaving BG to head to Memorial Middle School. The countdown is a virtual popping of balloons that contain different activities the students are enjoying.
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Enjoying The Outdoors
Alfred Baumann Library staff members and patrons have been recently been enjoying programs outside on the lawn. Last Saturday, kids enjoyed National Donut Day with a special story time and craft event with Miss Sara. The next outdoor story time is this Saturday. Find out more and register here.
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Kids reel them in at first ever tri-town fishing derby
The Borough of Woodland Park hosted its annual fishing derby at Henderson Pond at Zaccaria Park last Saturday. This year for the first time, the event was open to residents of Woodland Park, Little Falls and Totowa - with over 60 families taking part.
Antonio “Go Go” Gomez and his team from the Great Falls and Bergen Bassmasters were on hand to measure the fish caught and help the children out. During the 2.5 hour fishing window, when a child would catch a fish they would bring it to the pavilion to be measured and logged. Prizes were awarded for most fish caught, which was 14; smallest fish caught, which was 3 inches; and biggest fish, which was 19 inches.
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Summer Camp will host parent meeting on Tuesday night
The Woodland Park Summer Camp will host a parent meeting on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building (5 Brophy Lane). Director Shannon Marren and assistant directors Christina Scillieri and Kelsey Marren have been busy planning a fun-filled seven weeks of camp.
At the parent meeting, camp rules and regulations will be reviewed and the calendar of events will be discussed. Camp staff will answer any questions you may have.
Attendance is highly encouraged. Please bring a copy of your driver's license or utility bill for proof of residency, as well as a copy of your child's immunization records. These documents are required for attendance.
If you are not able to attend the meeting, proof of residency and immunization records can be brought to the Municipal Building, room 202, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Camp staff will also be handing out camp shirts and collecting records at the Welcome Summer Party at Grimes Park on June 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children will not be allowed into camp without these documents on file. Any questions or to make other arrangements, contact the Rec office at 973-345-8100, ext. 213.
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Welcome Summer Party returns
The Borough's Welcome Summer Party is returning this year - to be held on Wednesday, June 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Diane Grimes Park, 167 Mt. Pleasant Ave. This event is for Borough residents only. There will be free rides, face painting, a DJ and ice cream.
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Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following children's programs. All programs are VIRTUAL unless noted. To view virtual programs, click here.
Saturday, June 12, 11 a.m. - Sunshine & Stories on the lawn at the Library for pre-K and up. All ages welcome. Outdoor story time and a craft on the library lawn. Bring a blanket to sit on and enjoy. Weather permitting, otherwise, we will send zoom information. Register here.
Monday, June 14, 10 a.m. - Virtual Weigh to Go group meeting. Register here.
Thursday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. - Join Miss Dana for a fun outdoor craft on the Library lawn! This program will be outdoors, weather permitting - otherwise, the Zoom meeting link will be provided via email. Grades K - 4. Register here.
Monday, June 21, 4 p.m. - William Paterson University Virtual Arts Education Workshop for grades K-4. Supplies for this event will be available to pick up at the Library. Register here.
Tuesday, June 22, 1 p.m. - Sensory play for babies to PreK. Register for Sensory Play and pick up a monthly kit (available on the second Tuesday of the month). Then join us on the fourth Tuesday of the month via Zoom for a loosely guided playtime that focuses on sensory perceptions and motor skills. Register here.
Tuesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m. Spring Into S.T.E.M. Put your creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance to the test at this interactive program to be held outside the Library, weather permitting. In event of inclement weather, a Zoom meeting link will be provided via email that day and take and make kits provided. Program open to patrons in grades 3-8. Register here.
Thursday, June 24, 4 p.m. - Summer Reading Kick-off with Dinosaurs Rock! at Dowling Gardens. Join in as we kick off "Tails & Tales," the summer reading program for 2021. Children of all ages are welcome to attend this educational and fun program, which includes real, genuine dinosaur artifacts from Dinosaurs Rock. Register here.
The Library's website is www.abwplibrary.org. Phone number is 973-345-8120. Reach the Library via email at library@abwplibrary.org.