Woodland Park School District News
Jan. 6, 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
____________________________________________________
BOE Reorganization
Congratulations to David Amanullah, Dr. Joe Giammarella, Gina Esposito McQuin, and Dr. Mark Salemi, who were sworn into their Board of Education trustee seats by Mayor Keith Kazmark at Monday night's annual reorganization meeting. In addition, the board selected Dr. Giammarella to serve as president for 2023 and Dr. Salemi to serve as vice president.
____________________________________________________
Giving Tree
This holiday season, a number of charitable efforts were held in our schools. Both Beatrice Gilmore and Memorial Schools took part in the annual Giving Tree initiative for the Family Reach Foundation. This is the 17th year that our educational community has organized this charitable event. At Memorial School, the National Junior Honor Society spearheaded the collection.
At Beatrice Gilmore, the Giving Tree event concluded on Dec. 23 with an end-of-year holiday sing-along. Over $1,400 in gift cards were given to the foundation at separate presentations at the schools to founder Marilyn Morrello, who was on hand with her husband Rick.
The gift cards were collected from the school communities. Families donated gift cards in any denomination to supermarkets, restaurants, retailers, gas stations, pharmacies, etc. The Family Reach Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating the financial burden of cancer. It provides immediate financial assistance, education, and navigation to families in need.
____________________________________________________
Spirit Building
Memorial Middle School closed out 2022 with a House Event before heading out for winter break. All students in grades 6-8 are members of four different Houses: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Teams participated in several activities including the creation of House Pledges, relay race games, pinball blitz , and escape room puzzles.
____________________________________________________
Cozy Reading Time
Pictured above are fifth grade students in Ms. Hawkins' ELA classes at Beatrice Gilmore School practiced reading for stamina while enjoying a cup of cocoa by the virtual fire.
____________________________________________________
Gingerbread Houses
Mrs. Morozowski's PreK-4 class at Charles Olbon School studied four different Gingerbread books. They read The Gingerbread Man, The Gingerbread Boy, The Gingerbread Girl, and The Gingerbread Baby. After listening to The Gingerbread Baby, the students participated in a STEAM activity by creating their own gingerbread houses. They were hoping to catch their own gingerbread baby over winter break.
____________________________________________________
Can You Catch Him?
Can you catch the gingerbread man? Ms. O'Donnell's fifth grade STEM students at Beatrice Gilmore School designed imaginative traps to catch their gingerbread man.
____________________________________________________
Fun Times With Friends
Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Coffey’s PreK-4 class at School 1 enjoyed some cozy story time with their stuffed friends.
____________________________________________________
Pre-K Puppy Visit
Paws, our Pre-K puppy mascot, visited with the students at School 1 and Charles Olbon School prior to winter break. The students were very excited to see their friend!
____________________________________________________
Enjoying The Polar Express
Mrs. Svorec and Ms. Brunini's classes at Beatrice Gilmore School enjoyed The Polar Express movie and book before winter break. They really enjoyed it!
____________________________________________________
Class Creation
Mrs. Chiaravalloti’s PreK-3 class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed making a gingerbread house.
____________________________________________________
With Appreciation
Before winter break, Beatrice Gilmore School Principal Mrs. Tomback cooked up a holiday breakfast for the staff to show appreciation for all their hard work and dedication.
____________________________________________________
Dress Down Fun
Charles Olbon School kindergarten teachers Ms. Amerise and Ms. Candusso had fun with the "favorite sweater" theme dress day. Students really enjoyed seeing their teachers wearing a fun sweater together.
____________________________________________________
BOE Meetings To Stream On Website
Board of Education meetings will now be live-streamed directly on the Woodland Park School District website, under the Board of Education tab here. In addition, past meeting recordings are available on the website.
____________________________________________________
House System Fundraiser
Dine at Chipotle in Wayne on Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. and help raise funds for the Memorial Middle School House System activities. Order online using pick-up code NRFGQQX or show this flyer at the restauran so the school receives credit.
____________________________________________________
Library's Winter Reading Program Will Launch Jan. 9
The Alfred H. Baumann Library's Winter Reading Program, “Snow Many Books," begins on Monday, Jan. 9, and runs to March 31. This snowy-themed reading program is a passive program that can be done at home or in school - wherever children feel most comfortable reading. How it works:
- Register at the Library or by clicking here.
- Once registered, ask for a paper snowflake at the Library, write your first name on it, and hang it up inside the giant snow globe on the glass window in the foyer.
- Read, read, read! Receive one star sticker for every book you have read and place it in your snowflake.
- Use hashtag #WPreads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. to show your progress.
____________________________________________________
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. 9, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies for ages 1-23 months and a caregiver. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 9, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 9, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist students with test review and homework. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 9, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist students with test review and homework. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 9, 6 p.m. - Dungeons and Dragons club for teens in 6th to 12 grade. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. - Baumann Book Club will meet to discuss "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver. Books are available in the Library and or downloaded via Hoopla and Libby. Register here.
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist students with test review and homework. Register here.
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist students with test review and homework. Register here.
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time for the whole family. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 3 and up. Join in for a story, songs, and a craft. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m. - Wonder Babies for ages 6 to 24 months. Develop sensory skills through touch, sight, sound, and more. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist students with test review and homework. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist students with test review and homework. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m. - Common Scams/Winter Safety Tips with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. Register here.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4. Register here.
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 4:30 p.m. - Reading Rebels book club for grades 3 to 5. We will introduce the book, read an excerpt, then enjoy activities, crafts, or games based on the book. Register here.