Woodland Park School District News
Feb. 25, 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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Milestone Meeting
The BG Influencers held the first-ever meeting last week. As the student representatives of the School Climate & Culture Team, the students spent time deepening their understanding of the importance of climate and culture in the school building. These students will meet regularly with committee sponsors to plan activities and solicit student input. The Influencer Committee subgroups align with the "Pillars of Character" which are also in place at Memorial Middle School. BG Influencers are the face of the school community and represent the following characteristics: non-judgmental, problem solvers, positive role models, and approachability.
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One School, One Book
All Beatrice Gilmore School students took part in the One School, One Book reading campaign during January. The Woodland Park Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism & Drug Abuse generously provided each student and staff member a copy of the text entitled, Lunch Money by Andrew Clements. Each student had the opportunity to read the book with their family at home home over the course of a five-week period.
Students also participated in special activities and contests both at home and in school. The students listed below were the winners of the contests:
Entrepreneur Idea contest: Mercedes V., Olivia O., Aubrey C., and Sharmila B.
Comic Strip Book contest: Jackson P., Ayah M., and Veronica M.
Top bloggers: Axel T., Rital N., Adina S., and Antonia V.
Buddy Buck Bloggers: Destiny R., Maribel M., Sharmila B., Ayah M., Adam N., Liana B., Josie L., and Mehmet A.
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Love To Our First Responders
As a part of Kindness Month, the Memorial Middle School Climate & Culture Team created opportunities for students to engage in kindness activities. One activity consisted of creating and giving valentines to the members of our West Paterson Fire Department, Woodland Park Police Department, and West Paterson First Aid Squad.
Students from the Climate & Culture Team in Memorial Middle School also created posters and signed cards to show their appreciation to the Woodland Park Police Department. It was an honor and a pleasure to have some of our bravest join us at the school building so we could express our thanks! Pictured above with Chief Uzzalino and his police officers are team members: Stephanie M., Tayeeba A., and Emilia A., with their advisors Ms. McGlame, Mrs. Glenn, Mrs. Behnken, and Mr. Scholtz. A special thanks goes out to Memorial's School Resource Officer Mr. Gilhooley!
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Space Explorers
Mrs. Morozowski's dramatic play area in her preschool classroom at Charles Olbon School was transformed into space! While working on the tubes and tunnel study, the class learned about tubes and tunnels found in space. Their favorite tubes in space so far are the telescope and rocket ship!
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Eggciting Experiment
Ms. Deonandan and Ms. Riviera's sixth grade science students explored Newton's Third Law of Motion in science class. In the "Egg Crash" lab, students engineered a contraption that would safely protect a hard-boiled egg dropped from exactly one meter. Students designed the contraption and built it using paper and masking tape. After the physical lab, students completed a reflection piece about the demonstration. This was a very EGGciting experiment!
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Valentine's Workout & Dance
Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed their Valentine’s Day-themed workout and dance. They had a blast exercising and dancing with one another.
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Celebrating 100 Days Of School
For the 100th day of school, Ms. DiBona's third grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School took part in a 100 Lego Challenge! Working with partners, they had to imagine, engineer, and build a design or structure using 100 Lego bricks. They sketched, measured, and wrote about their creations, and presented them to the class.
The Charles Olbon School second grade classes celebrated 100 days of school by creating poster collages using 100 objects. The students were creative and clever with their awesome ideas!
Mrs. Morozowski's preschool class at Charles Olbon School created crowns and necklaces. The students practiced counting beads up to 10 (10 times) to make a 100 bead necklace to celebrate the 100th day of school. Students first sorted the beads by color on a sorting mat, then practiced fine motor skills by threading the beads on a string. They enjoyed this special day! Also, Mrs. Morozowski, Sam, and James each created t-shirts at home that had 100 objects glued on them.
Ms. Tonti’s first graders at Charles Olbon School participated in a 100 Words Challenge while working in groups to see which group could generate 100 words to write. The students raced against the clock starting at 1:00 PM! The children enjoyed this friendly competition and marked the day by taking place in the 100th Day fashion show and celebrating 100 days of friendship.
The students in Ms. Miranda's third grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School celebrated the 100th day of school by making shirts with 100 items on them or dressing like a 100-year-old version of themselves!
Mrs. Tundo's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon decorated a bear for the "Beary Special" 100th day of school. Students were very excited to share their bears with their classmates and have them displayed in the hallway. The class also dotted 100 dots on their gumball machine. While they were working hard, a very special person, Principal Barreto, visited the class! The students were very excited to share their work!
Ms. Amerise's kindergarten students at Charles Olbon School marked the 100th day with a certificate ceremony and celebrated with lots of fun activities!
Ms. Antunez’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School rocked the runway with their 100th day of school shirts!
Mrs. Macchiavello's first grade students at Charles Olbon School celebrated the 100th day of school by taking part in the first grade fashion show.
Ms. Casanovas' PreK-4 class at School 1 marked the 100th day of school by decorating special crowns.
Ms. DiGiacomo's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School marked the 100th day by creating award necklaces for celebrating 100 days of kindergarten.
Mrs. LaSala’s PreK-4 class celebrated 100 days of school by decorating 100 day crowns and reading One Hundred Days and 100th Day Worries.
Mrs. Brunini's fifth grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School marked the special day by counting to 100, watching 100 days of school videos, and working on several math worksheets that found 100 items.
Four of Mrs. Altomare's third grade students at Beatrice Gilmore School transformed themselves into elderly versions of themselves for the 100th day of school.
Charles Olbon School Guidance Counselor Mrs. Sanducci and first grade student Daniel L. both wore shirts with feathers for the 100th Day of school. We both thought that 100 days flew by!
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Discovery With Tubes
While studying Tubes and Tunnels, Mrs. Mete’s Pre K-4 class became scientists. During Small Group time in the Discovery Area, the children were given tubes of various sorts, such as syringes, droppers, test tubes, and squirt bottles. They measured, experimented, and best of all, created “magic potions, explosions, and volcanoes!"
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Following The Clues
Memorial Middle School students took part in a Black History Month Scavenger Hunt. The students were to identify a historical figure based on the clue provided. The scavenger hunt was created and implemented by Ms. Brickner and Ms. Moore. The three students to identify the most historical figures correctly of 50 clues provided will win a prize. Pictured are three students searching for clues.
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Bouncy Balls
Mrs. Parker's preschool class at Charles Olbon School worked on a ball study. The students worked to figure out which ball would bounce the highest.
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Lessons In Bravery
In recognition of Black History Month, Charles Olbon School Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Sanducci, honors the brave, Ruby Bridges. In 1960 at age 6, Ruby was the first African American child to attend a school with white children in Louisiana. She faced much danger and difficulty each and every day. We are proud to say that her bravery paved the way for change in schools.
The Guidance Office door showcases a colorful rendition of the famous painting by Norman Rockwell of this important moment of the Civil Rights Movement noting Ruby's walk to her new school. The door features a question to passers-by to think about how they can be brave and includes a quote from Ruby which reads, "Don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength, and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you."
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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.
Laura Spagnola-Vargas and her family have lived in Woodland Park for 18 years. She wanted to raise her family here because growing up she had so many friends who lived in West Paterson, which since has been renamed Woodland Park, and she has always loved this town.
Mrs. Spagnola-Vargas and her husband Angel, who is a Lieutenant with the City of Paterson Police Department, are parents of five children. Kimberly, 28, teaches science in Florida. Kaylynn, 25, is a sales rep for a solar energy company. Anthony, 17, is getting ready for college next year. Joseph, 13, is an out-of-district student who is getting ready to start high school next year. Isabella (“Bella”), 11, is completing 5th grade at Beatrice Gilmore. She is also a grandmother to Maximus, 3, and Evangeline, 2.
Mrs. Spagnola-Vargas is a former EMT for the City of Paterson Fire Department and is completing her 28th year as an Administrative Assistant with Passaic Valley Water Commission.
Now in her fifth year of service to the Board, Mrs. Spagnola-Vargas currently serves on the Personnel/Negotiations Committee, the Building and Grounds Committee, and the Emergency Response Committee. She also served as Board President for two years.
Her primary goals for the District in 2022 are to move forward out of the pandemic; continue to keep our children in a healthy safe environment to learn in; continue to watch our District flourish a “High Performing District;” create more after-school programs for our children through the Mustang Academy; and to be an active part of obtaining a second location for our Preschool program so it can continue to grow.
Mrs. Spagnola-Vargas is a member of the Woodland Park Good & Welfare Committee and an active member of BGHSA, where she chairs the 5th grade committee. She is also of member of WPSNAC (Woodland Park Special Needs Advisory Committee) which she helped to create. She is also Vice Chairwoman of the Woodland Park Republican Committee.
Please join us in thanking Mrs. Spagnola-Vargas for her time and service.
BGHSA Gertrude Hawk Sale
The Beatrice Gilmore School Home & School Association is running a Gertrude Hawk chocolate sale, until March 7. Pamphlets were sent home with students. Proceeds will benefit the yearbook fund. The HSA is determined to provide each student with a yearbook in June free of charge, and it needs the help and support of its families to accomplish this goal. BG parents, click here to set up your seller account and use organization ID# 102556. Buyers can choose to have their items sent to their home for a fee, or sent to the school as part of the main order for local deliveries. Orders will be delivered the week of April 4.
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Memorial HSA Meadow Farms Fundraiser Runs Until March 4
The Memorial Middle School Home & School Association is running a Meadow Farms Sweet Treat Fundraiser until March 4. Items will be delivered to school at the end of March or early April. Don't have a child at Memorial? You can still order. Items can be delivered to your home or the HSA will do in-town delivery. Shop the sale here.
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Baseball, Softball Sign-Ups End Feb. 28
LAST CALL for registration for 2022 spring baseball and softball for children in grades PreK to eighth grade. Registration ends on Monday. Cost per player: Pre-K & Kindergarten - $50; 1st & 2nd Grade - $75; 3rd to 8th Grade - $125. No refunds will be given once the transaction has been made. Any questions, contact Recreation Director Tom DeSiervo at tdesiervo@wpnj.us. For full details and to register, click here.
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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. 28, 12:30 p.m. - Weigh To Go. Join the weight loss journey and share your tips, stories, and more. Register here.
Monday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. - Yoga & Meditation. Let your problems go and relax for a while. Register here.
Monday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m. - Let's Talk - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Wednesday, March 2, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales. Join in for a story time with Miss Sara for ages 3 and up. Register here.
Wednesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, March 3, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, March 3, 12 noon - Sit & Fit chair exercises in the Community Room in Borough Hall. Register here.
Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m. - How To Stay Safe While Gardening with Keesler Rehab. Learn how to protect your back and muscles while gardening via Zoom. Register here.
Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time. Pajamas are encouraged for this zoo theme story time with Miss Sara. Register here.
Thursday, March 10 - Register for a "Be An Archeologist: NJ Makers Day Kit" and pick it up at the Library between March 25 and 26. Register here.
Thursday, March 10, 4 p.m. - Chill Out With STEM. Kids in grades 3 to 8 are invited to join in this hands-on science program. Register here.
Saturday, March 26, 11 a.m. - Join in for the annual New Jersey Makers Day program. Enjoy Lego challenges, create with Air-Dry clay, make a paper catapult game, and more. Stay for the whole time or just drop in. Registration is required. Register here.