Woodland Park School District News
Nov. 22, 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
Shape Turkeys
Ms. Casasnovas' PreK-4 class at School 1 class made “shape turkeys” in their art center last week.
Mustangs of the Month
Memorial Middle School recently announced the start of a positive recognition program, Mustang of the Month, that replaces the former Student of the Month program. Students were nominated by staff members based on the Six Pillars of Character. As a reminder, the Six Pillars of Character is also utilized as the basis for Memorial's Positive Behavior Intervention Support program, the house system, at Memorial Middle School.
In the inaugural month of Mustang of the Month, students were T.R.R.F.C.C (terrific) based on the pillars of: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. All recipients received recognition over a special school announcement, a displayed photo, and a certificate of recognition from Principal Mrs. Socha and Guidance Counselor Mrs. Williams. A special prize will also be received.
Congratulations to:
- 6th - Rital Nabtiti
- 6th - Leah Van Riper
- 7th - Matthew Herrera
- 7th - Jawad Abudayya
- 8th - Kristina Bursac
- 8th - Aurelia Astalkoski
Practicing Shapes
PreK-3 students in Mrs. Guariglia’s class at the Early Childhood Center practiced making shapes using shaving cream during small group time.
Word Detectives
Students in Ms. Tonti’s first grade at Charles Olbon School class eagerly accepted the role of word detectives. Students worked with their partners to find challenging words they could decode by using strategies to solve hard words. These reading word detectives are unstoppable!
Feeding Feathered Friends
Who lives in a tree? Birds are one animal that live in trees. In the art center, students in Ms. Tobia and Ms. Bonnie's PreK-3 class at School 1 painted bird feeders!
Making Choices
The Woodland Park Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism & Drug Abuse sponsored an assembly about vaping for Memorial Middle School students last week with Doug Collier, a retired agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a professor of criminal justice at Monmouth University. The program addressed the topic of vapes and E-cigs and the risk factors associated with caping, which is linked to high use rates of other drugs among adolescents. The presentation included an interactive PowerPoint presentation that highlighted current data trends.
"What choice will you make?" he asked the students at the start and end of the assembly. Teens are using vapes in record numbers, he said. Over the last year, it's reported that 17.6 percent of eighth graders, 32.3 percent of 10th graders, and 27.3 percent of 12th graders are using vapes.
Why do kids vape? Surveys done across the U.S. find the most common reason is the belief that vapes are less harmful than regular cigarettes. However, Mr. Collier detailed "the stuff no one tells you" about vaping including nicotine withdrawal, the risk of getting popcorn lung (damage), inhaling toxic metals, and damaging one's central nervous system.
A Closer Look
Ms. Ament's eighth grade science classes at Memorial Middle School last week performed dissections on squid.
Counting Fun
Kindergarteners in Mrs. Bouroult and Ms. Bernardo's class at Charles Olbon School are working hard as they practice various ways to count to ten during their math centers.
Special Visitor
There are currently 6.5 million homeless animals in shelters across the United States, explained Karen Popcek, Humane Education Manager at St. Hubert’s Animal Sanctuary in Madison, to the Animal Club students at Memorial Middle School.
She walked the students through an animal’s journey when they arrive at St. Hubert’s, a non-profit organization. First, they receive a physical exam, microchip and isolation if necessary. Then they receive vaccines and spay or neuter services. The animal’s behavior is evaluated and while waiting to be adopted, staff and volunteers work with the animals to minimize stress, train in basic behaviors, and socialize.
When an animal is adopted, the family must commit to continued veterinary care, bathing and grooming, continued training, and most importantly, exercise, rain or shine.
Where do the animals come from? There are many ways an animal reaches St. Hubert’s including other overburdened shelters, animal cruelty or neglect cases, owner surrenders, or emergencies such as weather-related catastrophes. Animals are commonly transported from the south.
St. Hubert’s also participates in community outreach to help owners keep their pets. They have programs such as a pet food bank, free vaccine clinics, and surrender prevention and support. They provide humane education for schools, Critter Summer Camps, and educational tours.
St. Hubert’s was founded in 1939 by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge on the grounds of her estate. It does not receive government funding and is not funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. They rely on the generosity of private donors, foundations, and grantors. In July 2019, St. Hubert’s merged with Washington D.C.-based Humane Rescue Alliance to form the first regional, community-based, multi-state animal welfare organization in the nation.
Anyone wishing to support St. Hubert’s and the animals can donate items to the school, attention Mrs. Donato, Room 310. Items needed include dog or cat food and toys, and gently used items such as blankets, linens, and towels. They have a wishlist on their website here.
Fun Friday
Ms. Tobia and Ms. Bonnie's PreK-3 class at School 1 had a special visitor last week. Thank you so much Mrs. Gutierrez for coming in and reading “When Sophie’s Feelings Get Really Hurt” on a Fun Friday.
Problem Solvers
Ms. O'Donnell's seventh grade Strive students Angelina Skurteska and Sebastian Gomez traveled to North Haledon to compete in a logic problem-solving academic competition. With only two members on their team, they did extremely well! Congratulations!
Letters To Santa
Santa has asked his Woodland Park elves to help him collect letters in a special mailbox located at the Woodland Park Library at Berkeley College, 44 Rifle Camp Rd. Letters can be dropped off until Saturday, Dec. 9. To receive a personalized response back from Santa, all letters must include: child's first and last name printed clearly, child's address printed clearly, or put a self-addressed stamped envelope with your letter to ensure accuracy.
Coming up at the Woodland Park Library at Berkeley College
The Woodland Park Library at Berkeley College, 44 Rifle Camp Rd., in Renaissance Hall, 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.
Thursday, Nov. 23 - The Library is closed
Friday, Nov. 24 - The Library is closed
Saturday, Nov. 25, 12:30 p.m. - STEAM hands-on science - all about fall leaves for grades 3 to 6. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go. Need some inspiration? Want to share your weight loss journey? Join us in a judgment-free setting to help you reach your weight loss goals. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m. - Bouncing Babies for ages 0-18 months. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and free play. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. - Chair yoga and meditation. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons for grades 6 to 12. New and experienced players are welcome. Register here.
Monday, Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. - Low-Impact Dance Class. Get your exercise in while having fun. Don't forget to bring a water bottle. Register here.
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. - Craft Crew monthly meeting. Kids in grades 6 to 12 meet to make cool, creative crafts. This month, make a wire pumpkin ring. Register here.
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales: Mystery Letters for ages 3 and up. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and a craft. Register here.
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit. Have fun exercising from the comfort of your chair. Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one timeslot per day. Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one timeslot per day. Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 4 p.m. - Children's bingo for grades K-4. Prizes will be available. Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 5 to 7 p.m. - Passaic County Clerk outreach services. Clerk representatives will issue passports, veteran IDs and notary renewals. While appointments are not required, customers with appointments will be prioritized over walk-ins. Appointments can be made here.
Thursday, Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. - Spice Club will meet to discuss this month's spice, which is caraway. Register here.
Friday, Dec. 1, 10:30 a.m. - Little Movers for ages 18 to 36 months. Join in for a fun story time for toddlers Register here.
Friday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. - Lunch & a Movie. Join in to view the movie "Barbie." Lunch will be served. Register here.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. - Pokémon Club for all ages. Join Time Warp Comics to learn all about trading cards, play against one another, and more. New and experienced collectors are welcome; be sure to bring your cards. Time Warp will have merchandise for sale. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. - Baumann Book Club meeting. The selected title is available for pick up in the Library and available on Hoopla or Libby for easy download. Register here.
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. - Coffee And... Looking for a friend or someone to chat with? Stop by, have a cup of coffee, and... Bring a friend or make some new friends! Register here.