Woodland Park School District News
Jan. 7, 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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Board of Education Reorganization
On Monday evening at the Board of Education's annual reorganization meeting, Mayor Keith Kazmark swore in trustees Maryann Perro, Adam Chaabane, and Shannon Marren. The Board also selected Christine Tiseo to serve as 2022 Board President and Dr. Joseph Giammarella as Vice President.
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Woodland Park Education Foundation Launches
Under the leadership of Board of Education Vice President Dr. Joe Giammarella, the Woodland Park Education Foundation has been re-established after many years of dormancy. The objectives and purposes of the Foundation are to solicit, raise, and disperse funds to expand and enhance children’s educational opportunities for all students in the Woodland Park School District.
The Foundation bylaws have been revised and reviewed by Board attorney Adam Weiss. At its first meeting, Foundation trustees will elect officers, an executive board, and standing committees.
For the purpose of complete transparency, the Woodland Park Board of Education will not have a voting interest in Foundation business. School district administrators can make presentations to the Trustees but must leave before any action is taken.
The Foundation has 11 Trustees who have expressed a desire to serve and support the students of the Woodland Park School District. The trustees are as follows: Marie Estrella, Reem Eshra, LaTysha Gaines (Campus Operating Officer, Berkeley College), Mike Seeve, Caitlyn Giannino, Tony Espaillat, Kathy Burke, Dr. Mark Salemi, Sam Gencarelli, and Hadeel Rahhel. Several members were sworn in at the Board of Education's reorganization meeting Monday night by Mayor Keith Kazmark, with the remainder to follow shortly.
Stay tuned for more details on the Foundation, including its website and planned fundraising activities.
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Spirit Building
Memorial Middle School held a school-wide House event on Dec. 23, the day before Winter Break. All students in grades 6-8 are members of four different Houses: earth, wind, fire, and water. Due to the cold weather, activities were held inside on this day. Teams participated in several activities including trivia in their classrooms and relay race games inside the cafeteria.
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Cozy Reading Time
Mrs. Hawkins' fifth grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School enjoyed a cozy day before Winter Break, spending part of their day reading a book by a virtual fire while snuggling in their pajamas with blankets from home.
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Snow Much Fun
Students in Ms. Amerise's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School took part in some fun winter activities the week before Winter Break. They played in "snow" (shaving cream) to make letters and sight words. They also used puffy snow paint to create snowmen.
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New Media Center Furniture
Students in Memorial Middle School are enjoying new furniture in the Media Center. A variety of different types of seating is now available for them to enjoy.
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Gross Motor Play
Although the cold weather keeps them inside, Ms. Casanovas' PreK-4 students at School 1 still make sure to get their gross motor play in, indoors. Exercising is very important! The students took part in activities such as bowling, doing jumping jacks, and walking on a balance beam.
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Classroom Creation
Ms. Wittig's PreK-3 class at School 1 enjoyed making their own classroom gingerbread house before Winter Break.
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Holiday Spirit
Memorial Middle School students and staff had fun wearing their tackiest garb on holiday sweater spirit day on Dec. 17.
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Mustang Academy Hiatus
The Mustang Academy at Memorial Middle School has gotten off to a great start over the last two months, offering students several different activities they can sign up to take part in after school. We are hopeful that the Academy will resume for winter sessions by the last week of January. Due to COVID protocols and awaiting the completion of the gym floor, we are extending the timeframe for students to join. Permission slips can be found here. Check out the Academy's webpage here to find out more.
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Reading Readiness
A student in Ms. Gilhooley's Pre-K 3 class at School 1 was able to create his name on his own using blocks. This demonstrates his knowledge of letter recognition and meets many objectives in the creative curriculum, which includes pre-writing and pre-reading skills.
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Pajama Day
Ms. Amerise's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed the pajama holiday spirit theme day before Winter Break.
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HSA Extend Laser Tag Voucher Sale
The Memorial Middle School Home & School Association has extended its laser tag voucher sale until Jan. 20, 2021. A parent vs. student game is being planned for Feb. 17, 2021. You can go on your own any time or join in on Feb 17. Email the HSA at wpmemorialHSA@gmail.com to let them know you'd like to join the parent versus student game after you purchase your tickets. Purchase tickets at https://memorialhsa.square.site/.
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BGHSA Is Selling Book Bag Tags
The Beatrice Gilmore School Home & School Association is selling book bag tags in various designs. Each tag is $1. More designs will be added in the coming months. The flyer will be going home with students this week to order. Orders can also be placed via email to bghsa1075@gmail.com.
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Library's Annual Winter Reading Program Begins Jan. 10
The Alfred H. Baumann Library's Winter Reading Program, “Read You Must," begins on Monday, Jan. 10, and runs to March 31. This Star Wars-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.
- Read, read, read!
- When you come into the Library ask for a Baby Yoda name tag. Write your first and last name on the name tag and place a star sticker for each book you have read. The Library will hang the Baby Yoda name tags up on the glass windows in the foyer.
- Use hashtag #WPreads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. to show your progress!
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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.
Saturday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for children in K-4. Join in to make a special snow globe craft to celebrate the Winter Reading 2022 program. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 10, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find your inner peace during our chair yoga and meditation sessions. Register here.
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama story time for babies to kindergarten-age children. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 3 and up. Join in for a story time, songs, and a craft. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 13, 4 p.m. - Chill out With STEM. Kids in grades 3 to 8 can join in for a fun and hands-on science program. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m. - Dog Training Tips with Cover K9 Training via Zoom. Learn the proper way to train your dogs. Get tips for puppies and adult dogs. Register here.
Monday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find your inner peace during our chair yoga and meditation sessions. Register here.
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 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. This month we will be reading "Matilda" by Roald Dahl. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 20, 4 p.m. - Jedi Training for grades 3 to 8. Join in for a monthly program and complete Star Wars-themed activities, games, crafts, and more. Register here.
Thursday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. - The NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking will present Human Trafficking 101 via Zoom, which covers a range of topics pertaining to human trafficking identification and prevention. Human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in the U.S. Find out how traffickers trick and manipulate victims. Register here.