Woodland Park School District News
Oct. 13, 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
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Dream Makers
Charles Olbon School marked Week of Respect last week, aimed at educating the students about the importance of showing respect to themselves and others. To help teach the values of this important week, the students worked on activities and lessons regarding the value of respect in their classrooms and during recess.
Last Friday, the students enjoyed a visit from the Omegaman & Friends assembly funded by the CO Home & School Association. Omegaman delivered messages to the students by using strongman feats such as breaking a wooden bat over his knee, bending a piece of steel with his teeth and a ripping book called the “Book of Bad Choices” in half.
As Omegaman tore the book in half he explained that the kids can erase bad choices they’ve made and start fresh. When he bent the steel bar, he noted how bad choices can stop someone from being on a straight path but they can keep going on a straight path by making good choices.
The lively presentation covered numerous themes. Students were encouraged to be a "dream-maker," not a "dream-breaker." Omegaman also stressed to students that it's important they recognize and report bullying. By doing this, they are an upstander, not a bystander.
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Kindness Counts
Mrs. DiBona's class at Beatrice Gilmore School had a lesson from their school counselor Ms. Farraye and school social worker Ms. Katzenberger. The lesson was called "The Wrinkled Heart." Students learned the impact of the words they use with each other. They identified ways to use their words to show kindness.
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School Community
As part of the beginning of the year study, the children learn about their school community. Mr. Damien, custodian, and Nurse Tara spoke to the children in Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Coffey's class at School 1 about what they do to make our school a clean, happy, healthy, and safe environment.
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Our Family Tree
Mrs. Najim’s class at Beatrice Gilmore School enjoyed sharing their family tree and describing their loved family members in their ESL class. The class was full of lovely photos and warm memories.
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From Scratch
Ms. Petrullo and Ms. Roger's PreK-4 class at Charles Olbon School made gingerbread dough after reading The Gingerbread Man. Students had the opportunity to complete the class recipe by writing in the numbers and then measuring and adding the ingredients. Once the dough was set, students got to play with their play-dough and make their own gingerbread person.
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Apple Festival
To conclude their study on apples, Ms. Tonti’s first graders at Charles Olbon School enjoyed an Apple Festival. Students brought in a variety of foods and drinks made from apples for their snack-time picnic. During this snack time, students watched how apples were harvested and made into other delicious foods. It was certainly a Fun Friday!
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Letter Games
Ms. Tobia and Ms. Bonnie's PreK-3 class at School 1 had a lot of fun playing a letter game using shaving cream.
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Special Visitor
During the beginning of the year study, the children learn about their school and all the people who work there. Nurse Tara gave Mrs. Casanovas' PreK-4 class at School 1 a visit and taught them all about being a nurse and how much she loves to take care of the students. Thank you, Nurse Tara!
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Young Engineers
During STEM with Ms. McGinnis, students in Miss Webb's first grade class at Charles Olbon School worked together to build a tall structure. They had fun using different materials and collaborating, while also practicing the beginning principles of engineering.
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Centers Time
Students in Mrs. Morozowski's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School are shown working in ELA and math centers, as well as practicing partner reading during Readers Workshop.
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Pairing Up
Ms. Tonti’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School is learning the different components of Reader’s Workshop. After pairing up and picking special nooks around the room, students practiced proper book care, took sneak peeks at newly chosen books from their classroom library, and practiced reading in different ways. The children are eager to read more and more!
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Choice Time
Encouraging free play during choice time in Mrs. Guariglia's PreK-3 class. Encouraging math, science, spatial, and tactical skills in our littlest of learners at the ECC.
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Week of Respect
During the Week of Respect, the students in Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Coffey's PreK-4 class at School 1 discussed how special they are and how to respect themselves. Here the children drew a picture of themselves in a mirror and named what makes them special.
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Volunteer Trunks Still Needed
Volunteer trunks are needed for the Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism and Drug Abuse's annual Trick or Trunk on Oct. 31. The Alliance is only about half way to the amount of what is needed! This event cannot happen without the community's help! Registration for children to attend will not open until enough trunks are registered.
To volunteer your trunk, please email wptrunks@gmail.com with your name and cell phone number as soon as possible. Attendees are each asked to bring a bag of candy to the event as admission, which offsets what the volunteer trunks will need to give out to the children.
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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.
Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4. Make a fun seasonal craft and hear a story. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 16, 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, Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. - Bouncing Babies for age 0 to 18 months. Enjoy songs, stories, rhymes, and free play. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. - Chair yoga and meditation. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons for grades 6 to 12. New and experienced players are welcome. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m. - Low-Impact Dance Class. Join certified instructor, Karen, as she leads the class. It's a great way to get your exercise in while having fun. Don't forget to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m. - Crafternoon adult craft program. Enjoy creating a beautiful craft to take home. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 4:30 p.m. - Reading Rebels book club for grades 3-5. This month, learn all about writing scary stories for Halloween! The book will be provided at the program. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales Mystery Letters for ages 3 and up. Join Miss Sara for an alphabet story time - with songs, rhymes, stories, and a craft. Each week will have a different mystery letter. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit. Have fun exercising from the comfort of your chair. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 4:30 p.m. - Afternoon movie for all ages. Join in to watch "Casper" and enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. - Domestic Violence Awareness Program. October is domestic violence awareness month. Join in as Passaic County officers teach us warning signs and how to stay safe. Register here.
Friday, Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. - Little Movers for ages 18 to 36 months. Join in for a fun story time for little movers. Register here.
Friday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. - Lunch and a Movie. Enjoy complimentary lunch and a viewing of "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret." Register here.
Saturday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m. - LegoMania for all ages. Use your imagination and create using Legos. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. - Craft Crew for grades 6-12. This month, make a Halloween tie-dye shirt! Bring your own t-shirt that is preferably white and at least 60% cotton. If you would like to purchase a shirt for $5, please include your size in the registration. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. - OverBOOKed book club for Gen X and Millennials. The book of the month, "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover, guarantees a lively and engaging discussion. Copies are available at the Library or via download on Libby. New members are always welcome. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 26, 4 p.m. - Halloween Bingo for grades K-4. Prizes are available for all winners. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. - Spice of the Month Club. Each month, pick up a new spice along with a recipe that you can prepare. Then, meet to discuss the spice, whether you used it with our recipe or a recipe of your own. You may bring a sample of the food that you have prepared for everyone to taste. Register here.