Woodland Park School District News
April 1, 2021
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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Bunnies in Disguise
At Charles Olbon, students in Ms. Tonti's first grade classroom had such a wonderful time disguising Thanksgiving Day Turkeys in November they decided they wanted to do the same for the Easter Bunny. The children used disguises such as superheroes, princesses and even a rock singer. One student surprised her teacher by disguising her bunny as Ms. Tonti!
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Ecosystem Study
At Beatrice Gilmore School, Ms. Capo's third grade students studied ecosystems. They learned how each living part relies on both living and non-living parts in ecosystems to survive. Students chose an ecosystem to study and developed models to determine what would happen if one living or non-living part was eliminated from that particular ecosystem. Students presented their findings to demonstrate their learning.
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Learning Healthy Practices
On Friday, March 26th, thousands of educators participated in planning activities for National Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day. At Beatrice Gilmore, guidance counselor, Mrs. Farraye, provided teachers with a choice board of activities to complete with their classes. Mrs. Capo’s class was showing some of their completed tasks that focused on their social and emotional well-being. Social emotional learning is the process through which one acquires and applies the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.
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Sounds of Spring
The Memorial Middle School band presented a virtual concert Wednesday night on YouTube. Music teacher, Mr. Schaefer, began preparing his students for their concert in January. Each week students met virtually to pracitce. Students were excited to finally show everyone what they had been working on! View the concert here.
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Woodland Park Brownie Troop #97702 Packs Lunches for Those in Need
Woodland Park Brownie Troop #97702 recently packed lunches for those in need for wGt, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving those in need in Newark and surrounding towns. This is the second time the troop has helped out since wGt's founding last year.
wGt, which is run by local moms Karen Coussoulis of Little Falls, Lauren McMahon of Riverdale, and Jacqueline Caroprese of Rutherford, distributes food and essentials twice a week via a small bus to approximately 200 men, women and children. Those who receive donations have developed relationships with wGt and truly depend on them for essential items that they need and would otherwise go without. wGt's hope is to one day show up and see no one in need. Find out more about the group here.
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Food Service Suspended During Spring Break
Today is the last day for food service before Spring Break. This is free to all students. Pick up locationasn are at the entrance of Charles Olbon and Memorial School and the back entrance of School 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily when school is open. Food may be picked up at the site most convenient to you. Food service will resume on Monday, April 12.
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Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following children's programs. All programs are VIRTUAL unless noted. To view virtual programs, click here.
Monday, April 5, 10 a.m. - Virtual Weigh to Go group meeting. Register here.
Monday, April 5, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Tuesday, April 6, 7 p.m. - Curious about starting an indoor herb garden? Find out the proper timing and ways to go about doing so with Angel Family Farm. Learn about what to grow, when to plant and what is needed. Participants will receive a mini pot, soil and seeds to help you get started. Register here.
Wednesday, April 7, 11 a.m. - Welcome Spring with Miss Jolie! Move and groove with Miss Jolie on Zoom - silliness, stories, music, and fun for ages 1-6 and up. Register here.
Wednesday, April 7, 7 p.m. - Join Miss Sara and Miss Phil for a weekly virtual storytime on Zoom. Each week will have a new theme with stories, songs, rhymes, and more. Register here.
Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. - Flower Power! Join in on Zoom to plant wildflower seeds in recycled coffee cans. Learn a little about planting seeds and listen to stories about gardening. Supplies can be picked up at the Library. Register here.
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. - Spring into STEM! Put your creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance to the test in this interactive program for grades 3 to 8. Patrons will pick up kit prior to program and participate in "make and take" exploration. Register here.
The Library's website is www.abwplibrary.org. Phone number is 973-345-8120. Reach the Library via email at library@abwplibrary.org.
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