Woodland Park School District News
Oct. 15, 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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Connecting Math & Science
Mrs. D’Amico and Mrs. Davidson’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School discussed the season of fall. The students participated in a whole class conversation about season changes. As a cross-curricular connection between science and math, the class took a nature walk outside the school to gather fall objects and created a fall-themed doubles addition equation that is displayed on a bulletin board outside their room.
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Rhythm & Rhyme
The students in Mrs. Munro’s and Mrs. Woessner’s PreK-4 classes at Charles Olbon School painted pictures and made pumpkin puppets to assist in the retelling of the finger-play Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate. The students learned new vocabulary, developed memorization skills, and were introduced to rhythm and rhyme.
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Properties of Matter
After learning about the properties of matter in science, Ms. Healey and Ms. Calabrese’s second grade class at Charles Olbon School conducted an investigation. Students analyzed different solid forms of matter found in nature such as rocks, acorns, leaves, sticks, and tree bark and recorded their observations.
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Sprinkle Kindness
Ms. Tobia conducted a kindness lesson with Ms. Tonti’s first graders at Charles Olbon School. The students were thrilled to share their ideas on ways to “sprinkle kindness.” This assignment fosters positive character-building traits among the children which in turn promotes a healthy school environment.
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Learning Letters
Pictured above are students in Mrs. LaSala’s PreK-4 class at School 1 having fun practicing writing their names with shaving cream!
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Friendly Ghosts
Mrs. Chiaravalloti’s preschool students at Charles Olbon School worked on fine motor skills by making a friendly ghost to accompany the song Friendly Ghost .
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Students Of The Month
Congratulations to the Memorial Middle School students of the month!
Sixth Grade - Karim Chaabane
Seventh Grade - Deanna Mustafa
Eighth Grade - Johan Castanada.
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Showing Solidarity
Students and staff members across the school district wore pink on Oct. 13 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Shown are some students in Ms. Odaman’s kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School wearing their pink.
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Spooky Shapes
Students in Mrs. Macchiavello's first grade class at Charles Olbon School read the story Spookley the Square Pumpkin and learned that pumpkins are just like people - all different and unique. Each student then created a unique version of a pumpkin to share with the class.
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Standing Together
Students and staff members district-wide wore blue on Oct. 8 in support of anti-bullying awareness. Shown are some students in Mrs. LaSala’s PreK-4 class at School 1 wearing blue shirts in solidarity.
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Sound Awareness
Students in Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Lindsay's PreK-4 class at School 1 are learning about being aware of and identifying the sounds around them. Pictured are the students recording the sounds they heard while sitting outside.
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Memorial Middle School HSA Is Holding Bundt Cakes Fundraiser
The Memorial Middle School Home & School Association is holding a Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser. Bundtlets are $6 each, 8" cakes are $30 each, and 10" cakes are $40 each. Flavors are: chocolate chocolate chip, vanilla, white chocolate raspberry, carrot, red velvet, lemon, and funfetti.
To place an order or for more info., email Barbara at barbarakruszewski@outlook.com. Deadline for orders is Nov. 4. Pick up will be at 15 Westerholt Ave. on Nov. 22.
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Master Teacher Hosts Lunch & Learn For PreK Parents
Kim Leary, master teacher at School 1, conducted her first monthly “Lunch & Learn” session for parents who have children in our preschool program. Working to ensure that the children receive all that is needed, Ms. Leary also is charged with serving as an instructional coach to the staff.
The 3- and 4-year-old preschool students at School 1 and Charles Olbon School have done a great job settling in and becoming familiar with class routines.
The goal of the Lunch & Learn was to inform the attendees of the importance of preschool and providing strategies for the parents to utilize at home in order to help each child prepare for potential challenges. Ms. Leary noted that familiar routines at home and school will help build strong health and habits for the student.
Our School District uses the Creative Curriculum which is a research-based, state approved system based in social-emotional learning and constructive play.
There are four main building blocks for preschool students as noted below. These four building blocks are interconnected and allows for each child to develop at his/her own pace.
Health & self care
This is the foundation building block. All children need to fuel and care for their bodies to maintain energy and focus. Ms. Leary noted that it's imperative for preschool students get 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night, eat healthy food, be able to do basic dressing, use the bathroom independently, and be able to say their full name and age. Routines are extremely important for children of this age. Parents can create and use a Velcro board with visuals so activities become habit, such as brushing teeth and getting dressed. A visual board shows clear expectations and keeps the child engaged. “We use routines for everything we do at school,” Ms. Leary said.
Gross & fine motor development
Both at school and home, children need to use and develop the use of small and large muscles. Activities to develop small muscles, include buttoning, zipping, using scissors, using a pencil, and coloring. Running, jumping and other physical activities which develop large muscles. Parents can help practice at home with the videos posted on Ready Rosie. Providing opportunities for practice is essential to development.
Social emotional development
This tends to be is a tough area for preschool age students. It is a difficult skill to learn how to control emotions for everyone. Parents can help by teaching the children how to handle conflicts. Being in school with others will also help develop these skills. Preschool students need to play with other children and learn to make friends. Parents can also help by using something like a sand timer to demonstrate time and help the children take ownership and be prepared.
Cognitive development
Preschool students are in the process of learning how to remember, solve problems and make decisions. While students are learning about this in school, parents can help in several ways by using flashcards or other methods to assist the children in recognizing letters and understanding how printed words have meaning by running a finger along each word during an oral reading. Parents can also play rhyming games.
“All children are different and will all develop on different timeframes,” Leary noted. “We support and build on their strengths.”
Leary encouraged parents to reach out to her anytime by emailing kleary@wpschools.org or 973-317-7775.
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Alliance event in danger of cancellation without more trunks
The Municipal Alliance is asking residents and businesses to volunteer for its annual “Trick or Trunk” to be held on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the WP Boys & Girls Club, 8 Memorial Dr.
This event cannot take place without the community’s help. Currently, only 25 trunks are registered, and at least 50 are needed to make the event a success. Should not enough cars register, the event will be canceled. Consider volunteering or buddy up with some friends to help.
The only expenses are decorations for your vehicle and treats to pass out. Families are asked to donate a bag of candy as admission, which greatly offsets the amount of treats needed. A car decorating contest will take place, with prizes awarded for best family theme, most creative, and fan vote. Car set up time is 4 to 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 31.
To register your car (only), text Michele at 973-219-9111 as soon as possible. This event is for Borough children only. Registration is required and can be done here. Cost to attend is a suggested donation of one bag of candy per family.
Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following programs. While the Library building is temporarily closed due to flood damage, please check the website for event locations. Programming may be held outside, in the Municipal Building Community Room or via Zoom. Visit the Library's website here or Facebook page here. Its phone is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.
Monday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. - Inside Out. Join Miss Sara for a very special story time centered on topics like diversity, inclusivity, teamwork, the environment, and more. Read, play games, do crafts, and discuss topics. Open to grades K-4. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 4:30 p.m. - Reading Rebels book club for grades 3 to 5. "Flora & Ulysses" by Kate DiCamillo is the book for the month. An excerpt will be read, followed by activities, crafts, or games based on the book. The book will be provided at the program. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. - Baby Snails story time for babies and toddlers. Join Miss Bri for early literacy outdoor story time on the lawn. Each week will have a new theme with stories, songs, rhymes, and more. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales Storytime for children 3 and up. Join Miss Sara for stories, songs, rhymes, and more, with a new theme each week. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 12 noon - Sit & Fit chair exercises. Join in on the second floor of Borough Hall in the Community Room for low-impact chair exercises for adults. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. - Spotted Lanternfly lecture. Join Amy Rowe, Ph. D., county agent II, Rutgers Co-op Extension of Essex and Passaic Counties, for an awareness and education session on the Spotted Lanternfly. She will explain how to identify these insects and their egg masses, how the public can help, and how to eradicate them for the safety of our agriculture. This event will be held on Zoom. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m. - Sensory Play for babies to preK on the library lawn. Feel free to bring a blanket. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 4:30 p.m. - Bookmarked book club for grades 6 to 8. "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead is the book for the month. An excerpt will be read, followed by activities, crafts, or games based on the book. The book will be provided at the program. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time for babies to kindergarten age children. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. - Join the Passaic County Health Department for a workshop on infectious diseases in the Borough of Woodland Park Municipal Chambers, 5 Brophy Lane. All are welcome, including walk-ins. This event will also be live-streamed. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. - Spice of the Month Club meeting. Register here.
Saturday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. - Halloween Candy Chute. Join in on the library lawn for a story walk, obstacle course and candy chute. Wear your costume! Registration is optional here.