Woodland Park School District News
Sept. 29, 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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Start With Hello
Charles Olbon, Beatrice Gilmore, and Memorial Middle School students and staff worked to "Start With Hello" this week. The initiative was created by Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-profit organization founded and led by family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. This program teaches students the skills they need to reach out to those who may feel alone or isolated. It helps create a culture of inclusion and connectedness in the classroom and among their peers.
At Memorial Middle School, students pledged ways to make their school a better place and spoke about ways to make others feel included. Students also spoke about how one small positive gesture can make a big difference in someone else's life.
Start with Hello is an age-appropriate training that raises awareness and educates students about social isolation and how to create a connected and inclusive classroom, school, and community. This program uses three simple steps to help students become aware of and respond better to social isolation. The students and staff at Beatrice Gilmore School signed a pledge to create a sense of belonging for all.
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Cam Awesome
Memorial School students were treated to an assembly Tuesday by Cam Awesome, a well-known youth-speaker and personality. He is an Emmy nominated six time USA National Champion, four time Golden Gloves National Champion, two time Olympic Trails Champion Heavyweight boxer, and former captain of the USA National boxing team.
Cam told the students he didn’t start boxing until he was a senior in high school. As a teen, he was bullied and was overweight. As he told the students his story on how he trained to become a champion boxer he noted how life was much like boxing training. Getting knocked out is like failing a class. If you work hard you succeed, much like how if students study they will do well. He spoke about working to build resilience. "If you can fail without being discouraged, success will become inevitable," he said.
In speaking about social media, Cam encouraged the students to be wary of believing everything they see online. He said everyone usually only puts the "good stuff" on their social media. When Cam failed to make the Olympics, the backlash online got to him, sending him in to a depression, where he abused alcohol.
Cam was able to pull himself out and become the success he is today. He realized he was a winner, with so many other dozens of boxing titles won. "Have an attitude of gratitude," he told the kids. "because you never know what's going to happen."
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All About Me
First graders in Ms Greco's first grade class at Charles Olbon School got to know one another by sharing "All About Me" bags. Students enjoyed sharing about their favorite things and their families.
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On A Mission
Charles Olbon School welcomed back the character education assembly The Ned Show last week. Ned is a cartoon character whose name is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. The visit was "Ned’s Mindset Mission," which uses storytelling, humor, audience participation, yo-yo and magic tricks to bring forth its messages.
Along the mission, Ned overcomes obstacles and realizes the power of "yet." Students learned that their brains will keep growing the more they use it.
The Ned Show came to the school at no cost. The school made yo-yos and accessories available for sale afterwards for purchase, which are tangible reminders that increase the students’ ability to retain Ned’s messages long after. Proceeds from CO's sale allow other schools to benefit from the program.
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Meet & Greet
PAWS, the PreK mascot, stopped into all the classes last week to say hello to his friends. Remember to always "Play safely, Act kind, Work together, and Smile!"
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House Sorting Event
The Memorial Middle School community came together for its annual House Sorting Event. Sixth grade students, transfer students, and new staff members were “sorted” using our sorting cup. Every new member entered one of four houses: House of Fire, House of Earth, House of Wind, House of Water. After the sorting ceremony, they held their first house competitions of the school year: tug-of-war, cheering, and on-task behavior contests. All worked with their house members to earn the first house points of the school year.
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Book Fair Finds
The Beatrice Gilmore School Home & School Association ran a very successful Scholastic Book Fair last week. Students enjoyed their shopping time, perusing the racks and picking out their selections.
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Partner Reading
In Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. D’Amico’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School, the students began to take Reading Workshop a step further with partner reading. They practiced how partners have a proper conversation when choosing a book and how to choose the type of partner reading they will do.
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Watercolor Works
The question of the day was: "Do you want to paint today?" The answer was a unanimous "YES!" So everyone in Ms. Wittig and Ms. Pam's PreK-4 class at School 1 painted with watercolors during their choice time.
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Free Homework Help
The Woodland Park Library at Berkeley College has a partnership with Brainfuse eLearning, where students can obtain free live homework help online, enjoy games, and practice tests from wherever they are. With just an internet connection and your library card, you can access live tutoring from any device. To get help, click here.
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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.
Monday, Oct. 2, 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. 2, 10:30 a.m. - Bouncing Babies for age 0 to 18 months. Enjoy songs, stories, rhymes, and free play. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. - Chair yoga and meditation. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons for grades 6 to 12. New and experienced players are welcome. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 2, 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.
Monday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. - Baumann Book Club will meet to discuss "Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?" by Crystal Smith Paul. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 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 friends, make some new friends! Our guest speaker will be Sandy Cameron, RN for Passaic County. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. - Escape the Mansion of Secrets escape room for grades 5 to 8. Work together to solve the mystery. Will you escape in time? Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 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. 4, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 12 p.m. Sit & Fit. Have fun exercising from the comfort of your chair. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. - Pumpkin Spice Bingo for adults. Join in and win some great prizes. Register here.
Friday, Oct. 6, 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. 6, 11 a.m. - Lunch and a Movie. Come and enjoy lunch on the Library and see a movie too! October's movie is "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Register here.
Monday, Oct. 9 - The Library is closed in observance of Columbus Day