Woodland Park School District News
Oct. 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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Start With Hello
This week, all students in our school district took part in the "Start With Hello" program. This program teaches children the skills needed to reach out and include those who may feel alone or isolated. This helps create a culture of inclusion and connectedness among peer groups.
It is to be noted that social isolation is a feeling of being left out, lonely, or being treated as though the individual is invisible. It is a growing epidemic in the United States and within schools throughout the nation. This program was chosen in order to assist with the goal of overcoming the feelings of loneliness, isolation and exclusion.
Families are encouraged to have conversations with children at home in order to discuss what was learned this week. Find out more about the "Start With Hello" program here.
Pictured above are Memorial Middle School students highlighting some of the "Start with Hello" activities. This included daily morning announcements as shared by the school's Climate and Culture Student Team members to start each day in order to set the tone for beginning each day by creating a welcoming, safe and friendly school environment. This was followed by videos and discussion about social isolation to start the week. On Tuesday, the activities focused on inclusivity discussions and activities, such as creating an "Inclusive-Tree" as shown. Time was also spent discussing the importance of reaching out for help, showing empathy, and helping others. Language Arts classes completed a "Six Word Memoir" activity and in science students completed a "Helping Hands" activity. The week concluded with a "Concentric Circle" activity.
Students in Ms. Deonandan's class at Memorial Middle School wrote "Sentences of Gratitude" as one of their Start with Hello activities this week.
Students in Mrs. LaSala’s PreK-4 class at School 1 created a paper hand craft activity as part of "Start With Hello” week. The students learned how to say hello in several languages.
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Sunshine & Stories
Charles Olbon School first grade teachers, Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. D’Amico, taught reading workshop lesson outside last week. Students had their book bins and were reading independently on a beautiful fall day!
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Little Stars
Mrs. LaSala’s PreK-4 class at School 1 created their names into star constellations after reading “Papi, How Many Stars in the Sky?”
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Colorful Messages
Guidance Counselors, Mrs. Sanducci (Indri) at Charles Olbon School and Mrs. Farraye at Beatrice Gilmore School, have been busy creating colorful bulletin boards and displays for the students. At CO, Chip's Corner in the main hallway, features a festive fall theme while the bulletin board displays the "Start With Hello" theme. Mrs. Farraye's bulletin board features fall decorations with meaningful messages for all to read.
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Reader's Workshop
Charles Olbon School teachers, Mrs. Skrbic and Ms. Webb, created and delivered leveled non-fiction libraries for students for the kick off Reader's Workshop.
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Back To School Nights Keep Parents Informed
All schools held virtual Back to School Nights. Building principals, nurses, guidance counselors, and others posted either live or pre-recorded slideshows/presentations. All are now available on the individual school websites. Classroom and specials teachers also held live Zoom meetings for parents. Listed below are some important notes.
A few reminders:
- Absences must be reported to the school nurse by the start of the school day.
- Immunizations must be up to date and a current physical is required.
- The school must be notified of any changes in pick-up.
- Update the Parent Portal with the contact information of those authorized to pick up your child at dismissal.
TECHNOLOGY:
- Students can access classrooms virtually via Google Suite.
- Parents are encouraged to check the Google classroom daily for all assignments.
- All are encouraged to check the District website and school webpages regularly for information.
- Cell phones/iPads/tablets/cameras/video cameras/etc. must be placed in cubbies or left at home during the school day.
- Electronic devices are not to be used inside the school or during class.
- Schools are not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices.
COMMUNICATION:
- Parents/guardians must ensure that information on the Parent Portal is up to date. The profile can be found on the child's portal profile page under "contacts" on the left side. Always include an email address. For assistance with the portal, please contact the building principal.
HEALTH:
- Children should not come to school if sick.
- Any student who has COVID-19 or other illness symptoms, including but not limited to fever 100.0 or higher, diarrhea/vomiting, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, should not be sent to school.
- Children should remain at home and report any illness or COVID exposure to the child’s school nurse.
- If anyone in the household is awaiting COVID test results, the child needs to remain home until such results are obtained.
- If anyone in the household is positive for COVID, the child must be kept home and report this to the school nurse for further guidance.
- Any student who has asthma, allergies or any chronic illness who do not have medications/permission forms filed with the school nurse should do so immediately.
- All medications, including over-the-counter, must have a signed permission slip on file, which can be found on the website under the nurse’s tab.
SAFETY:
- Students should keep an extra mask or two in backpacks. Extras are available in all buildings if they are needed.
- All rooms have numerous safety precautions, including hand sanitizers and plexiglass partitions on desks.
GUIDANCE:
- The school guidance counselors are there to help promote and support the academic, personal, social, emotional and career development of all students.
- They offer a wealth of programs to the students as well as resources to parents.
LIBRARY:
- The Alfred Baumann Library’s presentation was available for all schools. Parents/guardians were encouraged to take advantage of all the library's resources and to sign up for a free library card.
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Registration Is Open For Borough Halloween Parade
Registration has opened for the Borough Halloween Parade Pumpkin Patch at Dowling Gardens (corner of McBride Avenue and Dowling Parkway) on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. for Pre-K to 5th grade only. Registration is required here.
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Trunkers sought for Trick or Trunk Event
The Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism & Drug Abuse is seeking volunteer "trunkers" for its Trick or Trunk on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the WP Boys & Girls Club parking lot. This event cannot happen without the community's help.
Consider volunteering or buddy up with some friends to help provide candy and decorations. Attendees are asked to donate a bag of candy as admission which offsets the number of treats needed. Please register your vehicle ASAP by calling Michele at 973-219-9111.
This event is for Borough residents only. Registration for children to attend will open on MONDAY here. Registration is limited to the first 500 children and/or closes on Oct. 24 (whichever comes first.). No late registrations accepted. Cost to attend: suggested donation of one bag of candy per family.
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Stigma Free Color Run Cancelled
The Woodland Park Stigma Free Task Force Color Run scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2 has been postponed. The group will reschedule the event in the spring.
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Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following children's 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. The Library's website is www.abwplibrary.org. Its phone number is 973-345-8120. Reach the Library via email at library@abwplibrary.org.
Saturday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. - Lego Mania for kids in kindergarten and up. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go. Join the group every Monday to discuss your weight loss journey via Zoom. Enjoy a relaxed, judgment-free zone to share your stories, recipes, health tips, and much more. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. - Yoga and chair meditation. Register here.
Monday, Oct. 4, 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. 5, 4:30 p.m. - Halloween Bingo for kids in kindergarten and up. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 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. 6, 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. 6, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 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. Chairs will be provided. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. - Adult Craft: Pumpkin Painting. Adults are invited to join in for a creative, DIY pumpkin painting craft. Register here.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m. - Farmers Market Story Time for kids of all ages. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Storytime for babies - kindergarten. Put on your PJs and join us for evening stories. Register here.
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. - Trivia Night. Whether you’re solo, a couple, or a group of friends or family, trivia is a perfect choice. Questions are challenging and geared for adult players, but family teams are welcome. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. - Fire Safety with Assistant Fire Chief Andy Roehrich. Join in via Zoom and learn some tips about fire safety, how to prevent fires, and what to do in the event a fire starts in your home. Register here.
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Important Upcoming Dates To Note:
- Thursday, Oct. 7 - Beatrice Gilmore School picture day
- Thursday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. - Beatrice Gilmore School HSA meeting
- Monday, Oct. 11 - Columbus Day - District Schools are closed
- Wednesday, Oct. 13, 12 p.m. - School 1 Lunch & Learn