Woodland Park School District News
Dec. 1, 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
House Event Fun
The Memorial Middle School community held a fun House event day last Wednesday before Thanksgiving break. Students in the four Houses - Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water - rotated through several stations to work to earn points for their House. The activities included Sudoku, Wordle, musical chairs, human Hungry Hungry Hippo, Guess Who, and building tower out of playing cards.
Festive Spirit
Under the direction of music director Mr. Schaefer, Memorial Middle School sixth, seventh, and eighth grade concert band members gathered together to perform several holiday songs prior to the Woodland Park tree lighting in Dowling Gardens last Saturday evening.
Escape Room Challenge
Mr. Krakower's sixth grade science classes at Memorial Middle School successfully concluded their study on food webs by collaboratively applying their newfound knowledge and skills in an engaging escape room challenge. A significant number of students emerged victorious, showcasing their ability to integrate and apply their learnings effectively.
Marking The 50th Day
Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. D’Amico’s first grade class at Charles Olbon School celebrated the 50th day of school! They wrote a how-to story showing the steps to make a delicious root beer float. They even made their very own “floats” to display while they listened to music from the 50s. Of course, they had their very own sock hop and mimicked some 50s dance moves.
On Parade
During the week leading up to Thanksgiving, Charles Olbon School kindergarten students learned about how the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons are made for the event. After learning about the balloons, each student got to make their own based on their favorite character.
Artists Of The Month
In addition to the new Mustangs of the Month program, Memorial Middle School will also spotlight the works of an Artist of the Month.
The first Artist of the Month for this school year was Sara Lino Angelon, an eighth grade leader in Art Portfolio who earned a 99 in art last year. She is an excellent watercolor and color pencil artist. The image depicts her work on an amazing medical illustration of human lungs.
November’s artist of the month is Sarai Fabian Gonzalez, an eighth grade leader in Art Portfolio who has earned a 98 overall GPA in art during her middle school career. She is an excellent collage, mixed medium, and color pencil artist. Currently she is working on a graphite pencil illustration of a deer skull. Stop by to view her beautiful heart illustration at the front glass display cabinet. Her use of value and color is amazing.
Made With Love
Ms. Odaman's PreK-3 class at School 1 got ready to celebrate Thanksgiving by creating their very own handprint turkeys.
Fall Creations
Beatrice Gilmore School students taking part in this year's fall session of Be Crafty, a Bear's Den after-school program, are having fun creating different types of artwork under their instructor Mr. Melton.
Turkeys In Disguise
Students in Mrs. DiBona's third grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School did an amazing job disguising their turkeys and writing persuasive arguments to convince everyone that the turkeys were not turkeys at all. They did a great job saving all of them from becoming Thanksgiving dinner!
Holiday Activities
Mrs. Morozowski's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School created turkey traps. Students read the story How to Catch a Turkey then got to create their own traps using art materials. Also shown are some of their Thanksgiving Macy's Day Parade balloons.
House Sweatshirt Sale
The Memorial Middle School House System will be running a sweatshirt sale until Dec. 15. Blue crewneck and House color crewnecks are available in sizes adult small, adult medium, adult large, adult XL, and adult XXL (add $2). Submit order with exact change (cash or check made payable to Memorial Middle School) in your house bin by the main office.
Bundt Cake Sale
The Memorial Middle School Home & School Association is running a Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser until Dec. 12. Bundt cakes are available in three sizes in the following flavors: Chocolate Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Raspberry, Red Velvet, Lemon, Confetti, Classic Vanilla, Carrot, and Peppermint Chocolate Chip. Order forms with cash or checks made out to the Memorial Middle School Home & School Association can be sent to school. Pick-up will be on Dec. 21 at the school from 6 to 8 pm. For an order form or for any questions, email wpmemorialhsa@gmail.com.
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, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. - Pokémon Club for all ages. Join Time Warp Comics to learn all about trading cards, play against one another, and more. New and experienced collectors are welcome; be sure to bring your cards. Time Warp will have merchandise for sale. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 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, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. - Bouncing Babies for ages 0-18 months. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and free play. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. - Chair yoga and meditation. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons for grades 6 to 12. New and experienced players are welcome. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m. - Low-Impact Dance Class. Get your exercise in while having fun. Don't forget to bring a water bottle. Register here.
Monday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. - Baumann Book Club meeting. The selected title is available for pick up in the Library and available on Hoopla or Libby for easy download. Register here.
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 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 new friends! Register here.
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one slot per day. Register here.
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales: Mystery Letters for ages 3 and up. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and a craft. Register here.
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. - Overbooked book club meeting for Gen X and Millennials. Copies of this month's selection are available at the Library or in eBook or digital download format on Libby or Hoopla. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 7, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit. Have fun exercising from the comfort of your chair. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 7, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one timeslot per day. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 7, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers for grades K-8. Register for only one timeslot per day. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. - Adult holiday bingo. Prizes will be available. Register here.
Friday, Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m. - Little Movers for ages 18 to 36 months. Join in for a fun story time for toddlers Register here.
Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4. Make a fun seasonal craft and hear a special story. Register here.
Sunday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. - Holiday Concert. Join in to hear the sounds of the holiday season as performed by the Memorial School Chorus under the leadership of Mr. Eric Schaefer. The concert will be held in Borough Hall's Council Chambers, 5 Brophy Lane.
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. - Elf story time for grades K - 2. Children are invited to a special elf story time. There will be songs, activities, and a craft Register here.
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. - Teen Advisory Board meeting for grades 6-12. Members of the board brainstorm program ideas, help choose books and games for the Library collection, and more. Register here.
Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. - Adult Holiday Story Time. Enjoy a holiday story time with Borough Historian Rick Lijoi. Relax with us during this hectic holiday season. Register here.
Friday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. - Join the Library's first-ever holiday cookie exchange! Bake a batch of your favorite cookies to bring with you so everyone can taste them. Drop off or email your recipe so that we may share it with the participants. Register here.