Woodland Park School District News
May 5, 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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Congratulations
Memorial Middle School held its 2023 National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony last Thursday night for its newest inductees. Congratulations to Lola Aspirany, Phillippe Bayeux-Goeller, Jayden Byles, Jordin Campbell, Karim Chaabane, Alexander DeSantis, Christian Mania, Jacob Parkerton, Lena Preziosi, Nekolaus-Edward Saldutti, and Patricia Tiseo. The ceremony was coordinated by advisor Ms. Ament.
The National Junior Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
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Making A Difference
The Borough held its annual Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration last Friday with Beatrice Gilmore School. Alfred Baumann Library Children's Librarian Sara Rapa read Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter and Daniel Miyares to all the students. A copy of the book was donated to the school library. Then, student representatives from each homeroom helped to plant a tree near the blacktop behind the school.
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Field Trip Fun
Students have been enjoying field trips this spring! Beatrice Gilmore School third grade students and Charles Olbon first grade students enjoyed visiting Turtle Back Zoo (above). Beatrice Gilmore School fourth grade students enjoyed a visit to Waterloo Village (below). Other grade field trip locations this year include Ellis Island, Medieval Times, and Liberty Science Center.
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Special Guests For The Day
Our School District again took part in Take Your Child To Work Day. This national initiative gives children in the United States a glimpse into the working world. Numerous staff members and teachers brought their children into school for the day.
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BG Has Heart
Kids Heart Challenge (KHC) was a success at Beatrice Gilmore School! KHC is a fun and exciting event where students learn about their heart while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association (AHA), an organization that battles heart disease through medical research and education. BG raised over $3,000 this year!
The top fundraisers were 3rd grader Eric B., 4th grader Aubrey V., and 5th grader Alex B. BG also hosts jump rope competitions because jumping rope is an excellent heart healthy activity. Champions are decided by who can jump rope for the longest amount of time without stopping. BG's class champions are pictured above. Third grade class champions were Mya W., Veronica R., Brandon R., Amelia M., and Petar B. Fourth grade class champions were Naael N., Jade L., Yandel D., Roselie D., and Hazel M. Fifth grade class champions were Alex L., Uday A., Muhammad N., Anna S., and Celine A. The third grade champion was Brandon R.; fourth grade class champion was Jade L.; and fifth grade champion was Muhammad N. BG's school champion, jumping rope for 17 minutes, was Jade L. Congratulations to all and thank you to everyone!
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Learning About Peer Pressure
Beatrice Gilmore School guidance counselor Mrs. Farraye was invited to Mrs. Catalano‘s fifth grade class to observe them doing skits on peer pressure. They did an amazing job. Some of them explained what peer pressure is and some of them talked about the results of giving into peer pressure.
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Learning To Loom
Mrs. Guariglia’s PreK-3 class at School 1 read the story Abuela’s Weave and worked on weaving with their classroom loom during their clothing study.
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Board of Education Adopts 2023-2024 Budget
The Woodland Park Board of Education recently held a public hearing for and adopted its 2023-2024 School District operating budget.
The total general fund is $21,551,504. The local tax levy, the amount to be raised by taxation is $18,144,287, which is up $355,770 from the current year’s spending plan, or 2 percent. The District saw a 58 percent increase in state aid this year, bringing the total received to $2,747,157.
Local School District property taxes for the average home, assessed at $347,196, will increase from $3,753 to $3,798, or $45 per year. The tax rate increases from $1.081 cents per hundred to $1.094 cents per hundred, or 1.3 tax points. This is calculated by dividing the assessed value of the home by 100 and then multiplying by $1.094 for local school tax.
The spending plan, which maintains all existing programs, increases staff to accommodate higher special education and ESL enrollment: four new special education teaching positions and one new district-wide ESL teacher. The budget also includes the purchase of upgrading and maintaining technology in order to continue the 1:1 technology initiative district-wide.
The District will continue to make facility improvements. Our new Early Childhood Center on Lackawanna Avenue (the former Magic Years Preschool Learning Center) will open in September. This building will accommodate the PreK students currently being housed at Charles Olbon. The District also continues to make upgrades to the HVAC and indoor air quality, and plans to use grant funding to install air conditioning throughout the buildings.
View the district’s budget presentation here.
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Registration For Summer Junior Police Academy Open
The Woodland Park Police Department will be hosting its annual free Junior Police Academy this summer. It is from Aug. 14 to Aug. 18 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the WP Boys & Girls Club.
Cadets must be from the ages of 11-14, must be residents of Woodland Park, and must be in middle school. The first 30 completed applications will be accepted, as long as the cadet meets all requirements.
The program is designed to offer both boys and girls a deeper understanding and appreciation of law enforcement. Cadets will be guided through a variety of hands-on experiences ranging in all aspects of law enforcement. A shirt, shorts, hat, and water bottle will be issued to each cadet.
Applications can be picked up at police headquarters, 5 Brophy Lane, and can be brought back once fully completed. If your child is accepted, there will be a mandatory orientation meeting on July 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 5 Brophy Lane. A parent/guardian and the cadet must be present.
For further information, contact Capt. Brady at 973-345-8123 or mbrady@wpnj.us.
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A Banner Spring
The Art Club at Memorial Middle School has been very busy this spring, completing another banner. After completing an Autism banner that was used in the Autism Walk, students spent a few days working on the start and finish banners for the 5K color run this Saturday at 9 a.m. starting on Memorial Drive.
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Lawn Sign Fundraiser
The Memorial Middle School Eighth Grade Dance Committee is holding a lawn sign fundraiser. Orders need to be placed by May 12 and the signs will be ready on May 19. To order a sign, click here.
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Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library 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, May 8, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go weight loss support group. Register here.
Monday, May 8, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies. This program for babies age 1 to 23 months includes stories, rhymes, songs, and free play. Register here.
Monday, May 8, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.
Monday, May 8, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.
Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time for the whole family. Pajamas are encouraged. Register here.
Wednesday, May 10, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 2 and up. Join Miss Sara for a special story time featuring rhymes, songs, a craft, and more. Register here.
Wednesday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m. - Wonder Babies for age 6 to 24 months. In this interactive and fun sensory play time babies can explore different textures, sounds, and fine motor skills. Register here.
Thursday, May 11, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.
Thursday, May 11, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit chair exercise class. Register here.
Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4. Make a special Mother's Day craft, just for mom. Register here.
Tuesday, May 16, 1 p.m. - Crafternoon. Enjoy creating a beautiful craft to take home. Come and relax and let your creative juices flow with Linda. Register here.
Wednesday, May 17, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 2 and up. Join Miss Sara for a story time with rhymes, songs, a craft, and more. Register here.
Thursday, May 18, 4:30 p.m. - Afternoon movie for all ages. Join in to watch "Sing 2" and enjoy snacks and drinks. Register here.
Thursday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. - Zentangle with Maria. Learn how to make a beautiful zentangle frame with certified zentangle artist Maria. Register here.
Saturday, May 20, 12:30 p.m. - Spring into STEAM for grades 3 to 8. This month, learn some feathery facts and make an eco-friendly bird feeder. Register here.