Thundering Herd
Woodbury Junior-Senior High School - Weekly Newsletter
August 22, 2018
Message from the Principal
Hello parents,
Welcome! The 2018-19 school year is almost upon us! This newsletter is sent out by me on a weekly basis (usually Friday afternoons during the year) and is designed to be a one-stop shop for any and all communication from our school.
For our incoming 6th grade families and any students who are new to our school this year, please allow me to extend you a heartfelt welcome. Woodbury Junior-Senior High School is a special place. Our staff is committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that you have a successful, fun year ahead. They are busy preparing lessons, prepping their rooms, and setting the stage for you to have a wonderful school experience.
The first day of school for students begins on September 6 at 7:35 am. All students - grades 6 - 12, should report to the lobby entrance (behind the school) by 7:30. 6th grade students should stand near the doors to the Cap Paine Gymnasium. 7th & 8th grade students should stand near the breezeway. High School students should stand underneath the 'W'. The bell will ring at 7:35 and all students will have 10 mins to pick up breakfast at the many kiosks around the building and report to their 1st period classes by 7:45. School will end at 2:33 pm.
Parents - Please note that if you plan on dropping off your child in the morning, you will need to enter the drop off loop in the stadium parking lot. No cars (except for employees) will be allowed up the hill near the tennis courts for drop off. Students should walk up the steps to the lobby entrance area and stand in their designated spots.
Our school will be operating on a new bell schedule this year (see the section below for more details). Grade level meetings are scheduled for Friday, September 7 to discuss this schedule in depth with students. For the first three days of school (Sept. 6, 7, & 10), the school will be functioning on a 'Monday' schedule. That means students should follow the classes on their printed schedule exactly as they are shown. Tuesday, September 11 will begin the rotation of periods per the bell schedule below. While this may seem at bit confusing right now, it will become crystal clear during the grade level meetings and students are sure to be pros at it by the end of the second week; they always seem to get these types of things faster than the adults!
Student schedules should be received via mail by the end of this week. Please review these for any errors. It is recommended that students contact their counselor before school starts to address any concerns. Please note that schedule changes are never made on the first day of school. Parents should complete the other pertinent forms in that mailing and return these to school with your child.
Breakfast and lunch will be served on day one. Breakfast is free for all students. Please consider using our pre-pay system (which can be accessed below) to help expedite payment and make for a smoother lunch experience for your child.
Back to School Night for parents of 6th graders will be on September 4 and for everyone else on September 26.
Finally, construction is ongoing in the S300 portion of the building. Many classrooms are being remodeled. Student bathrooms are being redone and a new video production studio is being built. We are being told everything will be completed by the opening of school so keep your fingers crossed that we make it!
Enjoy this remaining time with your families and we look forward to a bunch of bright, big smiles on September 6!
Keep Love Present,
Dr. Vivadelli
Photo of the Week
2018-19 Bell Schedule - WoodburyONE
This change was not made haphazardly. In fact, for two years various groups of stakeholders have considered what would be the best schedule for our school. Administrators, teachers, parents, students and Board of Education members have contributed to this conversation. Visits were taken to other area schools to see their schedules in action. What was created is known as WoodburyONE.
WoodburyONE will result in many added benefits for students and staff including:
- Four bell schedules being condensed into one
- Increased language arts time in the middle school
- Creation of a unique academic learning environment
- Fewer course conflicts
- Increased enrichment time
- More opportunity for club/activity participation
- Exposure to a collegiate atmosphere
The new schedule has two main instructional wheels each day that are separated by a 54-minute WoodburyONE period. In the morning wheel, periods 1 through 5 meet before lunch and in the afternoon wheel, periods 6 - 8 meet after WoodburyONE. The classes within the wheels rotate each day of the week.
The day will run from 7:35 am - 2:33 pm for all students - middle and high school.
Middle school students will be assigned to an advisory period during WoodburyONE while high school students will be able to choose how and with which teachers they would like to spend their time. HS students will have to log in to a tracking system with their choices. WoodburyONE will be an opportunity for students to eat and refuel, get extra help, catch up on assignments, meet with clubs and organizations and participate in enrichment activities.
To review, in the WoodburyONE schedule, all eight classes will meet every day. WoodburyONE would allow each student to focus their time on where they need it. It will foster a family atmosphere that promotes self direction, independence, responsibility and accountability. WoodburyONE will better prepare students for the intangible skills needed for college and careers like making wise and independent decisions on a daily basis.
We hope every student uses this schedule in ways that help foster a successful year!
Upcoming Events
August 29 – 6th Grade Orientation (students only), Cap Paine Gymnasium, 10 am - 12 pm
August 29 – New Student Orientation (new to the District), 2:00 pm
September 4 – 6th Grade Back to School Night (for parents), 7:00 pm
September 6 - First Day of School - 7:35 am - 2:33 pm
September 26 - Back to School Night ( Grades 7 -12), 7:00 pm
Some Photos During Construction:
Miscellaneous Attachments
Jason Vivadelli, Principal
Email: jvivadelli@woodburysch.com
Website: www.woodburysch.com
Location: 25 N Broad St, Woodbury, NJ, United States
Phone: 856-853-0123
Twitter: @DrVivadelli