Woodland Park School District News
Dec. 4, 2020
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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Beatrice Gilmore School fifth grade students participating in art enrichment with Ms. Farrell just completed a project entitled, "The Life Tree", inspired by Gustav Klimt's 1909 artwork called "The Tree Of Life." Memorial Middle School students also worked on this project.
Klimt was inspired by Japanese art and students compared styles during the lesson. The students learned about line quality, geometric and organic shapes and redesigned the work to represent four quarters, each quarter to represent a season.
The project began with the practice of designing a concept sketch. This is a skill the students have studied in the first project. Next, the students re-illustrated each corner to about 200% scale and colored each section to represent a season creating a wonderful masterpiece.
Shown at left is a summary of the project and examples of two students' artwork: one from Beatrice Gilmore School and one from Memorial School.
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For World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, Charles Olbon School Guidance Counselor, Miss Indri, posted a Corona Kindness Challenge in her Google Classroom. Students were able to share their ideas on how to show kindness. Shown above are photos received from a student. The student made his own Corona Kindness basket and spread even more kindness by making artwork for his grandma. Click here for a link to the Corona Kindness Challenge.
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Holiday gift card drive launched to help our families in need
As we enter December, we hope everyone is healthy and in good spirits. Thank you to all those who contributed to our Thanksgiving collection for our fellow community members in need during these difficult times. Our school community collected $2,000 in gift cards! We also received a very generous donation of gift cards from ShopRite in Little Falls. The generosity is greatly appreciated!
In the spirit of giving, we are looking to once again support our neighbors in need during the upcoming holiday season. Our goal is to give both a ShopRite gift card as well as a toy gift card to each family. We are accepting Amazon, Visa, ShopRite, or Target gift cards, in any denomination.
Please bring all donations to Mrs. Carbonelli, Memorial School Nurse, at Memorial School weekdays through Dec. 15 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Carbonelli at tcarbonelli@wpschools.org or 973-317-7754 or Ms. Roehrich, BG School Nurse, at lroehrich@wpschools.org or 973-317-7744.
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Educator, service professional of the year nominations sought
Each year educators across the state are recognized for their hard work and dedication to the teaching profession. The Woodland Park School District would like to honor hard-working educators by participating in the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.
The purpose is to highlight one teacher and one educational services professional who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to support the instructional success and development of all learners.
Please fill out the attached nomination form here and return it via email to the building principal by Monday, Dec. 7. Please complete one form for the nominated teacher and one for the nominated services professional.
Send nomination forms to:
School 1 - Dr. Giovanna Irizarry - girizarry@wpschools.org
Charles Olbon - Mrs. Lisa Barreto- lbarreto@wpschools.org
Beatrice Gilmore - Mrs. Sharon Tomback- stomback@wpschools.org
Memorial School - Mr. Stephen Scholtz- sscholtz@wpschools.org
Examples of Educational Services Professional:
Behavior Specialist; Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant; School Occupational Therapist; Anti-Bullying Specialist; Paraprofessional; School Physical Therapist; Cooperative Education Coordinator; School Counselor; School Psychologist; Child Study Team; School Nurse; School Social Worker; Speech-Language Specialist; Library Media Specialist; Basic Skills Teacher; Math Specialist; and Reading Specialist
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Santa tour of town scheduled for Dec. 9 and 10
The West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department has announced that Santa Claus will be coming to town next week. This year, he will be making his way around both boroughs in a parade of decorated vehicles - a mini-holiday lights parade.
Santa will be touring the town on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Thursday, Dec. 10. The parade will run from 5 p.m. each day to about 9 p.m.
See the photos below for maps of the streets that will be visited each night. Wednesday, Dec. 9 is in yellow, and Thursday, Dec. 10 is in orange.
Coming up at the Alfred Baumann Library:
The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following children's programs. All programs are VIRTUAL unless noted. To view virtual programs, click here.
Friday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. - Virtual storytime
Monday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. - Virtual storytime
Monday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. - Holiday Family Cooking Class: Families are invited to join Heather Shasa, dietitian at ShopRite in Little Falls, to create healthy festive foods just in time for the holidays. Register here and you will be sent an ingredient list and Zoom link for the program.
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. - tune in for a virtual holiday puppet theater show on IGTV
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m. - Virtual storytime
Thursday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m. - Books & Barks. Register here for a time slot to read to Ms. Parker's therapy dog, Delilah
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. - Bananas & Books for grades 4-8. The group will be reading "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen.
Friday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. - Virtual storytime
Tuesday, Dec. 15. 6:30 p.m. - Fall into S.T.E.M.: Join Miss Scillieri as she unravels the mysteries of science through science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Register here. After registering, you will receive a Zoom link to participate.