Sandy Hook Promise
Over the summer, Memorial Middle School science teacher, Ms. Ament, earned the title of Sandy Hook Promise Action Leader in order to assist in continuing to keep our schools safe and places of acceptance for all!
Sandy Hook Promise is a national non-profit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were affected by the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, CT, its intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning tragedy into transformation.
Welcome Ms. Reilly
Welcome to our newly appointed Memorial Middle School Assistant Principal/Mathematics Supervisor, Ms. Krystina Reilly!
Ms. Reilly comes to the Woodland Park School District from the Lincoln Park School District, where she taught middle school math for 14 years and most recently served in the capacity of MTSS Advisor and Teacher Coach.
She graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Elementary Education and continued her education thereafter at Montclair State University, where she earned a MA in Middle Grades Mathematics. Her passion for the teaching of mathematics along with her desire to assist students in their love of learning and appreciation of math content naturally guided her in this direction. She opted to further her education and earned a second MA degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University.
During her tenure in Lincoln Park, Ms. Reilly served on the Climate Team for many years and remains proud of all the amazing activities which were implemented with the students in order to assist in creating and promoting social and emotional positivity. This includes the creation of school-wide events and inspirational bulletin boards. Being an advisor for the Climate Committee has helped her to assist young people with expressing themselves through voice and actions as well as social interactions in order to achieve greatness together.
Welcome Ms. Gutierrez
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Mireya Gutierrez to our Woodland Park Family! Ms. Gutierrez will serve our educational community in the capacity of Director of Early Childhood Education.
Ms. Gutierrez earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Montclair State University, a Master’s Degree in Special Education at Felician College, and a Principal Certificate at William Paterson University.
Ms. Gutierrez began her career in education as a preschool teacher for Paterson Public Schools. Thereafter, she moved into special education and served this population of students in Paterson Public Schools, Pequannock Public Schools, and Glen Rock Public Schools.
Her leadership experiences include Senior Manager for special education teachers, Supervisor in the Department of Early Childhood, and Vice Principal for Newark Public Schools.
She is the mother of two amazing children, Megan Pilar, and Nicolas Eloy. Her husband is a brave captain in the Paterson Fire Department. Together, as a family, they enjoy watching movies, playing board games, and going on trips.
She is honored and thankful to receive the opportunity to serve the Woodland Park community and is looking forward to working with the children, families, and staff.
Welcome Ms. Nussbaum
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Debra Nussbaum to our Woodland Park Family! Ms. Nussbaum will serve our educational community in the capacity of Principal of Charles Olbon School as soon as she is released from her current employer, but no later than Oct. 16, 2022.
Ms. Nussbaum earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Boston University and a M.A in Reading from Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her Post-Master Principal Certification from Caldwell University. Ms. Nussbaum currently serves Wayne Public Schools and has spent 20 years in public education serving a variety of roles, such as elementary classroom teacher, Reading Specialist, Wilson Credentialed Trainer, and Supervisor of Summer Academy.
When not at work, she is home parenting three daughters, loving a dog and kitten, and spending time with friends and family. She enjoys traveling and reading nonfiction.
Her expertise in Literacy, passion for lifelong learning, and strong worth ethic to ensure academic excellence is sure to be a great asset for our children, families, and staff here in Woodland Park.
Welcome Ms. Socha
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Suzanne Socha to our Woodland Park Family! Ms. Socha will serve our educational community in the capacity of Principal of our Early Childhood Center/ELA Supervisor beginning Sept. 12, 2022.
Ms. Socha earned a B.S in Elementary Education from the University of Scranton and an M.A. in Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University.
Ms. Socha is an experienced educational leader and teacher, who is committed to closing the achievement and opportunity gaps for all students. For the past five years, she has served as principal of a PreK-3 to grade 8 elementary school in Bergen County. Prior to her current position, she taught in both public and private education for over 18 years with most of her teaching experience at the middle school level in the area of ELA.
As a graduate of the New Jersey public school system, it is Ms. Socha’s desire to give back to the system that enabled her to be the first college graduate in her family and the educational leader she is today. She is honored and thankful to receive the opportunity to serve Woodland Park and is looking forward to contributing to the bright future of our school district.
Meet the Recreation Department Team
In January, the Borough launched its new Recreation Department, in partnership with the Woodland Park Public Schools. The team is now in place and we want you to meet them:
- Tom DeSiervo, Director of Recreation & Parks
- Andrew Alers, Recreation Leader
- Kelly Spinalli, Borough Events Coordinator
- Jessica Mastropaolo, Supervisor of Student Activities
- Lou Taylor, Borough Recreation Coordinator
The Council, School District Administration, Board of Education, and the Recreation Advisory Board are excited and committed to this endeavor between the town and schools to provide quality recreation, activities, sports, before/aftercare, and after-school activities to Borough children as well as programs for adults and seniors.
Jessica Mastropaolo, M.Ed. comes to Woodland Park from the Paterson Public Schools System, where she worked as a middle school art teacher for four years. Prior to this, she served as an eighth grade Language Arts teacher for four years in the same school district.
Her volunteer and leadership experience includes serving on the New Jersey Positive Behavior Support in Schools Committee, Peer Group Connection (PGC) advisor and mentor, and cheerleading coach. Ms. Mastropaolo also oversaw the budget and fundraising for the eighth grade dance and field trip committee as well as worked with the FuIl-Service Community Director to implement grants and extracurricular activities for students.
She holds Teacher of Art and ELA teaching certifications as well as Supervisor certification for the state of NJ. Ms. Mastropaolo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Studio from William Paterson University (2019), a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from William Paterson University (2016), and Masters in Educational Leadership from William Paterson University (2021).
As Supervisor of Extracurricular Activities, Ms. Mastropaolo will be launching and overseeing a variety of after-school programs for all of the schools in our district. She is grateful to be part of this team and is eagerly looking forward to working together to create an exciting and inspiring experience for our children.
Tom DeSiervo comes to Woodland Park with deep recreation roots. Growing up, he played or participated in almost every program that was offered. At 18, he was hired as a camp counselor for his hometown of Elmwood Park, at 20 became a supervisor for the after-school program, and at 21, received an offer for a full-time position within the office.
Over the course of his five years working in Elmwood Park, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from William Paterson University. During his tenure there, he executed everything from clerical work to the hiring of new employees, in addition to overseeing the after-school and summer camp programs. Utilizing the Community Pass online registration system, DeSiervo created and implemented every program the department offered.
In March 2018, DeSiervo accepted a position with the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department, where he stayed until July 2021. Servicing a larger population, the position allowed him to be exposed to new methods in leadership, projects, and programs.
While there, he received his Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) status from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). At that time, he was the youngest person in New Jersey to have this certification. He was given greater responsibility and was able to gain valuable experience, culminating in accepting the position of Director of Parks & Recreation in the Borough of Glen Rock. He was responsible for all facets of Parks & Recreation, with his largest and most important task being the Borough’s pool maintenance and operation. While there, he obtained his Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) certification from the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. With anything in life, there is always room to grow which is why he was so excited when he was approved to become the first ever Director of Recreation & Parks for the Borough of Woodland Park.
DeSiervo has realized one thing over his 13 years of working in the public sector; he wants to help people; he wants to make a real difference. There is nothing greater than knowing you are making a positive impact on a community. This is especially true for doing it in your own community, and that is why he moved to this wonderful town. DeSiervo is ecstatic to be here and watch this community grow. Some of his fondest memories growing up are from participating in or being around the Recreation Center, and he is forever grateful for that. He is determined to make this department the gold standard of recreation, and with his experience, he is confident that this will become a reality.
Andrew Alers, an Elmwood Park native, comes to Woodland Park from the Elmwood Park Recreation Center, where he served for four years as Recreation Leader and Keyboarding Clerk. He has hands-on experience in instructing recreation center participants in a range of sports activities and assisting with schoolwork assignments, in addition to experience working with children of diverse backgrounds and special needs.
In Elmwood Park, he worked to organize trips and borough-wide events, summer camp, and the after-school program. In addition, he organized and approved permit requests for fields and facilities.
Prior to working in this position, Alers served as the Recreation Center’s Supervisor where he oversaw the gym, counselors, summer camp, and spray park for 10 years. He had such responsibilities as organizing and leading soccer and basketball clinics for children, working one-on-one with troubled youth, assisting children with schoolwork assignments, and creating and coordinating games, sports, and academic activities.
Reusable Discount Card Sale
Memorial Middle School's Eighth Grade Dance Committee is running a community discount card fundraiser. The reusable card is $20 each and offers a year's worth of savings to 25 local favorites such as Pizza City, Park West Diner, Cyndia's, Se7te, The Fine Grind, Popeyes, Wendy's, and more.
You’ll be sure to save much more than $20 from using your card. Discount cards also make great gifts! The group accepts Vemmo at WPMem2023, cash or check. For more information, contact Trish at 201-452- 9212 or email WPClassof2023@gmail.com.
