Woodland Park School District News

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 students participated in the Kids Heart Challenge during the month of February. The mission of the event is to challenge the students to make healthier/better choices for their hearts on a daily basis: drink water, move more, and be kind.

Kids Heart Challenge also asks students to raise money for the American Heart Association so they can help people who have heart problems. BG's initial goal was to raise $1,500, but the generosity of Woodland Park families helped BG surpass/exceed/smash that goal by raising more than $2,200!

Thank you to all that donated and participated. Pictured are BG's jump rope champions, jumping champions, and Most Valuable Fundraisers.

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Students in Ms. Wittig's pre-school class at School 1 made fruit salad! Under adult supervision, they used a plastic knife to cut their favorite fruit into bite-sized pieces. They also talked about hand washing and healthy eating habits.

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Students of Mrs. Herrmann's third grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School have been excited to participate in optional weekend challenges. Focusing on math and engineering, students have participated in the completion of additional individual practice time on the school's math website and recently completed a building block challenge.

Students were asked to develop a design and try to create it with connecting building blocks. Entries included replicas of imaginative cafes, campgrounds, mansions, and Minecraft-based "worlds." Varied prizes were provided. Students are looking forward to upcoming challenges, including designing and building using cardboard.

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Ms. Tonti's first grade class at Charles Olbon School enjoyed some Read Across America festivities. They created instruments out of items they could find in their homes to go along with their sound energy lesson in science class. Students even conducted their very own marching band. The day came to an end with the creation of shamrocks labeled with a word to describe how kind they are. It was truly a fun Friday!

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For Read Across America day, the children in Mrs. Munro's kindergarten class at Charles Olbon School listened to the story, The Cat in the Hat. The students then drew one of Dr. Seuss' famous characters, The Cat in the Hat.

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Students at School 1, Charles Olbon School and Beatrice Gilmore School enjoyed the special theme days that were held in honor of Read Across America. Shown above are some photos from crazy hat day and crazy hair day.

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Please join me in congratulating teachers at Memorial Middle School who have become certified educators in a multitude of specialized programs. "We are proud that our teachers are showing initiative and expanding on the knowledge they can provide our students with," said Principal Mr. Scholtz.

• Ms. Ament is a Google certified educator Level 1&2, NEWSELA certified educator, and BrainPop certified.
  
• Ms. Scillieri is NEWSELA certified educator and an ED Puzzle certified coach.
  
• Ms. DeYoung is Google certified educator Level 1.

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School 1 Pre-K3 teacher Ms. Gilhooley and her students made homemade play-dough. The students were taught how to measure ingredients and follow recipes. The children had a blast!

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The WP Boys & Girls Club is now registering for spring baseball, softball, and Wiffle ball. Registration closes on March 22. The season will run from April 1 to June 14. Registration information can be found here.

Wiffle ball is offered to pre-K age children, where they are introduced to the game and work on the fundamentals of catching, throwing, fielding, and hitting off of a tee. Baseball and softball kindergarten to second grade teams will practice once a week and have a game every Saturday. They will focus on the fundamentals and teamwork. Third to eighth grade teams will learn more advanced skills and team concepts. There will be at least one team practice a week, one game a week, and one game on Saturday.

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The Alfred Baumann Library and the WP Stigma Free Task Force have extended the deadline to drop off origami paper cranes until March 31.

The 1,000 paper cranes project, to honor those who have suffered from COVID-19, is going great! The practice of folding cranes is a symbol of love, hope, peace, and healing. The goal is to collect 1,000 paper cranes and display them in the Library lobby for all to see.

Anyone interested can pick up folding instructions and origami paper at the Library. Call 973-345-8120 during Library operating hours when you arrive in the lot and someone will bring them out to you.

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The deadline for the "Bags of Hope" service project by WP Cub Scout Pack 31, and Boy Scouts Troop 238 of WP and Troop 12 of Montclair has been extended to April 2. They have received a donation of 40 bags that they hope to be able to fill up to benefit Tomorrow's Children at Hackensack University Medical Center. Donations for children aged 10-20 to fill chemo care bags are being sought. Any items that tweens and teens might be interested in, to give them some comfort while they are undergoing treatment, would be appreciated, such as fleece blankets, head wraps/hats, socks, non-scented lotion, magazines for teens, Mad Libs, journals, adult coloring books, etc. Collection boxes are located at the American Legion and Alfred Baumann Library.

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The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following children's programs. All programs are VIRTUAL unless noted. To view virtual programs, click here.

Friday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. - Join Miss Dana and Miss Sara for a fun craft! Supplies will be available for pick up at the Library. All ages welcome. Register here.

Monday, March 15, 10 a.m. - Virtual Weigh to Go group meeting. Register here.

Monday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.

Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. - Chill Out With STEM - Join in for a hands-on, interactive Zoom session. Pick up your "make and take" STEM kit from the Library prior to the event. Register here.

Wednesday, March 17, 4:30 p.m. - Virtual storytime with Miss Phil and Miss Sara. Register here.

Saturday, March 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - NJ Makers Day - Join in for a very special virtual NJ Makers Day! Spend some time on Zoom making and experimenting with four unique STEM activities. Each kit will have supplies for four activities. Kits are available for pick up at the Library. Register here.

Monday, March 22 - Teen DIY is a take-and-make craft kit for teens in grades 8-12. This month, you can create your own succulent jar, perfect for sprucing up your room decor. Kits will be available for pick up at the library. Register here.

Tuesday, March 23, 6 p.m. - Join Miss Sara to make a DIY Hot Chocolate Bomb! Some supplies will be provided and available for pick up at the Library. Register here.

Tuesday, March 23, 7 p.m. - Home Buying & Mortgage Tips with Mortgage Loan Originator Angelo Straface. Looking to buy a home? Explore tips on preparing for a down payment. Learn about first time home buying programs that are available, and get tips regarding your credit score and how to plan ahead for the perfect mortgage application. Register here.

Wednesday, March 24, 7 p.m. - Join Brianne as the Adult Book Group discusses its March - "Once We Were Here" by Christopher Cosmos - on Zoom. The eBook and audiobook versions of this title are available for instant download with your Library card via Hoopla here. Register for the discussion here.

The Library's website is www.abwplibrary.org. Its phone is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.

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Email: mpillari@wpschools.org
Website: www.wpschools.org
Location: 853 McBride Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07424, USA
Phone: 973-317-7711