CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

As educators, it's our job to guide the students to be successful throughout their educational experience. As middle school educators, this can be a challenging task due to many factors. Students struggle for all sorts of reasons. At times we, along with parents, reach a point where we ask ourselves, "What more can I do for my students/child(ren)?" Students can also learn how to own their own learning. With the help of an article posted on Edutopia, here is a list that mentions what students should be responsible for as a student in middle school:

1. Be your own advocate.

2. Ask lots of questions.

3. Communicate your struggles to teachers.

4. Think of school as your office in training, and ask yourself if you are a good co-worker?

5. Dress for success (suits are not necessary).

6. At least do the minimum, but better yet, do more!

7. Sweat a little. Not everything is supposed to come easy.

8. Find ways to relate to your reading, writing, and other lessons being taught.

9. Be there: physically and mentally.

10. Surround yourself with peers that can help you and who are good influencers.

Although educators and parents are always rooting for students to succeed, it's also our job to guide them to become responsible for their own success!

At the bottom of each CDW Weekly Wrap-Up are upcoming, important dates!

Grade 7 students will take a Science Assessment on Tuesday, January 25th during Periods 2-4. This assessment is administered throughout the Northern Valley schools, and it gives the teachers an overview of students' scientific understandings to-date. The results from this mid-year Science Assessment will be used to assist with placement decisions next year, when we course plan for our eighth graders going into NVOT.

On Thursday, CDW had a delayed opening. Since it was the first delayed opening of the 2021-2022 school year, here are important reminders for possible delayed openings in the future.

• Staff will be available for drop off to begin at 9:30 AM.
• Homeroom begins at 10:00 AM.
• After 10:00 AM, students need to enter through the front door for a tardy pass. Please drive around to the front to drop them off since the other doors will be closed.

On Wednesday, January 26th, students will receive their updated schedules for Marking Period 3 during Homeroom.

CDW 6th Grader, Marie, visited the 5th Grade Organizational Lab class to share how she uses Google Keep to stay organized in life. Students were able to see how tools learned in this class can be carried into the real world. Marie also shared some insider information on what to expect in 6th Grade.

Thank you, Marie!

Students should be prepared each day with the proper clothing to go outside for Recess, but when we have inclement weather, we will have movie lunches in order to substitute Recess with something fun. Below is a picture of the students enjoying the popular, "Toy Story," during lunch on Thursday!

Each week the students work on their handwritten calligraphy skills for half of the time, and then the bookmaking the other half. Ms. DiPisa teaches the calligraphy, and Ms. Watters teaches the bookmaking and cover art. They work together on individualizing plans for the inside of each students' book including: bullet journaling, diary writing, or sketchbook setup!

Last week there was a highlight in the Weekly Wrap-Up about Mr. Gagliano and Ms. Osbhar's classes dissecting owl pellets. This week, both classes worked on putting the bones together that they found to see what their owl ate. They used the bone charts in their Owl Pellet packets to guide them. See below!

Reminders and Updates from CDW's Student Manager

Ms. Brock - Intramural Dates & Activities

February - BADMINTON

March through April - BASKETBALL

May through June - RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Remember, the intramural program runs throughout the year so medical information can be submitted when your child wants to join. Please submit all PPE / HHQ documents to Mrs. McCarthy (McCarthy@nvnet.org) and forward all intramural-related emails to Ms. Brock (Brockl@nvnet.org).

Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE)

Inter-Scholastic Sports and Intramurals

Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes

History Form

Concussion Management Guidelines

All of this information can also be found in the Student Handbook.

- All spectators must wear a safety mask when in the building.

- UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, SPECTATORS FOR HOME & AWAY GAMES ARE LIMITED TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS.

- Students of CDW will be reminded that they will not be permitted back in the building to attend a game. Unfortunately, we need to maximize seating spaces and reduce the number of spectators while Covid19 transmissions rates remain high.

Any questions, please contact Mr. Lauriello @ Lauriello@nvnet.org.

The boys' basketball team beat Northvale on Tuesday and Closter on Wednesday and again on Thursday of this week to move to a record of 6-0!

The girls' basketball team had a successful week as well with wins against Northvale and Closter! Their record is also 6-0!

In preparation for scheduling, NVOT now invites Students and Parents to view their Scheduling Information Presentation, particularly the Program of Studies & Course Selection Sheet: Program of Studies / Scheduling Information Presentation.

If you have not signed up for our child(ren)'s NVOT Conference, please sign up HERE as soon as possible. Refer to the letter sent via email from Ms. Santa on January 4th for more information.

Every 8th Grader has been invited to Mrs. Richardson's Google Classroom and has access to all high school information. If you have any further questions, please email Mrs. Richardson at richardson@nvnet.org.

If your child is applying for admission to another school at any time (Private or Catholic) please contact Mrs. Richardson to let her know prior to requesting forms from the school.

Mrs. Richardson can be reached at 201-664-1475 ext 2203 or richardson@nvnet.org. Speaking with Mrs. Richardson first will ensure a smooth application process.

At this time, the Marking Period 2 dates will not be adjusted due to the Snow Day that we had on Friday, January 7th. The Marking Period 2 dates will remain as follows:

End of Marking Period~ January 27, 2022

Parent Portal Open for Viewing~ February 1, 2022

However, if we have another Snow Day, I will inform you through the Weekly Wrap-Up of any calendar adjustments.

The PTO is sponsoring a special lunch on February 3rd to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The options will be a choice from 2 bento boxes, each individually packaged from Rainbow in Closter.

1. $8 - Rice, Japchae, Jeon, Fried dumplings

2. $9 - Rice, Bulgogi, Japchae, Fried dumpling

You may order through the PTO Website.

As the weather continues to get colder, it is important to send your child to school with the appropriate attire to attend outside Recess. Students are reminded during OTBN's morning announcements to bring their coats, gloves, scarves, and hats to lunch with them so that they are prepared for Recess.

Students are invited to join Ms. DiPisa in the library on Tuesdays during lunch to eat and listen to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

A sign out sheet will be available each Tuesday in the cafeteria. Students must sign out of lunch to attend.

We are collecting plastic film in the containers outside of CDW. Once a month, from October through April, our CDW students in the Environmental Justice classes will retrieve the collection bags, weigh the contents, and track our collections. Our custodians will then bring our recycling to the collection center. In April, we will find out how our school ranked in the collection of recyclable plastic film. If we collect the most in our school size category, we could win another Trex bench for our outdoor classroom! Please see the flyer below for more information!

As of January 7th, we have 410 lbs. of plastic!!!

Updated information about the clubs that CDW offers will be posted onto our CDW Clubs Webpage. Students also hear OTBN Morning Announcements for more information.

More clubs will be added as their schedules are confirmed.

Membership in the NJHS at Charles DeWolf Middle School will be open to seventh graders who meet the criteria at the end of the third marking period. Please visit the NJHS Webpage for more information.

Please have your child bring the needed art supplies to Ms. Watters in Room 106.

• Plastic Bags
• Magazines
• Newspaper

We thank you in advance for your support!

See the Flyer from Ms. Watters HERE.

If you would like to purchase insurance for your child(ren)'s school issued Chromebook, please refer to the information below.

Volunteers play a huge part in the PTO, and what they are able to offer our students and teachers. Without volunteers, many of the programs that students, teachers, and families enjoy will not be able to happen. Volunteer descriptions can be found at: OTPTO.org under "More Info" and then "Flyers."

If you have interest in joining the PTO Board, joining or running a committee, or just want to learn more- please reach out to the PTO by visiting OTPTO.org and selecting "Contact Old Tappan PTO" under the Help tab.

If a member of your household has tested positive (or is waiting on Covid-19 test results), please do not send your child(ren) to school and contact Mrs. McCarthy, our school nurse, to inform her. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Santa or Mrs. McCarthy.

In an effort to minimize the potential spread of illness (Covid or non-Covid) at school, please keep your child home if he/she:

• has a fever. Students should be fever-free for 24 hours without medication prior to returning to school.
• is nauseous or is vomiting.
• has diarrhea

Due to Covid-19, if your child comes to school with the following symptoms, Mrs. McCarthy, our school nurse, will call you to pick up your child from school:

• At least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, rigors, myalgia, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; OR
• At least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, new taste disorder.

Any student who falls into one of the categories above will be required to have a negative Covid-19 test to return to school. If your child has a chronic illness with one or more of the above symptoms, please contact Mrs. McCarthy so she is aware.

Anytime your child is not feeling well, and will not attend school, please contact Mrs. McCarthy at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103.

The CDC has updated its guidelines regarding international travel. Starting November 8, students who travel internationally will not be required to quarantine following their return to the United States. The United States is requiring a negative Covid-19 test to re-enter the US (from any international destination), so quarantine will not be required. We still ask for families to monitor their child(ren) for symptoms upon their return and quarantine if symptoms surface.

You may visit the CDC Travel Website HERE.

ATTENTION ALL CDW PARENTS / GUARDIANS:

Please help keep our students safe during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up by practicing the following traffic rules.

1. Please do not enter the BOE parking to drop-off or pick-up your child(ren). Many of our students use that entrance to walk to their homeroom locations or pass through when walking home at the end of the day. We ask that you refrain from entering the BOE parking lot from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and from 2:30 PM to 3:10 PM.

2. Please do not drive through any of the staff parking spots along Interschool Drive. Students should have a clear - safe - path to the sidewalk as they exit their vehicles.

3. If you drop your child(ren) off before the traffic cones on Interschool Drive, you can enter the right lane. This change in lanes will expedite your exit off school property.

Drop-Off

• The drop-off line is a continuously moving line. Please do not park in the staff parking spaces along Interschool Drive to drop off your child(ren). Children are exiting their vehicles and heading towards the sidewalk, and this causes an unsafe walking zone.
• Please remind your child(ren) to exit the vehicle and walk behind your car.
• Parent(s)/Guardian(s) should not exit the vehicle. If your child(ren) need assistance, the staff members are there to help.
• Please do not use the right lane to drop off your child(ren). This lane is designated for cars moving through to the exit.

Pick-Up

• Please arrange a meeting area with your child(ren) so that you can locate them efficiently.
• Please do not park and/or exit your vehicle regardless of your child(ren) being at TBD or CDW.
• Please do not block designated emergency lanes that connect TBD and CDW.

General Traffic Rules Regarding Parking

• Never park in a "No Parking, Fire Lane." These lanes are designated with yellow paint in diagonal lines on the pavement along with the words, "No Parking Fire Lane."
• Never park along a curb that is painted yellow and leave your vehicle unattended.
• Do not double park (park your vehicle beside another vehicle that is in a designated parking space).

Thanks for keeping our kids safe!

January

Tuesday, January 25th~ The Grade 7 Science Assessment will take place during Periods 2-4.

Thursday, January 27th~ Marking Period 2 Ends (Report Cards will be viewable via the Parent Portal on February 1st at 12PM.)

Tuesday, January 27th~ 6th Grade Presentation by the NVOT Heroes and Cool Kids Club

Thursday, January 27th~ CDW Film Festival for Creative Writing Classes 6:00 PM (invite only)

February

Tuesday, February 1st~ Report Cards for Marking Period 2 are available at 12:00 PM via the Genesis Parent Portal

Thursday, February 3rd~ PTO Lunar New Year Lunch (pre-order on the PTO website)

Thursday, February 10th~ 8th Grade Sharpe Parent Information Meeting at 6:00 PM

Monday, February 21st-Friday, February 25th~ February Recess- No School for Students

Click here to view the calendar.

Instagram: cdw_middle

Email: santaj@nvnet.org
Website: https://cdw.oldtappanschools.org/
Location: 275 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan, NJ, USA
Phone: 201-664-1475
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OldTappanSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @OldTappanSD