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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles Olbon School students completed the Kids Heart Challenge during the month of March. The purpose of this Challenge was to raise funds to help individuals with heart issues as well as to learn about the importance of overall, general heart health.

Physical Education teacher, Mr. Volpe, motivated students and families by creating a schoolwide challenge. If the school's fundraising efforts reached $2,000, he pledged to get pie faced! If the school reached $3,000, Mr. Volpe pledged to be slimed!

By the end of the month, Charles Olbon students and families raised $3,300! Guidance Counselor, Ms. Indri, and Mr. Volpe held a live stream event whereby students, families, and teachers watched Mr. Volpe take a pie to the face and get slimed by his wife! To eveyon'es surpirse, the slime used was not green....it was pink! This was Mr. and Mrs. Volpe's gender reveal! During this fun event, we learned that they are expecting a baby girl this summer! Thank you, Mr. Volpe, for helping to raise money for such an important cause. Also, please join me in congratulating the Volpe family as they await the arrival of Baby Girl Volpe!

All students, both in-person and virtual, participated in a virtual Kids Heart Challenge jumping event with their class. Each round included a spinning wheel that consisted of different endurance exercises. Time increased after each round by 15 to 30 seconds in order to measure and increase individual student's endurance levels. Congratulations to all the winners from each class and a job well done by all students!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beatrice Gilmore School Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Farraye, held a "guess how many pieces of chalk are in the container" contest to help students think critically and boost spirits before spring break. Shown above are pictures of some of the winners receiving the chalk they won, delivered personally by Mrs. Farraye!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs. Herrmann's third grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School recently completed a weekend "make a fossil" challenge as part of the science unit on fossils. A fossil is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from the past and provides scientific information about the animals, plants and environment that existed in the past. Dante B. was the winner! He created various "fossils" of "extinct" animals and plants. Dante was able to explain what information a scientist could discover about the once-living things represented by each of the fossils he created. Dante's brother, Vinnie, a pre-K student at Charles Olbon School, even created his own fossils! Dante included his brother's creations in his presentation to the class!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Week of the Young Child is a celebration sponsored annually by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. While celebrating “Tasty Tuesday” during this very special week, students in Mrs. Casasnovas PreK-4 class at School 1 followed a fruit salad recipe and enjoyed a healthy snack together!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Students in Mrs. Farrell's fifth grade art classes worked on a project before spring break that involved celebrating author and artist, Dr. Seuss, and artist, MC Escher. Students, like Dr. Seuss, were inspired to create a tessellation artwork in the form of a bookmark in celebration of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America. Seuss was inspired by MC Escher and created "The Economic Situation Clarified" in 1975. Tessellation is a mathematical term and is defined as an arrangement of shapes closely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping.

During April, art students are celebrating autism awareness and diversity. Did you know that even though we are all so unique and different, our DNA is 99.5% the same? More to come once this project is completed!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Students in Mrs. Behnken's class in Memorial Middle School completed projects for Women's History Month. Each student chose a woman to study who has made a difference in the world. The class researched, gathered facts, photos, and video clips and created a Google slide presentation. Each student was provided an opportunity to share the new learning with the class. The women who were studied, included Amelia Earhart, Queen Elizabeth, Sally Ride, Lisa Leslie, Princess Diana, Michelle Obama, and Freda Kahlo.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Memorial Middle School celebrates Diversity Month, several students created morning announcement presentations about various aspects of diversity.

Timothy B. shared the "Definition of Diversity." Stephanie M. followed with "Acknowledging Autism and Autism Information." Jocelyn R. presented "Leaders of Diversity." Yoseph K. followed with "Why is Diversity Important? How Does it Improve Our Lives?"

All of these students are members of the Memorial School Climate and Culture Student Team. Please join me in recognizing these students for a job well done!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saif, a student in Mrs. Herrmann's third grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School, shared the book It's Ramadan, Curious George with his classmates. This is a story which shares facts about the holiday which began this past Monday and ends on May 12. Other students who also celebrate this holiday shared stories of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Students who do not celebrate the holiday asked questions and learned so much about Ramadan.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Issa in Ms. Tonti’s first grade class in Charles Olbon School enjoyed a Spring Festival & Writing Celebration! Students wrote an essay on how to catch the Easter Bunny. Issa wrote about how he would use a box and rope to try to trap the bunny and entice him with carrots.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Memorial Middle School Animal Club and advisor, Mrs. Donato, met virtually to share stories of adoption, and rehabilitation in support of Mrs. Donato's continual local TNR (trap-neuter-release) action plan. Lots of exciting and interesting activities have been posted on the Animal Club Google Classroom for all to enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Food service resumed operation this week following Spring Break. This is free to all students. Pick up locations are at the entrance of Charles Olbon and Memorial School and the back entrance of School 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily when school is open. Food may be picked up at the site most convenient to you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doing some spring cleaning? The Memorial School 8th Grade Dance Committee is holding a clothing drive this Saturday, April 17 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the WP Boys & Girls Club. The committee will receive a donation based on the total poundage collected. Place your gently used/unwanted items in tightly tied garbage bags.

Items being collected include: usable and wearable adult and children's clothing and shoes for all seasons; accessories such as backpacks, handbags, belts, ties, scarves and gloves; household items such as curtains, sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, blankets, comforters, towels, linens, and tablecloths; small toys; household items; and small bric-a-brac items.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Alfred Baumann Library is conducting its 25th annual poetry contest, which is open to Woodland Park residents, Passaic Valley High School students, and Berkeley College students.

Poems may be written in any form, must be original, and unpublished. Poems must be typed or clearly printed on a single sheet of 8 ½ by 11 paper. Include your full name, address, telephone number, and category (print clearly or type) and drop off at the library or submit via email as an attachment here. Put your full name in the subject line. Poems must be submitted by Saturday, May 1 by 1 p.m. Illegible copies will be disqualified.

Categories: grades K-2; grades 3-4; grades 5-6; grades 7-8; high school students; and adults 18 and older (not in high school).

All works submitted will be bound in a book and added to the library’s permanent collection. Prizes will be awarded for first to third place in each category. Winners will be asked to read their selections for a virtual poetry-reading program on June 8.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early registration for Woodland Park Summer Camp, to be held at Zaccaria Park on Rifle Camp Road from June 28 to Aug. 13, will run from April 15 to May 15. Regular registration will run from May 16 to June 15. Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. There is a half-day option and after-care will be available until 5:30 p.m.

Registration and payment must be done online here. Payment must be made in full at the time of registration. Computers for online registration are also available at the Alfred Baumann Library, 7 Brophy Lane.

All CDC requirements will be followed and enforced for the duration of camp. The Borough is still awaiting guidelines and they will be announced when available. Follow Woodland Park Summer Camp on Facebook or @wpsummercamp on Instagram for updates. Any questions, call the Recreation Department at 973-345-8100, 213, or email recreation@wpnj.us.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Borough will host its annual free family fishing event at Zaccaria Park with a special appearance by bassmaster Antonio Go-Go Gomez. This event is open to Woodland Park, Little Falls and Totowa residents this year. Registration on site begins at 8:30 a.m. Fishing begins at 9 a.m. Registration is required via Community Pass here. There will be prizes, food, and fun.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Monday, April 19 - The next monthly teen DIY kit is available for pick up. This unique take-and-make craft kit is for teens in grades 8-12. This month, you can design your own magnetic bookmark, draw your favorite characters, use stickers, and more. Register here.

Monday, April 19, 10 a.m. - Virtual Weigh to Go group meeting. Register here.

Monday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.

Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. - Spring is in the Air Digital Breakout for kids in grades 3-8. Can you beat the clock and catch the plane in time to make it to your spring vacation? Work your way through a series of puzzles and escape the digital room. Register here.

Tuesday, April 20, 7 p.m. - Interview Strategies with Berkeley College - Join Berkeley College via Zoom as they present resume writing tips, interviewing strategies, and career changing tips. Register here.

Wednesday, April 21, 7 p.m. - Join Miss Sara and Miss Phil for a weekly virtual storytime on Zoom. Each week will have a new theme with stories, songs, rhymes, and more. Register here.

Thursday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. - Join Miss Dana and Miss Sara for a fun Earth Day craft! All ages welcome. Supplies will be available for pick up at the Library. Register here.

Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m. - Join Brianne for the April Adult Book Club discussion of "Under the Tulip Tree" by Michelle Shocklee. The title is available for instant download with your library card via the Hoopla app here. The eBook can be found here and audiobook can be found here. Register for the discussion here.

Thursday, April 29, 7 p.m. - Spice Club - Early each month, come to the library to pick up a new packet. The packet will include a spice sample, recipe and history of the spice. Explore some new, exotic spices as well as old favorites. Choose to make the suggested recipe or one of your own, and join in at the Zoom meeting to talk about what you made. Register here.

The Library's website is www.abwplibrary.org. Phone number is 973-345-8120. Reach the Library via email at library@abwplibrary.org.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click here for Facebook

Click here for Instagram

Click here Twitter

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