CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

We have officially met the mid-point of the 2024-2025 school year. One way to prepare for the second half of the school year is to make a plan with your child(ren).

• What did your child(ren) do that was successful in the first half of the year, and what does your child(ren) need to do to move forward?
• Focus on one or two things that will help guide the way for your child(ren).
• Reach out to the teachers with concerns or questions. Communication and partnership is key!
• Talk with your child(ren) about school, share your thoughts, and ask open-ended questions such as, "What are you looking forward to for the second half of the year?"

Now is a great time to set goals and have discussions about the second half of the 2024-2025 school year with your child(ren).

Please welcome to CDW Mr. Ghotok, our new PE teacher, who began in the district last week. If you need to reach out to Mr. Ghotok, his email is ghotokm@nvnet.org.

For all CDW staff information, please use the CDW Directory on our website.

In anticipation of the March Author Visit with Jason Patterson, today after OTBN announcements, Grade 5 & Grade 6 students stay tuned for the "First Chapter Friday" with Mrs. Melillo.

If students want to purchase a book, they must hand in their form and money to Mrs. Melillo by February 6, 2025. Forms were handed out during homeroom, but please print and return the attached form with your money if you need another copy. A portion of the proceeds from every book sold goes to the OTPTO!

Please check out Ms. Melillo's 2025 webpage for more information.

On Wednesday, January 29th, the 5th adn 6th grade LEAP students attended the InVengineering Expo at Englewood Cliffs School. Students worked in teams to create a tower that met competition requirements with a limited supply of balsa wood. These towers were then destructively tested, and design efficiency was calculated based on the tower's weight and the force applied.

The Northern Valley Color Guard will be starting a club guard for 7th and 8th grade students that will teach basic flag, dance, rifle, and saber spinning in a fun setting. The students will have the opportunity to interact with members and staff of the award-winning Northern Valley Color Guard and Winter Guard and will learn to spin and dance. The students will learn to perform skills similar to those that you would see in a parade or football halftime show, but inside and with popular music!

The Northern Valley Club Guard will meet on Friday afternoons from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Northern Valley Old Tappan High School. It will begin on Friday, January 31st, but students can join at any time.

To sign up, please visit https://tinyurl.com/nvalleycg25. For more information, please contact NVOT band director, Amy Wilcox, at wilcox@nvnet.org.

The Girl Scout Robotics Team cordially invites girls in Grades 6, 7, & 8 at CDW to join them on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM for a brunch with girls! Please see the flyer below for more information.

Today, Dr. Da Giau sent out the January District Newsletter highlighting important information and events happening in OT.

8th Grade Information: Grade 8 Scheduling Conferences have begun and will continue next week. Please see the information below if you have not had your child(ren)'s conference yet.

All Grades

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s academic, social or emotional needs, please contact me at adamoj@nvnet.org or 201-664-1475 ext. 2203.

On Wednesday, January 29th the boys' basketball team played Demarest in the semi-finals game and defeated them with a strong 2nd half to make it to the championship game!

The Northern Valley Boys' Middle School Basketball Championship game will be CDW versus Closter on Monday, February 3rd at NVOT starting at 6:15 PM. Come out and support the Knights!

On Friday, January 24th, the girls beat Haworth to advance to the semifinals against Northvale, which was played on Tuesday, January 28th. After defeating Northvale and celebrating the Grade 8 students' last home game, the team is heading to the championship game!

The Northern Valley Girls' Middle School Basketball Championship game will be CDW versus Harrington Park on Monday, February 3rd at NVOT starting at 5:15 PM. Come out and support the Knights!

If your child(ren) is trying out for baseball, softball, or track, parents must complete these 5 forms by logging into the Genesis Parent Portal and going to the "Forms Library" by Monday, February 24th. (See picture below.)

• Health History Update Form
• CDW Sports and Intramurals Participation Form
• Opioid Use and Misuse Educational Fact Sheet
• Sudden Cardiac Death Pamphlet and Sign Off
• Sports-Related Concussion Acknowledgement

Please also know that your child's physical form and PPE form need to be handed into the school nurse and be up to date. If your child(ren) received a physical examination more than 90 days prior to the first day of tryouts, you must complete a Health History Update Questionnaire (attached below).

Please be aware that these required forms must be received, reviewed, and processed by the school nurse before the athlete can try out or practice. Incomplete forms will cause a delay for tryouts.

Mr. Ferrara will continue to run Intramurals on Fridays at 3:00 PM. The current sport is Badminton! If your child(ren) is interested, he/she can see Mr. Ferrara in Room 208 with any questions. If your child(ren) plans on doing intramurals at all throughout the year, please make sure that his/her paperwork has been handed in to Mrs. McCarthy, the school nurse.

Please see the information above for the necessary paperwork.

You're invited to the Old Tappan's PTO Parents' Night Out on February 27, 2025 from 7-11 PM at the Florentine Gardens! See specific information below!

If you would like to purchase a 2024-2025 Discount Card and Dicks Sporting Goods Coupon Book, visit the OT PTO website.

The discount card is $20.

The Dicks Sporting Goods Coupon Book is $15.

The schools truly value the partnership we have with the Old Tappan PTO! Please join the PTO and support their organization. Visit OTPTO.org, click "For Sale," and then "Membership."

The PTO Meetings for the 2024-2025 school year are listed below. Babysitting is offered at the night meetings.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM in the CDW Media Center

Thursday, April 24, 2024 at 9:00 AM in the BOE Conference Room

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM in the CDW Media Center

Tardy and attendance letters are updated to the Genesis Parent Portal on a regular basis. Please check the documents section for the letter. Please sign and return the letter at your earliest convenience. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The CDW Musical needs donations of all suits of all sizes! They will take any 2-piece or 3-piece suits that resemble the style of 1950's time period! Thank you in advance for your support.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 production:

PETER PAN

nvot.booktix.com

Friday, February 28th at 7 pm

Saturday, March 1st at 2 pm

Saturday, March 1st at 7 pm

Sunday, March 2nd at 2 pm

Join NVOT for a Magical Adventure to Neverland!

Peter Pan is based on the beloved play by Sir James M. Barrie! Fly with Peter, Wendy, and the Lost Boys as they take on Captain Hook on a journey filled with adventure, laughter, and a little bit of pixie dust. With dazzling performances, stunning visuals, and toe-tapping music, this production is perfect for audiences of all ages.

The CDW Knights Chorus is starting a new season! New members are welcome to join through February 27th. The group is open to students in Grades 5-8. Students should see Ms. Osbahr with any questions.

Membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Charles DeWolf Middle School is open to any seventh grade student who meets all the membership requirements at the end of the third marking period in 2025.

During the final days of April, eligible students will be identified and invited to apply for admission to the NJHS by email. An email will also be sent to parents of eligible students. The induction ceremony will be held on May 20, 2025 (subject to change).

The forecast is calling for a possibility snow soon. Since that means that there is a possibility of a delayed opening within the next month or so, here are some important reminders to prepare for a possible delayed opening in the future.

• Staff will be available for drop off beginning at 9:40 AM.

• Homeroom begins at 10:00 AM.

• After 10:00 AM, students need to enter through the front door. Please drive around to the front to drop them off since the other doors will be closed.
  

• Students will attend each class but for a shorter period of time.

• Students will still have their lunch period. The 5th and 6th grade lunch will start at 11:47 AM, and the 7th and 8th grade lunch will start at 12:18 PM.

If you or your child(ren) needs a refresher on how to use Google Classroom, he/she can access a variety of videos on Dr. Sullivan's Google Classroom under, "Tools for Organizing Assignments."

Here is a video on How to Use Google Classroom for you to review.

Have you purchased Chromebook Insurance for your child(ren)'s school-issued device yet?

We highly suggest that you purchase insurance! We have already had to submit many claims! Please refer to the information below, or you may purchase directly from smartechins.com/oldtappan.

Homework Club began on Wednesday, October 2nd. Please see the flyer below to sign up!

If your child is not going to attend school, please contact Mrs. McCarthy at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103 or McCarthy@nvnet.org.

In an effort to minimize the potential spread of illness 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.

Students should either bring their lunch from home each day, or parents may order through one of the approved vendors for delivery to CDW. If you order lunch from an approved vendor for delivery, please make sure the vendor knows your child's first and last name and grade level. This will help to ensure your child receives his/her lunch on time. At times, we understand that a parent/guardian may need to drop off lunch at school. All lunches need to be placed on the table with the green tablecloth in the vestibule.

5th/6th Grade Lunch ~ 11:27 AM-12:01 PM

7th/8th Grade Lunch ~ 12:10 PM-12:44 PM

You can find the Lunch Vendors on the Old Tappan School District Website.

February

February 3rd~ The BOE Meeting will be in the BOE Conference Room at 8:00 PM.

Tuesday, February 4th-Thursday, February 6th~ Grade 8 CAP Program in Social Studies classes

Tuesday, February 4th~ Marking Period 2 Report Cards released at 12:00 PM.

February 17th-February 21st~ February Recess: School is closed for teachers and students.

February 24th~ The BOE Meeting will be in the Lynch Gym at 8:00 PM.

Thursday, February 27th~ PTO Fundraiser at The Estate at Florentine Gardens

2024-2025 Approved School Year Calendar

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