CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

Week of December 16th:

• Monday, December 16th: door judging by Ms. Watters (See pictures below of CDW students working on doors.)
• Monday-Wednesday, December 16th, 17th, and 18th: Snowflakes for Strays fundraiser -- buy a snowflake at lunch and get a Hershey Kiss. All $$ raised is sent to Caring for the Strays in Westwood.
• Holiday Spirit Days: see the attached flyer below.

The Holiday Shop schedule will allow for Grades 5-8 to shop in the Lynch Gym. Grades 5 & 6 will be able to pre-pay through the PTO Website under "For Sale" using the item titled, "Holiday Shop Digital Wallet," and Grades 7 & 8 will be able to use cash.

Please see the schedule here:

8:40 AM: Mrs. Zuckerman's 6LA4 class

9:20 AM: Ms. Fischer's 5LA3 and Mrs. Park's 5LA5 classes

10:05 AM: Mrs. Park's 5LA1 and Mrs. Zuckerman's 6LA2 classes

10:45 AM: Ms. Egan's 6LA5, Ms. Fischer's 5LA4, and Mrs. Zuckerman's 5LA1 classes

12:10 PM: Grades 7 and 8 during lunch

If you can join the PTO in helping the students shop, use this LINK.

Class parties will be held on Friday, December 20th after the Annual CDW Volleyball game. The PTO will be collecting $7 per student (Grades 5-8) for 2 slices of pizza and garlic knots via OTPTO.org. The PTO will be emailing you soon to request festive plates and napkins, snacks, and water for each homeroom.

*The Grade 7 snacks and water will be purchased with leftover monetary donations that were provided for snacks for the Sharpe Trip.

Students are not obligated to pay the money for the Pizza Party and may still enjoy the snacks sent in for all to enjoy. Students who do not want pizza may bring in their own lunch that day.

Today marks the Mid-Point of Marking Period 2. The teachers will take the opportunity to enter comments about your child(ren) and how they are doing with the content in each class. These comments are compiled in a Mid-Marking Period Interim Report. This will continue for each marking period of the school year.

If you have any questions about any of the comments on the Interim Report and/or grades that you see in the Grading module, please feel free to contact the teacher(s) for more information.

The Mid-Marking Period Interim Reports will be available for parents to view on Wednesday, December 18th at 12:00 PM.

On Monday, December 9th, the Old Tappan Board of Education recognized students for their hard work and dedication in accomplishing the following:

• Grade 7 and Grade 8 Marking Period 1 High Honor Roll
• Acceptance into the Music Educators of Bergen County Inc. Middle School Honors Band

As always, Mr. Rosolanko directed two amazing band concerts, and Ms. Osbahr's choir filled the room with beautiful tunes. The students should be proud of their hard work and preparation over the last few months to put on such outstanding performances. Please see the songs that were performed listed below.

Grade 5 Band

Donut Factory by Heather Hoefle

Great Plains Saga by Joseph Compello

Grade 6 Band

Regency Fanfare by Michael Story

Clouds by Anne McGinty

Christmas in the Kitchen by Michael Story

Grade 7 Band

Night Flight by Bill Calhoun

Jingle Bells Remixed by James Pierpont arranged by Andy Beck

Grade 8 Band

The Avengers by Alan Silvestri arranged by Robert Longfield

Bazaar by Randall D. Standridge

Fragile by Randall D. Standridge

Fairest of the Fair by John Phillip Sousa arranged David Shaffer

Choir

What About Us by Pink arranged by Mark Brymer

Shabbat Shalom Traditional Hebrew folk song arranged by Michael Ryan

Carol of the Bells by Peter J. Wilhousky

Does your child want to participate in the 3rd Annual CDW Holiday Cup Contest? See the flier below for more information!

Ms. Santa visited Grade 7 and 8 classes in the last week to talk about recognizing how much we're influenced by online influencers. The goals of the lesson included, but were not limited to:

1. Identifying the impact of social media influencers on daily choices
2. Recognizing trends influenced by social media and their potential consequences
3. Evaluating the authenticity of online content, particularly from influencers

Students were reminded that social media is like a highlight reel, and it only shows the best parts, not the full story.

Want to continue the discussion at home with a family huddle? Here are some questions you can pose to everyone in the family:

1. TOSS UP: If you could become an influencer, what type of content would you create?
2. COACH UP: I heard you did a challenge where you analyzed posts from influencers to see if their recommendations were authentic or not. Can you teach me some strategies about how to tell whether an influencer is being truthful about a product?
3. HUDDLE UP: I heard you talked about your personal habits surrounding influencers and their posts. What standards should we set as a family for following influencers on social media?

Use your Social Toolkit School Code and activate your free account today.

Activate Your Account or Log In | Your Social Toolkit School Code: 2729247E3AF3EA

On Monday, December 9th, CDW hosted the Bergen County Brain Busters competition. The CDW Brain Busters team, represented by Owen Anderson, Brody Book, Amy Choe, Kareem Khan, Justin Lee, Emma Park, Archer Ring, and Michael Tang, competed in the first competitive School vs. School meet of the season. Norwood and Old Tappan competed in the semi-final and final rounds. Old Tappan came in 2nd place overall in a nail-biting final round. Thank you to the Brain Busters team, including Matthew Krohn and Ryo Malhotra for all of your help! The next Bergen Brain Busters Meet is at Demarest in January.

Grade 8 students have been asked to submit their baby photos and student profiles for the yearbook in the Yearbook Google Classroom. This is due by Tuesday, December 17th. If your child(ren) has any questions, he/she can see Ms. Huster.

For the baby picture, it is best if it is anytime from 1 year old through kindergarten age. It's best if you can fully see the face in the picture!

On Wednesday, December 18th from 3:00-3:30 PM, Ms. Watters will be holding a mandatory interest meeting for Grade 7 and Grade 8 students interested in joining this year's Stage Crew for the CDW Musical. At the meeting, Ms. Watters will discuss ideas, requirements, and general ideas. Students should see Ms. Watters with any questions.

As we quickly approach the middle of the 2024-2025 school year, the teachers are preparing students for Mid-Year Benchmarks in all academic classes. Mid-Year Benchmarks have a variety of purposes for both the teachers and the students.

• Mid-Year Benchmarks assess students on their progress toward end-year goals.

• Mid-Year Benchmarks allow teachers to collect data on student progress and growth to use to prepare for future lessons.
• Mid-Year Benchmarks allow the students a chance to self-reflect on areas of improvement and create personal goals.
• Mid-Year Benchmarks will offer the teachers an opportunity to see what students have mastered and what will need to be re-taught.

How can your child(ren) prepare for Mid-Year Benchmarks?

• Ask questions in class.
• Review notes and previous assessment content.
• Stay positive!

Your child(ren)'s teachers will provide specific information about the benchmarks given in each class.

Students in Mr. Clark's Pre-Algebra and Algebra classes and students in Ms. Reiser's Geometry class are scheduled to take mid-year benchmark assessments on Wednesday, January 8th. These assessments will offer students an opportunity to show what they have learned in their courses thus far. They also will offer the teachers an opportunity to see what students have mastered and what will need to be re-taught. The Algebra I mid-year assessment results are used to assist with placement decisions in Grade 9 at NVOT, and all students in the Valley will take the same assessment. Please be sure your child(ren) gets a good night's rest prior to this assessment.

Grade 7 students will take a Science Assessment on Tuesday, January 21st. 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.

8th Grade Information

Students who submitted a transcript release form to Ms. Adamo for Catholic high schools, your records were sent on Wednesday, November 13th. Students who submitted a transcript release form for Bergen County Academies/Tech, your records have been submitted; check your email to see when I submitted them.

Ms. Adamo will continue to post information regarding NVOT on her Google Classroom. This way, students and families can locate the information easily. Please encourage your child(ren) to check her classroom regularly.

Reminders: High School Scheduling conferences typically take place at the end of January and occur at CDW, during the hours of 8:30 AM- 3:00 PM. Ms. Adamo, along with a representative from NVOT, meets with each eighth grader and his/her parent/guardian to answer any questions about NVOT and to choose his/her ninth-grade electives and his/her world language. All other courses are based on recommendations from the students' eighth grade teachers. At the beginning of January, an email will be sent to all Grade 8 families to sign up for a conference. All students are encouraged to create a schedule at NVOT, even if they are planning on attending a different school in the fall.

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.

The boys' basketball team picked up their 2nd win on Tuesday and their 3rd win in a row on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the team defeated Demarest, and the entire team worked together for the win. On Wednesday, going into the half with only a 2-point lead, the boys rallied to defeat Harrington Park by a score of 55 to 44 points. Vincent Cialdella picked up his first double-double of the year with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

On Tuesday, the girls' team defeated Demarest for their 2nd win of the season. On Thursday, the team picked up its 3rd win of the season against Northvale.

Click HERE for the Northern Valley schedules and game locations on the CDW Website.

All games begin at 3:45 PM.

Home Boys and Girls Basketball games are played in the Rossi Gym at CDW.

Please see the information below if your child(ren) is interested in the NV Volleyball Clinics that begin on January 6th. Female athletes from Northern Valley towns in grades 4 through 8 are welcome to attend.

Please use this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/NVVBC25 BEFORE January 2nd.

When: Mondays & Wednesdays: January 6th through February 10th

Where: Monday nights at Old Tappan High School; Wednesday nights at Demarest High School

Times: 4th – 6th grades: 7:00 – 8:00 pm; 7th – 8th grades: 7:30 – 9:00 pm

*On the first night, January 6th, at Old Tappan High School, each athlete must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for registration and a brief informational meeting:

4th – 6th grades: 6:30 registration / parent meeting / clinic to follow
7th – 8th grades: 7:30 registration / parent meeting / clinic to follow

Please contact Coach Landeck and Coach DiGirolamo for more information.

Below is the link to sign up to serve pizza during your child's lunch period. These links are not to order pizza, just serve it to the students.

CDW Jan to June 2025

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!

The PTO will be hosting the upcoming movie premiere at Westwood Cinemas on the following date:

December 20th at 1:30 PM for Mufasa (Rated PG)

The Old Tappan PTO has reserved a private theater on the day of the release. The $20 per person includes a ticket to one movie, popcorn, and a beverage. It is a drop off event for Grades 5-8, but supervision is required for Grades 4 and 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.

Thursday, January 23, 2024 at 9:00 AM in the BOE Conference Room

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

Once again, the Old Tappan Police Department is participating in a holiday toy drive. To make it easy for you to drop off toys, there is a box inside the school lobby to collect the new toys! Thank you in advance for your donations!

The CDW volleyball teams will take on the CDW Staff in this annual CDW tradition. All students in Grades 5-8 will attend the game.

All volleyball players must submit a permission form to play in the game. Please go to the main office if you need another copy.

Although auditions for this year's musical aren’t until January 6th and 7th, sign-ups open on Monday, December 16th due to the long break. Use the following link to sign up!

https://sites.google.com/nvnet.org/cdwmusical/home

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.

December

Tuesday, December 17th~ The PTO Holiday Shop at CDW for Grades 5-8

Wednesday, December 18th~ Marking Period 2 Interims released on the Genesis Parent Portal at 12:00 PM.

Friday, December 20th~ Holiday Pizza Party; 12:30 PM Dismissal

Monday, December 23rd to Wednesday, January 1st~ Holiday Recess; school is closed.

January

Thursday, January 2nd~ School reopens.

Monday, January 6th~ The BOE Reorganization/Public Meeting will be at 7:00 PM in the BOE Conference Room.

Monday, January 6th and Tuesday, January 7th~ CDW Musical Auditions from 3:30 PM-5:30 PM

Wednesday, January 8th~ Accelerated Math Mid-Year Benchmark

Friday, January 9th~ 8th Grade Instrumental Day at NVOT

Monday, January 20th~ No school for students in observance for MLK, Jr. Day; Professional Development for staff

Tuesday, January 21st~ Grade 7 Science Mid-Year Assessment

Thursday, January 23rd~ AMC 8 Competition (for those who are registered only)

Wednesday, January 29th~ CDW Marking Period 2 Ends

2024-2025 Approved School Year 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