The Wallace Wildcat

January 10, 2025- Hoboken, NJ

Dear Wallace School Parents and Guardians,

As the first full week of the calendar year comes to an end, we realized how robust a week in the life of a Wallace School student can be. Our Wallace School Community continues to thrive. Once again I am proud to give you a glimpse inside the walls of 1100 Willow Avenue.

Kindergarten

This week in ELA, our kindergarteners embarked on an exciting journey of learning new concepts. They identified the main characters and settings in stories, used high-frequency words to create their own sentences, and recognized words containing the letter “D.” Our dual-language team also integrated these activities to support Spanish language acquisition.

In Math, we began Unit 4: Collect, Count, and Measure using the Investigations workbooks. The students enjoyed measuring their shoes using connecting cubes.

In Social Studies, we explored how people lived in the past by connecting historical objects with their modern-day counterparts.

The Pop-up Library visited Wallace this week, giving our kindergarteners the opportunity to select their favorite books to take home. These moments help foster a love for reading and provide wonderful opportunities for families to share and enjoy their children's developing reading skills together.

First Grade

Welcome back to our first full week of school! First grade had a lot to accomplish this week, and the kids did an amazing job. We even had a special treat this week - the Pop-Up Library!

ELA - During ELA this week, we focussed on the remaining digraphs/trigraphs. These digraphs/trigraphs consisted of ch, -tch, ph, and wh. The kids worked hard on their dictation sheets and mastered this phonics skill. Our red words for the week were: around, by, many, place, and walk. For our Wonders portion, the essential question this week was "How can you find your way around?" Following this question, we read Me on the Map, Which Way on the Map, and Fun With Maps. Our goal was to read and understand a nonfiction text by pulling text evidence to support the fact these stories are nonfiction and discovering the topic with supporting details.

Math - During math this week, we continued on with Unit 3 of our Investigations curriculum. Students focussed on finding different combinations within word problems. Students used ten frames and counters to help solve these problems. Along with finding all the possible combinations, we focussed on finding missing addends.

Social Studies - This week in Social Studies, we extended our literacy unit by looking and creating our own maps. Students had a chance to explore the map of the United States, which we then found New Jersey, zoomed in to find Hoboken, and were able to look closely to find Wallace. Following this, students created a map of our classroom.

ILP - This week during ILP, students continued with their MindPlay progression along with utilizing IXL to enforce skills being taught in both Math and ELA. During this time, teachers focussed on pulling students to assess their updated DRA3 level! Our first grade readers are doing such an amazing job!

Second Grade

It is officially our first full week of learning in 2025 and second graders have been working very diligently in the new year. First, second grade homerooms held a spelling bee. Our finalists will go onto the school wide spelling bee next week!

In Language Arts we have begun Unit 3 and are discovering the genre of narrative nonfiction. We read about solar panels and how they turn sunlight into electricity and how they benefit Hopi and Navajo tribes who still do not have electricity. Students also determine the author's purpose and whether the author is trying to persuade, inform, or entertain its audience. For our OG portion we are learning about compound words and wrapping up our second administration of the DRA assessment.

In Math we are continuing our last section in Chapter 3 which focuses around addition and subtraction problems and should have a Unit test in the upcoming weeks.

In Social Studies we have also started Chapter 3 which is about neighborhood and its changes. This hits very close to "home" since Hoboken has gone through many changes over the years. This week we discussed the importance of the Hudson River being so close to our city!

Third Grade

ELA:

In ELA this week, we have continued practicing our reading comprehension and writing skills. We’ve been reading expository texts to practice identifying the central idea and supporting details. The students are learning how to summarize key points in nonfiction texts and determine what the author wants to teach us. We have been reading our third novel, "Who Was Coretta Scott King?". In this novel, we are learning about Coretta Scott King's contributions to civil rights, and the important role she played in history. Students have been excited to connect the ideas we’re reading about with what they’ve already learned about influential figures in history. Finally, our focus in writing this unit has been on crafting opinion pieces. Students are learning how to state a clear opinion, support it with reasons and evidence, and write strong conclusions. We are practicing using transition words to connect ideas and make our writing flow smoothly.

Math:

In Math, we’ve been applying our measurement skills to understand shapes. Students have been practicing measuring the length and width of various shapes using rulers and yardsticks. We’ve been focusing on how to measure accurately and understand the importance of units of measurement. After measuring the length and width of rectangles, students used these details to calculate the area and perimeter. They are learning to apply these skills in real-life contexts, such as figuring out how much space is needed to cover an area or how much fencing would be required for a garden. Students have been having fun calculating the area and perimeter of different objects around the room.

Social Studies:

In Social Studies, we’ve been diving into the characteristics of our home state, New Jersey. We’ve learned about the important features of New Jersey, including its geography, landmarks, and history. This week, we focused on the state’s government and political structure. Specifically, students learned about the roles of New Jersey’s state senators and representatives. They discovered how these elected officials work to represent the people of New Jersey, create laws, and make decisions that impact our state. We also discussed how laws are made and the importance of civic participation.

Fourth Grade

ELA

Our 4th grade readers continued with their new novel “ What Would She Do?” From historic world leaders to brilliant scientists, artists, and modern-day pioneers, What Would She Do? shares twenty-five incredible women's stories that educate and empower. Students will learn about the remarkable achievements and attitudes of feminist trailblazers such as Cleopatra, Amelia Earhart, Malala Yousafzai, Michelle Obama, and other brave women who overcame huge obstacles to accomplish great things.

The first focus was on Point of View (POV). Students learned that the POV refers to the perspective from which the story is told. In Remembering Hurricane Katrina, the narrator uses a first-person point of view, meaning the story is shared from their personal experience.

The second concept introduced was Flashback, a narrative device that allows the storyteller to recount events from the past. Students were tasked with identifying two events in the story that represented flashbacks. They found that the narrator’s memories of the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina and the moments during the storm were examples of flashbacks. These events allowed the narrator to reflect on the past, providing background information and deepening the reader's understanding of the trauma and lasting impact of the hurricane.

Math

This week, mathematicians dove into Unit 6, which is all about fractions. Students learned how to recognize and understand fractions as parts of a whole or parts of a set.

They used visual models and worked with fraction tiles/strips to help them understand how the numerator and denominator work together to represent parts of a whole.

Students also learned to find a fraction of a whole number. This is an important skill that helps them understand how fractions can represent parts of a group or parts of a quantity, not just parts of a whole object.

Lastly, students began learning about equivalent fractions. Students learned how to identify and generate equivalent fractions using visual models and fraction strips and by multiplying or dividing both the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Social Studies

Our young historians continued in Chapter 3, exploring the impact of colonization on American Indians through a detailed analysis. They engaged in reading and group discussions to examine both the positive and negative effects of European colonization, identifying at least three of each by the end of the lesson. This activity not only deepened their understanding of historical perspectives but also helped foster critical thinking and a balanced view of colonization’s complexities. Additionally, students traced and identified the 13 original colonies, gaining insight into their economies and trades, further enriching their understanding of early American history.

Fifth Grade

Math:

In math, our 5th grade mathematicians are enhancing their understanding of decimals through a variety of activities. They are learning to represent decimals as parts of an area using tenths, hundredths, and thousandths grids, while also exploring the relationships between decimals and fractions. Students are comparing and ordering decimals, reasoning about their placement on a number line, and examining decimal equivalencies to landmarks such as 1/2, 1/4, and 1. Additionally, they are practicing rounding decimals and justifying their reasoning using decimal representations and equivalences. These lessons strengthen their skills in precision, comparison, and conceptual reasoning with decimals.

Language Arts:

In Language Arts, our 5th graders are focusing on both reading and writing skills. They are practicing identifying themes in anchor texts and applying these skills during independent reading tasks. Additionally, readers and writers are engaging in literacy centers to refine their grammar, phonics, and reading comprehension. In writing, they are analyzing prompts and sources to cite evidence and organize ideas for expository essays. Through these activities, they are learning to compare passages, identify supporting details, and craft literary analysis essays that explore themes and topics with depth and clarity.

Social Studies:

In Social Studies, our 5th-grade Historians are showcasing their mastery of the vast changes in the northern United States between 1820 and 1860 by creating articles and visuals for a collaborative class newspaper. By using their classwork, notes, and acquired knowledge, they are crafting informative pieces that highlight key concepts from the unit. Additionally, students are preparing collective news media presentations, striving to meet rubric criteria and demonstrate a high level of understanding. These activities allow them to apply their learning creatively while reinforcing research, writing, and presentation skills.

Ms. Drew’s Counselor Corner

Music

In music this week, students reviewed their note values with a grade level 2025 note identification worksheet. We begin the unit on instrument families too. This week, students discovered the main instruments of the woodwind family including: flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, and the recorder. They could identify the timbre and range of each instrument.

In band, students are returning to their essential elements technical studies book. We are focusing on technique, learning new notes, and on sound production. The students are excited to learn new notes and progress past where we left off with concert music in December! They had a wonderful winter concert!

Individualized Learning Pathway - Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

During the Individualized Learning Pathway (ILP) period, students who have qualified to participate in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programming engage in a wide array of math course offerings that address their specific strengths and interests. Johns Hopkins CTY believes in researching and advancing ways to identify and nurture academically talented learners. CTY furthers research, guides educators and families and inspires students from diverse communities and backgrounds to pursue their intellectual passions and create the world of tomorrow.

Our new and returning CTY Mathematics students accomplished a great deal during their first week of coursework. For starters, they studied their course syllabi, became familiar with CTY’s lockdown browser for timed assignments, created contacts and contact lists for their CTY email accounts, and completed various surveys and introductory assignments. With those prerequisites satisfied, kids dug into their first unit of math. Fifth graders tackled decimals and divisibility. Fourth graders focused on multiplication and division properties. Third graders sharpened a number of skills, including rounding. Second graders delved into number patterns, among other topics.

It was a terrific start. We’re very proud of them.

CogAT

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

Throughout the month of February, all first grade through seventh grade students throughout the district will be administered the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The CogAT is designed to measure a students' reasoning and problem solving skills using verbal, quantitative and nonverbal (spatial) symbols. An informational letter about the CogAT, including the purpose of administering, was sent home in each child's backpack for children in grades 1 - 5.

It is important to note that sitting for the CogAT is not mandatory. If you choose to have your child opt out, please communicate your child’s name, grade and school to Supervisor Christy Gaudio via email at cgaudio@hoboken.k12.nj.us no later than Wednesday, January 29th.

Wallace CogAT Administration Dates

First Grade: Friday, February 21st and Monday, February 24th

Second Grade: Tuesday, February 25th

Third Grade: Wednesday, February 26th

Fourth Grade: Thursday, February 27th

Fifth Grade: Friday, February 28th

Make-up Date for Grades First - Fifth: Friday, March 7th

Please review the following CogAT Informational Guides to learn more:

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Grades 1 - 2 Informational Guide
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Grades 3 - 7 Informational Guide

MLK Day of Service

Dear Families,

One of the many lessons we have learned from Rev. Dr. King is the importance of service to others. This year, we will engage the entire community in a Day of Service in Honor of Dr. MLK's Legacy. Our families and community members may take a moment during the observance of Dr. King's birthday to give back to their communities. Faculty, staff, students, and families may capture their individual or collective service to the community and share pictures and videos on social media tagging #dayofservice and #HPShelpinghands to create a montage showing the value of service through our social media outlets. Here is how you can participate:

Highlight this important day of service via photos, videos, drawings, poetry, artwork, etc.;
Identify a need for your community. Here are some examples:

Send a note/card to The Hoboken Senior Services-Senior Center, 124 Grand Street;
Make a donation of clothes or household items to The Hoboken Shelter, 300 Bloomfield Street;
Make a donation of food to the Hoboken Food Pantry, 1301 Washington Street;
Help to beautify our Hoboken neighborhood by picking up litter in our parks.
Donate a new or slightly used book or volunteer to be a reader at the Hoboken Library;
Write letters to frontline helpers like our partners at Hoboken University Medical Center, Hoboken Fire Department, Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps, or the Hoboken Police Department.

Take a picture of you and your family participating in the act of giving;
Share a picture or video of your service with sdickerson@hoboken.k12.nj.us or christopher.munoz@hoboken.k12.nj.us so we can create our district montage.

If posting to social media, please tag and use the hashtags #HPSdayofservice & #HPShelpinghands

@HobokenSchools
@HPSHighlights
@CityofHoboken
@HudsonCoNJDOE
@NewJerseyDOE

SAVE THE DATE FOR MOMS' NIGHT OUT

Mark your calendars! Hoboken Public Education Foundation's annual Moms' Night Out will be on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 7:30 PM at the one and only Hoboken Biergarten. Get ready for an evening full of laughter, connection, and fun! Tickets will be available later this month—they always sell out quickly.

We’re also introducing something NEW and exciting: This March, we’ll be launching our very FIRST Dads' Night Out! Stay tuned for more details.

Be sure to follow us on social media @hobokenpef or visit www.hobokenpef.org to be the first to know!