CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

The CDW community came together on Thursday to welcome Stefan Wiklinski home to Old Tappan. Thank you to all of the staff and students for making signs that we will provide to the family.

Grade 5 Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conferences are not mandatory but are available to all parents/guardians in Grade 5 on Monday, November 6th (day and night), Tuesday, November 7th (day only), and Wednesday, November 15th (day only). Here is the link to sign up for a 10 minute conference with the 5th grade team. When signing up, please do not forget to put your child(ren)'s name, not yours.

Grades 6-8 Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conferences are scheduled on an as-needed basis. If your child(ren)'s teacher(s) requested a conference with you, it will be held Monday, November 6th (day and night) or Tuesday, November 7th (day only). Letters were provided to those parents/guardians with a specific time for your conference in the Genesis Parent Portal under the Documents Module. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience.

Can you create a Smashing Pumpkin? Students are welcome to enter the CDW Student Council Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Please see the rules below.

Writers for the Knightly Chronicles, our school newspaper, can be seen here working on their newest stories. The link to the online newspaper can be found HERE. If any writers want to join the club, please see Mr. Johnson for more information!

Students in Mr. Johnson’s 6th grade science class created models of rovers, satellites, and spaceships for their NASA Proposal Project. After researching background information about the planet they chose, they decided which type of mission would fit best, and what the purpose of the mission would be. Here are just some of the amazing models created by the 6th graders.

The Grade 7 Scientists used potatoes to learn about osmosis. On Day 1 of the lab, the students placed sliced potatoes into 2 beakers. One beaker contained water, and the other beaker contained salt water. After the potatoes soaked for 24 hours, the students removed the potato slices to observe the changes. Ask your Grade 7 child(ren) tonight what they observed!

Ms. Watters' 7th Grade students have been learning about the Pop Art Movement. Students designed an image using positive/negative space to transfer onto a piece of linoleum. They then used linoleum carving tools to carve out the design. Students then learned how to print their blocks to create multiples of their designs with different colors of ink! See the pictures showing the different stages below.

On Tuesday, October 24th, the CDW Debate Team participated in the first Novice Debate Tournament of the season at Tenafly Middle School. Debaters worked over the last two months to prepare and present cases for and against the United States federal government increasing fiscal redistribution by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income. Teammates Brody Book and Lauren Lombino had a great first two rounds, as did Michael Tang and Amy Choe, who started off the year by winning their Affirmative round against Haworth 28 to 9.

The NJHS has been an integral part of CDW for many years. The current members have been performing a variety of volunteer hours to help with different community programs in Old Tappan and neighboring towns. Some of the community service hours are being served at CDW, TBD, Buddy Ball Sports, the Halloween Festival at Stone Point Park, and more! The NJHS met this week to talk about the Changemaker Projects that they will be working on this year. Stay tuned for more updates about the NJHS projects!

8th grade information:

Just a reminder that transcript release forms for Catholic Schools were due today, October 27th, to Ms. Adamo. If your daughter is applying to the Academy of the Holy Angels, there is no transcript release form; parents submit their daughter’s report cards directly to AHA.

Transcripts will be sent once first marking period report cards are released.

Please continue to check Ms. Adamo’s Google Classroom for information regarding applying to other high schools and/or for the transition process to NVOT.

5th grade information:

On Monday, October 23th, Ms. Adamo taught the second lesson of the Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E. program to the 5th graders. This week’s lesson was on "S" for Self. Students took a personality trait quiz, and based on their results, they were then put into the following groups: Sun, Lighthouse, Traffic Light, or Fire. Working with their groups, students created a poster and presented it to their class. This lesson allows students to think about what characteristics are most important to them and recognize which classmates share the same characteristics. The overall message was, “We have similar traits and different traits, but all traits deserve to be celebrated. When we are different from someone, there’s an opportunity for us to work together to create even stronger strengths!” Be sure to ask your child what group they were in and which characteristics fall in that category. Below are some photos highlighting the lesson.

Reminders for all grades:

Wellness Wednesday lunches:

Grades 5 and 6 lunch with Ms. Adamo is in room 414.

Grades 7 and 8 lunch with Dr. Polizotto is in room 308.

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' volleyball team advanced past Norwood on Monday to the semi-finals. It was truly amazing to watch the progress that the team has made since the beginning of the season. They won the first set 25-13 and the second set 25-20. On Thursday, the season ended in the semi-finals, but they did not make it easy for Closter. Way to go boys! You had a great season!

The girls' volleyball team advanced past Norwood on Tuesday to the semi-finals. The girls won the first set 25-18 and dominated the second set 25-11. This win was highlighted by a team's successful serve percentage of 87%! The girls will play in Closter on Monday at 4:00 PM.

The soccer team ended their season with a loss to Norwood on Tuesday 3-1, but Coach Gagliano is proud of the team and their accomplishments this season! Great Job, Knights!

All fall athletes need to return their uniforms to their coach as soon as possible after their season has ended. Please put the uniform in a large Zip Lock bag labeled with your name.

The first fundraiser was a success! The 8th Grade PTO Committee needs volunteers to help serve the Chick-fil-A lunches on the following dates:

January 25, 2024

March 14, 2024

Please use this link to sign up.

The CDW Spirit Wear store is available on OTPTO.org! The Long Term Store is open year round and orders are shipped directly to the purchaser. The Short Term Store will reopen in the spring.

Both stores offer different merchandise. Links are on OTPTO.org or see below:

LONG TERM: Charles DeWolf Middle School

If you would like to purchase a 2023-2024 Discount Card, visit the OT PTO website. Each card is $20.

Every first Friday of the month, the Class of 2024 will be selling candy and ice pops at dismissal for an afternoon treat. Students in Grades 5-8 can go to the Lynch Gym to purchase their treat of choice! Treats will be between $1-3 and will include, but will not be limited to: lollipops, M&M's, Twizzlers, Gummy Bears, Sour Patch Kids, etc. See the flyer below for more information.

Dates of Sales: November 3rd, December 1st, January 5th, February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th

ATTENTION: 8th grade parents, please sign up HERE to volunteer for future Candy and Ice Pop Sales!

The PTO is looking for volunteers for the upcoming school year!

Volunteers play a huge part in the PTO and what we 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.

As in the past, the students and staff members are invited to wear their Halloween costumes to school. We will recognize Halloween at CDW on Tuesday, October 31st. Although teachers may engage students in Halloween-themed lessons/activities, we will follow a regular schedule.

When your child(ren) is choosing a Halloween costume, please remember:

• The costume must allow the student to see to ensure safety.

• If the costume has an accompanying weapon (knife, sword, gun, bow/arrow, etc.), your child may not be permitted to bring it to school.

• Your child will wear the costume for the length of the school day so it should be something that allows him/her to walk and sit comfortably.

• Costumes should comply with our dress code ( Student Handbook).

• Students do not have to wear a costume. Some students might opt to wear black and orange.

The CDW Homework Club is offered to all of students in Grades 5-8 and is FREE! Please sign your child up each week that you are interested!

If you would like to purchase insurance for your child(ren)'s school issued Chromebook, please refer to the information below, or you may purchase directly from smarttechinsurance.com/old-tappan.

New to our insurance policy this year is that all Chromebooks must be in cases or the insurance will not cover any claims.

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.

October

Monday, October 30th~ The Municipal Alliance Fright Night 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Tuesday, October 31st~ Halloween

November

Friday, November 3rd~ Candy and Ice Pop Sale in Lynch Gym at 3:00 PM

Monday, November 6th~ 12:30 PM Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, November 7th~ 12:30 PM Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, November 8th~ Marking Period 1 Ends

Thursday, November 9th and Friday, November 10th~ School is closed for NJEA Convention.

Monday, November 13th~ BOE Meeting in the BOE Conference Room at 8:00 PM

Wednesday, November 15th~ Marking Period 1 Report Card released on the Genesis Parent Portal at 12:00 PM

Friday, November 17th~ Picture Retake Day

Wednesday, November 22nd~ 12:30 PM Dismissal

Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th~ No School

Wednesday, November 29th~ Grade 5 Field Trip (Group 1)

Thursday, November 30th~ Grade 5 Field Trip (Group 2)

​​​​​​​OT 2023-2024 Approved School Year Calendar

​​​​​​​OT 2023-2024 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/
Twitter: @OldTappanSD