CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

On Monday, March 17, 2025, the Google Form for Marking Period 4 CE choices will be open in Dr. Sullivan's Google Classroom for students to make their choices. The form will close on Friday, March 21, 2025. Please see the descriptions of the possible CE choices below.

Students may also sign up for Art Lunch using the Google Form.

Art CE Option - In this CE, you will become familiar with, and learn how to use the elements of visual design to create 2- Dimensional and 3-Dimensional artworks. We will explore different styles of art and how it has changed over the course of history! This course will have hands-on exploration of materials to create projects including and not limited to ceramics, cardboard building, soap carving, recycled art, and more!

Band CE Option - 5th Grade Band is ONLY for current students who would like to continue to play a band instrument in the school band. Students who sign up for this CE will not be allowed to switch their CE and must remain in the band until the end of the school year. No new students are allowed to sign up.

Book Making & Creative Writing Option - In this CE, you will spend time once a week completing a few different writing projects and creating a handmade book to keep your writings in! From graphic novel development to poetry, whatever you wish to create will come alive in your handmade book! All completed projects will be displayed at the annual Knights Fest celebration at the end of the school year.

Independent Academic Time CE Option - In this CE, you will spend time once a week to catch up on schoolwork, study for upcoming assessments, read, and ask questions regarding any academic issues you may have. This is also a time where you can receive extra help from the teacher who is your assigned CE teacher for that period.

Art CE Option - In this CE, you will become familiar with, and learn how to use the elements of visual design to create 3-Dimensional artworks. We will explore different styles of 3-D art and how it has changed over the course of history! This course will have hands-on exploration of materials to create projects including and not limited to ceramics, cardboard building, tape sculptures, plaster forms, recycled art, and more!

Band CE Option - 6th Grade Band is ONLY for current students who would like to continue to play a band instrument in the school band. Students who sign up for this CE will not be allowed to switch their CE and must remain in the band until the end of the school year. No new students are allowed to sign up.

Book Making & Creative Writing Option - In this CE, you will spend time once a week completing a few different writing projects and creating a handmade book to keep your writings in! From graphic novel development to poetry, whatever you wish to create will come alive in your handmade book! All completed projects will be displayed at the annual Knights Fest celebration at the end of the school year.

Independent Academic Time CE Option - In this CE, you will spend time once a week to catch up on schoolwork, study for upcoming assessments, read, and ask questions regarding any academic issues you may have. This is also a time where you can receive extra help from the teacher who is your assigned CE teacher for that period.

Art CE Option - In this CE, you will continue to explore and learn how to use the elements of visual design to create 2- Dimensional and 3-Dimensional artworks. We will explore different styles of art and how it has changed over the course of history! This course will have hands-on exploration of materials to create projects including and not limited to ceramics, cardboard building, tape sculptures, plaster forms, recycled art, and more!

Band CE Option - 7th Grade Band is for any student who wants to continue playing your band instrument. Students who sign up for this CE will not be allowed to switch until the end of the school year. A student who has no prior band experience may not sign up. No new students are allowed to sign up.

Independent Media Project Option - Have a passion for writing poetry? Or short stories? What about building a website or coding? In this "choose your own adventure" CE you will work with Mrs. Melillo to find a media passion project you may individually want to pursue! All completed projects will be displayed at the annual Knights Fest celebration at the end of the school year.

Independent Academic Time CE Option - In this CE, you will spend time once a week to catch up on schoolwork, study for upcoming assessments, read, and ask questions regarding any academic issues you may have. This is also a time where you can receive extra help from the teacher who is your assigned CE teacher for that period.

Art CE Option - In this CE, you will continue to explore and learn how to use the elements of visual design to create 3-Dimensional artworks. We will explore different styles of 3-D art and how it has changed over the course of history! This course will have hands-on exploration of materials to create projects including and not limited to ceramics, cardboard building, tape sculptures, plaster forms, recycled art, textile design, mosaic, paper mache, and more!

Band CE Option - 8th grade band is for any student who wants to continue playing their band instrument. A student who has no prior band experience may not sign up. If you are a new student and played in the band in your former school you may sign up to be in the 8th Grade Band.

Media Marketing CE Option - Students who have a passion for broadcasting, CANVA, or media creation will help to create physical and digital posters that will be displayed daily in the hallways and on the Media Center TV that displays announcements. All completed projects will be displayed at the annual Knights Fest celebration at the end of the school year.

Independent Academic Time CE Option - In this CE, you will spend time once a week to catch up on schoolwork, study for upcoming assessments, read, and ask questions regarding any academic issues you may have. This is also a time where you can receive extra help from the teacher who is your assigned CE teacher for that period.

The PTO will be taking orders for the Bosfa Special Lunch via the PTO Website (www.otpto.org) until Friday, March 21st. The options for the Bosfa lunch are as follows:

Pasta with butter

Pasta with marinara

Pasta with vodka sauce

On Thursday, April 10th, the OT Police Department will be hosting a Badges vs. Backpacks volleyball tournament to collect goods for the local food pantry. Please register HERE and see more information on the flyer below!

Want to get rid of used clothes? The NJHS is collecting used, clean, and clothes in good condition from now until March 23rd. Boxes will be in the CDW Lobby and the Old Tappan Library!

On Tuesday, March 11th, Author Jen Calonita visited CDW to share her journey to becoming a writer with students and staff. She even guided the students through writing a story together as a group by choosing characters and working together to build a plot. It was certainly creative!

In the afternoon, Mrs. Calonita met with a small group of students to provide a writing workshop. The students were provided with different ways of coming up with ideas for a story. They then produced all components of a story.

Did your student like the author visit this week and regret not purchasing a book? After welcoming Jen Calonita this week, she has offered to provide one more week of personalized copies of her books. Before opening up an order form with The Curious Reader, Mrs. Melillo needs to know if there is interest from the community. If you would like another opportunity to purchase a signed copy of one of Jen Calonita's books, please email melillog@nvnet.org by Tuesday, March 18th stating you are interested in purchasing a book. If there is adequate interest, more information on how to purchase will be sent to you.

Students are reminded that cell phone or smartwatch usage is not permitted during the school day (8:25 AM-2:56 PM). Consequences will continue to be enforced.

What can you do as a parent to ensure that your child(ren) is using his/her phone appropriately?

• Check your child's phone daily.
• Enforce rules/expectations at home about phone usage.
• Use parental controls and monitor apps to guide safe usage.
• Set up family-sharing features to manage downloads and permissions.
• Encourage responsible online behavior.

On Tuesday, March 12th, Grade 5 student, Jeremy Steinglass competed in the Bergen County Regional Spelling Bee. The spelling bee, which has been a tradition since 1935, featured 79 students from across North Jersey schools. All Bergen County students who won their school's spelling bee and are between 3rd through 8th grade competed in the regional contest. Although Jeremy did not win, we are extremely proud of his efforts and for representing CDW so well!

Throughout the last two weeks, Ms. Santa visited all Language Arts classrooms to provide the students with a #WinAtSocial lesson about stress and techniques to use when stressed. Ms. Santa discussed ways to balance schoolwork with sports, clubs, and other activities, including students' social lives.

Through the interactive lesson and discussion, the students' top stressor was classwork and homework, with family expectations being a close 2nd. Together, the classes came up with identifying solutions to social problems they might encounter and identifying stress management strategies that could work for them when they are feeling overwhelmed.

Some strategies include, but are not limited to:

• reading
• coloring
• listening to music
• exercising
• eating their favorite food
• getting enough sleep
• talking to a friend

Want to continue the conversation at home? Ask your child(ren): When you’re feeling overwhelmed, do you like to be by yourself to chill out, or do you prefer to talk it out with someone? How can we support each other better when we’re stressed? What’s something you do to deal with stress that you recommend I try?

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

This week, the Grade 8 social studies students participated in a stock market simulation, experiencing the highs of booming investments before witnessing the shocking reality of Black Tuesday and the Stock Market Crash of 1929. This hands-on activity set the stage for the study of the Great Depression, helping students understand the economic and social impacts of this pivotal moment in history.

Students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM on Monday, March 24th. The Northern Valley will be hosting an Inter-District Articulation Meeting in the afternoon for all Northern Valley teachers.

BOX OFFICE: The box office is open! Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The $10 ticket price will close at 6:30 PM on Friday, April 4th. Here is a link to the box office to purchase tickets: cdms.booktix.com, or you may use the QR Code below.

BOOSTERS/ADS FOR PLAYBILL: Here is the information for submitting ads/boosters for our Playbill. Here is the Google Form for submission. We rely on income from ticket sales, the playbill, and our apparel sale to fund our program each year. Please reach out to Mrs. Melillo if you have any questions about ads/boosters.

APPAREL: The apparel shopping cart will close at midnight on Monday, March 10th. All cast and crew are expected to get at least one item as we will be performing in our show apparel at the school preview. CREW members need at least one item in black that they will wear backstage for the shows. https://www.imagemarket.com/CDWDramaProgram

As preparations are being made for this year's production of Guys and Dolls, the CDW Musical staff is asking for donations to help with costumes for the show. Please view the Amazon Wishlist HERE to purchase items up until March 30th. Any donations are appreciated!

Also, if you can donate any men's ties, please drop them off at the CDW Main Office at your earliest convenience.

As we prepare for the NJSLA Testing, please make sure that your child(ren) has wired earbuds or headphones to use for the assessment. Please see the dates below:

NJSLA- Science: Grades 5 & 8--> April 29th to May 2nd

NJSLA-ELA and Math: Grades 5 through 8--> May 8th through 14th

If your child(ren) is absent on a testing day, he/she will make-up the test before the end of the month.

Arrival

• There will be adult supervision starting at 8:00 AM, and the doors will open at 8:20 AM. If there is inclement weather, students will be ushered into the school gymnasiums at 8:00 AM.

• The students in Grades 5 & 6 will line up on the blacktop in the back of the school near the basketball courts.

• The students in Grades 7 & 8 will line up on the blacktop by the 7th and 8th Grade Wing Exterior Door.

• Please do NOT use the Board of Education parking lot to drop off your child(ren).

• Please do NOT enter the CDW parking lot off of Old Tappan Road. That is a staff entrance only.

• If your child walks to school:

• Please utilize crosswalks to cross the streets.

• All students should go to their grade level’s designated area for entrance into the building.

• If your child rides a bike to school:

• Please walk the bike on the sidewalk.

• After securing the bike on a bike rake behind the building, students should go to their grade level’s designated area for entrance into the building.

• If your child rides in a vehicle to school:

• Drop-off is a continuously moving line on Interschool Drive.

• For the safety of all students, we ask that you stay in your vehicle at drop-off and dismissal.

• Please do not use the upper faculty parking lot for drop-off/pick-up/or exiting of school grounds during school hours. CDW faculty and BOE-approved bus companies are the only vehicles permitted in the upper lot.

• Please do not park in any staff parking spots when dropping off or picking up students.

• Please do not exit your vehicle and leave your vehicle unattended on Interschool Drive.

• Once you pull up to the cones on Interschool Drive, please have your child(ren) exit the vehicle. This allows many students to be dropped off at the same time and allows the line to move quickly.

Dismissal

• Please arrange a meeting area with your child(ren) so that you can locate him/her efficiently.

• Please do not park and/or exit your vehicle regardless of your child(ren) being at TBD or CDW.

• Please do not block designated emergency lanes that connect TBD and CDW.

• Please do not use the upper faculty parking lot or the BOE parking lot for drop-off/pick-up/or exiting of school grounds during school hours. CDW faculty and BOE-approved bus companies are the only vehicles permitted in the upper lot.

• Please use BOTH LANES on Interschool Drive for Pick-Up. A staff member will be available to cross your child(ren).

General Traffic Rules Regarding Parking

• Never park in a "No Parking, Fire Lane." These lanes are designated with yellow paint in diagonal lines on the pavement along with the words, "No Parking Fire Lane."

• Never park along a curb that is painted yellow and leave your vehicle unattended.

• Do not double park (park your vehicle beside another vehicle that is in a designated parking space).

8th Grade Information:

If your child(ren) will NOT be attending NVOT in the fall, please fill out this form, and return it to me by May 9, 2025.

Lastly, please ask your child(ren) to notify me if they receive an acceptance letter and/or an interview for any school they’ve applied to.

7th Grade Information:

If you or your child is considering applying to a private or Catholic school for ninth grade and would like to learn more about the application process, please contact Ms. Adamo to schedule a meeting.

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.

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

All games begin at 3:45 PM.

Home baseball and softball games are at Stone Point Park.

Track meet dates and locations have not been set yet. Stay tuned.

Mr. Ferrara will continue to run Intramurals on Fridays at 3:00 PM. The next sport is basketball! If your child(ren) is interested, he/she can see Mr. Ferrara in Room 208 with any questions. If your child(ren) plans to do 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.

If your child(ren) is interested in participating in high school sports at NVOT, please take a moment to fill out the following 8th Grade Sports Interest Form.

The CDW Class of 2025 will be fundraising for End-of-Year events with PTO Special Lunches on the following dates:

April 25th: Don Chicken

May 16th: Wendy's

June 16th: Chick-fil-A

More information will be provided for each lunch as the date approaches. All lunches can be purchased at OTPTO.org.

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

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).

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.

Linked below, please find the 2025-2026 school year calendar for the PK-8 Old Tappan Public Schools. For your convenience, this calendar also will be posted on our District website.

​​​​​​​OT 2025-2026 Approved School Year Calendar

March

Monday, March 17th-Wednesday, March 19th~ Grade 5 CogAT Testing

Monday, March 24th~ 12:30 PM Dismissal for students due to a Northern Valley Inter-District Articulation Meeting

Tuesday, March 25th~ PTO Meeting at 7:30 PM in the CDW Media Center

April

Friday, April 4th~ CDW Musical, Guys and Dolls, at 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 5th~ CDW Musical, Guys and Dolls, at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Monday, April 7th~ BOE Meeting at 7:30 PM in the BOE Conference Room

Tuesday, April 8th~ Tommy Greenwald Author Visit for Grades 5-8

Wednesday, April 9th~ Marking Period 3 ends

Thursday, April 10th~ Badges versus Backpack Volleyball Tournament, 7:30 PM

Monday, April 14th-Friday, April 18th~ Spring Break: School is closed for Staff and Students.

Tuesday, April 22nd~ Marking Period 3 Report Cards available on the Genesis Parent Portal at 12:00 PM

Monday, April 28th~ BOE Meeting at 7:30 PM in the BOE Conference Room

Tuesday, April 29th~ NJSLA Science for Grades 5 & 8

Wednesday, April 30th~ NJSLA Science for Grades 5 & 8

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