CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

One of the ways to spread love and happiness is to recognize what others do to benefit our lives. Many of us don't realize how important we are in our own lives, or the lives of others. We often take the little things that others do for us for granted, but what if we told others how much we appreciate them more often? With Valentine's Day approaching, I felt like this was the perfect timing to spread love and happiness through appreciation. I will start.

• I appreciate the CDW students for working each day to better themselves and grow into positive young adults.
• I appreciate YOU, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of CDW for your continued support in trusting us with your child(ren)'s education.
• I appreciate the CDW teachers, Student Manager, counselor, social workers, and staff who work tirelessly each day to make sure that the CDW students are receiving an engaging education while being socially and emotionally supported.
• I appreciate the Old Tappan Custodial/Maintenance staff for keeping our buildings safe and clean for our students and staff.
• I appreciate our secretaries for providing information to the CDW community and completing so many other important tasks throughout the day to ensure that the schools are running smoothly.
• Lastly, I appreciate Dr. Da Giau, Dr. Sullivan, and the BOE Staff for completing many behind the scenes undertakings to prepare for each day!

Pay it forward by doing something nice for someone without expecting anything in return, or just simply saying, "I appreciate you!"

At the bottom of each CDW Weekly Wrap-Up are upcoming, important dates!

Ms. Mueller's Grade 6 students persevered to create their own houses out of PAPER! The students were given specific criteria for what their houses had to contain. If you look closely at the pictures below, you will see that the students focused on interior details as well to truly make sure that their house was different from the rest!

In Ms. DiPisa and Mr. Johnson's 5th and 6th grade broadcasting classes, students are being introduced to the amazing features of WeVideo to make videos. We are only a week into the new cycle, and students are already interviewing other students and editing videos! Amazing!

In order to prepare for reading Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, the Grade 7 Language Arts students researched and presented historical aspects of the 1960's era. Students researched topics such as the culture, clothing, music, Olympics, and more! The students then presented their interesting research to their class with colorful Google Slides presentations.

The students in Mr. Johnson's class were presented with an Extra Credit opportunity to build a volcano. Here is a link to the volcano eruption compilation.

Tickets can be purchased at nvot.booktix.com. Please see the information below.

The Old Tappan Education Association (OTEA) is having a Pure Vida bracelet sale. All proceeds from the sale of the bracelets will support the OTEA Philanthropic Fund which provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors and programs such as, "Kids Night Out." Please read the flyer below for information on how to order. Flyers were also handed out to all students during homeroom. Thank you in advance for helping the OTEA support your community.

The multi-week program that TGA offers is ideal for all level of players. The program is designed to refine skill, achieve success, and promote discovery through play. Although the students learn the fundamentals of passing, setting, serving, and defense, they also learn about teamwork, volleyball terminology, and how to compete.

As per Board Policy #5511, students are expected to dress in a manner that will not detract from their learning experience in any way. In general terms, clothing should cover the torso and legs to the mid-thigh. Examples of clothing that would be considered unacceptable in a school setting include, but are not limited to, halter, tube, tank or bare midriff tops, bathing suits, short skirts or short shorts, baggy sagging pants (pants must not fall below waist), wallet chains, and any clothing advertising drugs, weapons, alcohol, tobacco, vulgarities, or violence.

Outdoor clothing, such as coats, jackets, and hats are encouraged during the appropriate seasons since students may spend part of their day outside. Unless otherwise directed, students may not wear hats in the building.

Reminders and Updates from CDW's Student Manager

After an exciting week of playoffs, both teams defeated Northvale to advance to the championship game. Congratulations, and Good Luck CDW Knights!

Championship Game @ Northern Valley Demarest High School

Monday, February 14th

Girls @ 4:15 PM Old Tappan vs. Harrington Park

Boys @ 5:30 PM Old Tappan vs. Closter

Ms. Brock - Intramural Dates & Activities

February - BADMINTON

March through April - BASKETBALL

May through June - RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Remember, the intramural program runs throughout the year so medical information can be submitted when your child wants to join. Please submit all PPE / HHQ documents to Mrs. McCarthy (McCarthy@nvnet.org) and forward all intramural-related emails to Ms. Brock (Brockl@nvnet.org).

Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE)

Inter-Scholastic Sports and Intramurals

Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes

History Form

Concussion Management Guidelines

All of this information can also be found in the Student Handbook.

The temperature continues to get colder, and we need to keep the morning drop off line moving. Please see the suggestions below so that your child(ren) is not late to school.

• When the temperature drops, doors to both gyms will be open between 8:00-8:05 AM so if it is possible, please drop your child(ren) off earlier to reduce the number of cars arriving together.
• Please have your child(ren) leave your car at the beginning of the cones (or before the cones) to help keep a steady flow of cars.
• If you drop your child(ren) off before the cones, you are permitted to enter the right lane to exit school grounds. This will allow more vehicles to enter the drop-off lane.
  
• Please do not pull off into the staff spots on the left to drop your child(ren) off.

As per the student handbook, homeroom begins at 8:25 AM so the doors to both gyms will be closed at that time. Students are sent to their lockers at 8:18 AM so that they have enough time to be in homeroom by 8:25 AM. After 8:25 AM, drop off should occur in the front of the building so students can report to the office for a late pass.

NVOT conferences will take place on Monday, February 7th through Tuesday, February 15th.

• Please remember to tell your child(ren) when the conference takes place. They will not be called out of class! Students are allowed to just leave class for their meeting. Click HERE if you do not remember which time slot you chose.

• You MUST complete the high school registration forms in order to receive a high school schedule. The high school has previously sent email notifications regarding this process. You may access the forms using this link.

• On January 12, 2022, a virtual meeting was conducted with 8th Grade parents and 8th graders. By clicking on this link, you may access complete Registration and Scheduling information for the 2022-2023 school year at Northern Valley Old High School.

Every 8th Grader has been invited to Mrs. Richardson's Google Classroom and has access to all high school information. If you have any further questions, please email Mrs. Richardson at richardson@nvnet.org.

On Thursday, CDW had a delayed opening. Since it was the first delayed opening of the 2021-2022 school year, here are important reminders for possible delayed openings in the future.

• Staff will be available for drop off to begin at 9:30 AM.
• Homeroom begins at 10:00 AM.
• After 10:00 AM, students need to enter through the front door for a tardy pass. Please drive around to the front to drop them off since the other doors will be closed.

If your child is applying for admission to another school at any time (Private or Catholic) please contact Mrs. Richardson to let her know prior to requesting forms from the school.

Mrs. Richardson can be reached at 201-664-1475 ext 2203 or richardson@nvnet.org. Speaking with Mrs. Richardson first will ensure a smooth application process.

Students are invited to join Ms. DiPisa in the library on Tuesdays during lunch to eat and listen to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

A sign out sheet will be available each Tuesday in the cafeteria. Students must sign out of lunch to attend.

We are collecting plastic film in the containers outside of CDW. Once a month, from October through April, our CDW students in the Environmental Justice classes will retrieve the collection bags, weigh the contents, and track our collections. Our custodians will then bring our recycling to the collection center. In April, we will find out how our school ranked in the collection of recyclable plastic film. If we collect the most in our school size category, we could win another Trex bench for our outdoor classroom! Please see the flyer below for more information!

As of today, we have over 1,000 lbs. of plastic!!!

Membership in the NJHS at Charles DeWolf Middle School will be open to seventh graders who meet the criteria at the end of the third marking period. Please visit the NJHS Webpage for more information.

Please have your child bring the needed art supplies to Ms. Watters in Room 106.

• Plastic Bags
• Magazines
• Newspaper

We thank you in advance for your support!

See the Flyer from Ms. Watters HERE.

If you would like to purchase insurance for your child(ren)'s school issued Chromebook, please refer to the information below.

Volunteers play a huge part in the PTO, and what they 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.

If a member of your household has tested positive (or is waiting on Covid-19 test results), please do not send your child(ren) to school and contact Mrs. McCarthy, our school nurse, to inform her. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Santa or Mrs. McCarthy.

In an effort to minimize the potential spread of illness (Covid or non-Covid) 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

Due to Covid-19, if your child comes to school with the following symptoms, Mrs. McCarthy, our school nurse, will call you to pick up your child from school:

• At least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, rigors, myalgia, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; OR
• At least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, new taste disorder.

Any student who falls into one of the categories above will be required to have a negative Covid-19 test to return to school. If your child has a chronic illness with one or more of the above symptoms, please contact Mrs. McCarthy so she is aware.

Anytime your child is not feeling well, and will not attend school, please contact Mrs. McCarthy at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103.

The CDC has updated its guidelines regarding international travel. Starting November 8, students who travel internationally will not be required to quarantine following their return to the United States. The United States is requiring a negative Covid-19 test to re-enter the US (from any international destination), so quarantine will not be required. We still ask for families to monitor their child(ren) for symptoms upon their return and quarantine if symptoms surface.

You may visit the CDC Travel Website HERE.

ATTENTION ALL CDW PARENTS / GUARDIANS:

Please help keep our students safe during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up by practicing the following traffic rules.

1. Please do not enter the BOE parking to drop-off or pick-up your child(ren). Many of our students use that entrance to walk to their homeroom locations or pass through when walking home at the end of the day. We ask that you refrain from entering the BOE parking lot from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and from 2:30 PM to 3:10 PM.

2. Please do not drive through any of the staff parking spots along Interschool Drive. Students should have a clear - safe - path to the sidewalk as they exit their vehicles.

3. If you drop your child(ren) off before the traffic cones on Interschool Drive, you can enter the right lane. This change in lanes will expedite your exit off school property.

Drop-Off

• The drop-off line is a continuously moving line. Please do not park in the staff parking spaces along Interschool Drive to drop off your child(ren). Children are exiting their vehicles and heading towards the sidewalk, and this causes an unsafe walking zone.
• Please remind your child(ren) to exit the vehicle and walk behind your car.
• Parent(s)/Guardian(s) should not exit the vehicle. If your child(ren) needs assistance, the staff members are there to help.
• Please do not use the right lane to drop off your child(ren). This lane is designated for cars moving through to the exit.

Pick-Up

• Please arrange a meeting area with your child(ren) so that you can locate them 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.

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).

Thanks for keeping our kids safe!

February

Monday, February 14th~ The Board of Education meeting will be in the Lynch Gym at 8:00 PM.

Tuesday, February 15th~ The PTO Meeting will be at 7:00 PM in the CDW Media Center.

Monday, February 21st-Friday, February 25th~ February Recess- No School for Students

March

Monday, March 7th~ The Board of Education meeting will be in the Lynch Gym at 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, March 9th~ Marking Period 3 Interim Reports available at 12:00 PM

Wednesday, March 23rd~ Dr. Fowlin Assembly for Grades 5 and 6.

Thursday, March 24th~ Dr. Fowlin Assembly for Grades 7 and 8; Parent Assembly at 6:00 PM

Monday, March 28th~ The Board of Education meeting will be in the Lynch Gym at 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, March 30th-Friday, April 1st~ 8th Grade Trip

Click here to view the calendar.

Our Board of Education approved the operating calendar for the 2022-2023 school year. The calendar can be found on the district website or by clicking here.

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