CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

For those of you that were able to make the Transition Meetings, we appreciate you attending, and it was a pleasure seeing you and answering any questions you had. For those of you that were not able to make the Transition Meetings, please see the presentations below, and do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions!

Grade 4 into Grade 5 Transition Meeting

Grade 5 into Grade 6 Transition Meeting

Grade 6 to Grade 7 Transition Meeting

Grade 7 to Grade 8 Transition Meeting

June

Tuesday, June 13th~ Grade 5 students to TBD for Writing Celebration during their LA class

Monday, June 19th~ 12:30 PM Dismissal; Grade 8 Graduation at 5:30 PM

Tuesday, June 20th~ Last Day of School; 12:30 PM Dismissal; MP 4 Report Cards will be released at noon.

Our first Knights' Fest was a fabulous event! The CDW students were able to showcase their works of art, creative writing projects, digital broadcasting creations, and special talents. Thank you to all of the students, parents, and staff members that were here to support the arts!

A special thank you to Ms. DiPisa, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Mueller, Mr. Rosolanko, and Ms. Watters for preparing an event that was enjoyed by all!

*Avery's (Grade 5) video would not load during the night of Knights' Fest so please click HERE to view it.

On June 8, 2023, the OT Police, Bergen County Sheriffs Department, and the CDW teachers celebrated the Grade 5 students completing the LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence) Program. "Too Good" is the program used by the officers who visited the Grade 5 classes throughout the year. The program puts Social Emotional Learning to work through fun and interactive lessons, building the self confidence young people need to make healthy choices and achieve success.

The Grade 5 students were visited by the Bergen County K9 dogs and their partners, played games, and ate pizza and ice cream! It was a fabulous day!

The 5th grader students discovered how simple machines are used to make work easier. They learned the various types of simple machines and how they can be combined to build a complex machine like a catapult. Each student made their own catapult and then tested it out. All students were able to take home their catapults, so ask them what the point at which the lever rests is called (foam piece on their catapult)! They should be able to tell you it's called a Fulcrum!

The 6th grade students joined the Zombie Response Team as research scientists to help determine how a mutated strain of a zombie virus was altering zombie behavior. Students gained a better understanding of how the brain works, and they were able to identify and construct scientific explanations for observed differences in the behavior and capabilities of zombies versus humans. They were able to see why the zombies were acting a certain way, based on the differences in their brains.

On Tuesday, June 6th, the CDW Track Team had the championship meet. The girls' team won for the 20th consecutive season, an astounding achievement! The boys' team also won, winning the championship for the 19th out of the last 20 years. The individual achievements for these amazing athletes are below.

The girls were led once again by the spectacular performance of the team MVP Caroline Ognibene. Caroline won the long jump, the 100, the 200, and anchored the 4x100 relay to victory. Marie Tenebruso set the school record in the triple jump and won the 60. Alexa Caunedo continued her season long dominance in the shot and disc placing first once again in both events. Maumi Quiros won the 400, and Ava DeAngelo won the high jump. Other multiple point scorers were Bailey West, Lana Khan, Hannah John, Tina D'Andrea, Lyla Murphy, Layla Dyer, Megan Collins, Leila Hilmo, Brooke Pearson, Jax Crescitelli, Mila Klein, and Zoe Geallat.

On the boys side, Matt Kosmark won the 1600 and 800 in convincing fashion once again. He also finished third in the log jump and the triple jump. Andreas Antonopolous won the 400 and Omar Ahmad won the 200 and was second in triple jump. Noel Song won the high jump and placed second in the 100, 200, and long jump. The distance runners had an outstanding day. Kyle Gagliano, Paul Alzaiedi, and Stefan Wiklinski scored in both the 800 and 1600. Kyle and Stefan also scored in the throwing events. Other team members that scored were Michael Kornett, Nate Park, Guy Geallat, Sean Kim, Mert Erkula, Alex Etter, Jason Jun, Shawn Mahler, Nathaniel Fung, Josh Jin, Adam Mai, Daniel Song, and Sal DeCastro.

On Monday, the CDW LEAP students took their final trip to compete in the Valley Brain Busters Competition. There were 8 competitors representing each school. There were 6 total rounds before the quarter finals. Each team took turns answering toss-up trivia questions. If they answered the initial toss-up question correctly, they were granted a bonus question to answer. The students moved to different rooms, playing different schools each round.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in Brain Busters throughout the year.

Ms. Fales worked with the Grade 5 LEAP students on learning the ins and outs of "capacity load." In groups of 2-4, the students were tasked with building towers with index cards keeping in mind that the tallest tower with the most weight would win!

During the 8th grader's time in STEM this year, they researched boat designs and took into consideration things like buoyancy, size, stability, mobility, strength, and weight of materials. Students built a small-scale model (prototype) of their boat using the exact method that they believed from their research would be best to create. Students tested that prototype in class and then saved their findings to build a large-scale build which took place last week. Unfortunately, they were not able to test them in a large body of water, but that didn't mean we weren't going to race them. We adapted to the situation, attached some scooters from the PE classes, and raced them across the gym.

Here are the categories for the competition and their winners:

a. Fastest Boat - Winners The S.S. Blue's Clues - Megan C., Tim M., Peter O., Grace Z.

b. Most Dramatic Sinking (or crash in this case) - Winners The S.S. Jangtanic - Issac J., Rocco B., Kabir P., Sam B.

c. Most Creative Design - Winners - The S.S. JEMZ - Maddie T., Mel E., Zoe G., Julia O.

* Each team of winners will get a special commemorative 3D-printed boat as their prize.

The 2023-2024 Supply Lists are now posted to the CDW website under "For Parents."

The PTO will be selling prepackaged school supplies through School Tool Box. Please see the School Tool Box information below.

Reminders and Updates from CDW's Student Manager

We are excited to offer the Summer Skill-Booster Program again this summer to all Old Tappan students currently enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Sessions have been set, and it is time to register! Click here to find more information about the program and links to register for a summer session. Space is limited so register early! Registration closes on June 30, 2023.

Keep in mind when signing up for a session, the AM sessions are designed to review the material presented to your child(ren) in his/her current grade level (If your child is in 5th grade, sign him/her up for a 5th grade session.). The PM sessions are designed to preview material for your child(ren)'s next grade level (If your child is in 5th grade, sign him/her up for a 6th grade session.).

Please reach out to Mr. Lauriello at lauriello@nvnet.org with any questions.

Where: Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan

When: June 26th- June 29th, 2023

Time: 9:00 AM To 1:00 PM

Who May Attend: All players age 7- 14

Fee: $ 300 session

*Please make checks payable to Golden Knights Baseball Camp and mail to 12 Jaclyn Drive, East Hanover , NJ 07936

Director: Tim Byron Head Baseball Coach

Staff: Old Tappan Coaching Staff and Local HS Coaches

Areas of Instruction: All phases of hitting, bunting, infield and outfield play, base running, pitching and catching. Instructional games will be played to reinforce all phases of teaching.

For Further Information Call Coach Byron at 551-206-7425 byron@nvnet.org

Please click on the attached flyer below to register.

Charles DeWolf Middle School - and all other Northern Valley middle schools - will have a boys' volleyball team starting September 2023. All rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders interested in playing are eligible once they submit their updated medical records to Mrs. McCarthy. Additional information, including pre-participation and medical forms, will be shared in June and July.

Each $16 ticket purchased gives back $5 to Old Tappan PTO that supports both T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School and Charles DeWolf Middle School, and once 100 tickets are sold each ticket retroactively gives back $10!

Order Here: Old Tappan PTO

6/16/23 @ 7:00 PM - Old Tappan PTO

Every ticket comes with a complimentary Boulders Promotional Cap that can be redeemed at the customer service booth next to the team store on the day of the game.

Just a reminder that June 5th was the last Monday that the PTO served pizza. Please make sure that your child brings his/her lunch to school on Monday, June 12th.

The CDW Lost and Found always has lots of items searching for owners! One way to help us locate the owner is by labeling your child's items with his/her name. The OT PTO is sponsoring a wonderful fundraiser where you can purchase labels to use to label your child(ren)'s items! Click here to purchase your Lovable Labels now!

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.

LONG TERM: Charles DeWolf Middle School

At this time in school, you start to have a number of assessments and writing assignments due. Do not forget to take advantage of tutor.com. Just log in using the Google Waffle and connect to a "live" tutor to help you study or review. Did you know that tutor.com also has practice videos and review quizzes? Check it out!

On Wednesday, May 31st, Dr. Da Giau sent out the May edition of our District Newsletter. In the newsletter, the "Your Voice Matters" surveys for families and students were also linked. Please take the time to let us know your thoughts about our schools. Your voice is important to us!

The surveys will close at 11:59 PM on June 30, 2023.

• Your Voice Matters – Family Survey Link
• Your Voice Matters – Student Survey Link for Students Exiting Grades 2-8: Please complete this survey with your child(ren) and/or direct your child(ren) to the link. This Student Survey will not be shared nor conducted in school. Please know that CDW students will be able to access the Student Survey, independently, through Dr. Sullivan’s Google Classroom.

The purpose of year-end assessments is to see what our students learned in their core

subjects and what learning they will carry with them to the next grade level. Students are exposed to Year-End Assessments that require them to think back on their learning and to share what they have learned. Teachers plan for these assessments to be meaningful and to assess the big ideas of their subject's content. Please see the schedule below.

Grade 7 Year-End Assessments:

• Tuesday, June 13th- Math
  
• Thursday, June 15th- Language Arts
• Friday, June 16th- Social Studies

*The Science and Spanish assessments will be an ongoing, project-based assessment.

Grade 8 Year-End Assessment

• Monday, June 12th- Math
• Tuesday, June 13th- Science and Spanish
• Wednesday, June 14th- Language Arts

*The Social Studies assessment will be an ongoing, project-based assessment.

*Teachers will continue to have class conversations that lead up to these assessments. The students will know what to expect in each of their classes.

The Northern Valley Criterion-Referenced Tests are developed by committees of teachers from schools in the Valley. The tests, which provide useful program planning information, are a viable measure of inter-district commitment and cooperation in order to achieve a sequential and articulated curriculum among the elementary and secondary schools in the region. The testing program is supported by the Northern Valley Schools Consortium and local boards of education in the region.

CDW students in grades 5-7 took the Criterion-Referenced Test on Wednesday, May 31st, which will provide specific information about a student's understanding of math content according to their grade levels.

For Current Grade 5 Students:
All Grade 5 students will take the Grade 5 Criterion-Referenced Test, as explained above. This test offers us a gauge of student performance. For students who perform extraordinarily well on this test, earning a score of 95% or higher, they will be asked to sit for a secondary assessment. Families of these identified students will be notified. The purpose of a secondary assessment would be to ascertain the selected students' potential success in skipping Grade 6 Math and moving directly into accelerated Pre-Algebra as a sixth grader. You will be notified by July 1st if your child is eligible to make this Grade 6 Math skip.

To be eligible for this Grade 6 course skip, the students would have to:

• Earn a score of 95% or higher on the Grade 5 Criterion-Referenced Test, as stated directly above
• Earn a score of 90% or higher on the secondary math placement test, as explained above
• Earn a minimum average of 95% or higher for each marking period in Grade 5 Math
• Earn teacher recommendation, based on class performance, work ethic, motivation, ability to work independently, and participation

• Earn a 796 or higher on the NJSLA-Math Grade 4 Assessment
  

For Current Grade 6 Students:
In Grade 7, we offer two courses of study: Pre-Algebra, which is an accelerated course, and Grade 7 Math, which is an average-level course. Prior to placing students into either Pre-Algebra or Grade 7 Math, the following criteria are considered:

• Teacher recommendation, based on class performance, work ethic, motivation, ability to work independently, and participation
• Criterion-Referenced Test Score (math placement test) of 85% or higher - see test explanation above
• Year-end math average of 93% or higher
• Earn a 775 or higher on the NJSLA-Math Grade 5 Assessment
  

Notification of course placement will be communicated to all families by July 1st.

For Current Grade 7 Students:

We use the Criterion-Referenced Test to assess students' current placement and to determine if movement into Algebra I is appropriate in Grade 8. Families of these identified students would be notified by June 1st. The purpose of a secondary assessment would be to ascertain the selected students' potential success in skipping accelerated Grade 7 Pre-Algebra and moving directly into Algebra I as an eighth grader. You will be notified by July 1st if your child is eligible to make this accelerated Grade 7 Pre-Algebra skip.

To be eligible for this accelerated Pre-algebra course skip, the students would have to:

• Earn a score of 95% or higher on the Grade 7 Criterion-Referenced Test
• Earn a score of 90% or higher on the secondary math placement test
• Earn a minimum average of 95% or higher for each marking period in Grade 7 Math
• Earn teacher recommendation, based on class performance, work ethic, motivation, ability to work independently, and participation
• Earn a 775 or higher on the NJSLA-Math Grade 6 Assessment

The NVOT Marching Band will be hosting a large social event on Wednesday, June 14th beginning at 5:00 PM on the turf field. The Marching Band leadership team is planning lots of fun games such as Red Light, Green Light, Tug of War, Musical Chairs, Ultimate Frisbee, and more. There will be prizes for winners, music, and lots of fun to be had. In addition, they will be selling concessions at the stadium hut. Kids and parents of all ages are encouraged to attend!

A parent meeting for all Marching Band Parents will begin at 7 pm in the stadium seats. Parents will learn about how to get involved in the activity and have the chance to ask questions.

The Northern Valley Regional Technology and Engineering department is proud to announce that they will be running the Girls in Engineering and Technology Camp this June from 6/26-6/28. The camp is free for rising 7th and 8th grade girls who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math.

Please see the flyer below for more information.

The way teens obtain working papers in New Jersey will be changing on June 1, 2023! The working papers process will be online and streamlined. Rather than going through local schools, younger workers will simply visit this site and be walked through a few easy steps.

IF YOU NEED PAPERS BEFORE JUNE 1: https://nj.gov/labor/youngworkers/find-a-job/working-papers/

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUNG WORKERS: https://nj.gov/labor/youngworkers

The Old Tappan Environmental Commission (OTEC) will again host the Digital Photo Contest and Show for any CDW Old Tappan student. The photo must represent one ore more environmental themes. See the flyer below for more information.

One submission per student can be submitted now through June 9, 2023.

The School Year Calendar for the PK-8 Old Tappan Public Schools was approved at Monday evening's Board of Education Meeting. For your convenience, this calendar also will be posted on our District website.

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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