CDW Weekly Wrap-Up
September 13, 2024
Information from Principal Santa
NEW INFORMATION
Grade 6 Information from the Health Office
The State of New Jersey now requires all students born after January 1, 1997 and entering 6th Grade to receive a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT) vaccine as well as one dose of meningococcal vaccine.
If your child has received these shots, please provide Mrs. McCarthy, the school nurse, with a copy of the dates from the doctor if you haven’t already done so. If your child has not had these shots, please make arrangements with your doctor and let Mrs. McCarthy know that there is an upcoming, scheduled appointment. This is a state requirement for all students entering 6th Grade, and the state only allows for a 30 day grace period; therefore, students will not be allowed in the building after October 1st unless this paperwork is submitted, or you have spoken to Mrs. McCarthy about an upcoming appointment.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. McCarthy at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103 or McCarthy@nvnet.org.
Copy of Schedule
Your child(ren) should keep a copy of his/her schedule inside his/her locker and/or agenda pad. This way, if he/she forgets where to go on a given day, it's there to reference!
Grade 8 PTO Committee Meeting
The PTO will be hosting a Grade 8 Committee Meeting for all Grade 8 parent(s)/guardian(s) on Tuesday, September 17th at 7:00 PM in the CDW Media Center. Items that will be discussed include Volunteer Opportunities, Fundraising, and Grade 8 Activities and Events.
#WinAtSocial
We are excited to announce that CDW has launched a partnership for another year with The Social Institute (TSI), a national leader in curriculum designed to equip students to navigate the complex intersection of well-being, social media, and technology. Our school will continue using the comprehensive program, called #WinAtSocial, which promotes character, empathy, teamwork, and other important life skills. Ms. Santa and Mr. Lauriello will visit the classrooms to share lessons throughout the year.
At a time when students spend many hours a day on digital devices, TSI equips students to make positive, healthy, and high-character choices that fuel their health, happiness, and future success. Whether or not your child uses social media or a device of their own, we hope that you will consider how these free resources outlined below could be useful to your family.
These supplementary resources provide insight into social media, technology, and student experiences, offering family discussion prompts and informative resources that you can incorporate into family conversations as much or as little as you like.
How Your Family Can Participate:
- Continue the conversation at home: As students experience #WinAtSocial lessons, you will find Family Huddle questions in the Weekly Wrap-Up. These are completely optional to run as a family!
- Register your free account for the Parent Toolkit. Many families refer to this as the CliffsNotes of social media and technology! Go to the Toolkit, click Activate Account, and enter our school code: 2729247E3AF3EA
Dress Code Reminders
Please review the Dress Code and Appearance Policy that can also be found in the CDW Student Handbook.
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 tops, tube tops, tank tops, 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 or hoods in the building.
Grade 7 & 8 STEM
Grade 7 and Grade 8 students took part in a STEM IMPROV challenge this week. The students spun a wheel for items they needed to design and then spun again for what material it needed to be made out of, and then finally spun for what focus/purpose that item needed to have. For example, one group had to design a coat rack, made out of playground balls that now provides a cozy reading spot.
Sound impossible or crazy? Maybe, but the idea is to get students to think outside the box and to design something, on paper, that is completely out of the ordinary. There are no limits here, and that's the point. Come up with solutions to problems, even when they seem impossible! This was a fun way to see how creative they are going to be this year!
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
8th Grade Information
Welcome back! I hope you and your family had a relaxing summer. If your child is planning on attending a high school other than NVOT (Bergen County Technical Schools, Private/Boarding Schools, Catholic Schools), please ask your child to see Ms. Adamo to learn about important dates and requirements for the application process for these other schools. All students applying to another high school must meet with Ms. Adamo before Friday, September 27th.
If you are interested in learning about the different schools/programs offered through Bergen County Technical Schools, here’s a link to their website.
Upcoming important dates for Grade 8 students:
NVOT Open House, Wednesday, October 16th, 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM. Tour of the building begins at 5:00 pm.
8th Grade NVOT visit: Friday, October 18, 9:00 AM-12:30 PM. In a few weeks, your child(ren) will bring home a permission slip that you must return to his/her homeroom teacher.
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.
FALL SPORTS
Schedules
HERE is the Northern Valley School Interscholastic Master Co-Ed Soccer, and Volleyball Schedules
All games begin at 3:45 PM.
Home Co-Ed Soccer games are played on the CDW Field.
Home Boys and Girls Volleyball games are played in the Rossi Gym at CDW.
CDW Code of Behavior for Athletic Events
“Be a POSITIVE Role Model”
Fans, coaches, and players are expected to treat the opponent, officials, and other fans with respect and courtesy. #CDWPRIDE
Refrain from negative remarks and booing toward any fan, coach, or player.
Respect all decisions made by the officials.
ENJOY THE GAME!
CDW Sports & Intramurals Participation Information
The Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) may ONLY be completed by a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse (APN), or physician assistant (PA) who has completed the Student-Athlete Cardiac Assessment professional development module. You must verify that your medical provider has completed this module before scheduling an appointment for a PPE. The licensed physician, APN, or PA who performs the physical examination must complete the remaining two pages of the PPE and insert the examination date on the PPE on page 3 and Clearance Form on page 4.
- A Health History Update Questionnaire is required if a physical examination was completed more than 90 days before the first day of tryouts/practice. The documents must be completed and signed by the student's parent/guardian. The student and parent/guardian must read/review the Sudden Cardiac Pamphlet and Concussion Policy Acknowledgement Form.
- If applicable, the Athlete with Special Needs Supplemental History Form is on page two of the PPE. The date of the required physical examination is at the top of the page.
- Forms will NOT be accepted with blanks so please have the medical provider fill out the form completely.
- The licensed physician, APN, or PA must also sign the certification statement on the PPE form attesting to the completion of the professional development module. Each board of education and charter school or nonpublic school governing authority must retain the original signed certification on the PPE form to attest to the qualification of the licensed physician, APN, or PA to perform the PPE.
- If a student's participation is NOT approved, the school district will provide a written notification to the parent/guardian, signed by the school physician of the disapproval reason(s).
Please click here to access all documents and forms that need to be reviewed and/or completed and submitted.
PTO Updates and Reminders
PTO Membership is Open!
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. All meetings are held in the CDW Media Center at 7:30 PM. Babysitting will be offered.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
CDW Spirit Wear
If you missed out on purchasing items at Back-to-School Night, you can order using the links below. There is even free shipping to the school! This link will be open until September 26th.
PTO Monday Pizza
Pizza Mondays will begin on September 16th. HERE is the link to sign up to serve pizza during your child's lunch period at CDW. This link is not to order pizza, just serve it to the students.
Woori Mart and Garden Kitchen Gift Cards
The gift card sale is open now until September 18th. You can pick up the cards between September 22nd and 25th. Please visit OTPTO.org to purchase the cards.
CDW Clothing Drive, Car Wash, and Bake Sale!
Start cleaning out your closets because the CDW Class of 2025 will be hosting a Clothing Drive, on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.
Below is a list of items that can be collected:
- Clothing (Men’s, Women’s, Children’s – All types)
- Shoes
- Handbags / Backpacks
- Stuffed Animals and Small Plastic Toys (no puzzles, board games, Legos, or toys w/pieces)
- Linens (including Towels, Curtains, and Table Linens, but NO Blankets and/or Comforters)
The Grade 8 Car Wash and Bake Sale will be held on the same day, with a rain date for all events on Sunday, September 29th from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.
REMINDERS
Absences
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.
Dropping Off Forgotten Items
In the event that a student requires a forgotten essential (i.e., medication, eyeglasses, a dietary need, etc.), the parent should contact/report to the Main Office to arrange to have the item(s) delivered to the student. However, if your child(ren) forgets his/her Chromebook, we will provide a loaner for the day. Please only drop off items that are essential.
Although we want your child(ren) to be successful in school and to have what they need to succeed, we also want your child(ren) to learn independence. We will continually work with your child(ren) on organizational methods if necessary. Just reach out!
Update Student Grade Level with Lunch Vendors
Please make sure that each lunch vendor has your child(ren)'s new grade level listed on the lunch's label. Therefore, we can ensure that your child(ren) will receive the purchased lunch at the correct school and in a timely manner.
Picture Day!
The CDW Picture Day will be on Friday, October 18th. All students will take an individual photo that day, whether a package is purchased or not. There will be retakes on Wednesday, October 30th.
*Grade 8 students: This will be the picture that is used for the 2025 Yearbook.
CDW Choir
Choir rehearsals with Ms. Osbahr will be held in Room 402 on Tuesdays from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM and/or Thursdays from 7:45 AM-8:20 AM. It is recommended to attend one rehearsal a week. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Osbahr in Room 211.
CDW Media Center
Mrs. Melillo would like to introduce the Media Center Website! We encourage you to take a tour and learn about all of the wonderful happenings going on in our CDW Media Center!
Old Tappan Broadcasting Network (OTBN)
Under Mr. Johnson's direction, the Grade 8 CDW students in the OTBN Club arrive to school early each morning to prepare for morning announcements. They go live around 8:25 AM. HERE is the direct link to the broadcasting network.
National Junior Honor Society Information for Current 7th Grade Students
Membership in the NJHS at Charles DeWolf Middle School is open to any seventh grade student who meets all the following membership requirements at the end of the third marking period in 2025:
Has a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.70 in academic (social studies, language arts, math, science, and Spanish) subjects, with no grade below a B- in any subject (including cycle classes) for ALL marking periods of the 2024-2025 school year.
Demonstrates outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship.
Accumulates no more than six unexcused tardies. Tardies will only be considered excused if a doctor's note is submitted to the School Nurse.
Accumulates no detentions related to behavior in violation of the CDW Code of Conduct.
Performs eight hours of documented community service from a recognized nonprofit, community, or education organization from 8/1/2024-5/2/2025. Please note that there will be no extension of this date. Students should provide documentation on the organization’s letterhead when submitting their applications in April.
Completes at least three marking periods of the 7th grade year at CDW (unless a student moves into district & has been inducted as a member in another district).
By the end of April, 2025, 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).
Chromebook Insurance
We highly suggest that you purchase insurance for your child(ren)'s school-issued Chromebook! Please refer to the information below, or you may purchase directly from smartechins.com/oldtappan.
Visitor Parking
If you need to visit the school, please only park in a spot labeled "Visitor." All numbered spots are assigned to staff members. If the Visitor parking spaces are occupied, please park on a side street and walk up to the school.
CDW Student Handbook
Please review the CDW Student Handbook found under, "For Students" on our school website for important information about CDW such as, but not limited to:
- Attendance
- Cell Phone Use
- Dress Code
- Field Trips
- Homework
- Chromebook Use
- Sports
- And more!
Lunch at CDW
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.
CDW Staff Flowchart
It is important to remember that our school is full of staff members who are here to help you and your child(ren) all year long. In some cases, you may not be sure whom to contact for specific information. For questions about your child(ren)'s classes, please utilize the teacher as a primary resource before implementing the flow chart.
CDW Health Screenings Information
Via the Genesis Summer Packet, you will find the information for the Health Office Screenings that will be completed during the 2024-2025 school year. Annually, the School Nurses of the Old Tappan
Schools perform health screenings, based on the following schedule that complies with State
Department of Education Guidelines:
- Students in grades PreK through 8 will be screened for height, weight and blood pressure.
- Students in grades PreK, K, 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be screened for vision.
- Students in grades PreK, K, 1, 2, 3, and 7 will be screened for hearing.
- Students in grades 5 and 7 will be screened for scoliosis.
If you do not wish to have your child participate in the screenings, you must send a signed letter requesting Mrs. McCarthy, the school nurse, to not conduct the screenings for your child(ren) by September 27, 2024.
September
Tuesday, September 17th~ Grade 8 PTO Meeting for Parents/Guardians in the CDW Media Center at 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 28th~ The Grade 8 Clothing Drive, Car Wash, and Bake Sale from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Sunday, September 29th~ The Grade 8 Clothing Drive, Car Wash, and Bake Sale RAINDATE
October
Thursday, October 3rd~ School is closed in observance of Rosh Hashanah.
Wednesday, October 9th-Friday, October 11th~ Grade 7 Overnight Trip
Monday, October 14th~ 12:30 PM Dismissal for Students; Staff PD in Afternoon
Monday, October 14th~ The BOE Meeting is at 8:00 PM in the Board of Education Conference Room.
Friday, October 18th~ Picture Day!
Monday, October 28th~ The BOE Meeting is at 8:00 PM in the Board of Education Conference Room.
Wednesday, October 30th~ Picture Retake Day!
Thursday, October 31st~ Halloween
2024-2025 School Calendar
Charles DeWolf Middle School
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