Woodland Park School District News

Welcome to the Woodland Park School District e-Newsletter which is sent out weekly when school is in session. It serves as a glimpse of some of the wonderful things going on in our schools, as well as a point of reference for upcoming events.

Your Partner in Education,

Michele R. Pillari, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

Our School District celebrated Read Across America last week. Numerous guest readers visited School 1 and Charles Olbon School to read to students including Mayor Keith Kazmark; Councilman Michael Sica; Board of Education members Gina McQuin, Dr. Joe Giammarella, Shannon Marren; Alfred Baumann Library Director Linda Hoffmann; Library Youth Services Coordinator Sara Rappa; School District Superintendent Dr. Michele Pillari; Director of Special Education & Support Services Dr. Giovanna Irizzary; and many more.

In addition to hosting guest readers, PreK classes at Charles Olbon had buddy reading with second grade students from Ms. Hope's second grade class. The students had so much fun!

The Alfred Baumann Library held its annual Dr. Seuss celebration this year as an assembly at Charles Olbon School. Library youth services associate Sara Rappa, Mayor Keith Kazmark, and Superintendent Dr. Michele Pillari read The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss and led the students in reciting the reader's pledge.

The Cat in The Hat, Mrs. Farraye and Ms. Roehrich distributed Dr. Seuss bookmarks to all Beatrice Gilmore School students during the Read Across BG event during Read Across America week.

Dylan Baccaro from Mrs. Behnken’s class at Memorial Middle School showed kindness by offering assistance to walk a fellow student to the bus at dismissal. He suggested that he should continue this act until he can confirm the student will be confident enough to complete this task independently. We are proud of you Dylan and your kind heart!

Ryder Young, a seventh grade student in Mrs. Behnken’s class at Memorial Middle School, was made an Honorary Police Officer and was presented with a certificate and a badge by Woodland Park Police Chief John Uzzalino. Ryder is a big supporter of the police and our military. Congratulations Ryder on this amazing honor! Wear your badge proudly! A special thank you goes out to Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Mr. Bolen, who is a retired WPPD police sergeant, for the coordination of these efforts and for the support of Room 107.

Mrs. Sturdy's eighth grade science students at Memorial Middle School modeled elements and compounds using candy and toothpicks. It was a great way to visualize atomic structures.

First grade students in Ms. Gutierrez's class at Charles Olbon School created handmade instruments to support their sound energy unit in science.

Students in Ms. Tobia and Ms. Bonnie’s PreK-4 class at School 1 enjoyed last week's "dress as your favorite character" day!

To end Read Across America week, PreK-4 in Ms. Tobia's class at School 1 read Green Eggs and Ham and played a letter game with green eggs. “Green eggs, green eggs on the ground... pick them up and make the sound!”

Beatrice Gilmore School teachers, students, and staff have been working hard on their Kindness Mantras. Here are just a few samples of our commitment to being kind:

• Mrs. Catlano's class believes you should "Give Thanks and Take Nothing for Granted!"
  
• Mrs. Svorec's class wants everyone to know that "Kindness is our Jam!"
  
• Mrs. McHugh's class reminds us that "Kindness is all you need to succeed!"
  
• Nurse Roehrich wants us all to know that "Kindness is Contagious!"
  

Beatrice Gilmore School fifth grader Cristian Alvarez is BG's "I" in KIND. Cristian quickly came to the aid of another student by grabbing the back of his instrument and helping him carry it up the stairs.

Beatrice Gilmore School third graders Elle and Olivia were caught being kind. They helped another student who was struggling on the monkey bars and then stayed with him to make sure he was OK. They are the "I" in KIND!

Announced by the Office of Gov. Murphy, the Borough School District has received a 68% increase in state aid - amounting to an additional $1,115,571 for the Woodland Park Schools. This is the largest increase in school aid in the entire State of New Jersey. Funding for free Pre-K for Borough children will also be over $3.1 million.

In addition, Passaic Valley Regional High School will see a 40.5% increase - totaling an additional $620,739 in aid next year, and Passaic County Technical and Vocational Schools will see a 16.5% increase - totaling an additional $9,458,270 in aid. This is a testament to the State investing in education and those on the Boards of Education and administration, who are working for our kids every day.

The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following programs. Visit the Library's website here or Facebook page here. Its phone is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.

Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m. - Arts & Crafts for grades K-4. Register here.

Monday, March 13, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go weight loss support group. Register here.

Monday, March 13, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.

Monday, March 13, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist with test review and homework. Register here.

Monday, March 13, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist with test review and homework. Register here.

Monday, March 13, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons club for teens in grades 6-12. New and experienced players are welcome any time. Register here.

Monday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.

Tuesday, March 14, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist with test review and homework. Register here.

Tuesday, March 14, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist with test review and homework. Register here.

Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time. Register here.

Wednesday, March 15, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 2 and up. Join Miss Sara for stories, rhymes, songs, a craft, and more. Register here.

Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, March 16, 10 a.m. - Wonder Babies for ages 6 to 24 months. This sensory playtime includes exploring different textures, sounds, and fine motor skills. Register here.

Thursday, March 16, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, March 16, 12 p.m. Sit & Fit. Have fun exercising from the comfort of a chair. Register here.

Thursday, March 16, 3 to 4 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will assist with test review and homework. Register here.

Thursday, March 16, 4 to 5 p.m. - Homework Helpers. AP students will students with test review and homework. Register here.

Saturday, March 18, 12:30 p.m. - Spring into STEAM for grades 3-8. This month, explore flower power and learn about the parts of some beautiful blossoms. Register here.

Monday, March 20, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies. This program for babies age 1 to 23 months includes stories, rhymes, songs, and free play. Register here.

Tuesday, March 21, 1 p.m. - Crafternoon. Let your creative juices flow and make a beautiful craft to take home. Register here.

Tuesday, March 21, 7 p.m. - Lego Challenge for adults - to be held at Bask Bar & Grill, 283 Browertown Rd. Ready for a challenge? We'll bring the bricks...you come ready to create. Must be 21 or older. There will be prizes and giveaways. Registration is required. Register here.

Tuesday, March 21, 4:30 p.m. - Reading Rebels for grades 3-5. The book will be provided at this monthly reading program. Register here.

Thursday, March 23, 4:30 p.m. - Afternoon movie for ages. Join in for a viewing of "A Strange World." Snacks and drinks will be available. Register here.

Saturday, March 25, 11 a.m. - New Jersey Makers Day for all ages. Lego challenges, create with clay, make a giant mural, see how buttons are made, and more! Stay for the whole time or just drop in, but registration is required. Register here.

Click here for Instagram

Click here Twitter

Email: mpillari@wpschools.org
Website: www.wpschools.org
Location: 853 McBride Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07424, USA
Phone: 973-317-7711