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

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Sixth grade student, Joaquin Vila, earned his wayt to the fourth round of Tuesday evening's North Jersey Spelling Bee! We are so proud of Joaquin! He represented Memorial School and our entire school district well!

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Grade 4 students at Beatrice Gilmore School have been studying animal and plant adaptations in science class. As a culminating project, students were tasked with researching three real animals and identifying two adaptations necessary for each animal's survival. The students gathered all of the information collected and were charged with creating and naming a new, fictitious animal. Students enjoyed harnessing their creative or technical side by drawing diagrams and labeling adaptations for the new animal. The students also wrote an adventure story about a day in the life of the new animal!

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Mr. Sans and Mrs. Hawkins fifth grade ELA students at Beatrice Gilmore School conducted a debate over Zoom regarding the serving of chocolate milk in schools. The students were very professional and enjoyed the discussion.

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Miss Jones' second grade class at Charles Olbon School completed a leprechaun trap STEM project. The students completed a pre-planning sheet that included materials needed, a design sketch, and explaination on how trap will work. The students used transition words to write steps on how the leprechaun trap will successfully trick a leprechaun.

Ms. Tonti's first grade students at Charles Olbon School showed off their "How to Catch a Leprechaun" projects. Each student designed and detailed how to build their trap in this written project.

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Students in Mrs. Casasnovas’ class at School 1 investigated how to reuse, reduce and recycle! The children created recycling bins to us tilize throughout the study. A lesson on how to identify various recyclable materials followed. The students practied by placing "trash" in the appropriate bins!

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Students in Ms. Casasnovas’ class at School 1 are officially authors and illustrators! Each student was provided with the opportunity to choose a topic and create a book.

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The fifth grade STEM enrichment students at Beatrice Gilmore School started the"sink or float" unit this week. This includes the study of density over the next few weeks.

Ms. Scillieri introduced the concept with the phenomena of why some objects sink or some float. Students conducted a mini-lab on why Diet Coke floats vs. regular Coke. This was followed by predictions of whether or not other every day household items would sink or float. They reviewed units and tools measurement as well. A great debate took place! Ms. Scillieri is so proud of these future engineers and scientists.

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We call her “the appointment whisperer.” Jaimie Partridge, our district-wide behaviorist, started by simply helping parents find COVID-19 vaccine appointments. When other family members and family friends were also searching, Jaimie lent a helping hand.

As the CST therapists and counselors became eligible, she was able to assist in securing appointments for at least eight staff members! To date, Jaimie has secured 34 appointments for those who reached out to her for her tech-savvy expertise! Thank you so much, Jaimie, for all of your efforts in keeping us all safe and healthy!

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The Little Falls ShopRite offered a batch of vaccinations to Borough educators this week. Mayor Keith Kazmark facilitated the connection between store manager, Richard Greco, and Dr. Pillari. The 25 Moderna vaccine shots will be administered to staff members for March 25th.

Mr. Greco assured Dr. Pillari that he would remain in contact to extend more spaces as more vaccines become available. On behalf of the entire school community, we thank Mr. Greco for being a helpful and supportive business neighbor on behalf of the entire school community. We also thank Mayor Kazmark for his continued support of our schools.

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Free food service for all students is available at the entrance of Charles Olbon and Memorial School and the back entrance of School 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily when school is open. Pick up at the site most convenient to you.

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The Memorial Middle School Eighth Grade Dance Committee is holding a Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser. Bundtlets are $6 each and full cakes are $30 each. Flavors are: chocolate chocolate chip, vanilla, white chocolate raspberry, carrot, red velvet, lemon and funfetti. Send orders to Lina Stigliano at 973-725-0802 or linastigs@optonline.net and pay via Venmo to@MMS2021-Ryan. Deadline for orders is today, March 19.

The committee is also selling school pride and graduation lawn signs. There are two sizes: 18x24, which are $30, and 24x26, which are $40. They are customizable with your student's name. Custom banners are also available at $7.50 a square foot. For more information or to order contact Lina Stigliano at 973-725-0802 or linastigs@optonline.net.

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The Mental Health Association of New Jersey’s Hope and Healing program number of free virtual support groups, in response to COVID-19. To view the group Zoom links, click here.

Sundays - School Nurses Support and Discussion Group, 7 p.m.

Mondays - School Nurses Support and Discussion Group, 4 p.m.; Stress Reduction and Coping Strategies, 7 p.m.

Tuesdays - Spanish-Speaking Support Group, 7 p.m.

Wednesdays - Spanish-Speaking Support Group, 7 p.m.; Parents Support and Discussion Group, 7 p.m.

Thursdays - Teacher Talk, 3:30 p.m.; Public Health Employees "Resiliency & Coping" Support and Discussion Group, 4 p.m.; Career Transitions for Young Adults During a Pandemic, 4 p.m.; ”Decompress and Disconnect:” a drop-in group for those who work from home, 4:30 p.m.; Support Group for COVID-positive individuals and their loved ones, 6 p.m.

Fridays - Spanish-Speaking Support Group, 11 a.m.; LGBTQ+ Community Drop-In Group, 4 p.m.; College Students Support Group, 5 p.m.

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The Alfred Baumann Library will host the following children's programs. All programs are VIRTUAL unless noted. To view virtual programs, click here.

Saturday, March 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - NJ Makers Day - Join in for a very special virtual NJ Makers Day! Spend some time on Zoom making and experimenting with four unique STEM activities. Each kit will have supplies for four activities. Kits are available for pick up at the Library. Register here.

Monday, March 22, 10 a.m. - Virtual Weigh to Go group meeting. Register here.

Monday, March 22 - Teen DIY is a take-and-make craft kit for teens in grades 8-12. This month, you can create your own succulent jar, perfect for sprucing up your room decor. Kits will be available for pick up at the Library. Register here.

Tuesday, March 23, 6 p.m. - Join Miss Sara to make a DIY Hot Chocolate Bomb! Some supplies will be provided and available for pick up at the Library. Register here.

Tuesday, March 23, 7 p.m. - Home Buying & Mortgage Tips with Mortgage Loan Originator Angelo Straface. Looking to buy a home? Learn about first time home buying programs that are available, and get tips regarding your credit score and how to plan ahead for the perfect mortgage application. Register here.

Wednesday, March 24, 7 p.m. - Join Brianne as the Adult Book Group discusses its March - "Once We Were Here" by Christopher Cosmos - on Zoom. The eBook and audiobook versions of this title are available for instant download with your Library card via Hoopla here. Register for the discussion here.

Wednesday, March 24, 4:30 p.m. - Virtual storytime with Miss Phil and Miss Sara. Register here.

Friday, March 26, 6 p.m. - Join in for Virtual Bingo! Prizes available for winners! The Zoom information and bingo cards will be provided the day before the program. Space is limited. Register here.

Tuesday, March 30, 6 p.m. - Join Heather Shasa, registered dietician for ShopRite in Little Falls, for a family cooking class. Follow along and create fun and healthy recipes. An ingredients list and Zoom information will be provided after registration. Register here.

Tuesday, April 6, 7 p.m. - Curious about starting an indoor herb garden? Find out the proper timing and ways to go about doing so with Angel Family Farm. Learn about what to grow, when to plant and what is needed. Participants will receive a mini pot, soil and seeds to help you get started. Register here.

The Library's website is www.abwplibrary.org. Phone number is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.

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