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

"I Can Be Me at BG" was never more apparent than on Friday, May 13, 2023! Led by English as a Second Language teacher Mrs. Najim, students and families worked together to present information and share artifacts and food from their countries and cultures.

The following countries were represented, illustrating the diversity of the Woodland Park community: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Poland, Mexico, Morocco, India, Palestine, Italy, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Korea, Turkey, Russia, Peru, Syria, Cuba, Macedonia, Nepal, United States of America, Indonesia, Jamaica, Portugal, Columbia, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Serbia, and Croatia.

The day was filled with great food, smiles, and lots of learning. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make this an exceptional day!

Thank you to the American Heart Association - New Jersey and the NY Giants for visiting Memorial Middle School Tuesday as part of the NFL PLAY 60 program. The students had a blast spending their gym period playing volleyball, pickle ball, and basketball with NY Giants players offensive line backer Oshane Ximines, tight end Tommy Sweeney, and running back Gary Brightwell. The mission of PLAY 60 is to empower youth to be physically active and healthy. The nationwide initiative is the league's youth health and wellness campaign that encourages kids to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.

Since PLAY 60 launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $352 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and awareness campaigns. The NFL has provided more than 38 million children the resources they need to boost their activity levels by supporting programs in over 73,000 schools and constructing more than 265 youth fitness zones nationwide.

Students at Memorial Middle School have volunteered many times over the years to assist at functions held for the Woodland Park Seniors at the WP Boys & Girls Club. In an effort to give back, the senior club presents an annual essay contest for District eighth graders.

The theme for 2023 was: "The impossible need not become an impossibility." Interested students were to submit an essay of 500 words or less on the topic and the essays were reviewed by a committee of four retired teachers who are members of the senior group.

At Wednesday's senior club meeting, the students were saluted for their submissions, and the winners were announced.

Students who were awarded $100 prizes were: Alexander De Santis, Merieka Corpuz, and Jordyn Jacobs-Lee. Students who were awarded $50 were Jalal Elnatshe and Thiago Rodriguez. Each of these students shared their essays with the group.

The club also recognized the following students for their participation: Monier Issa, Anthony Hathout, Omar Deep, Joaquin Vila, Onur Sozer, Ilyanna Shanaa, Isabella Molina, Lazar Mastalkov, Sofia Perillo, Jordin Campbell, Jayden Byles, and Joanie Mupo. Each of these students received $10 and a certificate.

The 2023 Youth Month participants took part in Monday night's Board of Education meeting. Youth Month Superintendent of Schools Miliani Mercado and Board of Education President Danny Stigliano sat next to their counterparts Dr. Pillari and Dr. Giammarella respectively, and led the meeting. This meeting included a presentation saluting educators and service professionals of the year, committee reports, and numerous agenda items.

The eighth grade students elected to various positions received a tour of the town on May 4. Students who were elected to municipal seats also took to the dais on Wednesday night to conduct the Mayor and Council meeting alongside their counterparts. The students, led by Youth Month Mayor Fabian Puzo (sitting in for Loujain Lafi) tackled an agenda that featured three presentations, committee reports, and the introduction of four capital improvement ordinances. Student council members are Merieka Corpuz, Lisa Ribaudo, Adam Ramadan, Yoseph Khaled, Chris Calderon, and Jenna Moraktan. Also sitting on the dais were Municipal Clerk Jalal Elnatshe and Borough Attorney Tayeeba Ahmed.

The Board of Education at its meeting on Monday night saluted the 2022-2023 Governor’s Educators of the Year and Service Professionals of the Year winners. This is a very special honor for our teachers. They are awarded this honor by their colleagues and community members and families. It’s always nice to be recognized by those of us that we work with and the people that we serve.

Educator of the Year:

School 1 - Joann LaSala

Charles Olbon - Alyssa D'Amico

Beatrice Gilmore - Pamela Yesonosky (not pictured)

Memorial School - Katherine Elman

Service Professional of the Year:

School 1 - Tina Masefield

Charles Olbon - Jamie Partridge

Beatrice Gilmore - Charlene Nyenhuis

Memorial School - Nicole Espinosa

School 1 held its field day last yesterday morning. The students rotated through activity stations which included an obstacle course, parachute, bean bag toss, ring toss, and more. Thank you to Charles Olbon School gym teacher, Mr. Volpe, and the Home & School Association for their support to run the event. The students had a great time!

Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in the clean-up day at the WP Boys & Girls Club last Saturday. Scouts and leaders from Cub Scout Pack 31, Boy Scout Troop 238, and Junior Girl Scout Troop 97702 worked hard to clean up the area around the club and the batting cages. The Borough Recreation Department and WP Senior Club is planning to start a raised bed garden with hopes in the future to expand to a community garden.

The Woodland Park School District preschool program will host an open house at School 1, 665 McBride Ave., on Thursday, May 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuition free preschool is available to Woodland Park children age 3 and 4. Come visit and learn about the program, meet the preschool director and principal, and visit classrooms and the playground. Enjoy popsicles with Paws, the preschool puppy mascot, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is open and ongoing. Any questions, call 973-317-7770.​

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, May 20, 12:30 p.m. - Spring into STEAM for grades 3 to 8. This month, learn some feathery facts and make an eco-friendly bird feeder. Register here.

Monday, May 22, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go weight loss support group. Register here.

Monday, May 22, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies. This program for babies age 1 to 23 months includes stories, rhymes, songs, and free play. Register here.

Monday, May 22, 11 a.m. - Chair Yoga. Come and find inner peace through chair yoga and meditation. Register here.

Monday, May 22, 6 p.m. - Dungeons and Dragons club for teens in grades 6-12. New and experienced players are welcome any time.

Monday, May 22, 6:30 p.m. - ESL Conversation Club. Register here.

Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time for all ages. The whole family is welcome and pajamas are encouraged. Register here.

Wednesday, May 24, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales for ages 2 and up. Join Miss Sara for a story time with rhymes, songs, a craft, and more. Register here.

Wednesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.

Wednesday, May 24, 7 p.m. - OverBooked Book Discussion Group for Gen X and Millennials. The group is currently reading "Lilac Girls." Copies are available at the Library and available in eBook or digital download format on Libby or Hoopla. Register here.

Thursday, May 25, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, May 25, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit chair exercise class. Register here.

Thursday, May 25, 6:30 p.m. - Spice of the Month Club will meet to discuss this month's spice. Each month you will receive a sample of a new spice along with a recipe and the history of the spice. Bring a dish for everyone to sample if you choose to. Register here.

Friday, May 26, 11 a.m. - Legos for Seniors. Who said Legos are just for children? Come and have fun creating. Register here.

Saturday, May 27 - Library is closed for Memorial Day weekend.

Monday, May 29 - Library is closed for Memorial Day weekend.

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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