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

For nearly four decades now, our country has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer. We are proud to announce that our school district is fundraising for this important cause.

The Woodland Park School community is taking this opportunity to support one of our own as she continues on her journey to recovery. If anyone would like to and is able to support this cause in order to help us reach our district goal of $2,500.00, please make a donation here. The process is fast, easy, and secure.

If we surpass the $2,500.00 district goal, all of the Physical Education teachers - Ms. Maier, Mr. Pomante, Mr. Romeo, and Mr. Volpe - will color their hair pink at the end of October!

All of the physical education teachers will briefly explain to students the importance of fundraising for those in need. If children have any questions about breast cancer, they can speak to the adults at home.

Thank you for your support! Together, we are giving the gift of hope to women and families in need.

Preschool students at School 1 and Charles Olbon School learned all about community helpers this month. Last week, both schools received a visit from members of our Woodland Park Police Department and West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department.

The first cycle of our after-school programs is in full swing at Memorial Middle School and Beatrice Gilmore School. At Beatrice Gilmore, students are taking part in five different programs in the Bear's Den program: Be Sporty, Be Artsy, Be Crafty, Be Smart and Be Musical. At Memorial, students taking part in the Mustang Academy are enjoying Be Sporty, Book Club, Art Club, Weight Training and Nutrition, Debate Team, Facts & Snacks, Music, and the Berkeley Experience.

The students in Mrs. Reisman and Mrs. Wilson's fourth grade class at Beatrice Gilmore School were busy at work exploring energy in science last week. Students worked with partners to observe force, energy, and motion in a twist-a-matic STEM lab.

Ms. Tobia's PreK-4 class at School 1 brought in a few items for their “all about me” projects. The students stood up in front of the classroom and told the class all about some of their favorite things from home. The students enjoyed learning a little bit more about their friends. Some even found some similarities between their friends' toys and the toys they have at home. What a super fun day!

Ms. Ament's seventh grade science classes at Memorial Middle School have welcomed one of their class pets! The students have adopted a cow this year. Her name is Paisley. The classes are working in conjunction with Discover Dairy in this venture. Updates about Paisley will be received approximately every two weeks and have the ability to participate on Zoom call with the farm and cow periodically.

To mark Unity Day, students throughout the District wore orange to show their solidarity against bullying. Unity Day, the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month, has been recognized in the U.S. since 2011. To participate, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent students from being bullied. Shown above are some Beatrice Gilmore School fourth graders showing their support.

Ms. Tonti’s first graders at Charles Olbon School observed Week of Respect and School Violence Awareness Week. The class read Spookley the Squared Pumpkin and learned special lessons: never judge a book by its cover and it is important and better to work together as a team. The children enjoyed completing a special family project, decorating their very own unique pumpkin. The students also sang songs about respect and unity. This first grade bunch is really demonstrating what it means to be a part of a school community by working together and helping one another when help is needed.

The Woodland Park Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism & Drug Abuse is again sponsoring a District-wide door decorating contest for Red Ribbon Week next week. Ms. Parker's class at Memorial Middle School is working together as a class to create their “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free" door. Their theme is "don’t get spun up in drugs."

Congratulations to four of our Passaic Valley Junior Hornets teams, who received awards for bringing home championships. The 10U squad captured the Continental North U.S. Amateur Baseball League Summer Championship. The 11U squad captured the Continental Metro U.S. Amateur Baseball League Summer Championship. The 13U squad captured the Central North U.S. Amateur Baseball League Spring Championship. The 14U squad captured the Spring Central Northeast U.S. Amateur Baseball League Championship. This program has brought three towns together for the benefit of real competition, building sportsmanship, and feeding a high school program for future success.

Congratulations to our eighth grade Totowa Tigers football players and cheerleaders, who were honored at the homecoming game last Saturday.

Memorial Middle School's House System is running a Halloween bracelet sale during lunch periods. Bracelets are $1 and all proceeds go toward the House System.

Memorial Middle School Home & School Association is running a Nothing Bundt Cakes fundraiser. Please print the form out and send in checks payable to Memorial HSA or cash in an envelope marked "Bundt Cake Sale" to school. Individual bundtlets are $6.50. Eight-inch cakes are $31 and 10-inch cakes are $10. Feature flavor is pumpkin spice. The last day to order is Nov. 11 (no exceptions). Cakes will be available for pick up on Nov. 22 at 15 Westerholt Ave.

The Memorial Middle School 8th Grade Dance Committee is holding a WP fleece pants fundraiser. This is not approved spirit wear. It cannot be worn to school. Cost is $30. Show your pride in your school by wearing these pants while also supporting the committee in their goal to make the class of 2023’s formal a success! Any questions, contact Trish at wpmemorialclassof2023@gmail.com or 201-452-9212.

Memorial Middle School's 8th Grade Dance Committee is running a community discount card fundraiser. The reusable card is $20 each and offers a year's worth of savings to all your local favorites. You’ll be sure to save much more than $20 from using your card. Discount cards also make great gifts! To order a card, contact Trish at wpmemorialclassof2023@gmail.com or 201-452-9212

The Beatrice Gilmore School Home & School Association is running a spirit wear sale through Oct. 31. To shop the sale, click here.

Registration for the Woodland Park Municipal Alliance Against Alcoholism & Drug Abuse's Trick or Trunk on Halloween, Oct. 31 will open on MONDAY, Oct. 24. Registration is online only and will be done here.

Registration is limited to the first 500 children and/or closes on Oct. 28 (whichever comes first.). The cost to attend is one bag of candy per family. Candy should be individually wrapped; no loose candy is accepted. This event is for Woodland Park residents only.

Registration for volunteer trunks (only) is still open. The Alliance would love to add more vehicles to the event. To sign up to be a volunteer trunk, email your name and phone number to wptrunks@gmail.com as soon as possible.

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, Oct. 22, 11 a.m. - Legomania for all ages. Register here.

Monday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - Bouncing Babies story time program for ages one to 23 months and a caregiver. Register here.

Monday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - Weigh To Go no judgment weight loss sharing group. Share stories, tips, and struggles, or just listen. Register here.

Monday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. - Yoga & Meditation. Let your problems go and relax with us in the Community Room in Borough Hall. Register here.

Monday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. - Dungeons & Dragons for sixth to 12th grade. New and experienced players are welcome. Register here.

Monday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. - ESL/ELL Conversation Club. Register here.

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. - Pajama Story Time. Join Miss Sara for bedtime stories. Pajamas are encouraged. This event is for the whole family. Register here.

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. - Chit Chat Club. Bring your children to story time and then sit out in the main library to "chit chat" with other parents. Register here.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 4 p.m. - Picture Bingo for grades K to 4. Register here.

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join in to work on a craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 27, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit Exercise Class. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water to hydrate. A health waiver needs to be completed prior to the program. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. - Spice of the Month Club. Pick up a packet at the Library with a spice, recipe, and the history of the spice. Then meet on the last Thursday evening of the month to discuss your findings. Register here.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m. - Coffee and ... Looking for a friend or someone to chat with? Stop by the library, have a cup of coffee, and...Bring a friend or make some friends! Register here.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 4 p.m. - Fairy Story Time With Judy Toma. Join Judy Toma, the author of "Twinkle Fairies," for a magical story time with coloring, stickers, and more. Learn about the importance of diversity and kindness to animals, the environment, and others. Aimed at ages 3 to 5. Register here.

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. - Teen Advisory Board meeting, for grades 6 to 12. Members have the opportunity to share ideas for library programs, help decide what to add to the collection, promote the library's role in the community, and more. Snacks will be provided. Register here.

Friday, Nov. 4, 11 a.m. - Lunch & Movie. Join in for lunch and a movie. For adults only. The movie title will be announced. Register here.

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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