CDW Weekly Wrap-Up

Just a reminder that the next Chick-fil-A lunch is on January 25th. Place orders on the OTPTO website by January 20th!

It's time for CDW Students to choose their Curriculum Extension (CE) choices for Marking Period 3. The forms will be open to students on Dr. Sullivan's Google Classroom on January 8, 2024 and will close on January 12, 2024. In addition, students will be able to sign up for Art Lunch.

Please see the descriptions of the possible CE choices below. We will do our best to get students into their first choice, but it is not guaranteed.

As we quickly approach the middle of the 2023-2024 school year, the teachers are preparing students for Mid-Year Benchmarks in all academic classes. Mid-Year Benchmarks have a variety of purposes for both the teachers and the students.

• Mid-Year Benchmarks assess students on their progress toward end-year goals.

• Mid-Year Benchmarks allow teachers to collect data on student progress and growth to use to prepare for future lessons.
• Mid-Year Benchmarks allow the students a chance to self-reflect on areas of improvement and create personal goals.
• Mid-Year Benchmarks will offer the teachers an opportunity to see what students have mastered and what will need to be re-taught.

How can your child(ren) prepare for Mid-Year Benchmarks?

• Ask questions in class.
• Review notes and previous assessment content.
• Stay positive!

Your child(ren)'s teachers will provide specific information about the benchmarks given in each class.

Students in Mr. Clark's Pre-Algebra and Algebra I classes and students in Ms. Reiser's Geometry class are scheduled to take mid-year benchmark assessments on Tuesday, January 9th. These assessments will offer students an opportunity to show what they have learned in their courses thus far. They also will offer the teachers an opportunity to see what students have mastered and what will need to be re-taught. The Algebra I mid-year assessment results are used to assist with placement decisions in Grade 9 at NVOT, and all students in the Valley will take the same assessment. Please be sure your child(ren) gets a good night's rest prior to this assessment.

Grade 7 students will take a Science Assessment on Wednesday, January 24th. This assessment is administered throughout the Northern Valley schools, and it gives the teachers an overview of students' scientific understandings to-date. The results from this mid-year Science Assessment will be used to assist with placement decisions next year, when we course plan for our eighth graders going into NVOT.

Never know what to read next? Mrs. Melillo will be posting daily Book Talks on the OTBN classroom- a digital poster with a new book recommendation. Each day will be a theme. See below!

Today, January 5th, the Grade 8 band students attended NVOT for Instrumental Music Day! The event was facilitated by the high school's instrumental music staff. It was a full day of artistic collaboration and exploration. To end the day, the CDW students were able to perform alongside the High School Ensemble. Thank you to NVOT for providing this opportunity and for Mrs. Vetrero stepping in for Mr. Rosolanko and attending with the students.

Students in Mr. Johnson’s sixth grade science class built towers out of pipe cleaners today. The tallest freestanding tower won, but it had to be able to withstand seismic waves with the magnitude of 3.0, 6.0, and 9.0 on the Richter scale.

CDW will be hosting Brian Greco, a licensed Clinical Social Worker, on Tuesday, February 6th at 7:00 PM in the Lynch Gym to discuss "Maintaining Analog Values in the Digital Age." See the flyer below for specific details.

Membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Charles DeWolf Middle School is open to any seventh grade student who meets all the membership requirements at the end of the third marking period in 2024.

During the final days of April, 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 14, 2024 (subject to change).

8th Grade Information:

On January 2nd, you should have received an email to schedule your child’s high school conference. HERE is the link to the SignUpGenius. These meetings will take place at CDW from January 31- February 6, 2024, between the hours of 8:40 AM - 3:00 PM. One counselor from Northern Valley Old Tappan will also be in attendance to answer any questions. You also should have received an email from NVOT with important information regarding registering your child(ren) for NVOT, which needs to be completed by January 15th.

Reminders for All Grades:

Wellness Wednesday lunches:

Grades 5 and 6 lunch with Ms. Adamo is in room 414.

Grades 7 and 8 lunch with Dr. Polizotto is in room 308.

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.

Boys' Basketball

The boys' basketball team improved their record to 7 and 0 with a 70-53 win over Norwood on Wednesday. Moose Etter led all scorers with a season high of 19 points. Matt Kosmark continued his streak of double-doubles with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Kyle Gagliano had a solid all around game with 14 points. Jake Totten added 8 points, and AJ Badurina chipped in 7 points.

Girls' Basketball

The CDW girls' basketball team had another great win against Norwood, beating them 49-28. Ava P. had an awesome game, scoring 4 points and getting 2 steals! Ava M. also played some major minutes, scoring 6 points and getting 5 rebounds! Tina led the team in points, scoring 10 points, with Lexi close behind scoring 8 points!

The girls also beat Closter on Thursday, January 4th to continue their winning streak! The entire team added a spark to the game!

Please see the Winter Sports schedule for Girls' Basketball and Boys' Basketball HERE.

Mrs. Henriquez will continue to run Intramurals on Fridays at 3:00 PM. The first sport is volleyball! If your child(ren) is interested, he/she can see Mrs. Henriquez with any questions. Inter-Scholastic Sports and Intramurals Information can be found HERE. If your child(ren) plans on doing intramurals at all throughout the year, please make sure that his/her paperwork has been handed in to Mrs. McCarthy, the school nurse.

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.

• Physical Examination Form to be filled out by your Physician
• Health History Forms -to be filled out by Parents

Concussion Management Guidelines

Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes

Please use these links to sign up to serve pizza at TBD and CDW from January 2024 to June 2024:

TBD Pizza

CDW Pizza

Every first Friday of the month, the Class of 2024 will be selling candy and ice pops at dismissal for an afternoon treat. Students in Grades 5-8 can go to the Lynch Gym to purchase their treat of choice! Treats will be between $1-3 and will include, but will not be limited to: lollipops, M&M's, Twizzlers, Gummy Bears, Sour Patch Kids, etc. See the flyer below for more information.

Dates of Sales: February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th

ATTENTION: 8th grade parents, please sign up HERE to volunteer for future Candy and Ice Pop Sales!

The first fundraiser was a success! The 8th Grade PTO Committee needs volunteers to help serve the Chick-fil-A lunches on the following dates:

January 25, 2024

March 14, 2024

Please use this link to sign up.

The CDW Spirit Wear store is available on OTPTO.org! The Long Term Store is open year round and orders are shipped directly to the purchaser. The Short Term Store will reopen in the spring.

Both stores offer different merchandise. Links are on OTPTO.org or see below:

LONG TERM: Charles DeWolf Middle School

If you would like to purchase a 2023-2024 Discount Card, visit the OT PTO website. Each card is $20.

On March 7, 2024, at the White Beeches Country Club, the PTO will be hosting a Denim and Diamonds Parents' Night Out! See the flyer for more information.

The PTO is looking for volunteers for the upcoming school year!

Volunteers play a huge part in the PTO and what we are able to offer our students and teachers. Without volunteers, many of the programs that students, teachers, and families enjoy will not be able to happen. Volunteer descriptions can be found at: OTPTO.org under "More Info" and then "Flyers."

If you have interest in joining the PTO Board, joining or running a committee, or just want to learn more- please reach out to the PTO by visiting OTPTO.org and selecting "Contact Old Tappan PTO" under the Help tab.

Safety is always our #1 priority at CDW. Water bottles spilling continuously are making the hallways and classrooms dangerous. We ask that your child has a cover on their water bottle or straw to prevent spills.

The link to the online newspaper can be found HERE. If any writers want to join the club, please see Mr. Johnson for more information!

The CDW Homework Club is offered to all students in Grades 5-8 and is FREE! Please sign your child up each week that you are interested!

If you would like to purchase insurance for your child(ren)'s school issued Chromebook, please refer to the information below, or you may purchase directly from smarttechinsurance.com/old-tappan.

New to our insurance policy this year is that all Chromebooks must be in cases or the insurance will not cover any claims.

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.

January

Thursday, January 11th~ AMC 8 Competition (for those who are registered only)

Monday, January 15th~ MLK, Jr. Day: PD Day for Staff; No School for Students

Thursday, January 25th~ PTO Chick-fil-A Special Lunch

Friday, January 26th~ Marking Period 2 Ends

Wednesday, January 31st~ Marking Period 2 Reports Cards are released in the Genesis Parent Portal at 12:00 PM.

​​​​​​​OT 2023-2024 Approved School Year Calendar

Instagram: cdw_middle

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/