October 11, 2024
District Newsletter
Preakness in the early morning sun! Full of beauty and possibility - just like our staff and students!📸: PECC Principal Patricia Monaco
Wayne Township Board of Education Appoints Assistant Superintendent
The Wayne Township Board of Education is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Lauren Kazmark as Assistant Superintendent. She will assume her new position on December 2, 2024. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mark Toback, noted, “We are thrilled to have Dr. Kazmark join our central office team.” Dr. Kazmark began her teaching career in Woodland Park and then Paramus, after graduating from William Paterson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. She has taught all grades PreK-4. She returned to William Paterson University to earn a Masters in Education with a Reading Specialist certification, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Saint Elizabeth University. Click here for the full press release.
IMPORTANT DISTRICT DATES:
Tuesday, November 5: Students Off (Election Day) - Full Staff Inservice Day
Thursday, November 7 & Friday, November 8: Schools Closed for NJEA Convention
Review the District Calendar and add no-school and other important dates to your personal calendar!
SCHOOL EVENTS - Please join us and support our schools!
November 14, 15, 16: ANNIE - Wayne Valley HS Theatre Production. Purchase tickets now online: https://www.waynevalleyathletics.com/HTtickets
December 5: TREP$ Marketplace @ George Washington MS 6:30pm - 8:00pm
December 5, 6 & 7: OUR MS. BROOKS - Wayne Hills Theatre Production - (time & ticket purchase information tba)
December 17: WHHS Music Department Winter Concert
😜 Newsletter Riddle: What do you get when you drop a pumpkin? *answer at bottom
Week of R E S P E C T! 🤝
In NJ, the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act designates the week beginning with the first Monday in October (October 7-11, 2024) as the Week of Respect. The Week of Respect provides school districts with an opportunity to recognize the importance of social and emotional learning while placing emphasis on age-appropriate instruction that focuses on the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).
In Wayne, this week further supports the role of our School Climate Teams as they work to develop, foster and maintain a positive school climate for all of our students and staff. All 15 schools will participate in the Week of Respect with age appropriate activities designed to support a positive school environment.
Stand Up to Bullying
Lafayette Elementary
Lafayette Teachers wrote inspirational words for students. 2nd and 5th graders spent time reading together.
Brighten Up Others' Days
Packanack Elementary
Packanack Elementary School students being upstanders in blue and brightening someone's day in yellow.
Be Someone's Hero
Harvesting the Wayne Valley Environmental Club’s Bounty 🌼
In September, Wayne Valley High School celebrated a wonderful achievement in the Sophomore Square school garden. Students successfully harvested a variety of produce, including heirloom tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, peppers, and basil. Under the guidance of advisors, Mr. Jeff Blake and Ms. Sue-Anne Alonso, club members started the produce in pots last March, cleared an area of grass, spread topsoil, and then transplanted the plants. Additionally, the Environmental Club grew marigolds to assist with organic pest control, as part of their commitment to sustainable gardening practices. Members were pleased to take home the bounty they harvested!
Pines Lake Raises Money to Fight Childhood Cancer🦋
On Friday, September 27th, the Pines Lake school community joined together to spread kindness and help fight childhood cancer. Staff and students participated in a special charity pajama party to raise money for the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Pajamas are often the battle uniform of children fighting cancer during long hospital stays. They raised a grand total of $1,210!
Wayne Valley Ninth Grade Media Center Escape Room! 🧙♂️
In the months of September and October, Wayne Valley ninth graders participated in a media center orientation during their English classes. Media Specialist, Mrs. Erica Foster, organized an orientation lesson regarding the media center resources. Students learned how to utilize media center programs and subscriptions such as Destiny, Sora, the library databases, the media center website, the media center Canvas page, etc. After the lesson, students toured both levels of the media center, and many checked out newly released novels from the book displays. After the tour, students participated in an “escape room” utilizing materials from the website, BreakoutEdu. The ninth graders worked in teams to locate QR codes hidden around the library. Each code brought students to a question about the media center. If they answered the question correctly, they were brought to their next clue. After completing all 12 clues, one team emerged as the winners and won a prize! The media center escape room was a hit this year, and was a positive and educational experience for students, while becoming more familiar with library resources. Mrs. Foster hopes to continue this tradition next year with the incoming freshmen class!
Mrs. Klink and Thor: Animal-Assisted Therapy🐕🦺
Over the past year, SCMS teacher Mrs. Klink wrote as a contributor on the textbook, Animal-Assisted School Counseling. The textbook was recently published on June 19th, 2024. Mrs. Klink and her therapy dog, Thor, were featured as an animal-assisted therapy team. The textbook discusses ways that school staff members can partner with therapy animals to encourage student wellness and academic progress.
Wayne Hills Paraprofessional Receives Award🏆
Wayne Hills Paraprofessional, Gianna Mongelli was recently awarded the 2024 Rising Star award at the LaBlast LifeCon convention in Florida. Gianna is a part of LaBlast Fitness which includes the dances you see on Dancing with the Stars, created by Three Time World Champion Louis van Amstel. Aside from being a Paraprofessional, Gianna is an assistant supervisor for SDA and she choreographs the STARS dance for the SDA shows. This allows her to work with the awesome students from our Special Education program in a different way.
School Pets
Princess Leia, the Lafayette Bunny🐇
This is Princess Leia, Mrs. Agrati's kindergarten class bunny. She just turned four on September 26th. Leia loves to visit the students at their tables or when they read in their smart spots, and she especially loves when they share their snacks such as strawberries or bananas. When she thinks no one is watching, Leia tries to find ways to escape her pen. And while she is fast, in the spring we found out she is not faster then a turtle!
Valley Photo Wins Local Contest: Picture This! 📷
Wayne Lifestyle Magazine hosted its second annual student photography contest which was open to students in Wayne, Montville, Fairfield, and Towaco. This year more than 200 submissions were entered. Seven photos were awarded in two categories: straight photography and digital manipulation. Valley Photo won three of the seven awards!
Wayne Hills High School Trumpets🎺
Eight trumpet students from Wayne Hills performed TAPS at the Wayne Township 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Tuesday 9/11/24.
Turkey Trot
Support the Wayne Township Public School UNIFIED SPORTS and participate or donate to the 5K Turkey Trot on November 16, 2024.
Capturing memories, one square at a time.
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😜 Newsletter Riddle Answer: Squash🍁
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Location: 50 Nellis Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 USA
Phone: 973-633-3000
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Wayne Township School District | 50 Nellis Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 | 973-633-3000