January Newsletter

WMS Spelling Bee 2026

Congratulations to the WMS school community on another terrific year of participation in the spelling bee program!  In December, the entire middle school participated in the first stage of the spelling bee by taking a 10-word spelling quiz during their first-period classes. The performance was so excellent that 17 students were invited to take a 2nd spelling quiz to compete for the opportunity to participate in our final bee. Of those students, nine with the highest possible score decided to participate in the next level of the competition, the school-wide Waldwick Middle School Spelling Bee. The finalists included (from left) eighth-graders Dominic Marquis, Michael Rispoli, Max Bussi, Isak Mathew, Hannah Cha, Leah Coban, Jordan Pressler, Irene Lim, and sixth-grader Marcus Ronquillo. These nine finalists competed to spell the most words correctly during the 2026 Waldwick Middle School Spelling Bee, held on January 8, 2026.  

The Spelling Bee was held as an assembly in the multi-purpose room, attended by the entire middle school student body and the participants' families. Kudos to all of the participants for showing impressive courage and grace under pressure while spelling increasingly challenging words from Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary. Special congratulations are in order for our second-place winner, Isak Mathew (eighth-grade), and our 2026 WMS Spelling Bee Champion, Hannah Cha (eighth-grade). Our champion, Hannah, will be moving on to the North Jersey Spelling Bee held at Bergen Community College on March 10, 2026.  

Congratulations and good luck!

Math

In Ms. Vesper’s and Mrs. Fitzgerald’s first-period Math classes, we are currently working on multiplying and dividing decimals. We practice learning the rules of both, and then we practice plugging the numbers properly into a calculator. We also discussed the importance of checking our work and making sure we have the proper number of numbers behind a decimal in regard to money. We will be having our Chapter 2 unit test soon and moving on to Chapter 3. 

In Mrs. Varcadipane’s and Ms. Vesper’s other Math classes, we are learning what an integer is and how they work. We also learned about absolute value and how distance is never a negative number. We started graphing on the coordinate plane and are remembering that when graphing, it’s always the x coordinate first, then the y coordinate.

Reading

Mrs. Del Piano’s classes are in their synthesizing nonfiction unit. They will be reading multiple articles on the same topic to gain a better overall understanding. Additionally, the classes studied documentaries and the different features used to convey the main idea.

In Miss Hartmann’s Reading class, students are working on a nonfiction unit. The class has been learning how to break down and analyze texts for a deeper understanding of real-life topics. They have also been working on determining the main idea of texts, as well as identifying supporting details that provide evidence for the main idea.

Language Arts

In Mrs. Fitzgerald’s class, students have been working on their realistic fiction stories. Students explored what defined realistic fiction through a variety of media before creating their own definition, which was then used to help guide them in flash-drafting their own story. Over the last month, students learned the different types of figurative language with their prior knowledge from Reading and practiced adding it into their own stories. Lastly, students have continued to reinforce their skills by practicing their IXL skills, and we look forward to applying their newfound knowledge to their vocabulary project in the next month. 

Enrichment

During part one of our Justice and Fairness unit, students presented their Mock Trials in class, demonstrating an understanding of our constitutional rights and the importance of the adversarial process in situations outside of the law.  On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, students learned the importance of Dr. King’s belief in non-violence and its significance in the Civil Rights Movement. In addition, students learned the importance of people understanding and exercising their constitutional rights.

Global Studies

Students rang in the New Year by finishing our unit on hunter-gatherer societies. Classes watched segments of a film called Alpha, a historical fictional tale about a young boy living in Europe 20,000 years ago who domesticated the first wolf! Classes were amazed to see the world of the hunter-gatherers brought to life! Currently, students are finishing off the unit on hunter-gatherer societies by completing a choice project. Student choices varied quite a bit, but this year, 3D models using clay and model magic were very popular. Other choices included posters, board games, coding games using ‘Scratch’, and even the website Canva to make presentations and newspapers! Moving forward, classes will be studying the Agricultural Revolution to learn more about the transition from hunting and gathering to the modern world.

Spanish

Students demonstrated understanding and knowledge of all the material during the Spanish cycle. They also learned about countries and capitals of Spanish speakers. Students located the correct country on each of the maps given.  Students also demonstrated their speaking skills as they presented a mini biography of themselves.

Full STEAM Ahead

In Full STEAM Ahead, we ended Quarter 2 with the "Water Water Everywhere" unit! We learned about water conservation practices, how water is treated in our communities, and how to construct a DIY water filter! Additionally, we were introduced to the pH scale and the differences between acids and bases. We learned about the strength of acids, and we tested the pH of unknown solutions with litmus paper.

Art Appreciation

In sixth-grade Art Appreciation, the students just completed their unit on the element of value by creating a self-portrait in the style of Tim Burton. Students learned about using a grayscale to color their portraits, creating shadows with black and dark gray and highlights with white and lighter shades of gray. We looked at the work of Tim Burton as well as black and white photography to see how visual form and color value are created with simple shades of gray, black, and white.

Pre-Algebra Apps

This month in Mrs. Brennecke’s and Mrs. O’Brien’s Pre-Algebra classes, students focused on ratios, rates, and proportions. They learned how to compare quantities using ratios, find unit rates (such as miles per hour or cost per item), and solve proportions to determine missing values. Students practiced applying these skills to real-world situations, including word problems involving prices, distances, and scale models. Through class activities, guided practice, and problem-solving exercises, students strengthened their ability to reason mathematically and explain their thinking. These concepts are an important foundation for future topics in algebra and real-life decision-making.

This month in Mrs. O’Brien’s Honors Math class, students completed their unit on linear equations. They explored different forms of equations, including slope-intercept and standard form, and learned how each form represents a line. Students practiced graphing linear equations by identifying slope and y-intercept, creating tables of values, and interpreting graphs. They also worked on recognizing relationships between equations, tables, and graphs to deepen their understanding of how linear models represent real-world situations. Through class discussions, guided practice, and problem-solving activities, students strengthened their ability to analyze patterns, make connections between representations, and explain their mathematical reasoning. These skills provide a strong foundation for future work in algebra and higher-level problem solving.

Mr. Kelly’s Pre-Algebra class has spent the month of January still hard at work on the unit on expressions and equations. The students have learned how to evaluate and combine linear expressions and have kicked it into high gear, learning how to write and solve one-step equations using all four operations. They have also learned how they can create and solve equations from everyday situations. We will continue honing this important skill as we move on to solving two-step equations.

Life Science

Ms. Runz’s and Ms. D’Amato’s Life Science classes are continuing our unit on cells and life. We discovered why we have trillions of small cells and how they work efficiently to keep us alive. Additionally, students learned about the process of cell division, enabling them to collaborate with one another to create their own model of the cell cycle and mitosis. Next, we moved into how the shape of cells influences their function, and how this lends itself to cells, tissues, and organs working together to form organ systems. 

Reading

In Ms. Gallagher’s and Ms. Magner's Reading classes, students took a brief pause from their core novel study to explore A Christmas Carol. Students examined key themes and ideas from the text before returning to complete their A Long Walk to Water unit. As they wrap up this unit, students are also studying Roald Dahl’s works, including "Lamb to the Slaughter" and his spin on "Little Red Riding Hood", to strengthen their skills in making inferences and synthesizing ideas across texts. Through close reading and discussion, students are learning how authors imply meaning and how readers combine information to deepen their understanding.

In Mr. Kelly’s Reading class, the students practiced their skills of identifying appropriate text evidence and using it to respond to a question/prompt. We then began reading the novel A Long Walk to Water.  The students have been very engaged in this parallel story about a refugee and a young girl living years apart during the tumultuous times in South Sudan. We have been using the story to develop the students' close reading skills.

Language Arts

In Mrs. Edreos’ and Ms. Gallagher's Language Arts classes, students are working on the completion of their literary analysis essay. After analyzing texts, planning, and writing, students are in the final stages of the writing process. Working together, students are editing, revising, and proofreading their own work as well as their partners. Collaboratively, students are reading their writing to their partners and discussing the positives as well as what can be improved upon. After all the hard work on this assignment, the students are proud of their final pieces and are ready to move on to a project related to the topic.

Beginning of the US & Civics

Students in Mr. Immitt’s Early US History class are just finishing up the War of 1812 period. Ahead will be the beginnings of industrialization and many interesting inventions. Along the way, we will also be working on an RST dealing with the 8th Amendment. I’m proud of the progress this group has made this year.

Spanish

In Senora Barrios’s class, we learned about “gustar” (to like). Students created a song using the verb “gustar” with classes they like and activities they like to do. Students mastered this objective very well, and we are moving forward to writing letters and emails. Our next project is to write a letter to their pen pal about what they do in their classes and what they need to do to get good grades. Students will be working in pairs to build language proficiency. 

Medical Detectives

In Medical Detectives, we finished the quarter with a sheep’s brain dissection! All students learned the proper technique for lab dissections with a scalpel. We finished learning about the nervous system and how the brain is the control center for all we do! 

Financial Fitness

In Financial Fitness, we just finished the second marking period, and we ended by completing our last project, which involved balancing a bank account. Balancing a bank account had us making deposits and withdrawals, and making sure we paid our rent and taxes for the month. We discussed how important it is to keep track of all the money you spend so you have a good understanding of how much money is going out and coming in each month.

Art Appreciation

In seventh-grade Art Appreciation, we are learning about the 1960’s art movement Op Art. Op art, short for optical art, is a style of visual art that uses optical illusions. Op art works are abstract, with many better-known pieces created in black and white. Typically, they give the viewer the impression of movement, hidden images, flashing and vibrating patterns, or swelling or warping. To demonstrate what they learned, the students are creating Op Art cubes. They had to pick six different op art patterns to complete, carefully measuring and coloring each pattern. Once the drawing and coloring are complete, we will cut out our cubes and fold them into a 3D cube.

Exploring Food & Nutrition

Chef Lafferty’s class has been quite busy, specifically transitioning from the Nutrition and Healthy Cooking Unit and turning their attention to Cooking and Baking Basics. In the Nutrition and Healthy Cooking Unit, the students learned what calories are, how many calories they each need based on their individual inputs of specific information, and how much of each of the five food groups they should be eating on a daily basis. Within the Cooking and Baking Unit, the students have learned the similarities and differences between different cooking techniques and how to make food more flavorful. Recent food lab projects include making pasta with tomato sauce, oatmeal, French toast, and chocolate chip cookies. Within Baking Basics, the students reviewed the “hows and whys” of baking and the importance of knowing what specific ingredients provide to the recipe.

Algebra

Students have been working on Chapter 4: Graphing and Writing Linear Equations. We took time to review the seventh-grade topic of Direct Variation and Proportional Relationships before expanding to equations that start at values other than zero. Students have made use of our magnetic graphs to share their work and discuss solutions to classwork problems. Another activity that we did was looking at multiple ways of representing linear relationships, in the form of tables, graphs, stories, and equations. Students worked in groups where they were given limited information. They used that information to fill in the other boxes. They put their answers on the boards for their classmates to check.

In Ms. Vesper’s and Ms. Hartmann’s Algebra Concepts class, we are currently working on finding measurements of angles in parallel lines cut by a transversal. We are also learning how to measure angles in a triangle and a polygon.  We discussed the different polygons and what they mean, and we also discussed how many sides each of the different polygons has. We will be out of this chapter soon and moving to Chapter 4, which has a lot about slope.

After wrapping up Formulas and Functions in Algebra Honors, students started their unit on systems of equations. We use the methods of graphing, substitution, and elimination to solve various types of problems. After the graphing method, students completed an activity using cups and chips in which they used these manipulatives to build problems and model how to solve them. This helped students to understand how equations work together, and how to manipulate and make changes to equations to make them easier to solve. A picture is below of students working on the activity.

Physical Science

In Ms. Vacchiano’s Science class, students have been learning about different types of waves. Students have been discovering the properties and characteristics of waves. With the help of a couple of different simulations, students learned how to measure wavelength and amplitude and how to calculate the speed of transverse waves. 

Language Arts

In Ms. Gallagher’s Language Arts class, students have recently completed their Genre Study unit and are now transitioning into an Information and Research Study. In this unit, students are learning how to gather, evaluate, and synthesize research from multiple sources. They are organizing their findings and presenting their information by creating a Google website, allowing them to practice both research skills and digital literacy. Through this project, students are strengthening their ability to communicate information clearly and effectively in an engaging, real-world format.

Spanish

In Mrs. Wohlberg’s class, students learned about fashion and famous Hispanic fashion designers. They are currently presenting their fashion project to the class. They learned vocabulary and grammar to describe clothes and talk about what they wear. They learned the uses and forms of the verbs "saber" and "conocer" (to know), demonstrative adjectives, and indirect object pronouns. Next, they will be learning how to use the preterite tense to talk about past events.

Creative Coding

Throughout the second marking period, the class has gone from not knowing how to make a shape on the screen to being able to create interactive animations. This month, we did a greeting card-themed project, some lessons on creating interactives, and went right into the final project: a video game. Knowing the whole semester we were working up to this, the students were extremely excited and did a great job!

The third marking period of students began learning some technology basics, such as different careers that use programming, and the basics of computer components. We’ve also had the opportunity to do some self-contained mini lessons, which have included “Hello World: Food”, teaching students to use the block system in Code.org, and debugging a sports game to understand how code makes movements. In the upcoming weeks, we are moving into learning about coding basic shapes and using sprites (characters and props).

Technology/Manufacturing

Mr. Blatt’s second marking period students have studied the engineering design process, practiced engineering drawing techniques, and applied their newly learned skills in a team project. They learned shop and tool safety procedures and completed their final projects: wooden toys. They drew the plans and selected wood in the woodshop. They measured, cut, glued, cut again, sanded, nailed, and screwed wood together. They finished by painting or sanding their projects. The projects are based on student designs and are extremely varied. They are happy to show off their products created with newly acquired skills. 

Art Appreciation

In eighth-grade Art Appreciation, the students finished up the marking period by learning about Triptychs in art. A triptych historically was found in religious works of art that consisted of three panels hinged together that could be opened and closed, and easily transported and set up on the altar of a church setting. The modern triptych is now any known series of three paintings, photographs, or drawings that are meant to be displayed as a single work of art. Students created a triptych drawing on a single piece of paper, sectioned out into three frame-like boxes. They created one continuous work of art throughout the three frames. They were free to choose their own subject matter to draw.

In Mrs. Gutierrez’s Science class, students have been learning about the layers of the Earth. Students learned about the characteristics of each layer and used their knowledge to create 3D models of the Earth and its layers. Once finished, we cut the Earths open to see each layer of the Earth depicted in their model.

In November, each grade was given a popular science book to read throughout December. We are using these books to drive some STEM projects. By request, we have shifted the podcasts to an independent topic exploration - meaning students could explore whatever topic their group decides, rather than being limited by the books. 

ESP 8 went to their third Bergen Brain Busters meet. Each month, eight students (two teams of four) get to compete in academic trivia. We practice during some ESP periods. One of the teams (below) made it to the final face-off and ended in second place. We are so proud of them!

4-Team Volleyball.  Last unit before leaving for Health.

Art Club

Art Club is working on a project focused on neurographic watercolor art. Students were introduced to the process and techniques, including creating flowing line designs, and will be using watercolor to enhance patterns and shapes. We have just started this assignment and will continue developing and refining these artworks over the next couple of sessions.

Cooking Up A Storm

The students of Chef’s Cooking Up a Storm Cooking Club have begun the Winter session, learning about important kitchen skills, including food safety and sanitation. These specific skills include washing their hands correctly, cleaning dishes properly, and putting items such as equipment and ingredients back in their correct place. During the first cooking session, the students enjoyed popcorn with additional items like pasta, cookies, and waffles on the menu.

Chef Lafferty would like to thank those students who are in the club, as well as those who weren’t accepted due to a lack of seating and an overwhelming volume of sign-ups. 

Happy Cooking!

Chef Lafferty