A monthly e-newsletter to keep you connected to your District

february 2019

FAMILY ADVISORY

We are committed to safeguarding the physical and emotional well-being of our students. As such, we want to inform you of the latest series of online challenges that has resurfaced targeting youth called The Momo Challenge.

It is essentially “played” over a social media platform, where the player enters into an online conversation that involves following directions to complete challenges that can include self-harm and even suicide. While evidence of the disturbing behaviors of the game are limited, the coverage has understandably caused concern for the well-being of our children.

According to experts, although the challenge appears to be more fear than fact, it’s important for parents to talk to their children.

Parents can ask their child whether they have seen anything online that has upset or worried them, and explain that there are often things that happen online that can be misleading or frightening and that some things are solely designed to get a lot of attention.
Parents should review the online safety and security features on their child’s devices. With many students having online access on their own devices, parents are strongly encouraged to be proactive and foster an atmosphere of openness and transparency about their child’s online activity.

These digital venues are blocked on school devices and there are no reported interactions with this “challenge” in our district; however, we feel that it is important to share information to help build awareness and keep our children safe. Our staff are prepared to address any concerns that may arise from students who are exposed to disturbing experiences on their personal devices. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school if you or your child require any assistance.

EXCAVATION & SOIL/WATER TESTING

Since the start of the new year, the Middle School expansion broke ground and the district has been working with the contractor to excavate the site for preparation of the footings. Given the presence of the ‘historic fill’ placed on the site to convert it from a football field in the past to the school property it is today, included in the work is the required management of the soil in accordance with the Site Remediation Reform Act.

Soil testing yielded results that indicated the presence of Benzo(a)pyrene, a common historic fill compound, at a level slightly above NJDEP Standards. The engineering (geotechnical) properties of the fill soils have also been determined to be unsuitable for foundation support in limited areas of the planned excavation. The soil management program will involve removal of at least some of the historic fill soil from the site for disposal at an off-site facility. This requires that we retain the services of an LSRP (Licensed Site Remediation Professional) to oversee the management of the historic fill to comply with NJDEP requirements. There is no imminent threat to public health and safety and these steps are required by the Site Remediation Reform Act to make sure it stays that way. The cost for the LSRP-related services will be paid for out of bond proceeds.

Additionally, based upon groundwater tests that were conducted on the site, the LSRP concluded that the results do not present any concerns.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

The district continues to meet regularly with the contractor to respond to requests for information and assess the progress of the project so that we remain on track for a timely completion. In addition, the district is seeking to retain the services of a construction management firm to provide oversight to the district, architect and general contractor until the completion of the project. The cost for construction management services will be paid for out of bond proceeds.

LOOKING AHEAD

The surveyor will stake out select column lines that the concrete contractor will utilize to layout footings and piers. The general contractor will continue to excavate footings, furnish and place a stone bed, and employ insulating blankets to protect subgrade from freezing. Concurrently, work will begin to excavate and install a new underground sanitary line.

Don't forget to check our WRMS Expansion portal to check out the latest photos added to our image gallery.

FEBRUARY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

At the public meeting on February 28, 2019, the meeting featured Student of the Month recognitions, display of artwork by some of our HS students, as well as a full Board budget planning work session. During the special public report portion of the meeting, the 2017-2018 District Audit was presented by Robert Haag of Lerch, Vinci, & Higgins, LLP confirming that the district earned an unmodified audit opinion which represents the highest possible rating.

Click HERE to view the agendas for our meetings of the Board of Education.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

March 14, 2019 at 7:30 PM: The meeting will include a mid-year progress report by the Superintendent of the 2018-19 District Goals and Strategic Plan as well as the adoption of the preliminary budget for the 2019-2020 school year to be submitted to the Bergen County Office of Education for review.

March 28, 2019 at 7:30 PM: The meeting will include a presentation of student artwork, student of the month and winter season athletics recognitions.

In accordance with NJ's Open Public Meetings Act, the agenda for the meeting will be available on our website on at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Click HERE to view all our agendas.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Middle School and Jr/Sr High School

Jr/Sr High School: Mia LaSala and Nicholas Goetz

Middle School: Michael Burry and Hailey Nicholson

Student Representatives Report

Each month at our public meeting of the Board of Education, our HS student representatives, Gabriella Dunay and Kaavya Muthuraman, report out on the exciting news and activity taking place at our Jr/Sr High School. Here's what they reported this month:

2/28 BOE Meeting

Click HERE to view an archive of the 2018-19 student representative reports from the Jr/Sr High School.

STUDENT ARTWORK ON DISPLAY

Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School Grade Art students, under the direction of Lynda Panno: Gabriella Fonde (8), Mia La Sala (8), Genevieve Losquadro (8), Mia Marinkovic (8), Erin Morrison (8), Eugene O'Dell (8), Tyler Perrino (8), Dimitri Pothos (8), Celeste Reyes (8), Matthew Ryan (8), Olivia Sciancalepore (8), Marcus Shim (8), Conner Sklavounos (8), Steven Tamayo (8), Ava Van Auken (8)

No new Board policies were approved at this meeting, however, any policies currently under review by the full Board can found here and ALL final policies and regulations can be found on the district website under the Board of Education drop down menu.

Liz lavin

Washington Elementary School

SCHOOL SECRETARY

When interviewing for a position at Washington School in 2013, Mrs. Lavin shared that “it was her dream to be an elementary school secretary”. After spending over twenty years volunteering in her own children’s schools, and her youngest soon graduating from high school, Mrs. Lavin couldn’t bear the thought of no longer spending time with children on a regular basis. To those of us who work with her every day, this is no surprise! Mrs. Lavin’s love of children is evident by watching her daily interactions with students and parents in a caring and supportive manner.

Mrs. Lavin brings a positive energy and exuberance to the Washington School office each and every day. She is completely dependable and takes great pride in what she does. Mrs. Lavin’s ability to handle tasks efficiently and correctly is a tremendous benefit to our school. She brings new meaning to the word multi-tasker! Mrs. Lavin is a lifelong learner; few things make her more excited than mastering a new skill, particularly when it is technology related. Her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and “above and beyond” mentality are evident to any individual who steps foot in Washington School main office.

Mrs. Lavin is one of those special individuals who thrive on helping others and solving problems, no matter how big or small. She has the uncanny

You are cordially invited ...

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

2018-2019 upcoming dates

March

14: Board of Education Meeting (Adoption of Preliminary Budget)
28: Board of Education Meeting

April

15-19: District Closed
25: Board of Education Meeting (Annual Budget Hearing)

School Calendar 2018-2019.pdf

2019-2020 SCHOOL CALENDAR

At the January 17, 2019 meeting, the Board approved the school calendar for 2019-2020. The calendar is attached for your reference and can be found on the district website, here, along with the NJ Department of Education list of religious holidays permitting student absence from school.