Wemrock Brook School Highlights from December

The following highlights are submitted by Irene Policastro, the Secretary to Superintendent John J. Marciante of the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District.

Crystal the Penguin Visits Wemrock
On Dec. 5 students at were treated to a visit from Jenkinson’s Aquarium. A special visitor, Crystal, walked around our gymnasium and gave students and staff an opportunity to see close up what a penguin is really like. The lesson featured African Penguins who like warm weather, but cold water. Imagine a gym full of students having to remain quiet so that their visitor wouldn’t be scared and run back into her cage. Teachers and students alike were so impressed. We learned about the penguin wedding, their bones being hollow, and their feathers being small. Penguin wings help with their swimming, but not flying. Crystal, who is full grown, weighed close to 5 pounds. But not all penguins are small, as the emperor penguin could weigh over 100 lbs. One last bit of trivia, did you know that penguins are only found south of the equator? Thank you Wemrock Brook PTA for an assembly to remember!

Holiday Happenings
First grade students had a great time traveling around the world. Students gave presentations while dressed in the clothing to represent the country studied in their homeroom. They traveled with their passports in hand to each “country” represented to learn about holiday traditions across the globe.

Students and staff of Wemrock Brook School participated in a community project sponsored by Child Study Team members Mrs. Cerretani and Mrs. Macaluso, as well as Ms. Wolfe, school counselor. Children of need who attend our school and district received presents for the holidays. It was heart-warming to see the outpouring of generosity. What a great experience for the students!

Members of the Wemrock Brook School Choir helped spread holiday cheer while welcoming staff and students in the front foyer, as they performed a selection of holiday songs on the morning of Friday, Dec 23. The staff was in their pajamas sipping hot chocolate and caroling to join in the holiday fun. Making holidays special for the elderly was also enjoyable for our young WB choir students who visited Pine Brook Care Center to sing several holiday selections. Thank you Mrs. Bischof, choir director, for organizing this event. What a wonderful way to kick off the final day of school before the winter recess!

Ms. Cohen and Mr. Muhler directed the students of and in an evening of musical entertainment. Ms. Cohen is the orchestra director, and she worked with students presenting holiday arrangements on the violin, viola and cello. Mr. Muhler, band director, had over 30 students performing holiday favorites such as Winter Wonderland and Chanukah Suite. Congratulations to all the students and their parents for a job well done!

Paws 4 Pals
Wemrock Brook is working hard to be bully free. Ms. Wolfe, Wemrock Brook’s replacement counselor, has begun a new program with her PAL’s. A Peer Assistance Leader (PAL) is a fourth or fifth grade student who acts as a role model demonstrating good character and is bully free. Students who do a good deed, demonstrate good character, show respect or are being outstanding Wemrock Brook students can be nominated for this award. Once Ms. Wolfe accepts the nomination, a PAW with the child’s name on it will be placed on the bulletin board outside the guidance office. Paws 4 Pals is a fun way to show pride in our school.

Mathemagical Bulletin Board
Students in Ms. Ruggiano’s BSI math classes created a bulletin board entitled It's a Mathemagical, Wonderful World. A wintery scene depicts tangram animals, fir trees showing patterns, a snowman with a spinner, and tissue paper snow. Students created questions for their classmates to ponder, which included topics such as geometric shapes, probability, possible outcomes and area. Answers to the questions will be revealed in March, just before they begin their next seasonal display.