Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 12, 2013 Franklin Lakes Students build wall to commemorate anniversary by Frank J. McMahon The students at Woodside Avenue School in Franklin Lakes recently commemorated the K-5 school’s 40th Anniversary by creating a permanent tile wall installation. The school’s Parent Teacher Association partnered with art teacher Noelle Salzano to create the tile wall, which displays the students’ artwork. Salzano worked with the children to create a variety of mandalas, which are artistic designs, typically round, meant to reflect wholeness, that are fired onto the tiles. The children’s parents were invited to purchase the tiles with their children’s artwork for the wall. The wall contains 245 tiles that are grouped by grade, with the kindergarten tiles at the base of the wall and the fifth grade tiles at the top. Late last month, the school held an unveiling during the school’s Annual Art Show. Donna Fitteron and Rebecca Rund chaired the event. Rund, who is the president of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, said, “The children have been incredibly excited and proud to see their artwork displayed on this special wall and are thrilled to know it is now a permanent part of our building.” The Woodside Avenue School is located on a winding country road in the northeastern portion of the borough and its website states that “its warm, inviting appearance reflects the supportive team approach espoused by its 65 highly committed and highly skilled professional staff which utilizes the most effective teaching strategies to accomplish these goals.” The school serves approximately 300 students grades K-5, including two special education classes. The school administration proudly states, “Once within its walls, one immediately senses the commitment to providing a positive learning environment for its stu- Woodside Avenue School art teacher Noelle Salzano with some of her art students in front of the tile wall recently installed at the school. dents; one in which individual differences are paramount in the development of age-appropriate activities, and in which students develop the tools to become self-sufficient, life-long learners.” According to the school’s administration, technology continues to be a major focus at Woodside where, in addition to computers in the classroom, there are 75 laptops (continued on page 22)