August 22, 2011 Dear Parents, I hope this letter finds you relaxing and enjoying what only the summer months can offer with family and friends.  As we enter the last weeks of summer vacation and September approaches, a new school year is about to begin.  As an educator, I have always viewed September as a time of new beginnings, and this year it is especially true for me. As the new Principal of Woodcliff Middle School, I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and express what an honor it is to be part of such a strong and supportive community.  Woodcliff Lake has always been identified as a community that values education and its schools. As a result, our students have always proven to be high achievers, and I look forward to becoming part of a well-established learning community. Prior to joining Woodcliff Lake, I have served as a middle school principal, an assistant principal and a middle school teacher.  I now look forward to making the same personal and professional commitment that I have in the past to the Woodcliff Middle School.  Throughout my years as an administrator I have had the fortune of being part of effective learning communities that have been recognized for their achievements and I look forward to celebrating that same success with our students and teachers. At the middle school, the administration and the teachers will continue to work together to provide superior academic and social experiences for our students.  We are truly fortunate to have a dedicated and professional staff that works extremely hard to offer our students an outstanding education that will prepare them to be successful in their high school years and daily lives. In conjunction with the staff and middle school administration, I invite you to be a member of this partnership.  For our students to truly be successful we need to work closely on a daily basis to offer the most rewarding experiences possible.  I look forward to hearing from you and invite you to call, email or just stop by; my door is always open.  I look forward to working with you this year and seeing you in September. Sincerely, Jack E. Leonard Principal

To the Students and Parents:  All 6th, 7th & 8th grade students will report to the gym between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m. on September 7, 2011.   The staff at Woodcliff Middle School would like to welcome you to the 2011-2012 academic school year.  Our interesting programs enable students to see themselves as participants in one of the most exciting eras in history.  Woodcliff Middle School will continue to focus on strengthening students’ reading, writing, thinking, and problem solving skills.  Additional information pertaining to our school programs will be provided at Back-to-School Night which will be held on  September 21 at 7:00 p.m.   Parents should submit the following items electronically by the first day of school on September 7, 2011.    1.      Completed Emergency Information Form 2.      Completed Emergency Early Dismissal Form 3.      E-mail address 4.      LEP Survey 5.      Newspaper Release Form (one form per family) 6.      Language Diversity (New students only)   Please download the following items from the internet and bring them with you on the first day of school.   Reminder – We do not send home flyers!  All school information will be updated on our website.  Please register for pertinent weekly school information.   1.      Athletic Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form – Part A – Health History Questionnaire 2.      Athletic Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form – Part B – Physical Examination 3.       Authorization for Medications to be taken during Woodcliff School Hours   School supplies ordered will be available at Dorchester School on September 6, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Please pull your vehicle into the circle and your supplies will be delivered to your car.   REMINDER:  Periodic lice checks will be conducted.  Please have your child checked prior to entering school.   Learning with Dignity   “Learning with Dignity”, our school motto, is represented by an equilateral triangle.  The three sides symbolize teachers, parents, and students working together.  The three points signify pride, integrity, and respect.  The motto ensures that each child is afforded the opportunity to learn and succeed.  Our partnership will continue to encourage academic excellence and unity.  As Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”   Thank you for your continued involvement and support.   Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                             Jack E. Leonard - Principal