Hi Parents and Students,

Welcome to a new year of social studies in Dorchester Elementary School. I am excited to be starting my fifth year in Woodcliff Lake and to be including 1st grade in my lessons for the first time! I am also the staff advisor of our school newspaper, the Dorchester Voice.

Usually, “social studies” is associated with the study of “history” – but it is so much more than that. Social Studies is the study of human society, from geography to economics to politics and more. It opens the door to new cultures, amazing real-life stories, and a better understanding of who we are and what our goals are as individuals and a community.

In my classroom, the goal is to help students gain a better understanding of the world around them (and what came before them); skills that will allow them to recognize and analyze their environment both inside and outside the classroom (i.e., utilizing maps, how to identify and read a primary source); and finally, to share my love for social studies that will hopefully drive students to want to explore and learn well into the future.

Mr. O.

Please follow me and the Dorchester Voice Student Newspaper on instagram!

Social Studies Classroom Instagram: @wcl_mro_ssclass       

Dorchester Voice Student Newspaper @wcl_dorchestervoice

Fun Facts about Mr. O.!

1) I have three wonderful children a daughter (7 years old) and two sons (1 and 4 years old).

2) When I was 17, my parents took my sister and I on a six-week, 10,000 mile road trip across the country!

3) I am an Eagle Scout!

4) I played college hockey at Rutgers University!

5) I love the winter and the cold!

6) I love making things. Whether working in wood, leather, sewing or even horn! I also love making my own version of historic artifacts...

The object below is my recreation of a powder horn. I carved, etched and dyed the cowhorn, carved the wood plug and wove the strap. The only thing I didn't do was make the nails, but I hope to learn blacksmithing some day!