HAS Weekly Update
November 6, 2025
Dear HAS Community,
Please take a moment to read the HAS Weekly Update.
Thank you.
Kevin Deacon
General Updates
- Tuesday, November 11, 2025 is a Single Session (Early Dismissal) day for Elementary Students ONLY. Middle School students will have a regular, full day of school.
- Picture retakes are on Thursday, November 13, 2025. If you want your child to retake their school picture, please complete this form.
- District Job Fair - Wednesday, November 12, 4:00 - 7:00 PM (Cranford Board of Education Offices)
- Coffee and Conversation with the New Superintendent of Cranford Schools - Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30 PM in the CHS Library and Learning Commons
- World Kindness Day - Thursday, November 13 (option to wear the color yellow to school)
- Family Academy Night - The Differences Between Conflict and Bullying - Thursday, November 13, 6:30 - 7:30 PM at Brookside Place School
- 6th Grade Social - Friday, November 14, 2025
- 7th Grade Social - Friday, November 21, 2025
Elementary School Information
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Single Session for Elementary Students ONLY
Single Session Schedule:
K - PM Class Only: 8:40am - 11:20am
Grades 1 - 5: 8:40am - 12:40pm
Middle School Information
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Regular FULL DAY Schedule for Middle School Students:
8:00am - 2:52pm
6th Grade Social
The 6th Grade Social, hosted by HAS PTA, is coming up on Friday, November 14th. In order for any student to attend, a registration and permission slip must be submitted.
You may complete that here: https://forms.gle/eGchLfbYmvT25wPa8.
7th Grade Social
The 7th Grade Social, hosted by HAS PTA, is coming up on Friday, November 21st. In order for any student to attend, a registration and permission slip must be submitted.
You may complete that here: https://forms.gle/L4S1VfYBDD1RVXwC6.
Middle School Yearbook
To purchase a middle school yearbook visit: yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 8666.
Important Dates
- Thursday, November 6, 2025 - No School - NJEA Convention
- Friday, November 7, 2025 - No School - NJEA Convention
- Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Elementary Single Session, Middle School Regular Day - Elementary Conferences in PM (PM Kindergarten Attends - No School for AM Kindergarten)
- Thursday, November 13, 2025 - Picture Retake Day
- Friday, November 14, 2025 - 6th Grade Social
- Friday, November 21, 2025 - 7th Grade Social
2025 - 2026 District Calendar: https://4.files.edl.io/e34e/02/14/24/143255-d4854c17-6270-4e61-ac0e-415e8c0a1db6.pdf
End of the Year Events
Kindergarten Stepping Up - Tuesday, June 16, 2026 @ 9:30am
Grade 5 Moving Up - Wednesday, June 17, 2026 @ 10:00am
Grade 8 Class Night - Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 7:00pm - CHS Auditorium
Hillside Happenings
In 7th Grade Applied Technology, students have been using Scratch to learn how to code. Following Scratch, the students applied their coding and troubleshooting skills to build Lego robots and then code them to complete specific tasks using motors, color sensors, distance sensors, and force sensors.
Counselor's Corner
Linked Article - https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-exercises/
PTA
SCIENCE FAIR
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy-g9NhKPU9pk3rZrQTuKVQKbabGyQ9Ht8MzCsPpxT3lsUXw/viewform
JOIN THE PTA
BOX TOPS-GET STARTED
BoxTops4Education.com
VARIETY SHOW CASTING CALL: PERFORMERS & DIRECTORS
VARIETY SHOW: MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Nurse Corner
As we enter flu season, good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses. Below are some additional tips to prevent the flu.
If your child exhibits any of the following: Fever, Vomiting/Diarrhea, Red eyes with crusting and drainage, Skin Rashes, Strep Throat, Head Lice (symptoms), please keep them home to avoid getting others sick. Absences may be reported via email at has-attendance@cranfordschools.org OR via phone 908.709.6983. If you have any questions on whether or not to send your child to school, please consult with your pediatrician or the school nurse.
Things To Do To Prevent The Flu
- -Avoid close contact when you are sick. Keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too!
- -Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
- -Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Our hands carry lots of germs, which can enter our bodies through many mucous membranes.
- -Stay home when you are sick. You will help others from catching your illness.
- -Wash your hands often. This will help protect you from germs.
- -Practice good health habits, such as being physically active, getting plenty of sleep, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food.
Gym Excuses
Gym Excuses
If your child is unable to participate in gym, a doctor's note is required. Please send all gym notes to the nurse first.
District Information
The Class of 2027 is excited to announce the Fall fundraiser in collaboration with Dreyer Farms! Proceeds will go towards the Senior prom.
Orders Dates: Monday, October 20-Wednesday, November 5
Pick Up: Tuesday, November 25 at CHS
There are a variety of delicious pies and loaves just in time for Thanksgiving.
Community News
Reminders
Grade 7 Fundraising
Dear K-6 and 8th-grade parents/guardians, The 7th grade is currently fundraising for this year's field trip to Broadway. Please consider supporting the 7th grade trip by purchasing popcorn from Poppin Popcorn. All purchases can be made using this link with the following Seller ID: 00799942. Fundraising ends Wednesday, 11/19/25. Please email Mr. Willey at willey@cranfordschools.org with any questions. The 7th grade greatly appreciates your support!
Building Use Requests
Cranford Public Schools building facilities use form.
Absences
If your child is absent for any reason, please call our absence line at 908-709-6983 (24/7) or email has-attendance@cranfordschools.org (copy-paste email address)
Visitor Protocols
The safety of our students is of the utmost importance and we ask that all our visitors follow our procedures.
- If you are picking up your child for an appointment, please notify the office ahead of time by emailing (HAS-attendance@cranfordschools.org) or calling 908-709-6229 or 908-709-6983. The nurse may also call to have you pick up your child if they are feeling ill.
- During pick up, have your ID ready and ring the main entrance intercom bell. State your name and the reason for your visit, then present your ID to the camera.
- You will be buzzed into the vestibule.
- Please wait in the vestibule.
- We will bring your child to you in the vestibule, where you will sign them out.
HAS Family/Student Handbook
Please click here to access the HAS Family/Student Handbook.
Kindergarten Single Session Days
**Kindergarten single sessions will alternate between AM & PM classes according to the following schedule: Student Entry at 8:40am - Dismissal at 11:20am
Tuesday, 11/11/25 (PM),
Wednesday, 11/26/25 (AM),
Tuesday, 12/23/25 (PM),
Monday, 2/9/26 (AM),
Monday, 3/16/26 (PM),
Monday, 6/22/26 (AM),
Tuesday, 6/23/26 (PM)
Hillside Avenue School
Email: deacon@cranfordschools.org
Website: https://has.cranfordschools.org/
Location: 125 Hillside Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908)709-6229