HAS Weekly Update

Dear HAS Community,

Thank you to our PTA for organizing a wonderful Pumpkin Patch event for our elementary students this week. The students really enjoyed picking out a pumpkin. Next week is our Halloween celebrations. Please see the important information below about Halloween.

Thank you.

Kevin Deacon

New Jersey is transitioning to new state assessments called the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments - Adaptive (NJSLA-A). This change also includes a new testing platform from Cambium Assessments.

To help everyone get used to these updates, students in grades 4-8 will participate in a statewide field test. This is just a low-stress practice run to help students get familiar with the new online format. Please note that no scores will be reported for students or schools. The schedule for these field tests is below.

Schedule:

Grades 4 and 5 - Math and Reading - October 29, 2025, Writing November 5, 2025

Grades 6-8 - Math and Reading - November 3, 2025, Writing November 5, 2025

To ensure a smooth testing experience, it is essential that students:

• Arrive at school on time.

• Bring a fully charged Chromebook.

• Bring a pair of wired headphones that are compatible with their Chromebook.

For additional information, please click the link for the letter regarding the upcoming NJSLA Field Testing.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HALLOWEEN REMINDERS

The Elementary Halloween Parade is Friday, October 31, 2025 and starts at 2:30pm, weather permitting.

Elementary students may either bring their costumes to school or return home at lunch to change. An adult must pick up students who are going home for lunch at their dismissal door at 12:15. Good judgment should be used in wearing costumes that are appropriate for school

• No full face masks,

• No items that are unsafe, dangerous, or convey inappropriate messages should be worn or carried

• No imitation swords, knives, guns, or weapons of any kind are permitted.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLOWEEN REMINDERS

Middle School students are welcome to dress up for Halloween. Below are the guidelines for costumes.

• Students must be able to participate in regular school activities.
• Students must be able to sit and stand with ease.
• Students may not bring or wear masks or other items that cover their entire face. Face makeup is fine.
• Costumes must be in good taste and without offensive or inappropriate language or symbols.
• No imitation swords, knives, guns, or weapons of any kind are permitted

Cranford Public Schools is honored to commemorate Veterans Day again this year by welcoming local veterans to participate in our planned activities across the district on Tuesday, November 11th. If you or another family member is interested in participating in this year's events, please click here to register.

Please use this form to nominate a teacher or educational professional (CST member, counselor, paraprofessional, nurse, library media specialist, student assistance counselor) who fits the following criteria:

• Is an expert in the field who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
• Actively collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a strong culture of respect and success;

• Demonstrates leadership and innovation in educational activities at the school, district and/or state and national levels that take place both within and outside the school setting;

• Has the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues.

Submissions can be made by current/former students, parents/guardians, Cranford residents or district employees.

Staff members that have worked in the district for less than 4 years or have won in the past 5 years are ineligible for this award.

Our elementary school Halloween Parade is on Friday, October 31, 2025 and starts at 2:30pm. Please click here for more information.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7:00pm

On Thursday, October 23rd, CHS held its Family/Academy Night, where 8th-grade students learned about all the different academy options.

Next week, 8th graders will take a brief survey to gauge their interest in each of the academies. Based on those results, students will attend informational sessions in November with the academy supervisors.

Please review the list of academies below and speak with your child about their interests.

• Engineering/STEM (e.g., robotics, 3D printing, bridge building competitions)

• Biomedical/Health Sciences (e.g., becoming an EMT, medical terminology, hospital internships)

• Business (e.g., entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, guest speaker series)

• Computer Science & Esports (e.g., coding, web design, IT fundamentals, Esports)

• Culinary Arts (e.g., professional cooking techniques, restaurant industry, nutrition)

• Education (e.g., K-8 observation/internships, student teaching, Future Educators of America)

• Film & Communications (e.g., cinematography, film festivals, media journalism, TV/digital media)

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:00pm

To purchase a middle school yearbook visit: yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 8666.

• Friday, October 31, 2025 - Halloween Parade

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - No School for Students - Elementary Conferences -

• 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)

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

The CHS Full Value Council Seniors paid their second visit to our 8th grade EI groups. During this session, the students focused on inclusion. They discussed solutions to different scenarios, such as: "During a group project, Sam notices that one of their teammates, Alex, who is new to the school and shy, is being left out of discussions. What can Sam do to include Alex?" They also participated in two activities that focused on including everyone. The first activity was "Mr. and Mrs. Wright," where students had to pass cards left or right in a circle. For the second activity, students had to work together to transfer a softball to a cup using string attached to a tape roll.

Dear Parents,

October is a key month for character education.

During our recent Peace Week, we created the display pictured below. It honors historical "Peacemakers" and reminds students how one "upstander" can make a powerful difference.

This coming week is Red Ribbon Week. The theme, "Life is a puzzle, Solve it drug free," highlights how our individual choices build the picture of our lives.

For our elementary students, please be assured that we will not be discussing drugs or alcohol. Instead, we will focus on age-appropriate topics like making safe choices and identifying the trusted adults they can talk to. To support this, our 8th-grade peer leaders will visit the elementary classrooms to introduce themselves and help lead the discussion about trusted adults.

For our middle school, students will be making daily announcements focusing on healthy habits and good choices

SCIENCE FAIR

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy-g9NhKPU9pk3rZrQTuKVQKbabGyQ9Ht8MzCsPpxT3lsUXw/viewform

hillsideave.givebacks.com

BOX TOPS-GET STARTED

BoxTops4Education.com

VARIETY SHOW CASTING CALL: PERFORMERS & DIRECTORS

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXtAEoJ7D1vMrIPKFLc_jmHCXkK9RPG89jACbaZBPt6ROEeg/viewform?pli=1

VARIETY SHOW: MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

https://forms.gle/EUNpAdKaAULd6bwf8

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

If your child is unable to participate in gym, a doctor's note is required. Please send all gym notes to the nurse first.

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.

• 2025-2026 School District Calendar
• Go Green Folder 2025-2026

• NJ Back to School Packet

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)

The safety of our students is of the utmost importance and we ask that all our visitors follow our procedures.

1. 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.
2. 1. 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.
3. You will be buzzed into the vestibule.
4. Please wait in the vestibule.
5. We will bring your child to you in the vestibule, where you will sign them out.

Please click here to access the HAS Family/Student Handbook.

**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)

Email: deacon@cranfordschools.org

Website: https://has.cranfordschools.org/

Location: 125 Hillside Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016

Phone: (908)709-6229