The Cougar Chronicle

Dear Cranford Community,

March has brought a month full of energy, growth, and ever-changing weather, reminding us that warmer weather is just around the corner.

The month began with uniting our youngest learners through the love of reading. Read Across America Week is truly about engaging students through a diverse selection of books.

With Spring Break approaching, I wish all of our families a safe, healthy, and restful time, whether you are staying close to home or traveling. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed for the final stretch of the school year.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Mark Cantagallo

Superintendent of Schools

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🌟Toni Anthony (Student Assistance Counselor - CHS)

🌟Nansie Collins (Grade 5 Teacher - BPS)

🌟Kerri Compton (Grade 4 Teacher - OAS)

🌟Nancy Damm (School Nurse - LAS)

🌟Amy Goldberg (School Psychologist - HAS)

🌟Emily LaPersonne (Art Teacher - WAS)

🌟Kelly LoGiudice-Alfano (Grade 2 Teacher - BAS)

🌟Maria Polyviou (Art Teacher - Lincoln)

🌟Samantha Rendine (Kindergarten Teacher - HAS)

🌟Jennifer Salerno (Classroom Assistant - BAS)

🌟Caitlin Sanders (School Counselor - OAS)

🌟Katie Sickles (Achieve Teacher - LAS)

🌟Susan Stein (School Nurse - WAS)

🌟Kathy Trotter (Classroom Assistant - Lincoln)

🌟Frank Vito (Social Studies Teacher - CHS)

Each year, the Barclays organization collaborates with Mr. Levy’s computer science department to host interactive coding lessons across Cranford’s elementary schools. This partnership focuses on the fundamentals of block coding, utilizing Micro:bits to provide students with a tangible way to execute their programs.

Most recently, students at Brookside Place School and Livingston Ave School participated in these sessions, successfully building and testing their own code under the guidance of Barclays volunteers.

Students in Ms. Wilson’s class at Walnut Avenue School participated in a dynamic dry-erase activity as one of several rotating stations. This setup is part of the Math Workshop model utilized by the math department to provide targeted, small-group instruction and hands-on practice.

During this specific station, students rolled dice to generate digits, constructing one-, two-, and three-digit numbers.

After recording their results on dry-erase boards, they practiced numerical analysis by writing formal inequalities using the symbols <, >, or =.

Lincoln School is proud to introduce a new sensory hallway that supports student focus, movement, and self-regulation. This interactive space includes activities like balance paths and movement prompts to help students reset and refocus throughout the day.

The sensory hallway provides a fun and effective way to incorporate movement into learning, supporting the needs of all students, and promoting a positive, inclusive school environment.

Sometimes emotions can feel just too big to handle – sadness, frustration, worry, even excitement, can feel overwhelming from time to time. What can a child do to make those emotions more manageable?

Presenters from the organization Lead U introduced Walnut Avenue School students to learn more about the coping “power” they always have with them: breathing!

Students learned five different techniques that can help settle feelings and calm thoughts. This was just one of the useful skills and concepts explored during the assemblies held at the start of March. Lead U employs interactive games, music, and storytelling to inspire leadership and smart decision making.

The assemblies, held in early March, followed the district’s year-long focus on Social Emotional Learning National SEL Week (March 2-6). The program was coordinated by WAS School Counselor Ms. Grace Rivetti and funded by the WAS PTA.

During Read Across America Week, Brookside Place School proudly joined the nationwide celebration of literacy led by the National Education Association – classrooms were filled with imagination, laughter, and the joy of reading.

Members of the Cranford High School Wrestling Team visited as guest readers, sharing their time and favorite stories with our students. Students also welcomed a special visit from the Scarlet Knight of Rutgers University, who encouraged everyone to read every “knight.”

BPS students wrapped up the week with the First Annual Potato Parade, where families decorated potatoes to look like their favorite book characters.

This week was made memorable and meaningful thanks to the many individuals who supported this celebration of reading!

Bloomingdale Avenue School wrapped up its 2nd Annual Read Across America Reading Challenge, with amazing results. Embracing the school’s T.E.A.M. theme, students in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade were challenged to read 10 minutes each night to reach a collective goal of 10,000 minutes.

In a stunning display of literary stamina, readers crushed that goal in just four days, totaling 10,550 minutes! Along the way, participants earned themed rewards and participated in a schoolwide “GameJam”. The reward momentum was unstoppable.

Students earned themed stickers and even saw Mr. Litz roam the halls as a dinosaur. However, the highlight of the event was undoubtedly the grand finale: a well-earned "pie-ing" of the principal! On March 16, the gym was filled with cheers and whipped cream as each reader aimed at Mr. Litz to celebrate their hard work. This collaboration didn't just foster a love for books; it created a wonderful memory for the BAS community.

Livingston Avenue School celebrated a very special achievement by 3rd grade student Esmé Valenzano, who was named Pomptonian’s Grand Prize Winner of the Healthy School Lunch Challenge.

This competition brought together students from across the state and all Pomptonian Foodservice districts, making this accomplishment truly impressive. Out of so many creative and thoughtful entries, her recipe stood out for its creativity, balance, and focus on healthy ingredients.

Esmé created the BBQ Rainbow Bowl, a colorful and delicious meal that includes blackberries, corn, lean protein, and whole grains. Not only did it look amazing, but it also represents what a healthy school meal should be; balanced, nourishing, and full of vibrant ingredients. Her recipe shows that healthy food can also be fun, creative, and exciting.

And there is even more exciting news! After spring break, Esmé’s BBQ Rainbow Bowl will be featured on the school lunch menu and available for students to pre-order on April 9. This means the entire district will have the chance to try the winning recipe created by Cranford’s very own.

Congratulations, Esmé Valenzano, on being the Grand Prize Winner of the Healthy School Lunch Challenge!

Throughout March, the Student Liaison Club at Hillsdale Avenue School, led by Mrs. Brito, focused on fostering a more compassionate school community. HAS student leaders took the initiative to design and teach lessons focused on being kind and caring for community members.

In addition to exploring what it means to be a supportive peer, the sessions emphasized identifying specific opportunities for kindness in everyday moments and understanding the ripple effect our actions have on our own well-being and the feelings of others.

The highlight of the month was watching our Liaison Committee members step into the role of teachers! These student leaders visited the 1st through 2nd grade classrooms to deliver their lessons, proving that you’re never too young to make a positive impact.

Student artists at Orange Avenue School, guided by art teacher Ms. Baillod, explored ambitious, mixed-subject projects this month across all grade levels.

In the 3rd grade art class, students became architects and interior designers as they collaborated on a project spanning two specials. Students designed the exterior of their dream homes and worked hard to create the interior spaces with Spanish teacher, Ms. Johari. This unit also included a focus on how architects are artists who require a strong background in math to achieve stable and safe structures for people to live in.

In the 4th grade art class, they engaged in an intense animal portrait unit. They are mastering the grid technique, which teaches them how to enlarge a photograph, while simultaneously exploring textures using pens and chalk pastels. This is a challenging unit, but students are successfully rising to the occasion.

Finally, the 5th grade art class studied self-portraiture. They were given many choices as to how they would approach their final piece, with materials ranging from metal to paints to colored pencils. Students were encouraged to choose something outside of their comfort zone as they learned new ways to approach drawing one’s own face.

Together, these projects demonstrate the continued growth and creativity of OAS student artists.

Lincoln School was proud to host a successful Open House, welcoming a wide range of guests, including dedicated Cranford staff, members of the local community, and representatives from out-of-district child study teams.

The event provided an opportunity to highlight the meaningful work taking place throughout Lincoln School, while fostering connections with the many individuals and organizations that support Lincoln students. Visitors had the chance to explore the programs, meet the team, and gain a deeper understanding of the services and learning experiences Lincoln provides.

Lincoln is so grateful for the strong turnout and the continued collaboration that help make this school a supportive and dynamic environment for all students!

Students from Cranford High School, Orange Avenue Schol, Hillside Avenue School and Lincoln School participated in the Union County Teen Arts Festival on March 12 and 13 at Union College.

Performing Arts students in Instrumental Music, Choral, Theater, and Dance delivered impressive performances and gained invaluable feedback from professionals.

Fine Arts students also showcased their work in the gallery and engaged in thoughtful critiques. Beyond their own showcases, students immersed themselves in a variety of creative workshops.

Congratulations to Cranford’s talented participants!

A standing ovation for the cast, crew, and production staff of Cranford High School’s Theatre Production: Les Misérables, on an extraordinary run! With performances held from Feb. 27 to March 1, the CHS theatre dazzled audiences with powerful performances that left the audience speechless. The district extends its appreciation to the production team—including Director Ms. Michelle Massa and Musical Director Mr. Anthony Rafaniello—for their tireless dedication to the students and arts.

Students from the Cranford High School Dance Department traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, from March 4-8, to participate in the Regional High School Dance Festival, accompanied by Mrs. Emily Donahue.

Throughout the trip, dancers participated in a variety of masterclasses and workshops. Many students successfully auditioned for prestigious scholarships, earning opportunities from colleges, and summer intensives to further their training. Thank you to Mrs. Donahue for her dedication in planning such an unforgettable experience.

Students at Cranford High School Art Service Club continue to work on a weaving project that explores climate change by comparing weather patterns from 1924 and 2024.

The project incorporates recycled materials, encouraging both environmental awareness and creative expression.

The Cranford High School Wrestling Team visited elementary schools across the district in celebration of Read Across America Day, sharing their favorite books with younger students.

During their visits, the student-athletes read aloud in classrooms, creating meaningful opportunities for younger students to engage with stories while connecting with high school role models.

The experience fostered cross-age collaboration, encouraged a love of reading, and strengthened connections across the district.