WELCOME

Dear HAS Community,

What a FANTASTIC first two days at Hillside Avenue! Your children did an amazing job jumping right into the routines and expectations of school, and we are so proud of them. We are absolutely delighted to have all of our Cougars back in the building, bringing their energy, enthusiasm, and overall kid magic, to make Hillside the wonderful place that it is.

We are very excited to introduce a new theme we have this year for our entire Hillside community - HAS has H.E.A.R.T! HAS has H.E.A.R.T. is more than a slogan - it’s our shared commitment to creating a school community where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to succeed. By emphasizing hard work, empathy, accountability, respect, and honesty, we establish clear expectations that guide how we learn, lead, and treat one another. This initiative helps build a positive school culture, strengthens relationships, promotes responsible decision making, and ensures that every member of our community contributes to making HAS a place where everyone can thrive. The terminology within "H.E.A.R.T." is slightly different for our elementary students than our middle school students because they have different needs at their respective developmental stages, but all of the language ties into our core intentions and focus. We are very much looking forward to celebrating our students and the successes they will achieve as we grow stronger as a school community.

Sincerely,

Nicole Vaccaro, HAS Principal

Jamie Geltzeiler, HAS Assistant Principal

In order to allow for our building to complete its finishing touches on our new addition classrooms, we are moving Elementary Back to School Night to WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.

• Labor Day - September 7, 2026 (Schools Closed)

• Grade 6 PTA Welcome Event - Thursday, September 10 - 3:00 - 3:30 PM - HAS Courtyard

• Elementary School Back to School Night - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 at 6:30 PM **new date**

• Middle School Back to School Night - September 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM
  

• Schools Closed for Yom Kippur - September 21, 2026

• Doors will be open from 8:00 AM - 8:07 AM - Seven minutes have been reserved for entry procedures for middle school. Please do not drop your child off before the designated time, as there is no supervision. Each day a staff member will greet the students at their assigned door (see above). Please use the seven minute window as a way to reduce congestion in and around the building.
• After 8:07 AM Middle School students will need to enter through the Main Entrance.

• Period 1 begins at 8:10 AM, students not in class at 8:10 AM will require a tardy pass.

• Doors will be open from 8:40 AM - 8:50 AM - Ten minutes have been reserved for entry procedures for elementary school. Please do not drop your child off before the designated time, as there is no supervision. Each day a staff member will greet the students at their assigned door (see above). Please use the ten minute window as a way to reduce congestion in and around the building.

• After 8:50 AM Elementary School students will need to enter through the Main Entrance and receive a tardy pass.

**** CHANGE OF ENTRY/DISMISSAL LOCATION FOR GRADE 3****

ENTRY

Grades K and 1: Line up by class and enter through the Main Front Doors (Exit 1)

Grade 2: Line up by class and enter through Exit 3 (in-between main doors and playground)

Grades 3, 4, and 5: Line up by class and enter through Exit 4 (by the playground)

In response to the new law (N.J.S.A 18A:36-40B) the district completed the first read of an updated Board of Education Policy and Regulation 5516 Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices (commonly known as the “Cell Phone Policy”). The district is using an “off and away approach”. Cell phone/smart watch devices are expected to be off and away throughout the entirety of the school day (not on your person). Failure to meet this expectation may result in confiscation/parent/guardian outreach/collection.

CELL PHONES/SMART WATCHES/EARBUDS Protocols 26-27 for more information.

Students are responsible for taking care of their Chromebook and bringing it to school fully charged each day.

Elementary students will access school-issued Chromebooks from classroom carts, which will remain in the classrooms.

A few important reminders for all students:

• Chromebooks are school property and should be handled with care.

• Please do not add stickers, decorations, or markings to Chromebooks.

• Middle school students should bring their charged Chromebook to school each day.

• Loaner Chromebooks will be available for students whose devices are being repaired.

• If a middle school student forgets their Chromebook at home, they will be asked to contact a parent/guardian to arrange to have it brought to school.

Thank you for helping us take care of our technology and ensuring that Chromebooks are ready to support learning throughout the year!

Beginning this fall, OAS and HAS middle school students will store their full-sized backpacks and jackets in their assigned hallway lockers during the school day. This initiative aims to improve hallway safety, reduce classroom clutter, and support students in developing key organizational skills.

Key Highlights:

• Hallway vs. PE Lockers: Hallway lockers are for backpacks, jackets, lunch, and academic supplies. PE lockers in the locker room are strictly for PE attire, deodorant, and sneakers. For safety, locker rooms are accessible only during scheduled PE periods.

• Small Carry Bags: Students may carry one small, soft-sided bag (approx. 12" × 16", like a drawstring or small tote) between classes to carry materials for a few periods. Full-sized backpacks, duffels, and oversized bags are not permitted in classrooms.

• School Support: Staff will use the opening weeks of school and (EI) time to teach locker organization, practice opening locks, and establish routines. Periodic locker checks will occur throughout the year to maintain safe, organized spaces.

Click here for full procedures.

Click here for FAQs.

Last school year we noticed an increase in students bringing toys and small items from home, including squishies, balls, stuffed animals (elementary), Nee-Dohs, and similar items. While we understand that these items can be fun and comforting, they can also become a distraction during the school day.

To help maintain a focused learning environment, please keep toys at home. We will review this expectation with students and ask for your support in reinforcing it. If a toy is brought to school, students will be asked to keep it in their backpack/locker, and repeated issues may result in the item being held by staff until the end of the day.

Students with related 504 or IEP accommodations will continue to have access to school-approved fidgets, stress-relief tools, and other supports as appropriate. Teachers will provide clear expectations for their use so that these tools promote focus, self-regulation, and learning.

Thank you for your partnership and support!

Support HAS PTA here-https://hillsideave.givebacks.com/shop/items/27362

https://boxtops4education.com

https://familyconnectionsiowa.com/building-confidence-for-a-new-school-year/

This September, Cranford Schools are coming together to share an important message: I am • you are • we are ENOUGH. We welcome students, staff, families, and our community in supporting our Hope Squad T-Shirt Fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Hope Squad programming, events, and mental health initiatives throughout our schools.

Order by Tuesday, September 8 at 9:00 AM to receive your shirt in time for our district-wide awareness day. Order your shirt here.

Together, we can spread a message of hope, connection, and support and remind every member of our community that they matter.

All medical/ medication packets for the 2026-2027 school year may be obtained from the nurse's corner. Doctor’s orders must be renewed every school year and dated after the last day of school.

Please return all completed forms along with individual student medications on the first week of school. No medication of any kind will be administered without the proper forms completed, signed, and stamped by your child’s physician and parent/guardian signature.

If your child is entering 6th grade and is 11 years or older, please provide proof that they have received the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines. These vaccines are usually given after a child turns 11. If your child has already received them, submit a copy of immunization or the attached form signed by their healthcare provider. If your child has not received these vaccines, please schedule a vaccination appointment and submit documentation once the vaccines are given.

Pomptonian Allergy Statement Letter

Pre Order Information

PaySchools Link for Prepayment

Cranford Public Schools has updated our Board of Education Policy: 5514 - STUDENT USE OF VEHICLES ON SCHOOL GROUNDS. Specifically, “Students are not permitted to bring any e-bikes or motorized bicycle, skateboard, scooter, roller skates, or hoverboard, etc. on school grounds.”

This adjusted policy is intended to maintain a safe traveling environment for our students to and from school.

Visitor Entry - The District continues to use a digital visitor management entry system (Raptor) at each of the school building entrances. Please review the Visitor Entry Protocols. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe!

During morning arrival and afternoon pick up please make sure you are alert, driving slowly, and looking before driving in and out of the parking lot. Many families walk to and from school. Even if you are running late it is imperative that you take your time and proceed with caution to ensure the safety of all.

In the afternoon, please make sure to not double park (block) in the staff parking lot. Our Middle School Staff ends the day at 3:05 PM. Cars should not be blocking staff from leaving at the end of the day.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep everyone safe.

You may find the the supply lists here:

https://has.cranfordschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1765103&type=d&pREC_ID=2673619

• Visitor Entry Protocols

• Permitted Items at Board-Sponsored Public Events Policy #9160.1

• 2026-2027 School District Calendar

• Emergency/Crisis Protocol information

• HIB Specialist information ---- District HIB Policy #5512

• Internet Safety and Technology Policy #2361

• Student Records - FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) Policy/Regulation #8330

• Student Use of Vehicles on School Grounds Policy #5514

Email: vaccaro.nicole@cranfordschools.org

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

Location: 125 Hillside Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016

Phone: (908)709-6229