The Cougar Chronicle

Registration is required for:

• Students new to Cranford Public Schools and entering kindergarten through grade 12.

• Students who previously attended the Cranford Public Schools but are now returning. This does not apply to students who currently attend Cranford Public Schools.

• Students who will be attending the preschool program and did not attend the program through June 2026.

Please visit the district website, www.cranfordschools.org, to get started, by clicking on

the “Information” text box under Student Registration.

For information on the Preschool Lottery please click here. Questions? Please email us at registration@cranfordschools.org.

The Cranford Board of Education announced the appointment of Jamie Geltzeiler as the new Assistant Principal of Hillside Avenue School. Ms. Geltzeiler was selected following a comprehensive search process that included multiple interviews with the selection committee and an extensive reference review.

Ms. Geltzeiler began her career in the Livingston School District in 1998 and took on many roles during her long tenure. She has taught nearly every grade at the elementary level and most recently spent the past six years teaching seventh and eighth-grade inclusion and replacement ELA. During the last three years, she added leadership to her list of responsibilities at the middle school level, where she works with staff, students and families. She is especially proud of the lasting relationships that she has formed and the leadership opportunities she has provided students.

Mrs. Geltzeiler earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and special education from the University of Delaware, a Master of Arts in reading as a reading specialist, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. She is so excited to bring all of her years of experience and passion for education to Cranford School District as the assistant principal at Hillside Avenue School. She looks forward to working collaboratively with all constituents to ensure the continued success of the school community.

K-5 math coaches Ms. Debbi Shriner and Ms. Jerian Brockman, together with Mr. Evan Levy, the K-12 supervisor of math and computer science, presented on the district’s math workshop model at this year’s Elementary Association of Math Teachers of New Jersey conference.

Their session highlighted how the math workshop structure strengthened instruction by giving teachers a clear framework for differentiated student-centered learning. They shared how the model allowed students to engage in a balance of whole-group mini-lessons, small-group targeted instruction, hands-on practice and independent problem solving.

The educators also emphasized how the workshop approach supported teachers by providing predictable routines, built-in opportunities for formative assessment and flexible pathways to meet varied learning needs. This model helped Cranford create classrooms where students build deep conceptual understanding, collaborate with peers and receive timely, individualized support.

Students from the Game Theory & Design course attended a field trip to Escapology, an escape room venue, providing a practical and immersive way to experience core concepts from the class.

Escape rooms are interactive, real-world models of game theory, structured as cooperative games where the goal was to escape within the time limit. Success relied on mutual cooperation as the necessary strategy. The activity required players to efficiently share and integrate scattered clues and demanded continuous strategic choices about which resources to use and which problems to solve first, directly reflecting the analysis of strategies and payoffs studied in the course.

The students were highly engaged, had a blast, and successfully connected their abstract academic knowledge to a challenging, collaborative, real-world problem-solving environment.

Each December, Cranford High School participated in Inclusive Schools Week as a time to celebrate the inclusive spirit within the school, while continuing to grow in understanding, empathy, and acceptance.

This year, CHS hosted a guest speaker, Marissa Gold, to discuss her lived experience in the assembly "Living While Deaf/Blind and Guide Dog Awareness" on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Not only was this a Freshman Passport experience, but it was also an opportunity to see determination, perseverance, and resilience in action. The assembly included topics such as living while visually and hearing impaired, the role and training of guide dogs as well as mental health and perspective.

Gold was not born visually and hearing impaired. However, after this occurred, she expressed that she had a choice to make. Her choice included "staying in the dark, or walking in the light." Gold emphasized that the company she kept, the friends who supported her, and her overall attitude helped her "keep her face to the light so she could not see the shadows." She currently works full-time as a school counselor at a high school in New Jersey and continues to lead a full and active life—working, exercising, playing sports, and engaging in the activities she loves. She is accompanied by her guide dog, Ocean, who plays an essential role in her independence and daily routines. Gold shared with CHS students that her life isn't better or worse than before, just different.

November was a month dedicated to gratitude and giving back at Bloomingdale Avenue School. Students, staff, and the community truly embodied the spirit of service.

A big thanks to everyone who made the BAS STEAMSgiving Night a successful event. Families explored science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through constructing Turkey Launchers, building tables to support a canned good, and creating invisible ink thankful leaves. The canned goods used for the activity were donated to Cranford Family Care. Simultaneously, BAS families also supported the Community Food Bank of New Jersey with an ongoing collection of additional nonperishable items.

Additionally, the "Be Thankful" classroom parties weren't just about celebration; they were about putting gratitude into action. Students designed heartfelt placemats that were donated to Meals on Wheels, collected dozens of gloves, hats, and scarves for Cranford Family Care, and crafted thank-you cards for local first responders, sharing messages of appreciation for their service to the town.

The district is incredibly proud of the students for their commitment to caring for others. Their enthusiasm and hard work truly exemplify the Bloomingdale Avenue School spirit.

Earlier this month, the Brookside Place School community gathered for this year’s Winter Concert. More than 220 family members filled the space, creating a warm and supportive audience for the student musicians.

The evening featured performances by the fourth and fifth-grade orchestra, the fifth-grade band, and the chorus. Under the direction of Ms. Ruiz, Mrs. Mockoviak, and Mrs. Sweet, students showed the progress they had made since the start of the year. Each group brought its own style and energy to the stage, and together they created a concert that was enjoyable for all.

A thank-you also went to Mrs. Baillod, the Art Teacher, for helping with the program cover art contest. The program cover, designed by fifth-grader Ilan, was a standout detail that helped capture the spirit of the evening.

The Winter Concert is always a highlight of the year at BPS, and this year’s performers truly made the community proud. Congratulations to all student musicians and their dedicated directors for an unforgettable night of music!

Elementary students at Hillside Avenue School participated in their Full Value Families session during the first week of December.

The session was led by the school’s eighth-grade PEER Leaders. The Full Value principles Be Safe, Be Honest, Set Goals, Let Go and Move On, and Caring for Self and Others, guided the program. In this first meeting, students participated in various getting-to-know-you activities designed to build community and strengthen connections across grade levels.

Lincoln School CAP students enjoyed a thrilling day trip to New York City earlier this month, immersing themselves in the city’s festive holiday spirit. The group visited Rockefeller Center, where they admired the iconic tree and the bustling ice skating rink.

They also explored the historic New York Public Library, taking a moment to appreciate the stunning architecture and the famous lion statues, which were decorated with festive wreaths this time of year. The trip concluded at Bryant Park’s festive Winter Village, where students experienced the holiday market atmosphere and the park’s own impressive tree display. This memorable outing provided a perfect blend of history, architecture, and seasonal cheer, wrapping up a wonderful day of educational fun for the CAP students.

The Kindness Families program at Livingston Avenue School brought together students in grades 3 through 5 and a mix of staff members to build community, practice kindness, and strengthen connections across classrooms.

This year's focus for the schoolwide program was community service and outreach. For the first meeting, LAS partnered with two local small businesses, Palma’s Café and Belle’s Bagels, to help spread holiday cheer. Students decorated hot drink sleeves with festive art and uplifting, encouraging messages, creating thoughtful surprises for community members to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Orange Avenue eighth-grade students completed an exciting project combining creativity, design, and collaboration earlier this month in their technology class.

Using a laser cutter, students designed and created their own custom board games, including original pieces, boards, and rules. To celebrate their hard work, they hosted a game day where other eighth-graders were invited to play and test their creations. It was a fun and engaging way to bring design thinking and teamwork to life.

Snowmen, penguins, puppies, and superheroes were just some of the "balloons" that floated down the halls of Walnut Avenue School the day before Thanksgiving.

Earlier that week, many classes heard the book "Balloons Over Broadway" read aloud. The book, a Caldecott Honor Winner by Melissa Sweet, tells the true story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer of the Macy's Parade. Sarg was a toy enthusiast and marionette operator who was instrumental in turning the parade into the beloved tradition. The book and corresponding activity were especially fitting since the following year will be the 100th anniversary of this American institution.

During the WAS parade, students held their creations high above their heads and marched to band music while teachers and staff cheered them on. It was a wonderful way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday.

Band and Orchestra members from both Hillside Avenue School and Orange Avenue School spread holiday cheer during the Jaycees' annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Mrs. Holodak’s middle school band kicked off the festivities with "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and other holiday favorites. The program continued with Mr. Goncalves’ small string ensemble performing "The First Noel," followed by several impressive solos from members of Ms. Kreitz’s band. The students and audience members showed tremendous holiday spirit at the end by participating in a group sing-along.