WELCOME
September 6, 2026
Dear HAS Community,
We had a wonderful week of our HAS Cougars showing us their H.E.A.R.T.! We have asked our kids to step up in the core value areas of hard work, empathy, accountability, respect, and trustworthiness, and they have been delivering! Highlighting and rewarding all of the amazing qualities our Cougars exhibit every day will continue to be celebrated and shared. Our kids are incredible, and they deserve all of the positive recognition! We hope you all have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Nicole Vaccaro, HAS Principal
Jamie Geltzeiler, HAS Assistant Principal
Remembering and Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001
Our HAS School Community took time to recognize the tragic events September 11, 2001, and honored the extraordinary courage displayed that day. With a moment of silence, we remembered the lives lost and paid special tribute to the firefighters, police officers, first responders, military personnel, and ordinary citizens who demonstrated incredible bravery, selflessness, and compassion in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Their courage and sacrifice continue to remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of service to others. We are grateful for the opportunity to come together as a school community to remember, reflect, and emphasize the values of kindness, courage, service, and unity.
Important Calendar Dates
Middle School Back to School Night - Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Schools Closed for Yom Kippur - Monday, September 21, 2026
Elementary School Back to School Night - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 at 6:30 PM
HAS Fall Family Picnic - Friday, September 25, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Kindergarten Addition Ribbon Cutting - Saturday, September 26th at 10:30 AM
HAS Picture Day - Wednesday, October 7, 2026
PTA 6th-Grade Welcome Social
Thank you so much to our PTA for hosting our 6th grade for a Rita's Italian Ice Welcome Social! It was a sweet way to kick off the school year and allow our 6th graders to interact with old and new friends!
Middle School Back-to-School Night - Wednesday, September 16th
We would like to invite you to join us for our 2026-2027 Middle School Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, which starts at 6:30 pm with the principal's welcome address from 6:30 - 6:45. Teacher presentations will begin at 6:52. The event will follow the previous years’ format of attending each class. Your child will bring home a copy of their schedule on Monday, September 14, 2026. Below you will find the schedule for the evening. Please note that all cycle classes will meet in the cafeteria. This will allow you to meet the different teachers your child will have throughout the year.
Classroom Highlight: Ms. Weiler - 2nd Grade
In 2W, we read the book "Our Class is a Family". We talked about how we need to treat our classmates like we do our family. We have respect, show kindness, support, care and celebrate each other. Students received FAMILY bracelets to remind them we are part of our 2W family!
Middle School Backpack and Locker Update
Our hallways and classrooms have realized a new level of calm, space, and safety now that our new backpack procedures have been in place for the first week-and-a-half of school. Our students are getting used to when to use their lockers and what they need and do not need to carry for their classes. We still need to fine-tune certain things, such as reducing the size of some giant tote bags that we have noticed some students carrying. We are happy to see all of the positive outcomes right from the start!
Click here for full procedures.
Click here for FAQs.
September Family Academy - Signs of Suicide and Prevention
Parents and Guardians from across the district (K-12) are invited to participate in the SOS training from Signs of Suicide: a Sandy Hook Promise program, in this safety workshop. This is coupled with Back to School Night, however you may attend any school's program that fits your schedule best!
HAS RSVP Link: https://calendly.com/willner-ccc/signs-of-suicide-and-prevention-has-1
Kindergarten Ribbon Cutting Invitation
Chromebook Expectations
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!
PTA
PRETZEL DAY:
Sign up to help: https://signup.com/go/kyovtmw
Check nutrition info here: https://phillypretzelfactory.com/menu/#nutrition-info--
SUPPORT THE HAS PTA:
COLOR RUN RACE REGISTRATION:
Culture and Climate Corner
September Department of Student Services Newsletter
Pomptonian Lunch Information
Free and Reduced Lunch Information
(applications must be submitted every school year)
Nurse's Corner
Welcome to a new and exciting school year!
I would like to outline some important Health Office guidelines. Please be sure to keep this letter for future reference, questions and/or concerns.
To report an absence, please call 908.709.6983 or email has-attendance@cranfordschools.org.
If your child is experiencing a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, they must stay home. Students must be symptom-free for 24 hours (without the use of medication) before returning to school.
New Students:
If your child is new to the district and you have received an email regarding missing health documents, please submit the requested documents as soon as possible. Health documents for new students must be submitted within 14 days of starting school. Timely submission helps ensure that your child's health records are complete and up to date.
Medications:
If your child needs to take medication during the school day either on a daily basis or as-needed:
- An Authorization for Medication Administration Form must be completed by your doctor and submitted to the health office.
- Medication must be in its original prescription container with the child’s name clearly labeled.
- All medications must be delivered by a parent or guardian only.
Inhalers and Nebulizers:
- Inhalers are kept in the school nurse's office unless your child has doctor’s orders allowing them to self-carry.
- A nebulizer machine is available at school, but parents/guardians must supply tubing, mask, and medication, as prescribed.
- An Asthma Action Plan must be submitted with the medication including for self-carry.
Allergies & EpiPens:
If your child has any allergies including life-threatening allergies (food, medication, insect, etc.), please inform the school nurse:
- An Allergy Action Plan must be completed by your doctor if an EpiPen is required.
- Submit both the plan and the EpiPen to the Health Office—delivered by a parent or guardian.
All medication forms can be found on the Nurse’s Corner on HAS's webpage.
Health Screenings:
The following screenings will be conducted throughout the year as required by state law:
- Height, Weight, Blood Pressure: All grades
- Hearing: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 11th grades
- Vision: K, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th grades
- Scoliosis: 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th grades
If any concerns arise, a referral letter will be sent home. To opt out of any screenings, please notify the school nurse in writing by October 3, 2026.
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.
Immunizations:
If your child received any immunizations over the summer, please send documentation so I can update their health record accordingly.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Wishing your child a safe, happy and healthy school year!
E-Bikes and Motorized Scooter Updates
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 Protocol Reminders
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!
Parking Lot Safety
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.
District Information
Permitted Items at Board-Sponsored Public Events Policy #9160.1
Student Records - FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) Policy/Regulation #8330
District Calendar for the 2026-27 School Year
Hillside Avenue School
Email: vaccaro.nicole@cranfordschools.org
Website: https://has.cranfordschools.org/
Location: 125 Hillside Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908)709-6229