Hello BPS Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful start to the month of May. I am very much looking forward to reconnecting with the school community tomorrow! Thank you for taking a moment to review this correspondence which includes plenty of helpful information and important dates. Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Kristen D'Anna
BPS Principal
Amended School Calendar
Please be advised that an amended 2024 - 2025 school calendar was approved at the Cranford Board of Education meeting on Monday, 4/28. The calendar has been revised to reflect the return of two unused snow/emergency days.
As a result, Cranford Public Schools will now be closed on the following dates:
* Friday, 5/23
* Monday, 6/9 (Please note that 6/9 will be a single session for Hillside Avenue School students and staff only)
Elementary Parent/Guardian Input Form
On Thursday afternoon an email was sent to the school community with a link to a form that allows parents / guardians to share thoughts about the upcoming academic year. Below is a copy of that message and a link to the Google Form.
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We are approaching the time of year when we begin to consider student placements for next school year. Placements will continue to be a collaborative process which includes a review of each student’s individual learning and social-emotional needs with a team of teachers (student’s classroom teacher, the specials’ teachers, and student support teachers, i.e. special education teachers, interventionists, school counselor, etc.). Although we feel confident in our ability to appropriately place your child, we do welcome parent/guardian input. If you feel that extraordinary factors exist that the school should be aware of, please complete and submit this form by Thursday, 5/22. These factors might include your student’s special learning needs and social-emotional development. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We will work diligently to ensure the most appropriate placement for every student.
Preparation for Future Construction
Student Scientists Share their Knowledge
Congratulations to our student scientists! The BPS Student Council held a wonderful Science Fair on Wednesday and Thursday. Students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 identified a problem or topic to investigate and created tri-fold display boards explaining their findings. There were projects on crystals, states of matter, weather, genetics, the animal kingdom and more. Thank you to Student Council advisors Mrs. Lambe and Mrs. Collins for their work coordinating the event.
Spring Concert for Chorus and Band on Thursday, 5/8
The BPS Chorus and Band students and their directors are looking forward to performing their Spring Concert on Thursday, 5/8. Please note the following:
* Band student arrival at 6:15 PM
* Chorus student arrival at 6:30 PM
* Doors open at 6:45 PM
* Concert begins at 7:00 PM
BPS Student Art Show / Gallery Walk on Thursday, 5/8
Petals on Parade ~ BPS PTA Plant Sale on Friday, 5/9
The BPS PTA will host a plant sale on Friday, 5/9. Hard copy flyers were sent home with students including the details and the class visitation schedule. Those are also included here along with a link to a Sign Up Genius for volunteer helpers. Finally, a reminder to please send in money and a shoe box with your student if they plan to make purchases at the sale on Friday. Thank you!
Grade 5 Profile Pages in the BPS Yearbook
Each year there is a section in the BPS Yearbook with pictures and profiles of the Grade 5 Class. An email was sent to all Grade 5 families on Friday, 4/25 with instructions and on how to provide answers to the questions and upload photos. All information is due via the Google Form by Friday, 5/9. Please contact bpsyearbook2025@gmail.com with any questions.
Yearbook Ordering
It's time to order your BPS yearbook! The yearbook is 72 pages in full color featuring student portraits and candid snapshots from every grade. It captures these special elementary school years including events like Fall Fest, the BPS Olympics, class parties, and more.
Bonus: You may choose to customize two pages for no extra cost with your choice of pictures to document your child's year.
Please Note:
Custom pages are due by Saturday, 5/17.
Deadline to place an order to have it delivered before the end of school is Friday, 5/23.
Order at: treering.com/purchase
Please use this Passcode: 1014987447922712
Questions?: Please email bpsyearbook2025@gmail.com
A Message for Grade 5 Families
The final two months of school have arrived, which is an especially busy time for our Grade 5 students and their families as they prepare for graduating from BPS next month. Please see this message from the BPS PTA Grade 5 Committee, which was also sent via email on Friday, 5/2.
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5th Grade Night Out: "The Last Rodeo," the end of year celebration for the 5th grade class, will be held outdoors at BPS.
- Friday, 5/16, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM; (Rain date 5/30)
- Sign Up Your Student: Sign Up Genius
- Snacks, Supplies, Decor, Volunteers: Sign Up Genius
Grade 5 Calendar & Important Dates
- May 9: 5th Grade Yearbook Page Due - Link to Google Form for Grade 5 Profile Pages.
- May 16: Grade 5 Night Out, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
- May 23: Deadline to order additional Square 1 Art Tile materials. Order a keepsake item with your student’s tile art here;
- May 27: 5th Grade Activity Day in AM
- May 28: Grade 5 Field Trip to Liberty Science Center
- May 30: Rain Date for Grade 5 Activity Day (AM) and Grade 5 Night Out 7:00 - 9:00 PM
- June 13: 5th Grade Pool Party in conjunction with OAS (more information to come)
- June 17: Grade 5 Graduation Rehearsal at BPS
- June 18: Grade 5 Graduation at CHS at 11:00 AM
Questions? Reach out to the Grade 5 Committee: Mrs. Gaetano (908) 447-4130, Mrs. Nimrud (908) 432-9394, Mrs. Patel (201) 673-2068 and Mrs. Hayes (973) 558-1883
Square 1 Art: Ordering Keepsake Items for Grade 5 Families
Grade 5 students created tiles to hang in the BPS hallways through Square 1 Art. Those images can now be turned into keepsake items. A form was sent home with students on Friday, 5/2 via their backpacks which explains the ordering process. Please note that making a purchase is optional and any orders should be placed by Friday, 5/23. Please click here
Questions? Please reach out to to Mrs. Gaetano at jamie.gaetano@gmail.com
Final Push for Pop Tabs
Each year Mrs. Wilhelm's Grade 4 class collects pop tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald Foundation for families facing a childhood illness. As of Monday, 150 pounds of pop tabs have been accumulated with the following classes leading the way:
3rd Place: A three-way tie between Mrs. Kroll's 3rd Grade, Mrs. Dowling's 3rd Grade and Mrs. Higgins' 4th grade
2nd Place: Mrs. Gilbertson's 2nd Grade
1st Place: Mrs. O'Shea's 1st Grade
The collection will end on Friday, 6/13, so keep on collecting to help your class!
Reporting a Student Absent
When reporting your child absent please call Mrs. O'Hara's direct line at 908-709-6246 or email her at bpsattendance@cranfordschools.org (corrected link). Please remember to include the specific reason for the child's absence and their teacher's name.
Spring Time Recess Reminders
* Spring time brings changes to the weather
* Students will go outside for recess whenever the weather permits
* Thanks for sending students to school with temperature appropriate outwear
* Students should refrain from wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses when they would be uncomfortable in them outdoors
* Thanks so much for writing student names inside all clothing that could be misplaced or lost
SEL Calendar 2024 - 2025
Please CLICK HERE for the Cranford School District Social Emotional Learning Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year
Food Policy for Cranford Public Schools
Cranford Public School District's number one priority is the safety of its community. Towards this end, the District has modified its policy (5331 - MANAGEMENT OF LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES IN SCHOOLS) which makes celebrations in K-8 food free. Please read Dr. Rubin's full letter regarding this change in policy.
Go Green Folder
Please click here to access additional information from the Cranford Community: Go Green Folder
