Bloomingdale Blast
February 3, 2024
Dear Bloomingdale Families,
February has arrived and we have passed the halfway point of the school year! We are well on our way to being 100 Days kinder, smarter, and hardworking!
February is Black History Month! Throughout our district, students will learn about the history of the month, as well as celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black historical figures. This week students will learn about Carter G. Woodson. He is called the “Father of Black History” because of the work he did to ensure there was a month dedicated each year to learning about the history and contributions of Black people.
We also recognize National Children's Dental Health Month in February Students will learn about the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums throughout the month. Second graders will attend an assembly this week with a dentist and students in K/1 had classroom visit this past Friday.
Thank you to all of the parents/guardians who have volunteered to support our 100th Day Celebration on Monday, February 12th! We are still in need of a few more volunteers for both the AM and PM sessions. Please look for more information on our celebration and how to sign up to volunteer below.
As a reminder, tomorrow is a Single Session Day. Arrival and Dismissal times are as follows:
Full Day Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 - 8:20 AM-12:20 PM
PM Kindergarten ONLY - 8:20 AM -11:00 AM
Enjoy your evening,
Kristen D'Anna
Principal
ARRIVAL and DISMISSAL
As you know, we have begun using the Updated 2023-2024 Visitor Protocols. The safety and security of staff and students is of the utmost importance. Please review the reminders below regarding visitor protocols, as well as a change to the process for students arriving at school late or leaving prior to dismissal. The updated arrival/dismissal procedures outlined below will go into effect on Monday, January 8, 2024.
As always, all visitors to BAS and all Cranford Public Schools need to have an appointment (advanced notice) to enter the building. No visitors will be granted building access (unless they have a scheduled appointment) between the following times BAS:
Please CLICK HERE to view the updated procedures for visitors and late arrivals/early dismissals.
After Care Families
Families with students in after-care programs, PLEASE remember to call the after-care programs to inform them of changes to the student going to the program after-school in addition to notifying your child's teacher.
Safety is our number one priority and the after-care programs and the school work together to keep the students safe. We need your help to inform the after-care program and your child's teacher that the student will not be attending on a given day.
Thank you for working to keep everyone informed and safe!
Dress Code Reminders
- Choose school appropriate shoes. Slip on shoes should not be worn to school. In order to maintain student safety tied or velcro shoes are best.
- Please know that we will go outside for recess and walks when the temperature is 32 degrees or above. Students should dress so that they will be warm enough when they are outside for walks or recess.
Playground Safety
As a school we developed expectations for many areas of our building, including the playground. The expectations on the poster below are taught to students and reminders are provided throughout the year. At the start of each school year, we agree to work together as a school to follow these expectations.
Students know that these expectations help to keep us safe on the playground and field before, during and after school. We highlight different expectations throughout the year. Currently we are focusing on "Calm Hands and Feet." Calm Hands and Feet on the playground means that while playing we keep our hands and feet to ourselves. Doing so ensures everyone has fun and maintains physical safety for all students. Thank you in advance for being supportive and mindful of these expectations.
Smart Watches and Wearable Technology
Our cell phone policy is that students' cell phones need to be off and away and smartwatches are only to be used to tell time. Smartwatches can only be worn if they are able to placed in 'school mode.' They are not permitted as communication devices during the school day. Additionally, watches should not have timers or alarms that can sound during class. In the event that a device cannot be placed in school mode, it should remain turned off for the day. Thank you for your support in ensuring that we limit classroom distractions and maximize learning time for all students.
Volunteers Needed!
100th Day of School Celebration
We are in need of approximately twenty four volunteers in the AM and twenty four volunteers in the PM to assist with our 100th Day of School Celebration. Pending any weather events, the 100th Day of School will take place on Monday, February 12, 2024.
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form below by January 31, 2024. If we receive more volunteers than needed, volunteers will be chosen by raffle.
All volunteers will be contacted on or about February 2, 2024 to confirm they were selected.
Attendance Information
We love having your children at school! Regular and timely attendance is of the utmost importance.
- Attendance is important for students' academic and social development. As long as students are healthy, they should attend school.
- Arriving at school on time (between 8:20-8:30) is important in ensuring that students are ready for a day of learning. Classes begin promptly after morning announcements. Late arrivals are disruptive for all students.
Reporting Tardies/Absences
When reporting a student tardy/absent please notify the school by emailing basattendance@cranfordschools.org. If you are unable to send an email, please call 908-709-6973.
SEL Calendar
Please click on the link to view our Social Emotional Learning Calendar for the district. The calendar will be updated monthly to reflect Family Academies, awareness months, and school activities which foster student wellness and safety, SEL skills, character education pillars, and Full Value Principles.
Thank you for your participation and support!
Lunch Information
Pomptonian Lunch Ordering
CLICK HERE for Pomptonian Food Service Information and Lunch Ordering
Healthy School Lunch Challenge and our Foods Across America
As part of Pomptonian’s 5th Annual Healthy School Lunch Challenge, each year we invite students to submit a healthy recipe with a picture of their meal.
Winners are broken down into three grade groupings, PreK-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The Super Grand Prize Winner (1st place winner) of each category will receive a vertical garden for their school.
This year, we are adding an extra element to the High School category. The top three high school contestants will compete in a Chopped-style challenge. It is important to point out, they will be paired with a Pomptonian chef. The Super Grand Prize winner for the High School category will also receive $1,000! Contestants must be available on March 14th to attend the filming with a parent or chaperone.
For your reference, the Pomptonian Healthy School Lunch Challenge announcement video provides more information regarding the challenge. Flyers are attached reviewing the challenge as well.
Additionally, during the month of January we are featuring Foods Across America for High School students. Each week highlights a different state and entrée. Skyline Chili represents Ohio this week; next week Nashville Hot Chicken is on the lunch menu representing Tennessee; and lastly Chimichangas are on the menu during the week of the 22nd representing Arizona.
We are excited to offer the Healthy School Lunch Challenge each year to our students and enjoy reviewing their recipes as well as exposing students to new foods through the Foods Across America promotion.
Please reach out with any questions.
Healthy regards,
Toni Marie Bowman, MBA, RDN, SNS
Director of Nutrition Services
Phone – (973) 241-3013
Important Dates
January
11- PTA General Meeting, 7pm
12- Spirit Day/Pretzel Sale
13-14 - Cranford 'Souperhero' Stroll
15- No School- MLK Jr. Day
18- Family Academy 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at CHS Upper Gym
23 - Single Session - Bond Referendum Vote 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
February
5- Single Session
15- Winter Wonderland After School Social
16- Spirit Day/Pretzel Sale
19- No School- Presidents’ Day
26 - March 1 - CASA Book/PJ Drive
29- Book Fair
Kindergarten Single Sessions
** UPDATED**
Kindergarten single sessions will alternate between AM & PM classes according to the following schedule:
Monday, 10/9 - AM only (no PM session)
Wednesday, 11/22 - PM only (no AM session)
Friday, 12/22 - AM only (no PM session)
Tuesday, 1/23 - PM only (no AM session)
Monday, 2/5 - PM only (no AM session)
Monday, 3/11 - AM only (no PM session)
Tuesday, 6/18 - PM only (no AM session)
Wednesday, 6/19 - AM only (no PM session)
Family Academy - Tuesday, February 13th at 6:30 PM
On Tuesday, February 13th at 6:30pm, we will host a Family Academy Discussion surrounding the topic of Student Resilience. This discussion will be led by John Mopper of BluePrint Mental Health. This will be hosted at CHS, in the Dr. Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe Library and Learning Commons.
Please share the flyer in your newsletters and with your school communities. It is also posted to our SEL District Calendar.
In addition to the QR code on the flyer, here is the Calendly Link for RSVP: https://calendly.com/willner-ccc/february-13th-student-resiliency-with-john-mopper
Please reach out with any questions.
Best,
Alyssa Willner
Ms. Alyssa Willner
District Culture and Climate Coordinator
District Anti-Bullying Specialist
Cranford Public Schools
Cranford, NJ 07016
908-956-0810
Cranford's Annual Relay for Life
Cranford's Annual Relay for Life will be held on Friday, May 17th at Orange Avenue School's back field beginning at 5pm until midnight. Cranford families, school groups, teams and any supporters are invited to register as a team or even individually for this year's Relay for Life event.
What is Relay? Relay is an event where individuals and teams register and work towards getting donations for their team for the event. While at Relay the goal of a team is to always have at least one member on the track walking. Teams in the past have set up tents around the track, decorated for the year's theme and come together to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.
This year's theme is Cranford Cougar Pride! A perfect rally for our community to come together to support survivors, those currently battling cancer and remembering those we have lost as a Cranford Community. There will be theme laps, activities throughout the night as well as various games. This event is welcome to all ages! While staying for the entire duration of the event is always welcomed, we encourage families to come and stay as long as they would like to Relay.
If you are unable to participate but still want to support this cause, you can also make donations as well. Please visit our Cranford Relay for Life website to learn more about registering or making a donation!
Support Our Troops
The Headquarters of the 1-102nd Cavalry Squadron and D/250th Brigade Support Battalion (the 102nd’s Forward Support Company) are the units that are assigned to the Westfield Armory.
Click the PDF below for information and ways to support our troops
Cranford Fund For Educational Excellence
What is the CFEE (Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence)?
Started nearly 30 years ago by members of the community interested in supporting innovative educational initiatives in the Cranford Schools, the Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence has awarded more than $325,000 in supplemental funding for educational grants that empower our teachers and impact our students. These grants support ideas that are aligned with the goals and focus areas of the district schools, but are outside the scope of the regular school budget. Please click here for details.