
Orange Avenue School Community
March 15, 2025
Dear OAS Families,
Please take a moment to read OAS' weekly blast. The blast contains important information about upcoming events, dates to remember and highlights all the wonderful things happening within the school. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Lourdes Murphy
OAS Principal
Mark Your Calendars
- March 19, 2025: 5th Grade Social
- March 21, 2025: OAS Spring Musical at 7:30 PM
- March 22, 2025: OAS Spring Musical at 7:30 PM
- March 23, 2025: OAS Spring Musical at 3:00 PM
- March 26, 2025: Holocaust Day of Remembrance at 7:00 PM (OAS)
- March 28, 2025: 6th Grade Social
- April 2, 2025: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader at 6:00 PM (OAS)
- April 14, 2025 - April 18, 2025: Schools Closed for Spring Break
Important End of the Year Dates
- June 3, 2025: School is in Session
- June 10, 2025: School closed for the Primary Election
- June 13, 2025: Grade 5 Moving Up Ceremony
- June 17, 2025: OAS Grade 8 Class Night (CHS at 7:00 PM)
- June 18, 2025: Single Session
- June 19, 2025: Singe Session and Last Day of School
CELEBRATIING SEL: Caring for Self and Others
OAS Presents Disney's Descendants: The Musical
Orange Avenue School presents Disney’s Descendants: The Musical. Performance dates are March 21&22 @ 7:30pm and March 23 @ 3:00pm. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased at oascnj.booktix.com or at the door.
Synopsis: Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney's Descendants: The Musical is a brand-new musical comedy featuring the beloved characters and hit songs from the films!
It is present-day, and in the kingdom of Auradon, all of Disney’s beloved heroes and royalty are living happily ever after, safe from the terrifying villains and troublesome sidekicks they have banished to the magic-free Isle of the Lost. That is until Ben, the benevolent teenage son of Belle and King Adam (The Beast), offers a chance of redemption for the troublemaking offspring of the evilest villains. Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos – the children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Cruella De Vil, and Jafar – are welcomed to Auradon Prep to attend school with the children of their parents’ sworn enemies. Now entering a completely foreign world and way of life, the four Villain Kids have a difficult choice to make: should they follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or learn to be good?
IMPORTANT PEER INFORMATION
There will be NO PEER on March 20 and March 21.
Middle School Information
Locura de Marzo Final Bracket
We have made it to the finals! Our Middle School Spanish students have loved participating in Locura de Marzo, a global March Madness-style competition for Spanish music. Each day for the past few weeks, students have learned about different Spanish-speaking artists, listened to their songs, and voted for their favorites. We are excited to reveal both the OAS and international results next week during EI for the entire middle school to hear!
8th Graders Attended the Teen Arts Festival
This week, OAS 8th graders participated in the Teen Arts Festival at Union County Community College, an event that celebrates creativity in literary, performing, and visual arts. Students had the opportunity to receive professional critiques and take part in workshops. They represented our school with poise and maturity, earning high praise from industry professionals. Well done, everyone!
Elementary School Information
ELEMENTARY CLUB INFORMATION
Thank you for your interest in our elementary school clubs. Club lists are being finalized and advisors will be reaching out this week with more information.
OAS BOOK TOURNAMENT KICKOFF
We voted on “Blackout” and “ Interrupting Chicken” this week. Congratulations to “Interrupting Chicken” on moving on to the next round! Keep reading, keep voting!
Are You Smarter Than a Cranford/ Garwood Fifth Grader?
We're excited to announce the return of the 14th annual “Are You Smarter than a Cranford/Garwood Fifth Grader? Academic Bowl”! Sponsored by Cranford and Garwood Public Schools and the Cranford Rotary Club, this fun competition pairs adult contestants with student helpers for a quiz show-style event.
Event Details:
The Academic Bowl will take place on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Orange Avenue School (contestants and students arrive by 5:45 PM).
This family-friendly event is a great way to have fun and help students start saving for their future. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Outstanding Orange
Our Outstanding Orange program recognizes students for creating a positive environment, helping others, and practicing key full value principles. If you child receives an Orange they will be bringing the certificate home to share why they were recognized. This week we would like to celebrate the following students:
Grade 3:
Grade 4:
Elijah L.
Grade 5:
Calie F.
Addie T.
IMPORTANT SCHOOL REMINDERS
According to the N.J. Department of Education, the goal of school health services is to strengthen and facilitate the educational process by improving and protecting the health status of children and staff.
Since health and intellectual development of children are interrelated, the following is a list of state mandated screening services provided by the school nurse during the school year. As always, all screenings are confidential.
Height, Weight and Blood Pressure: all grade levels, including preschool
Hearing Screening: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 11th grades
Vision Screening: Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th grades
Scoliosis Screening: 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th grades
The health screenings will be conducted throughout the school year. Parents who wish to opt-out of any mandated screenings, must notify the school nurse in writing.
Ana Dippolito BSN, CSN, RN
School Nurse, Orange Avenue School
Phone: 908-709-6270
Attendance and Punctuality Reminder
Regular school attendance is a strong predictor of academic success. Consistent attendance not only supports academic growth but also helps students feel connected to their school community, fostering social skills and friendships. While we understand that absences due to illness are sometimes necessary, we encourage families to be mindful of how often their child is absent.
To keep families informed, notifications will be sent when a student reaches 10 absences. This communication is intended to maintain open lines of dialogue and provide support if your child is experiencing difficulties attending school regularly.
Punctuality is equally important. Middle school students should be in their first-period class by 8:10 AM, and elementary school students should arrive before 8:50 AM. Students arriving after these times must report to the main office to receive a late pass. Chronic tardiness not only disrupts the class but also causes students to miss valuable instructional time. We will review the tardy log and reach out to families of students with frequent late arrivals. If your child is having difficulty arriving on time, please let us know so we can offer assistance.
Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring your child attends school regularly and on time.
OAS Attendance Email Address
If your child is absent, late to school, or leaving early, please email the attendance email address at:
oas-attendance@cranfordschools.org
Please include your child's name (first and last), grade (and class if they are in elementary), and the reason for the absence in your email to the attendance line. If the absence is due to illness, kindly list any and all symptoms the child is experiencing.
In addition, any miscellaneous questions you may have regarding school procedures and protocols may be directed to this same email. The office staff will help with your concerns or direct you to the right person.
School Nurse Information
Doctor’s orders must be renewed every school year. In order to ensure proper care for your child, please use the links below to access and print the necessary forms for the 2024-2025 school year.
Any student requiring the use of crutches, canes, walkers or wheelchairs in school must submit a doctor's note requesting the use of the apparatus. Prior to reporting to class.
To contact the nurse, please email ruzic@cranfordschools.org and/or call 908-709-6270.
Visitor Protocols Reminder
As shared in Dr. Rubin's welcome back letter, please review the visitor protocols:
- Visitor Entry - The District continues to use a digital visitor management entry system (Raptor) at each of the school building entrances. Please review these visitor entry protocols and procedures. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Updated Protocols for Cell Phones, Smartwatches and Wireless Headphones
OAS and HAS are implementing new protocols regarding the use of electronic communication and recording devices (ECRD). Here is the joint letter from Mr. Deacon and Mrs. Murphy.
Dress Code
Students should come to school dressed appropriately for a school environment. Clothing must be neat, clean, safe, and worn properly. Fashion trends often include clothing that may be acceptable outside of school but may not be acceptable inside of school. The guidelines listed below will ensure that students are dressed appropriately for school
Clothing should be modest and not overly revealing. Shorts and shirts must be the appropriate length meaning the bottom of the shirt should touch the top of the pants.
Clothing should not display offensive language, images, or symbols. Avoid clothing with slogans, symbols, or graphics that promote violence or glorifies the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
Students who engage in school-related off-campus activities should dress appropriately since they are representing the school during the activity.
Violators of the dress and grooming regulations will be required to make arrangements to obtain suitable clothing immediately.
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.
No Dogs On School Property
Please be aware that dogs are not to be on school grounds. We ask that you please do not bring your dogs to where the students arrival and/or dismiss. Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.
Important Links
Yearbook Information
Purchase a Middle School Yearbook!
You can purchase an OAS Middle School yearbook by visiting yearbookordercenter.com and entering school code 13053.
8th grade families: On the same site, do not forget to order a 1/8 page ad for your class of 2025 graduate!
***Feel free to submit clear photos to oasmsyearbook25@gmail.com for consideration. Please make sure to indicate the names and grades of the students in the pic.
Elementary Yearbook Information
Elementary School (Grades 3-5) Yearbook Information
This year we are going to try a new way to submit photos to the yearbook via google forms.
Click this link to submit photos to the OAS Elementary Yearbook (Grades 3-5). Here you will find google forms for various events including the First Day of School, Sports, Girl/Boy Scouts and more will be added through the year!
To purchase an elementary OAS yearbook or view your account, visit:
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014977906143535
(The OAS passcode is: 1014977906143535)
School Lunch Information
School Lunch Information
For information regarding the Free & Reduced Lunch Program CLICK HERE
Free and Reduced Lunch Letter 24-25
Free and Reduced Lunch Instructions
District Information
District Information
Camp Invention is Coming to Cranford!
Please CLICK HERE for the Cranford School District Social Emotional Learning Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year
Cranford Public Library - Free Writing Workshop
The Cranford Public Library runs a free Writing Workshop led by middle-grade author Brigit Young. Applications are now open for the spring session, The library has classes for grades 4-5, 6-7, and 8+.
Orange Avenue School
Email: murphy@cranfordpublicschools.org
Website: https://oas.cranfordschools.org/
Location: 901 Orange Avenue, Cranford, NJ, USA
Phone: (908) 709 - 6269