The Cougar Chronicle

Dear Cranford Community,

This edition of the Cougar Chronicle features in-depth stories that directly relate to our Strategic Plan and highlight the many talents of our students. It features our students going above and beyond for others and truly showing the importance of kindness and empathy.

I hope you enjoy.

Sincerely,

Dr. Scott Rubin

Superintendent of Schools

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Each year, the Cranford Public School District disseminates the New Jersey School Climate Improvement Survey in an effort to better understand perceptions of our school climate, identify strengths, and make meaningful improvements in the future. The NJSCI survey was created in partnership with The School Climate Transformation Project at Rutgers University and the New Jersey Department of Education with the goal of implementing data-informed practices to enhance positive school climate and an inclusive learning community which meets the needs of our diverse students, staff, and family populations. The New Jersey School Climate Improvement Survey is shared with families, staff, and students grades three through 12. The topics range from reflecting on student experience in and out of the classroom, teaching and learning, peer relationships and safety. This year, the anonymous online survey will become available on Friday, Feb. 28 until Friday, March 14. Please check your school community’s Friday blasts for links to access and further information. We appreciate your support!

District is committed to continuously maintaining strong climate and culture in schools

At the Jan. 27 Cranford Board of Education meeting, District Coordinator of Culture and Climate Alyssa Willner, presented “School Safety and Climate Team Action Plans” that directly align with the district’s Strategic Plan.

Each school’s School Safety and Climate Team meets to create action plans to implement school-wide change based on feedback from families, students, teachers and staff. These plans are in accordance with the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights with the goal of decreasing incidents of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) while simultaneously supporting equity and inclusion throughout the district. The feedback gathered from each school, and the community’s annual New Jersey School Climate Improvement Survey indicates that the district performs well across the board, meaning that the environment throughout the school community is supportive.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide all students with a positive school environment in each school community,” said Willner. “It is our shared vision, and we are all committed as various stakeholders to bringing this vision to life through each one of our action plans.”

Willner explained that the school communities have focused on student agency, community partnerships, and fostering positive and inclusive peer-to-peer behavior in many of this year’s action plan goals, which are directly aligned with Cranford’s Strategic Plan. This underscores the significance of collaboration and communication among those who support our students in various roles. In addition, there are also annual district-wide initiatives that have been previously established, which continue to emphasize those ideas, including a Social Emotional Learning Calendar, Family Academy Programming, and all schools within the district being named No Place for Hate Gold Star schools.

The next two Family Academy Programs are Bullies to Buddies on Feb. 20 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Orange Avenue School and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Night on March 13 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Hillside Avenue School.

“These action items increase inclusivity and keep everyone empowered academically and emotionally,” said Willner.

Throughout the year, each school approaches these goals slightly differently through classroom curriculum, schoolwide and community events, often highlighted in the district’s monthly e-newsletter The Cougar Chronicle.

“We are continuing to trend downward on our number of investigations regarding harassment and bullying incidents,” said District Anti-Bullying Coordinator and Director of School Counseling Lisa Burfeindt. “We have a number of programs and initiatives in place at our schools to really educate the students and families about Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB).”

To continue with positive change each year, CPS will continue to provide all stakeholders the opportunity to engage with the New Jersey School Climate Improvement Survey in an effort to better understand perceptions of the school climate, identify strengths, and make meaningful improvements in the future. This year, the anonymous, online, survey will become available from Feb. 28 until March 14 through each school community’s e-newsletters.

“We set goals through our Strategic Plan in partnership with the school community and the community at large and it is important for all to see we are acting toward these goals,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott Rubin. “These ongoing efforts will help to foster a positive school environment throughout the district and support the development of the whole child."

Every month this digital newsletter will highlight someone making an impact in our schools.

Feb. 15 marked National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. We would like to take this opportunity to send our sincere thanks to the officers who make our schools and community safer. We appreciate you.

What made you want to become a School Resource Officer?

I think we all have a role in contributing somehow in guiding juveniles to become productive members of society whether through coaching, teaching or volunteering. I believe this way I'm just doing my small part.

What is your favorite part about working with Cranford Public Schools?

My favorite part of working with Cranford Public Schools is engaging positively with kids and staff daily.

Why is having a School Resource Officer so important for school safety?

SROs are important for school safety because we can help develop and implement plans for emergency situations, build relationships with students and staff members to create a positive school climate and help curb juvenile delinquency.

Can you share some fun facts about yourself?

Basketball is my favorite sport.

What made you want to become a School Resource Officer?

I grew up in Cranford and I love this town. I wanted to use my training and experience as a police officer to protect our youth and pass along my knowledge to the next generation.

Tell us a little bit about a School Resource Officer and the significance of districts having them.

School Resource Officers act as liaisons between the Police Department and the School system, allowing us to develop strong relationships with staff and students. We teach classes and give presentations in order to educate the students in our district on a variety of subjects. Another function of SROs is to conduct security drills. SROs work closely with the school system to make Cranford Public Schools a safe place for our students to learn and grow.

Why is having a School Resource Officer so important for school safety?

As an SRO, I have been trained in building safety and security. Using our training and experience as police officers allows us to work together with the schools to provide knowledge on improving building security as well as building relationships with students that can aid in lessening juvenile delinquency.

Can you share some fun facts about yourself?

In my free time, I enjoy golfing and I'm a big Yankee fan.

What is your favorite part about working with Cranford Public Schools?

My favorite part about working with Cranford Public Schools is interacting with the staff and students. There are so many people from different backgrounds who all share a commonality in their commitment to education.

What does a typical day look like for you as a School Resource Officer?

A typical day for me as an SRO is arriving at the Cranford Police Department substation office located in both middle schools and the high school to greet students as they arrive in the morning. We keep the office doors open for any student or staff visitors who have a question or just want to say hello. A majority of the time I am teaching a Project Alert (drug prevention class) to the middle school students. If I am not teaching, I am cruising the hallways of the school.

How long have you worked with Cranford Public Schools?

I have been a School Resource Officer for one year. Prior to my career in law enforcement, I was a Cranford Public School educator at Lincoln School for 5 years.

Can you share some fun facts about yourself?

My favorite fun fact about myself is that I am an avid golfer, and I love to cook!

Det. Muhammad most recently took his love of cooking into a CHS classroom. Students in Ms. Barbera's International Cuisine Class challenged him to see who could make the best bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Det. Muhammad competed on the television show Chopped where he unfortunately lost over his breakfast sandwich. Now, he seeks revenge in this cooking challenge. See who wins here:

For over 15 years students in Cranford’s Japanese classes have participated in a creative project to design nengajo, traditional New Year's greeting cards exchanged in Japan to wish for a prosperous and auspicious year. This year, Hillside Avenue School sixth grader, Elina Pan, placed third nationally out of 597 participants in the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) Nengajo Design Contest.

Elina’s outstanding "Year of the Snake" design earned her an award in the Computer-Generated category, marking a historic achievement as the first time anyone from Cranford has won an award in this prestigious competition. Her work, along with other student entries, is proudly displayed on the bulletin board in the middle school wing.

“This competition supports students' use of and passion for the Japanese language and culture,” said Japanese Teacher Catherine Fisco. “Rather than just learning about it, they are fully immersed in the significance and experience of nengajo.”

“This contest is just one of many cultural activities that are incorporated throughout the year to help students connect with Japanese language and traditions,” Fisco continued. “Hands-on experiences make learning more immersive and help reinforce language skills in a natural way. It’s rewarding to see students develop not just language skills, but also a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture through these activities.”

The Prologue Literary & Art Magazine has been recognized as a Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary (REALM) First Class magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English. This is the first year CPS has received "First Class," previously being awarded "Excellent."

The REALM program publicly recognizes excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. REALM is designed to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing. The magazine is characterized by a variety of genres including print and multimedia presentations, highly original and technically outstanding writing, high-quality design with fonts and graphics that complement the theme and tone, inclusion of high-quality writings from various disciplines, and other evidence that school-wide participation has gone into the development of the magazine. Students handle virtually all aspects of writing, production, and business with exceptional skills.

“Our students at CHS are so talented and smart, it was wonderful for them to be recognized and that their work was appreciated on a national level,” said CHS Librarian and Advisor for Prologue Literary and Art Magazine Christine Szeluga.

This year, schools in 46 states and five countries nominated 422 student magazines. Magazines from middle school, high school, and higher education were welcomed for the 2024 contest. 125 magazines were awarded the contest’s highest distinction, REALM First Class, including Cranford Public Schools.

On Feb. 13, the students in the LEAP program at Lincoln School celebrated the 100th day of school in style by dressing up as if they were 100 years old! Excitement filled the halls as the children arrived wearing gray wigs, suspenders, shawls, and glasses, fully embracing the spirit of the milestone. Some even carried canes or walkers, adding to the fun of the day. The celebration not only marked their academic progress but also encouraged creativity and school spirit. It was a joyful and memorable way to honor 100 days of learning, growth, and achievement in the LEAP program!

The Livingston Avenue School PTA partnered with Mrs. Shannon Moore to host yoga classes for third, fourth and fifth grade students. The students are learning basic yoga poses and relaxation techniques that can be done anywhere, even without a yoga mat. The yoga classes have been a big hit with the students who learn practical tools to help regulate their nervous systems and practice deep breathing. Practicing mindfulness in school helps support the Full Value Principle: Be Here.

Ms. Braxton's PEER students helped Orange Avenue School celebrate "No Name-Calling Week" from Jan. 20-23 by visiting elementary classrooms and presenting an engaging lesson. Designed by seventh grade student C. Giblin, the activity emphasized the importance of inclusion and kindness. Students traced their hands and decorated them with messages about being inclusive at OAS. These colorful hands will be displayed in a large rainbow, reminding everyone to "Be a rainbow in someone's cloud!"

Love Lane, Cupid Court, Sweetheart Street and Darling Drive are just a few streets located inside Walnut Avenue School during the beginning of February. The WAS Post Office, run by second grade students, opened with excitement as the delivery of Valentine’s Day cards throughout the school began before Feb. 14. Students carefully read the specific addresses on the cards, sorted the cards and used their map skills to deliver the hundreds of cards throughout the school. The second graders were all smiles as they took on the responsibility of Postal Workers with the goal of bringing smiles and good cheer to all students and staff at WAS this Valentine’s Day.

Mr. Campisi's seventh grade class at Hillside Avenue School has been diving deep into the cardiovascular system, exploring how the heart pumps oxygenated blood to every cell in the body. Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, students built their understanding of this vital organ. Students were pumped with excitement as they performed a heart dissection!

Brookside Place School recognized No Name Calling Week with a special activity. Students read the book “The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade” by Justin Roberts. They then discussed the main character Sally and how she made a difference in her school. This was followed by an observation walk to look for images left by school counselor Mrs. Biggiani. Students practiced their observation skills and learned how paying attention to their surroundings can contribute to a positive, friendly and welcoming environment.

From “The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade”:

Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe. She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But Sally notices everything—from the twenty-seven keys on the janitor’s ring to the bullying happening on the playground. One day, Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. And when she takes a chance and stands up to the bullies, she finds that one small girl can make a big difference.

On Feb. 13, classrooms and hallways of Bloomingdale Avenue School filled with excitement as students, teachers, and family volunteers gathered to celebrate a major milestone – 100 days of school! The 100th day of school is an annual tradition at BAS, and this year’s celebration was particularly special, thanks to the involvement of family members who volunteered to help run various stations. Students participated in hands-on learning activities such as bean bag toss, roll to 100, and 100 chart relay all centering around the number 100.

In addition to these activities, students also found a way to give back to the Cranford community by participating in a food drive to support Cranford Family Care. Kindergarten students were tasked with bringing in 100 canned goods while students in first grade were challenged to collect 100 boxed goods and second grade strived to gather 100 kids snacks. We are ecstatic to share that each grade met their goal and even exceeded it!

The 100th day of school is not just about a numerical milestone; it's about recognizing the growth and achievements of our students in a meaningful way!

Kathryn Campbell has been awarded the Gold Key Regional Award in the category of ceramics and glass for her piece called "Jamila". The work was entered into the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition and was recognized by a panel of creative professionals for its outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of her personal voice and vision.

The Gold Key award allows Kathryn to move forward and compete on a national level, which will be judged in New York City. Recipients of any National Awards will be announced on March 26.

In addition, Kathryn Campbell was accepted into this prestigious show with her work titled "Jamila". For over three decades, the Morris Museum has hosted this opportunity to showcase talented New Jersey high school students and recognize their dedicated teachers and staff members. This year art was created by nearly 350 students, representing 43 schools located in 10 New Jersey counties. The show will be running from March 14 to May 25.

Elina Kahliuk has been awarded the Silver Key for her sculpture titled "Trayosaur."

This work was also recognized by a panel of creative professionals for its outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of her personal voice and vision.

Congratulations to Cranford Wrestling North 2 Group 3 Section Champions!