Bloomingdale Blast

Hello Bloomingdale Families,

We are so appreciative and grateful for all the donations that families dropped off for Cranford Family Cares. We also received a ton of cards to be shared with senior citizens. Your kindness and thoughtfulness certainly is representative of the BAS community!

Despite the weather not cooperating on Friday, students were still able to get an extended movement break in the gym by participating in our monthly Yoga assembly. Students practiced various poses and breathing techniques while also learning about our Full Value Principles: Be Here, Be Safe, and Setting Goals.

Next week, we only have a few days of school, however, there are a bunch of wonderful events including our classroom Be Thankful Parties, school spirit Pep Rally, and Pajama Day! All of these events will take place on Wednesday, November 27 which is also a Single Session day.

Take care Bloomingdale,

Mr. Litz and the BAS Staff

On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, BAS will have a Single Session school day for students prior to the Thanksgiving Break.

Reminders for Students in FDK, Grade 1, and Grade 2

• Arrival 8:20 AM
• Dismissal 12:20 PM
• Please remember to send water and a snack. Lunch will not be served.

Reminders for AM/PM Kindergarten Students

• We utilize an alternating schedule for our AM and PM kindergarten students on single session days
• Only students in Ms. Arana's AM session will attend school this day during the morning hours:

- Arrival 8:20AM
- Dismissal 11:00AM
- Students in Ms. Arana's PM session will not attend school this day.

As a reminder, on Wednesday, November 27, all students and staff are welcome to wear their pajamas to school. This PJ Day is a result of the district's mock election in which a majority of students chose this as their special spirit day. The ballot included Dress Like a Teacher Day, Hat Day, Pajama Day, Dress Like a Rock Star Day, and Tie Dye Day, however, Pajama Day won!

Students in Mrs. Ruszkowski's class embarked on a new unit of study called Show and Tell Writing.

Students were invited to bring in a special item to inspire their writing. As seen below, students immersed themselves in the writing process by looking and thinking, drawing, adding more detail, and writing. They then celebrated their finished writing piece by pretending to visit the Museum of Writing, circulating the room to read about each other's special objects. It was amazing to see every student so dedicated to the process. 📝😀

As the weather continues to get colder, students will begin to wear jackets as they come to school and go to recess. Please know that we will go outside for recess when the temperature is 32 degrees or above. Students may also wear a hat and/or gloves for recess as well. Please show each piece of clothing some "label love" by writing your child's first and last name inside of each article of clothing. It is also helpful to label water bottles and lunch boxes as well. We continue to collect items in the Lost and Found that are not labeled.

😁Every Friday, students are invited to show school spirit by wearing BAS gear and/or Cranford colors😁

Tuesday, November 26- AMK and PMK Classroom Parties

Wednesday, November 27, 2024- Single Session *AM Kindergarten Only

• Pajama Day and FDK, Grade 1, & Grade 2 Classroom Parties

Thursday, November 28, 2024- No School- Thanksgiving Recess

Friday, November 29, 2024- No School- Thanksgiving Recess

Monday, December 2, 2024- BAS 2nd Grade Winter Chorus Concert for Families- See below

Thursday, December 5, 2024- Kindergarten Q & U Wedding

Friday, December 6, 2024- Trimester 1 Ends

Friday, December 13, 2024 - Holiday Boutique & Pretzel Sale

Wednesday, December 18, 2024-

• OAS Band/Orchestra Caroling Assembly at 10:00 AM
• KPM OAS Band/Orchestra Caroling Invitation

Thursday, December 19, 2024 -

• BAS Winter Concert for Students at 9:00 AM
• KPM Winter Concert Assembly
• Grades 1-2 Report Cards on PowerSchool

Friday, December 20, 2024 - Single Session *PM Kindergarten Only

Monday, December 23, 2024 - Winter Recess Begins

Thursday, January 2, 2025 - Return From Winter Recess

We are excited to announce our Bloomingdale Avenue School 2nd Grade Winter Chorus Concert will take place on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 1:45 for our families. Guest check-in will begin at 1:30. Please be on the lookout for a RSVP email from Ms. McDonald.

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.

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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

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 by November 30, 2024.

Medical History Enrollment Form

Medical Enrollment Form

Classroom Allergy Information- Updated 11/14/2024

Forms for Students with Specific Health Concerns

Welcome to November, the official start of the holiday…and flu season!

The flu is a viral illness most often seen from October through March each year. Spread by droplets (coughing or sneezing) or direct contact with infected items, a person is contagious from 1 day prior until 7 days after symptoms appear. Children may be contagious even longer. Being vaccinated against the flu, hand washing, and proper hygiene are keys to staying healthy.

The flu vaccine is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for anyone over the age of 6 months and especially for those who are most at risk for complications: young children, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and people who are immune-compromised or have chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. Since children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated, anyone caring for them should be.

Although people may believe that “they got the flu from the vaccine,” the vaccine is made from a dead virus so it cannot cause illness. There are a few reasons for experiencing flu-like symptoms after the vaccine. Some of the vaccine’s minor side effects include soreness at the site, low-grade fever, and aches which may be confused with the flu. The vaccine takes two weeks to build up adequate antibodies so you may become ill from exposure before you are fully immune. Since the vaccine is designed to protect against the three most common strains that are predicted for the year, it is possible to become infected with a strain not covered in the vaccine.

This time of year is also a good time to review hand washing with your children. Water (doesn’t have to be warm) and soap is all it takes. Remind them to scrub from their wrists to fingertips for 20 seconds. (Let them sit quietly for that long, 20 seconds will seem really long!) Dry hands thoroughly, turning off the water with a paper towel in public restrooms. If only hand sanitizer is available, be sure to continue rubbing until it has all evaporated. Additionally, remind your kids to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, discard used tissues, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with their elbows. Since germs can spread 6 feet, this will help “contain“ them.

To prevent spreading illness and to allow for adequate recovery, it is important to stay home while you are symptomatic and until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever reducing medication. Remember, there can be complications to the flu and they may be exacerbated by exposure to other illnesses while recovering.

Note: While the flu vaccine is recommended, it is not required for admission in New Jersey elementary schools. Therefore, you do not need to send a doctor’s note. Information on flu vaccinations is not recorded on the students’ medical records. Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Nurse Michelle Kilbashian RN, MEd, CSN kilbashian@cranfordschools.org

**Kindergarten single sessions will alternate between AM & PM classes according to the following schedule:

• Wednesday, November 27, 2024- AM only (No PM session)
  
• Friday, December 20, 2024- PM only (No AM session)
• Monday, February 3, 2024- AM only (No PM session)
• Monday, March 10, 2024- PM only (No AM session)
• Wednesday, June 18, 2024- AM only (No PM session)
• Thursday, June 19, 2024- PM only (No AM session)

If you would like to apply for consideration, please send completed application(s) with the required income verification to your child's teacher in an envelope addressed to the BAS Main Office / Attention: Mrs. DeLuca.

Free and Reduced Lunch Letter 24-25

Free and Reduced Lunch Instructions

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Free and Reduced Lunch FAQs

Pomptonian Food Service Menus

Pomptonian Ordering

Allergy Information

The BAS Climate and Culture Committee in partnership with the BAS PTA have selected the Bloomingdale Avenue School Story Walk book for November. The Story Walk book for November is, "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" by Kevin Noble Maillard and supports BAS in recognizing Native American Heritage Month.

Each year the PTA strives to achieve 100% membership. By joining the PTA, your dues (and additional donations) go back to the school which helps bring countless programs and experiences to BAS for students and teachers.

Click here to join!

Hello Parents,

It's time to get ready for the Bloomingdale Avenue School Variety Show! This is an opportunity for our students to perform with their respective classmates in a fun and energetic number that is fostered by our parent volunteers from each class. Each class from our school performs a short number for our Bloomingdale family and friends on stage at the Cranford High School on show night.

Here are the show details:

SHOW DATE: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025

DRESS REHEARSAL DATE: Tuesday, April 1st, 2025

SHOW LOCATION: CHS Auditorium

Please consider volunteering as a “class director” TODAY to support this amazing fundraiser! 3-4 volunteers are needed per class. As a team, they are responsible for running rehearsals, choreographing a short dance, arranging simple costumes, and communicating show information to their class. The window closes December 6th.

*SIGN UP HERE---> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekk7pxgnimUG5qaihXg2lRkXAwe5GNXRUwR_pVm6rpWpyo3A/viewform

We will be sending out student participation forms once we have our Directors set!

This is our most anticipated event at BAS and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it! It is an entertaining evening for families and an exciting and fun night for our children.

See you on Show Night!

Your Variety Show Directors,

Manoly Reynolds and Amanda Byrnes

Our annual Toy Drive to benefit the families of the Lafayette Street School in Newark will run until Wednesday 12/11. We are collecting toys for children ages newborn to 14 years.

There are two ways to donate:

- Drop unwrapped gifts in the bin located in the office at BAS now through Wednesday 12/11

- Donate through the Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2WW576U4B43VQ?ref_=wl_share

When purchasing on Amazon please check off the delivery address Lafayette Street School NEWARK, NJ and all donations will automatically be delivered to the school. Gifts need to be received at the school by December 13th, so please make note of that delivery date when donating via Amazon.

Thank you for your help in making a child's holiday wish come true!

The annual Holiday Boutique is returning to BAS! Students will have the opportunity to shop for their loved ones with their class. Click on this link to sign-up your student to shop! http://shorturl.at/TDkFQ

Send your original/full-size/high resolution photos to BASyearbook2025@gmail.com (please note the new address). Include the event, student names, and class/teacher of the students pictured. Please send one event per email (multiple photos are okay). It will help ensure that we are able to include as many students in the yearbook as possible.

Please send any yearbook related questions to BASyearbook2025@gmail.com.

Thank you!

BAS Yearbook Staff

Cranford High School Building Bridges program is currently open for registration. This program offers an opportunity for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade to meet students from across the Cranford Public Schools district in a friendly and welcoming environment under the guidance of a high school Building Bridges ambassador. Each monthly meeting, students will meet and work on activities from crafting, sports activities, supporting CHS athletics and free play. Registration for the entire year is $20 per child. Register your child here: https://form.jotform.com/232148382532050

Please CLICK HERE for the Cranford School District Social Emotional Learning Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year.

November is the Month of Gratitude! Please click the image below to access the article with tips rooted in SEL to foster gratitude.

Mr. Ron Litz, Principal

Email: litz@cranfordschools.org

Mrs. Agnieszka DeLuca, Secretary

Email: deluca@cranfordschools.org

Mrs. Loreal McNeil, Clerical Assistant

Email: mcneil.loreal@cranfordschools.org

Ms. Michelle Kilbashian, School Nurse

Email: kilbashian@cranfordschools.org

Phone: (908) 709 -6969 (Main Office)

Website: https://bas.cranfordschools.org/

200 Bloomingdale Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016

Thanks for taking a moment to click on this link for our Go Green Folder to view information about event/programs taking place across the district and town

We are still very much in need of elementary lunch aides. Elementary lunch aide hours are 10:35 - 12:35. This is a great way to support our students. If you are interested in taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity visit, https://www.applitrack.com/cranford/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Support+Staff