Weekly Community Correspondence

Hello BPS Families,

April arrives on Tuesday and, as the saying goes, it might bring additional rain showers, but hopefully May flowers will soon follow. Second trimester report cards became available in PowerSchool this past Friday, 3/28. Thank you for taking time to read through the remainder of this Weekly Correspondence which includes information on the BPS PTA Fiesta fundraiser which will be held this Friday evening and the BPS Variety Show ticket sales. There is also information on the Student Council drive to support area animal shelters / animal attire day, two upcoming BINGO nights, the spring Scholastic BOGO Book Fair, and more. Have a wonderful week ahead!

Sincerely,

Michael Klimko

Interim BPS Principal

Report Cards for the 2nd Trimester were available in PowerSchool this past Friday, 3/28/25.

Please see the information below from the BPS PTA:

The BPS Fiesta is only 5 days away! You can still purchase tickets to win amazing prizes!

This year's raffle baskets are incredible! All 18 baskets are valued at $400 and above....many have even greater value! Check out the baskets here.

New this year…we have an AMAZING GRAND PRIZE!

The Great (NYC) Escape ($1,500 value)!

• Indulge in a one night stay at the iconic Ritz Carlton Nomad

• Take in stunning views of the city from the elevated Nubeluz

• Dine on world class Mediterranean cuisine at Zaytina

• $25 for one ticket, $20 for each additional ticket

• Thank you to our incredible Grand Prize Sponsors: Gwyneth Murray-Nolan Berutti LLC, Cranford Orthodontics, and Cory Cassidy Sockell & Riposta Cassidy Law.

Support BPS and purchase your tickets! Remember, "you gotta be in it, to win it!"

• Haven’t purchased ticket packages yet!? You can now purchase raffle tickets AND the new grand prize tickets in one form here

• Already purchased your raffle ticket package? You can purchase grand prize tickets here

• Ticket pick up will be at the event. If you can't make it, you can still participate in the raffles. Contact Jamie (908-447-4130) and Christine (908-591-9029) to arrange the plan.

This is the BPS PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year and will be a fun night out with chances to win some amazing prizes!. Make a reservation for dinner or just come to see friends and for the raffles. Either way, come to support our school! The majority of the fundraising proceeds are generated from the ticket packages. River & Rail also donates 10% of BPS related sales back to our school.

Make your reservations by calling River & Rail directly at (908) 922-4300 and be sure to mention it is for the BPS Fiesta.

Tickets on sale now: Click here to place your ticket order!

The BPS Variety Show, RoadTrip USA, is just weeks away—and we need YOU to help make it a success! We’re calling on volunteers to assist backstage, where the magic truly happens. Student supervision and helping behind the scenes are crucial for the show to run smoothly, and we can't do it without your support.

Why volunteer?

• Receive a complimentary ticket to the show.

• Watch your child perform from the wings, right in the action!

• Receive an invitation to attend the School Assembly performance on Friday morning, 4/25.

Best of all, you’ll be a key part of making this unforgettable event come to life. The show will be livestreamed backstage, so you won’t miss a moment of the fun!

Please click here to sign up now! Reach out to chaperone coordinator Erin Moeller, at erinmoeller@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!

The BPS Student Council will continue to collect items for local animal shelters this week. Please see the list below for requested items.

As the culminating activity, students and staff are invited to wear clothing that features an animal on Friday, 4/4.

The annual Grade 3 & 4 Night Out was held on Thursday evening. Students participated as individuals or teams in the "Wild n Wacky Challenge" Game Show. The fun included whipped cream pies, slime and prizes! Special thanks to the BPS PTA for sponsoring the event and to chairpersons Mrs. Larkin and Mrs. Sheppard-Singh for coordinating the evening.

Each spring the outgoing 5th grade class has a tree planted in its honor on Arbor Day. All Grade 5 students have the opportunity to make a suggestion for the dedication. An email was sent to Grade 5 families on Wednesday, 3/26 with the form and additional details. For those interested in having their words considered for the inscription, the deadline for returning the forms is Wednesday, 4/2.

The final assembly of the 2024 - 2025 school year will be held on Wednesday, 4/2 in the morning. Presenters from Mad Science will demonstrate principles of chemistry and physics using a circus theme.

* Students in K - 2 will have their assembly at 9:00 AM

Students in Mrs. Halkias's PM Kindergarten class are welcome to attend as long as they are accompanied by a parent/guardian or other adult.

* Students in Grades 3 - 5 will have an assembly at 10:00 AM

Special thanks to the BPS PTA for sponsoring our series of assembly programs!

Come out and enjoy an evening of family-friendly fun and support the BPS fifth graders who will be representing our school at the "Are You Smarter than a Cranford/Garwood 5th Grader? Trivia Bowl on Wednesday, 4/2 at 6:00 PM at Orange Avenue School. The Grade 5 students representing Brookside Place School will be: Scarlett Oberhamer from Ms. Antoniewicz's class, Cole Dreissig and Ryan Geraghty from Mrs. Collins' class and Lucas Gaetano from Mrs. Scholz's class. Mr. Gaetano will be the adult volunteer contestant representing Brookside Place School. This event closely mirrors the format of the TV game show. Adult contestants answer trivia questions with the assistance of a panel of fifth grade students from elementary schools in Cranford and Garwood.

The BPS Chess Club/Clinic made its opening move this past Tuesday. Dr. Wenger, advisor to the CHS Chess Club, and members of the high school team were on hand to lend their expertise. The dates for the three remaining Chess Club sessions from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM in Mrs. Halkias's classroom are:

* Thursday, 4/3

* Thursday, 4/10

* Wednesday, 4/23

There will be a BINGO Night on Thursday, 4/3 from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM in the cafegymatorium for Grade 2 students. (This is a drop off event for those who pre-registered.)

The BPS PTA will hold a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) Scholastic Book Fair on Thursday, 4/10 and Friday, 4/11. Please see the pertinent information below:

* Read the Letter from the Principal detailing the event including a link to set up an e-wallet. (Both cash and e-wallet will be accepted.) Scholastic Book Fair Letter from the Principal

* Please click here to access the BPS Book Fair web site: BPS BOGO Book Fair

* Volunteer helpers are needed. Thank you for clicking on this link (BPS Spring 2025 Book Fair Sign Up Genius) to lend a helping hand.

There will be a BINGO Night for all BPS Kindergarten students on Friday, 4/11 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. (This is a drop off event.) Please see this link to sign up your student: BPS: Kindergarten Bingo

Please contact Mrs. Geraghty at geraghtymeghan@gmail.com or Mrs. Riley at nadia898@yahoo.com with any questions.

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 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 and remember that wind often makes it feel colder

* 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

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

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.

Fun and creativity collide at Camp Invention which will be held during two separate weeks at Orange Avenue School.

Week 1: Discover ~ June 23 - 27, 2025

Week 2: Recharge ~ July 7 - 11, 2025

Please see this link for additional information: Cranford Camp Invention Flyer

Please click here to access additional information from the Cranford Community: Go Green Folder

Email: danna@cranfordschools.org

Reporting a Student Absent: bpsattendance@cranfordschools.org

Website: https://bps.cranfordschools.org/
Location: 700 Brookside Place, Cranford, NJ, USA
Phone: (908) 709 - 6244