Bloomingdale Blast

Hello Bloomingdale Families,

Earlier this week, on Monday, Bloomingdale students and staff celebrated Veterans Day by welcoming Mr. Terrence Curan (Marine Corps) and Mr. Robert Reiter (Air Force) as special guests during our Bloomingdale Gathering. Our guests of honor were clapped into the gym and were deservedly recognized for their service. As part of our Bloomingdale Gathering tradition, our veterans helped us with singing our school song, saying our Bloomingdale Pledge and taking part in our greeting where we all expressed what we are grateful for. Students provided each veteran with a flag that they created that said "thank you."

We also had the opportunity to celebrate World Kindness Day on Wednesday. Students wore mismatched and crazy socks to celebrate the fact that we are all unique. Our uniqueness is important for us to recognize and celebrate.

Thank you to all that participated in our Spirit Day by wearing BAS gear or Cranford colors. Also, thank you to all of our volunteers for running our second Pretzel Sale.

Take care Bloomingdale,

Mr. Litz and the BAS Staff

It was great to see many students and families join us for BAS STEAM Night in which we challenged everyone to make frogs jump in the classrooms with just popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and paper! It was a wonderful experience for all that were here! A huge thank you to our STEAM night organizers: Mrs. Concannon, Mrs. Gessner, Mrs. Moyle, and Mrs. Jurkowich. Also, thank you to all the parents who volunteered to take on the role of classroom volunteers.

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😁

Friday, November 22, 2024- BAS Yoga Assembly during Recess

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

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.

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.

Please access district Medical Forms using the links below:

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

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!

BAS is once again collecting food items to be donated to Cranford Family Care this Thanksgiving season. Please see the attached flyer for needed items which can be dropped off in the bin located outside the main office. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!!

Spirit week sale items are ready for pick up at Cougar Headquarters. If you purchased an item from our sale you will also receive a notification from Cougar Headquarters.

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

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 see the article linked here or via the attachment below for 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