HAS Weekly Update

Dear HAS Community,

This week has been filled with meaningful events and exciting updates at Hillside Avenue School.

On Monday, we honored Veterans Day with a special "clap-in" for seven veterans: Mr. Aslanian, Mr. Fekete, Mr. Friedman, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Pollock. The entire student body enthusiastically cheered and clapped to show our deep gratitude for their service. This annual event is always a highlight, and we are incredibly appreciative of the sacrifices made by these heroes.

On Tuesday, we welcomed 21 CHS seniors who are members of the Full Value Council into our 8th-grade EI classes. The seniors led our students in activities aligned with the district’s Full Value mission. These visits, which will continue monthly, are a fantastic opportunity to prepare our 8th graders for the transition to high school.

Finally, I am thrilled to welcome two new additions to our music department: Ms. Kreitz, our new band teacher, and Mr. Goncalves, our new strings teacher. Their energy and dedication will undoubtedly enrich our already outstanding music program, and we look forward to seeing their impact on our students.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Sincerely,

Kevin Deacon
Principal

Dear Parents/ Guardians:

The week of November 18th we are bringing back the school store. We will be partnering with the students in Mrs. Fernandez’s class to sell a variety of items, from pencils to stress balls, everything will be $2 or less. Please send in smaller bills so change is easier to hand out. This is a cash only school store and all proceeds go to charity. The schedule for the store is as follows:

From 2:00 pm -2:50 pm

Grade 1- Monday 11/18

Grade 2- Tuesday 11/19

Grade 3- Wednesday 11/20

Grade 4- Thursday 11/21

Grade 5- Friday 11/22

Thank you so much for your support!

Dear 7th grade parents,

On Tuesday, November 12th, the 7th grade was provided information about their field trip to Broadway. All 7th grade students were provided with a letter detailing the events of the trip, a permission slip, and fundraising information. The permission slip and $50 deposit are to be returned to school by Wednesday, November 27th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Willey at willey@cranfordschools.org or Ms. Gagliardi at gagliardi@cranfordschools.org.

Dear K-6 and 8th-grade parents/guardians,

The 7th grade is currently fundraising for this year's field trip to Broadway. Please consider supporting the 7th grade trip by purchasing popcorn from Poppin Popcorn. All purchases can be made using this link with the following Seller ID: 00381051. Fundraising will end December 3rd. Please email Mr. Willey at willey@cranfordschools.org or Ms. Gagliardi at gagliardi@cranfordschools.org with any questions. The 7th grade greatly appreciates your support!

If your child is applying to a high school other than Cranford High School, please provide Ms. Keaveney with a School Release Form from the high school your child is applying to. Forms can be emailed to keaveney@cranfordschools.org or dropped off by the student at the Guidance Office (located next to the Main Office).

There will be an interest meeting for 7th and 8th grade boys interested in playing for the HAS boys basketball team on Tuesday, November 19th @ 3pm in Cafeteria.

$35 until 1/15/25

$45 until 4/15/25

Personalization Sales End 1/15/25

All Sales End 4/15/25

The eighth grade scholars in Mrs. Urbanski's and Ms. Schweitzer's classes wrapped up their Memoir Unit this week by writing Six Word Memoirs. This project challenged students to creatively express their interests, identities, and values in ways that showcase their understanding of the genre. Projects are displayed in room 16!

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 students and parents walk to and from school and are crossing the street using the crosswalks. Even if you are running late it is imperative that you take your time and proceed with caution to ensure the safety of all. Thank you all for helping to keep everyone safe.

During middle school drop off please do not pull into the back STAFF parking lot. You can pull into the horseshoe in front of the building to drop your child off.

Please do not double park and block in cars in parking spaces.

Please do not park in handicapped parking spots at any time, even for a brief moment. These spaces are reserved for those who have permits to park there. Thank you for helping us to make our school safe and accessible for all who visit.

Please be sure to supervise students on the playground after-school.

During the school day and at recess we have many expectations of the students when on the playground to keep them safe (i.e. no throwing wood chips, not running up the slide; not jumping off of high platforms;) and we would love for all students to be safe after school.

Thank you for your cooperation and for keeping our students safe.

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.

.

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.

As we enter flu season, good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms , please keep them home to avoid getting others sick. Absences may be reported via email at has-attendance@cranfordschools.org OR via phone 908-709-6983. If you have any questions on whether or not to send your child to school, please consult with your pediatrician or the school nurse (908-709-6242 or seguine@cranfordschools.org). Thank you in advance for your cooperation during these cold and flu months.

Things To Do To Prevent The Flu

-Avoid close contact when you are sick. Keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too!

-Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow crack when coughing or sneezing. Immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Our hands carry lots of germs which can enter our body through many mucous membranes.

-Stay home when you are sick. You will help others from catching your illness.

-Wash your hands often. This will help protect you from germs.

-Practice good health habits, such as be physically active, get plenty of sleep, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

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

Wednesday, November 27, 2024- Pajama Day

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

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

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

• Lunch Menu for September - Click HERE

• Convenient Pre-Payment Options Prepayment

The Cranford Public Library is working on a new strategic plan to help us focus our resources for the next three years. Please complete this anonymous Cranford Library Survey to help us understand your needs. The survey deadline is December 2.

For daily club announcements of meetings, etc., please click on the link or you can go to the HAS webpage under Parent/Guardian and Daily Announcements.

Parents/guardians are requested to deliver chromebooks, books, lunches, water bottles, projects, or any other forgotten items to the drop box in the vestibule. All articles must be labeled with the student’s name and grade. Please try to limit dropping off items as calling classrooms to have students pick up their items disrupts instruction. Thank you for your cooperation.

We are still very much in need of elementary lunch aides. Elementary lunch aide hours are 12:00 - 2:00. This is a great way to see your kid in school and interact with them. If you are interested in taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity visit, https://www.applitrack.com/cranford/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Support+Staff

• New Electronic Device Protocols
  
• Elementary School Hours
• Middle School Hours

Please make sure you email the attendance office (HAS-attendance@cranfordschools.org) or call 908-709-6229 or 908-709-6983, if your child has to be signed out early to attend an appointment.

If your child is absent for any reason, please call our absence line at 908-709-6983 (24/7) or email has-attendance@cranfordschools.org (copy-paste email address)

The safety of our students is of the utmost importance and we ask that all our visitors follow our procedures.

1. If you are picking up your child for an appointment please notify the office ahead of time by emailing (HAS-attendance@cranfordschools.org) or calling 908-709-6229 or 908-709-6983. The nurse may also call to have you pick up your child if they are feeling ill.
2. During pick up have your ID ready and ring the main entrance intercom bell. State your name and the reason for your visit then present your ID to the camera.
3. You will be buzzed into the vestibule.
4. Please wait in the vestibule.
5. We will bring your child to you in the vestibule where you will sign them out.

**Kindergarten single sessions will alternate between AM & PM classes according to the following schedule: Student Entry at 8:40am - Dismissal at 11:20am

Wednesday, 11/27/24 - AM only (no PM session)

Friday, 12/20/24 - PM only (no AM session)

Monday, 2/3/25 - AM only (no PM session)

Monday, 3/10/25 - PM only (no AM session)

Wednesday, 6/18/25 - AM only (no PM session)

Thursday, 6/19/25 - PM only (no AM session)

Email: Deacon@cranfordschools.org
Website: https://has.cranfordschools.org/
Location: 125 Hillside Avenue, Cranford, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-709-6229