Orange Avenue School Community
December 15, 2024
Dear OAS Families,
Thank you to the PTA for organizing a highly successful Holiday Boutique! The students were so excited to shop for their loved ones.
Please note that Friday will be a Single Session day for both students and staff. The schedule is included below.
Schools will be closed from December 21, 2024, through January 1, 2025. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on January 2, 2025.
Finally, please take a moment to review this week’s blast, as it contains important information, updates, and key dates to remember.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Lourdes Murphy
OAS Principal
Mark Your Calendars
- December 17, 2024: Small Business Fair at 3:00 PM
- December 17, 2024: Winter Choral Concert at 7:00 PM
- December 20, 2024: Single Session for Students and Staff
Single Session Schedule
Report Cards
Report Cards will be available through PowerSchool on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Middle School Information
OAS Instrumental Concert
Congratulations to our Middle School Band and Orchestra for delivering an incredible performance to a packed auditorium. Thank you to Ms. Holodak and Mr. Jackson for your dedication and commitment to the musical development of the students. It was an amazing night!
American Heart Assembly
This week, Middle School students will attend an assembly presented by the American Heart Association, marking the kickoff to our Kids Heart Challenge! Attached you will find additional information regarding the event. Students will come home with more information on Thursday.
Cranford High School Academy Program
Class of 2028 and 2029
Following up on the CHS Family Night presentation, interested students should be aware of the CHS Academy Program approaching deadline: December 19, 2024 - Application deadline for the CHS Academy Programs. Click HERE to apply.
Please click here to review the Family Night letter for a complete snapshot of the 9th grade transition timeline
Thank you,
CHS Administration
Middle School Spring Musical Auditions
AUDITIONS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH 3:15pm in auditorium
Callbacks, if needed, will be on Thursday, December 19th
If you are interested in auditioning, please submit the form below.
Elementary School Information
American Heart Assembly
This week, Elementary School students will attend an assembly presented by the American Heart Association, marking the kickoff to our Kids Heart Challenge! The presenter is asking that all elementary students bring a stuffed animal to the assembly. Attached you will find additional information regarding the event. Students will come home with more information on Thursday.
Outstanding Orange
Our Outstanding Orange program recognizes students for creating a positive environment, helping others, and practicing key full value principles. If you child receives an Orange they will be bringing the certificate home to share why they were recognized. This week we would like to celebrate the following students:
Grade 3:
Zara P.
Grade 4:
Jack M.
Flynn B.
Lucas G.
IMPORTANT SCHOOL REMINDERS
OAS Attendance Email Address
If your child is absent, late to school, or leaving early, please email the attendance email address at:
oas-attendance@cranfordschools.org
Please include your child's name (first and last), grade (and class if they are in elementary), and the reason for the absence in your email to the attendance line. If the absence is due to illness, kindly list any and all symptoms the child is experiencing.
In addition, any miscellaneous questions you may have regarding school procedures and protocols may be directed to this same email. The office staff will help with your concerns or direct you to the right person.
School Nurse Information
Doctor’s orders must be renewed every school year. In order to ensure proper care for your child, please use the links below to access and print the necessary forms for the 2024-2025 school year.
Any student requiring the use of crutches, canes, walkers or wheelchairs in school must submit a doctor's note requesting the use of the apparatus. Prior to reporting to class.
To contact the nurse, please email ruzic@cranfordschools.org and/or call 908-709-6270.
Visitor Protocols Reminder
As shared in Dr. Rubin's welcome back letter, please review the visitor protocols:
- Visitor Entry - The District continues to use a digital visitor management entry system (Raptor) at each of the school building entrances. Please review these visitor entry protocols and procedures. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Updated Protocols for Cell Phones, Smartwatches and Wireless Headphones
OAS and HAS are implementing new protocols regarding the use of electronic communication and recording devices (ECRD). Here is the joint letter from Mr. Deacon and Mrs. Murphy.
Dress Code
Students should come to school dressed appropriately for a school environment. Clothing must be neat, clean, safe, and worn properly. Fashion trends often include clothing that may be acceptable outside of school but may not be acceptable inside of school. The guidelines listed below will ensure that students are dressed appropriately for school
Clothing should be modest and not overly revealing. Shorts and shirts must be the appropriate length meaning the bottom of the shirt should touch the top of the pants.
Clothing should not display offensive language, images, or symbols. Avoid clothing with slogans, symbols, or graphics that promote violence or glorifies the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
Students who engage in school-related off-campus activities should dress appropriately since they are representing the school during the activity.
Violators of the dress and grooming regulations will be required to make arrangements to obtain suitable clothing immediately.
Parking Lot Safety
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 families walk to and from school. Even if you are running late it is imperative that you take your time and proceed with caution to ensure the safety of all.
In the afternoon, please make sure to not double park (block) in the staff parking lot. Our Middle School Staff ends the day at 3:05 PM. Cars should not be blocking staff from leaving at the end of the day.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping to keep everyone safe.
No Dogs On School Property
Please be aware that dogs are not to be on school grounds. We ask that you please do not bring your dogs to where the students arrival and/or dismiss. Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.
Important Links
Yearbook Information
Purchase a Middle School Yearbook!
You can purchase an OAS Middle School yearbook by visiting yearbookordercenter.com and entering school code 13053.
8th grade families: On the same site, do not forget to order a 1/8 page ad for your class of 2025 graduate!
***Feel free to submit clear photos to oasmsyearbook25@gmail.com for consideration. Please make sure to indicate the names and grades of the students in the pic.
Elementary Yearbook Information
Elementary School (Grades 3-5) Yearbook Information
This year we are going to try a new way to submit photos to the yearbook via google forms.
Click this link to submit photos to the OAS Elementary Yearbook (Grades 3-5). Here you will find google forms for various events including the First Day of School, Sports, Girl/Boy Scouts and more will be added through the year!
To purchase an elementary OAS yearbook or view your account, visit:
https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014977906143535
(The OAS passcode is: 1014977906143535)
School Lunch Information
School Lunch Information
For information regarding the Free & Reduced Lunch Program CLICK HERE
Free and Reduced Lunch Letter 24-25
Free and Reduced Lunch Instructions
District Information
District Information
2025-2026 Registration, Full Day Kindergarten Lottery and Half Day Preschool Lottery are Open
The Cranford Board of Education is happy to announce that registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. In addition to registering students for grades kindergarten through Grade 12, the Cranford Board of Education will continue to offer a tuition-based full-day kindergarten program and a half-day preschool program, with selection through a lottery system. For more information on these programs, and to register for their respective lotteries, please view the following flyers. Please note that lottery signups will close at 4:00pm on Friday, January 10, 2025.
To begin the registration process for new students to Cranford Public Schools, regardless of grade level, please visit the district’s website, https://www.cranfordschools.org/, and click on the link for Student Registration.
Thank you!
Please CLICK HERE for the Cranford School District Social Emotional Learning Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year
Spring Lacrosse Registration
Registration is currently open for Spring Lacrosse with the Cranford Lacrosse Club! Teams are currently forming now for Grades 1st-8th grade for Boys and Girls. Registration closes on December 31st and spaces are limited so don't delay! Register here: https://cranfordlacrosse.sportngin.com/register/form/804994711
Orange Avenue School
Email: murphy@cranfordpublicschools.org
Website: https://oas.cranfordschools.org/
Location: 901 Orange Avenue, Cranford, NJ, USA
Phone: (908) 709 - 6269