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Orange Avenue School Community

November 24, 2024

Orange AvenueSchool CommunityNovember 24, 2024

Dear OAS Families,


Thank you for reading our weekly newsletter, where we share important information, updates, and reminders. Please remember that Wednesday, November 27, 2024 is a Single Session for all Students and Staff. The Single Session schedule is included below.


Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Break.


Enjoy,

Lourdes Murphy

OAS Principal

Mark Your Calendars

  • November 27, 2024: Single Session Day and Pajama Day for Elementary Students
  • November 28, 2024: Thanksgiving Day- No School
  • November 29, 2024: No School
  • December 3, 2024: Elementary Instrumental Concert at 7:00 PM
  • December 10, 2024: Middle School Instrumental Concert at 7:00 PM
  • December 10, 2024: PTA Holiday Boutique
  • December 11, 2024: PTA Holiday Boutique
  • December 17, 2024: Winter Choral Concert at 7:00 PM
  • December 20, 2024: Single Session for Students and Staff

Single Session Schedule

Turk a Teacher!

It’s Turk a Teacher time! Elementary and middle school students can vote for which teacher they would like to see dressed up as a turkey the day before Thanksgiving! Students can purchase a feather for $1 during their lunch periods from November 18th-25th.

December is on the horizon! See our spirit calendar below!

Middle School Information

Congratulations to our new Student Council Executive Board!

Pictured below is our 2024/2025 Student Council Executive Board from left to right:


Colin Kimball-Treasurer

James Colangelo-President

Max Ayala-Vice President

Kellan Holcomb-Secretary

Writing Leaders Activity

This week, our 6th and 8th graders teamed up for a special Writing Leaders Activity organized by Mrs. Sandgran. Mr. Seaman's 8th-grade honor students, who volunteered to participate, mentored Mrs. Sandgran's 6th graders during their writing class, helping them refine their personal narratives. Through constructive feedback and guidance, the older students shared their writing expertise while fostering leadership and teamwork. It was a meaningful experience for everyone involved, and we’re so proud of these students for their hard work and collaboration! Some of the feedback from the students included: "It was rewarding to know that my knowledge benefited someone else and improved their essays." "It was incredible to see improvement in my 6th grader's work!" "My favorite part about working with the 8-grade writing leaders was that they were very nice, and they didn’t judge me If my writing had mistakes."

PEER Training

This week our PEER Leaders participated in a two day training as they get ready to begin to lead in this year's PEER Program.

Elementary School Information

As a result of a mock election, Wednesday, November 27, 2024 is Pajama Day for all Elementary Students across the district.

CHS Building Bridges Program

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

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:

Evelyn T.

Maddie Q.


Grade 4:

Grace A.


Grade 5:

Brooke P.

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.

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

District Information

Cranford Night Out at the NJ Devils Game

The Class of 2025 is hosting a "Cranford Night Out" at the Prudential Center for an NJ Devils Game on December 10th that we would like to extend to the community. Please click on the flyer below for more information!

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

Lourdes Murphy
Lourdes is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters