As many of you know, Mrs. Hardman is officially retiring from her role as Secretary at Bloomingdale Avenue School. This Monday, September 30th will be her last day greeting visitors and taking calls in the Main Office among the many other tasks she performs to help operate BAS. Mrs. Hardman has served as the BAS school secretary for the last 25 years. We certainly know her cheer, joy, and warmth will be missed in the office and hallways of the building. We wish Mrs. Hardman nothing but the best in her retirement as she has certainly earned it!

Beginning on October 7th, Mrs. Agnieszka DeLuca, will begin as the new secretary at Bloomingdale. Mrs. DeLuca has trained with Mrs. Hardman over the last few weeks and some of you may have already spoke with her over the phone or seen her as you stopped by BAS. Please know you can reach Mrs. DeLuca via email at deluca@cranfordschools.org or by calling the Main Office.

Good Afternoon Bloomingdale,

It was an amazing week here at BAS. Our students continue to get into the routine of their schedule and build upon existing friendships while also developing new ones. Students also participated in our required Bus Evacuation Drill to practice exiting a bus safely using the emergency door as we prepare for upcoming field trips.

This past Wednesday was also Picture Day as students were able to take a photo with their class as well as individual pictures. Students certainly dressed to impressed and were smiling from ear to ear!

Finally, our Student Voice initiative started this week as I (Mr. Litz) visited classrooms to read a story about using "student voice" for positive reasons and how by sharing ideas students can help make changes as well improvements here at BAS. Our first Student Voice project is brainstorming ideas for our "Golden Rule" for all to follow here at Bloomingdale. Some classes have already shared that it should include being respectful, being kind, and caring for others. We hope to unveil our Golden Rule at our Bloomingdale Gathering in October.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and we will see you next week albeit for a short one as there is no school on October 3 and October 4 for Rosh Hashanah.

Take care,

Ron Litz

BAS Principal

The BAS Climate and Culture Committee (Mrs. Ruszkowski, Mrs. Toddings, Mrs. Rubio, & Mrs. Biggiani) in partnership with the BAS PTA have created the Bloomingdale Avenue School Story Walk, an outdoor story for students and families to visit. The Story Walk continues to promote our students love of reading while also recognizing various cultural heritage months. The Story Walk book for September and October is, "I Love You Mucho Mucho" by Rachel Mas Davidson and supports BAS in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024- National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day

Thursday, October 3, 2024- Friday October 4, 2024- School Closed for Rosh Hashanah

Monday, October 7, 2024- Week of Respect Begins *Stay tuned for more information!

Thursday, October 10, 2024- Kindergarten Fire Department Visit

Friday, October 11, 2024

• Bloomingdale Gathering for Students
• Wear your favorite BAS gear or Cranford colors!

Monday, October 14, 2024

• Single Session- PM Kindergarten ONLY- 8:20AM-11:00AM
• Last Day to Order your BAS Apparel!

Friday, October 18, 2024

• Wear your favorite BAS gear or Cranford colors!
• PTA Pretzel Sale

Sunday, October 20, 2024- BAS/OAS 5K

Tuesday, October 22, 2024- Virtual PTA Meeting

Thursday, October 24, 2024- BAS/OAS Trunk or Treat

Tuesday, October 29, 2024- BAS Pumpkin Patch

Thursday, October 31, 2024- Classroom Celebration and Halloween Parade

When visiting classrooms, students have asked lot of questions about my interests, hobbies, and likes. For this week, I have included some of them here!

Favorite Sports Team: New York Giants

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor from Vanilla Bean: Oreo Pumpkin

Favorite Playground to Visit with my Kids in Cranford: Nomahegan Park

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Super Hero: Captain America

BAS 2nd Grade Chorus Registration

Is your second grade child interested in singing in this year’s chorus? All that is required to join is a love of singing and the ability to attend rehearsals each week!

• Click HERE for more information and to register your child for chorus at BAS.

• Click HERE to view the winter 2024 rehearsal schedule.

Questions? Reach out to Ms. McDonald directly via email at mcdonald@cranfordschools.org

Ms. Colleen McDonald
BAS Chorus Director
mcdonald@cranfordschools.org

While conferences are still far away, they will be here before we know it! Please know that some conferences will take place on Monday, November 4 (still a full day of school for students) while others will take place on Tuesday, November 5 from 8:30 AM-3:15 PM. We look forward to this opportunity to connect about your child's progress this school year.

Every fall from September 15th to October 15th, Americans celebrate the contributions of U.S. citizens, residents, and communities with Mexican, Caribbean, South, and Central American and Spanish Heritage through Hispanic Heritage Month. During our morning announcements and through the reading of various children's books, we look forward to honoring the contributions from some of these individuals.

Announcement from 9/23/24: Today we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring Laurie Hernandez. Laurie Hernandez is an American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist known for her incredible talent and vibrant personality. Born on June 9, 2000, in Old Bridge, New Jersey, she began gymnastics at a young age and quickly rose to prominence. Hernandez captured the world's attention at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won a gold medal with the U.S. gymnastics team and a silver medal on the balance beam. Beyond her athletic achievements, she inspires young people as an advocate for self-confidence and pursuing one’s dreams. This week, you will learn more about Laurie Hernandez and even see some of her incredible gymnastic routines!

Cranford Public Schools is honored to commemorate Veterans Day again this year by welcoming local veterans to participate in our planned activities across the district. If you or another family member are interested in participating in this year's events, please click here to register.

Cranford Public School district offers healthy meals each school day. Lunch costs are 5.00 for students. If you feel your family is in need of financial aid for student lunch, please review the information below regarding Free or Reduced Lunch. 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. Hardman.

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

Full Day Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade students will be provided snack time each day. Please send a small snack that follows allergy guidelines that were shared by Mrs. Kilbashian, the BAS school nurse. Snacks should also be easy to open and clean up as well. Reusable water bottles are encouraged and can be refilled throughout the day. Other drinks such as juice are reserved for the lunch period. Thank you for your assistance!

• Please review our arrival and dismissal procedures here.
• When dropping off on Albany Avenue, please follow procedures linked above. When exiting drop off at Albany Avenue, please turn onto Roselle Avenue instead of K-turning due to other cars arriving or families crossing the road.
• Any students who are picked up for lunch, must be signed out in the main office and signed in when they return.
• We ask that any changes in dismissal plans are communicated by 12:35pm to both the teacher and Main Office. Following, 12:35, it is preferred that you call the Main Office.

Please be aware that dogs are not to be on school grounds. We ask that you please do not bring your dogs to arrival and/or dismissal. Thank you for helping to keep everyone safe.

• PowerSchool- Please make sure to review all emergency contact information to ensure accuracy for dismissal and non-emergency/emergency purposes.
• Regular attendance is important for the development of students' academic skills and social development. If your child does need to be absent, please call 908-709-6973 to report your child's absence.
  
• Our BAS School Nurse is Michelle Kilbashian. If you need to drop off medications or would like to speak to her directly she can be reached at kilbashian@cranfordschools.org or 908-709-6973.
  

**Kindergarten single sessions will alternate between AM & PM classes according to the following schedule:

• Monday, October 14, 2024- PM only (No AM session)
• 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)

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.

Who: BAS Families and Students- We invite you to help represent BAS in the 17th Annual Cranford Scarecrow Stroll

What: Use the template below or your own paper to submit a scarecrow design to represent BAS; Remember the design should represent our school!

When: Designs are due by October 1; Winner (s) will be announced on October 2

Where: We will share the BAS scarecrow location once it is provided to us

How to Submit: Designs can be emailed to litz@cranfordschools.org, pta_bas@cranfordschools.org, or dropped off in the main office; Once winners are announced, we will construct the official BAS scarecrow!

Get your BAS gear for the 2024-2025 school year! Please see the information below for this year's BAS apparel order. The sale will end on October 14 and items will be ready for pick up at Cougar Headquarters 2-3 weeks after the sale ends.

Click here to order: https://www.cougarhq.com/product-category/bloomingdale-ave-school-fall-2024/

Thank you to all of you who volunteered for the role of Class Parent. Class Parents were selected on Wednesday, September 25 by pulling names out of a hat. Even if you were not selected as a class parent, there are ton of opportunities to support your child's classroom and the PTA! Thank you!

As always, please reach out if you have any questions and we look forward to seeing you soon!

CLICK HERE for the information flyer on the Lincoln School Clothing Drive.

Please click the link to watch a short video about the CFEE: CFEE BTS Night Video.mp4

The Cranford High School Building Bridges program is open for 2024-2025 Registration!

Building Bridges is a great program that meets monthly and connects elementary students grades kindergarten through fourth grade with high school mentors for a fun hour of play time and activities. Meetings take place on alternative Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the school year at Cranford High School. Students are grouped by grade level with high school ambassador mentors.

Registration is $20 per student and is currently open until September 30th. Access the digital registration link here: https://form.jotform.com/232148382532050 and if you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Savino Mulcahy at savino@cranfordschools.org

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

Mr. Ron Litz, Principal

Email: litz@cranfordschools.org

Mrs. Sharan Hardman, Secretary

Email: hardman@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.