Superintendent
August, 2024
Dear Cranford Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to both returning and new families in our community.
Over the summer, our dedicated team of educators and staff have been diligently preparing for the new academic year, striving to create an enriching and safe learning environment for all our students. As we embark on this journey together, we remain committed to providing an outstanding education that empowers our students to achieve their fullest potential.
PreK-12 highlights for this year include the following:
Referendum Update - In January, voters approved the Cranford Public Schools bond referendum to complete facility upgrades, provide space for full-day kindergarten for all students and update spaces to meet modern standards. These projects will touch every school in the district. The district administration and Board of Education thank the Cranford community for learning about the referendum and taking the time to vote. We look forward to the improvements that will ensure Cranford remains a top-rated public school. Here is where we are in the process:
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Bond Sale Results - Seven public bids, received on June 26, 2024, indicated interest rates had gone down from the original “projected” annual tax impact of $410.00 on the average assessed home of $186,000.00. The final number, based upon the lowest bidder, came in at $383.05 per average assessed home.
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Referendum Capital Project Update:
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The bleacher replacement in the CHS Main Gymnasium has been completed. We are grateful for this critical safety upgrade.
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The District is planning to go out to bid in the fall of 2024 for the following items:
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Electrical Service Upgrades
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Elevator Replacement at CHS
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Bathroom Renovations (2 at each school) - CHS, HAS, OAS and LIN
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The District is planning to to go out to bid in December 2024 for the following items:
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FDK additions and interior renovations at BAS, BPS, HAS and WAS - bids to be received at the end of January and construction to begin approximately in March 2025 and projected to be completed in time to open new rooms in September 2026.
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Next Group to go out to bid will include:
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CHS Window Replacement
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Lincoln School Window Replacement
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CHS Masonry Repairs/Front Stairs/Entry Upgrades
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HAS STEAM Lab Renovation and Food Science Room Renovation
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OAS STEAM Lab Renovation and Food Science Room Renovation
Strategic Planning
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The District is in year 2 of its implementation of the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and will continue to engage the community in reflection and dialogue as we all participate in implementing the District mission, “Empowering Students to Thrive in a Diverse and Dynamic World.”
Safety and Wellness
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Additional Behavioral Supports - The District observed a need for additional student behavioral supports. Therefore, an additional Behaviorist has been hired and a new Tiered System of Supports for behaviors will be implemented, Districtwide.
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Food Allergies - Cranford Public School District's number one priority is the safety of its community. Towards this end, the District has modified its policy (5331 - MANAGEMENT OF LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES IN SCHOOLS) which makes celebrations in K-8 food free. Please read my full letter regarding this change in policy.
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Cell phones - 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.
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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!
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Annual Safety Presentation - The District annual safety presentation will occur on Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30 pm at CHS. This meeting will be presented in partnership with the Cranford Police Department, Cranford Fire Department, and Cranford’s Office of Emergency Management. The presentation will provide safety updates as well as an open forum for the community to have input into the District's safety initiatives.
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Youth Mental Health First Aid Program - The District continues to provide training for our faculty through a Youth Mental Health First Aid Program in which all new teachers participate. Current faculty will also continue to be offered this 8-hour course that teaches staff how to help students who may be experiencing challenges in the areas of mental health and substance use. The training helps individuals identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses. Approximately 330 faculty members have already been fully trained in the program!
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The Cranford School Counseling Corner is the district school counseling website which provides helpful resources and links related to your child’s age development and also provides resources for parents and guardians. Please check the website often as it will be updated throughout the year.
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No Place for Hate, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, is a self directed program for grades K-12 that assists all members of the school community in providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment while also decreasing acts of bias and bullying. Each Cranford public school has been awarded the No Place for Hate designation again in 2023-2024 and we continue to provide programming that supports this initiative each year.
Curriculum / Instruction
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Data-Driven Instructional Coaching Model - The District will move into the final year of a four-year grant to participate in the Data-Driven Instructional Coaching Model (DDICM) project with Rutgers University to assist in creating a robust coaching model for K-3 reading intervention.
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Curricula Updates - Curricula have been updated for Middle School Mathematics, Financial Literacy, High School CP and Honors Mathematics Classes, and High School ELA and Science Electives. The Pre-K program has adopted and will be implementing the new Creative Curriculum program.
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Assessment - The District will implement the final year of its Assessment Action Plan and resurvey students and staff.
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NJCIE - The District will continue its work with the NJ Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE) to further foster a Pre-K environment where children with disabilities and learning differences are welcomed as classmates, valued as learners and empowered to succeed. Additionally, the High School will expand the Collaborative Consultation Model to include even more course options for special education students.
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On Ramp - The District provided Math and ELA support in grades K-8 to over 100 students this summer with in-person On Ramp support classes.
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High Impact Tutoring Grant - The District utilized High Impact Tutoring Grant funds to provide tutoring support to more than 50 students in Grade 4 impacted by the COVID pandemic.
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Holocaust Education Grant - The District was awarded a grant through a dual credit partnership with Kean University to expand Holocaust Education at the High School.
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CFEE - Through generous funding from the Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence (CFEE) we are able to increase the use of IXL as a support tool in Algebra and Geometry, connect the High School and Middle School students for lessons in computer science, and begin to roll out a new Lego technology program at the Middle Schools.
Engagement
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Coffee and Conversation - The District will hold Coffee and Conversation with the superintendent meetings on Tuesday, November 12 and Thursday, April 3 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. These informal meetings will provide a forum to discuss topics that are important to the school community.
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Climate and Culture Survey - As part of the District’s continuous goal to increase meaningful stakeholder engagement to enhance practices, structures and, ultimately, student learning, each school sends out climate and culture surveys each spring.
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Communication Enhancements - The District will enhance communication efforts through various means in the upcoming year, including leveraging newsletters, websites, and social media.
Data and Technology
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Cranford School District Network and Wireless Upgrade - Cranford School District is excited to announce a significant upgrade to its network infrastructure, aimed at enhancing digital learning and improving connectivity across the School District. The upgrade will see the replacement of network switches and wireless access points to support higher speeds, increased capacity, and improved reliability.
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One-to-One Computer Refresh Cycle - Cranford Public Schools plans to refresh its one-to-one computer Chromebook program in the 2025-2026 school year, reaffirming its commitment to enhancing digital learning and supporting student success in the 21st century. The new Chromebook computers are expected to be delivered during the Summer of 2025.
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CPST - The District’s Collaborative Problem Solving Teams (CPST) will be using Intervention Manager to help track intervention plans. This will allow the interventionists and classroom teachers to view data from all diagnostic assessments and monitor student progress.
Our first priority is the safety of our school community. Please be sure to read the attached letters regarding the visitor entry protocols and the Board policy regarding permitted items at highly attended public events. I appreciate your partnership in supporting our security procedures so as to provide an even safer community. Additionally, please be sure to update and verify your emergency information in PowerSchool Ecollect Forms prior to the first day of school. It is imperative that we have the most current information so that we can best provide for your child.
The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a wonderful organization and a crucial part of our school community. They plan special events, provide cultural arts experiences, offer an organized venue for parents to have direct feedback into the academic and social programs we offer and provide endless support. We, as a school community, would be at a great disadvantage without this organization and the resources it provides. Please be sure to join this terrific organization. We all benefit from your support and involvement!
Attached please find a packet with the following information:
Permitted Items at Board-Sponsored Public Events Policy #9160.1 and accompanying letter
2024-2025 School District Calendar
School Scheduling including delayed opening and single session schedules
Emergency/Crisis Protocol information
Internet Safety and Technology Policy #2361.
You will also receive information from your child’s principal which will be specific to your particular school. Should you find there is any additional information that you need, please check the school district website www.cranfordschools.org or contact your child’s principal directly.
We look forward to working with you and your children and thank you for your continued support of Cranford Public Schools.
As always, please contact my office if you have any comments, questions and /or concerns. I look forward to an academically rigorous, productive, and rewarding school year!
Warmly,
Dr. Scott Rubin
Superintendent of Schools