Dear Badger Families,
The parent-teacher sign-up links have been emailed home, if you have not signed up for a conference yet, please contact Renee Hecht, rhecht@craigschool.org.
The purpose of Read Across America Week is to get kids excited about reading. This week, with the help of PACS, Laura Given, our Peer Leaders, and an enthusiastic faculty, staff, and student body, the excitement was felt all through the school! PACS kicked off the week with our very festive and tasty waffle breakfast last Friday. The leaders picked up this week with spirit days all week long, morning trivia, a Ro-Sham-Bo tournament, minute-to-win-it games, a murder mystery, and a pep rally! Through all the excitement and festivities, the goal of reading was infused and brought to the forefront.
Thank you to Katherine Partelow and Meghan Summa for chairing the Read Across America committee with the peer leaders, Laura Given for her leadership, PACS for the delicious breakfast, and all of our students, faculty, and staff for their contagious never-ending spirit. This week generated excitement and fun all centered around reading!
Have a great weekend,
Jennifer Guthrie
Director of the Lower & Middle School
March
Wednesday, March 13th: Trimester 2 Ends
Monday-Friday, March 18th-22nd: 12:00 pm Dismissal: Parent Teacher Conferences/Faculty Forum Friday
Wednesday, March 20th: Coffee with the Head of School (8:30 am - 9:15 am) Head of School Office
Thursday, March 21st: Trimester 2 Goals & Objectives/Report Cards Available
Saturday, March 23rd: ALL School Annual Chili Throwdown [Wilson Cafeteria, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm]
Wednesday, March 27th: Speaker Series 6:45 pm- When nothing seems to work: How to help students with ADHD get unstuck and build resilience.
Friday, March 29th: School Closed: Good Friday
April
Monday-Friday, April 1st-5th: School Closed: Spring Break
Monday, April 8th: Classes Resume
Wednesday, April 10th Speaker Series 6:45 pm- Support for Parents: Navigating Special Education and Understanding Available Supports and Resources.
Wednesday, April 17th: Coffee with the Head of School (8:30-9:15 am) Head of School Office
Friday, April 19th: 12:00 pm Dismissal: Faculty Forum
May
Saturday, May 4th: Teacher Appreciation Community Celebration Event (6:30 pm - 9:30 pm) Craig High School Gymnasium * Save the Date, details will be posted soon (Join Us to Celebrate our Fabulous Faculty!)
Leadership Council:
Read Across America - Thanks to Katherine and Meghan for chairing this committee! The committee reimagined the week's activities from years past. This year we had weekly trivia questions during our morning meetings, daily spirit days, a combined effort with the Buddy program for a shared reading experience with hot chocolate, and our culminating events on Friday. Friday, 2-6 graders enjoyed Minute to Win it games in the gymnasium, some kinesthetic the other literacy related then the 7th and 8th graders tried to solve a murder mystery! We ended the day with our first Craig Pep Rally this year.
Upcoming Events:
Plant Sale- order forms will be available soon, pick up will be a few days before Mothers Day.
Teacher Appreciation Week- Leaders develop ideas to show their thanks.
7th and 8th grade School Dance- LOOKING FOR CHAIRS ! We need parent chairs to lead this parent committee. Our school dance is May 10. Please consider stepping up and helping to make this a magical night for the kids. Contact lgiven@craigschool.org
Craig School Chili Throwdown NEWS-Time to RSVP: The countdown clock to the Craig School “Chili Throwdown” stands at a little over two weeks and counting. We “SAVED THE DATE” (Saturday, March 23rd on our Lower-Middle School Campus in Mountain Lakes from 11AM-1 PM).
We sent out the “CALL TO ALL CHILI CHEFS”. You can still register your family chili at Calling Craig Chili Chefs and no worries if you don't know what category or even what type of chili you are making at this point. Just check the TBD box.
Now it's time for the final and most important check on our list. To fill that Throwdown room with the Craig Community! Calling all Craig School families and friends of the Craig School, your company is requested for our Annual Craig School Chili Throwdown so RSVP NOW!
RSVP to Attend the Chili Cook-Off 2024
This year, we are going well beyond chili with a NACHO BAR, DESSERT TABLE, and SMASHING PINATAS so it should be a fun couple of hours for every member of the family! And know that it’s not a Craig community event if you aren’t part of it. Hope to See you on the 23rd!
SPEAKER SERIES
If you missed our Speaker Series, with Dr. Sharon Saline, you can visit the website -
ABOUT US/SPEAKER SERIES and download the recorded presentation.
There is still time to register for our additional presentations coming up:
March 27: 6:45 pm- ADHD - When nothing seems to work: How to help students with ADHD get unstuck and build resilience.
April 10: 7:00 pm- Support for Parents: Navigating Special Education and Understanding Available Supports and Resources.
All workshops will be remote and led by outside experts in their respective fields– Dr. Sharon Saline & Meghann Bierly. Take a look at these outstanding offerings!
Girls Volleyball Clinic grades 6th, 7th, and 8th
Saturday Basketball
Unfortunately, our Saturday Basketball program did not get enough participants to form a league this year. In its place, we will run after-school clinics. Please be on the lookout for more information to come.
Go Badgers!
SUMMER ACADEMY
Registration for the 2024 Summer Academy is now open! Reserve your spot today!
Summer Academy will be held at our High School Campus: 24 Changebridge Road in Montville, NJ. All summer medical forms are due by June 1st.
Contact Kelly Wiederlight at kwiederlight@craigschool.org for more information.
Spring is around the corner, let's celebrate, and spread joy and cheer by supporting Craig School's Annual Giving!!
Thank you to all who've donated! We're working hard to reach our goal and need everyone's support.
Every gift matters. Annual Giving covers essential enhancement programming like photography, script handwriting, social and emotional learning, athletics, and more, beyond tuition. Your support isn't just about today; it's about securing tomorrow's opportunities.
Additionally, achieving 100% participation opens doors to additional grant funding.
Together, let's keep Craig thriving!!
Donate Here - Every Gift Matters!
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mary Calvano, Advancement, at mcalvano@craigschool.org or call 973-334-1234 x229.
Thank you for being a key ingredient to Craig's success!
18th Annual Golf Outing
Save the date! Our 18th Annual Golf Outing, Dinner & Auction is on Tuesday, June 18, 2023. Even in winter, it's never too early to dream about hitting the course. Get ready for a fantastic event – more details are coming soon!
Dates
Monday, March 11th
Wednesday, March 13th
Thursday, March 14th
Pick-up is at 3:55 pm
Please contact Stephen Vaporis, svaporis@craigschool.org, for more information.
March 20-22nd 2024
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. Hosted by our PACS. This event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place March 20-22nd. Click here to go to our very own book fair homepage. This is where you will find our info on dates, and eWallet. Please click here to volunteer to help run the fair.
Our Book Fair offers a cash-free payment option called eWallet. It’s a convenient digital account that your child can use for shopping at our Fair. Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute, too! Click here for more information on eWallet.
March 23, 2024
All School Chili Cook-Off will take place March 23rd from 11:00AM-1:00PM in the Mt Lakes Cafeteria.
PARKING MESSAGE
Mountain Lakes Campus
We are very grateful to have such an involved community! As with any large family, we can overwhelm those around us sometimes. Please help us by doing your best to be considerate of our neighbors whenever you come to campus.
As you come to campus for drop-off, pick-up, and various activities, please continue to be good neighbors to our community. Ideally, when picking up at regular dismissal time, please try to come as close to 3:00 as possible. It is even fine to plan to be here at 3:10. I certainly understand that not all family schedules allow for waiting until 3:00 and just ask that you do what you can. If you must line up before 3:00, please be very mindful of not blocking the road or driveways on either side of Laurel Hill Road and obey idling laws by turning off your car.
When coming onto the Mountain Lakes campus for activities, whether they are during the day or after school, please continue to be considerate of our community. Please only park in lined spots in our lot, in empty spots in the Blue House parking lot, or across the Boulevard at the Masonic Lodge.
We truly appreciate your support of and commitment to your children and The Craig School!
For more information on ways of giving or to make a donation online you can clicking here.
