Dear Craig School Families,
The students in Mr. Furlong’s Social Studies classes have always enjoyed their Skypes from around the world. As Craig parents traveled to such interesting places like Malaysia, Australia, Qatar, China, Hungry, Brazil, Portugal and so many more they scheduled times to Skype, giving our students remarkable visuals and backgrounds into places far away. How proud the students were to see their own parents up on the “screen”. Everyone had a chance to ask questions about these unique settings while we added to our bulletin board, “Oh, The Places We’ve Skyped.”
With the onset of COVID and far more travel restrictions, the Social Studies classes have not had the same opportunities for around the world Skypes. Yet, we continue to be fortunate that our Craig parents have found other ways to share their background knowledge and experiences. Through a Google Meet, one of our moms introduced the students to one of the most famous festivals in India - Holi. She read a beautiful children’s story about the origin and meaning of this Festival of Color. The students learned about the celebration and even the foods associated with Holi. After the presentation, the students completed an art project reminding them of what they had just learned.
Another parent helped our fourth graders to have a deeper knowledge of Hanukkah through an interactive Google Meet. Students explored the history of this special holiday. They learned about traditions and ceremonies associated with Hannukah. Everyone walked away with an understanding of the menorah and the symbolism of the eight candles. As a culminating activity, all were given a dreidel and were taught how to play this very enjoyable game.
This week we had our first in-person presentation since COVID struck. With masks on, social distancing, and windows opened we were a captive audience as we learned more about four prominent African Americans, Katherine Johnson, Serena & Venus Willims, and Robert Smith. Both fourth grades enjoyed a slide presentation hosted by yet another fourth grade parent. I learned a very interesting fact, that Robert F Smith, businessman, investor, philanthropist, and financially the wealthiest African American in the nation is a close family friend to one of our very own Craig students! The children heard about Katherine Jones’ adventures as the first African American woman to work as a NASA space scientist. Of course, everyone was familiar with tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams, but did anyone know that sisters a year apart in age were born in two different states? The presentation ended with a Q and A, correct answers received treats.
All of these experiences mean so much to The Craig School children. We are grateful for the time our parents gave to us, and encourage any and all parent involvement as it continues to enrich the lives of our students.
Sincerely,
Janet Cozine
February 16, 2022- Virtual Grad Panel Webinar
February 18, 2022 (Fri) - 12:00 Dismissal
February 21, 2022 (Mon) - School Closed [Mid Winter Break]
March 3, (Thur) - Goals and Objectives emailed to home & district
March 9-11, 2022 (Wed-Fri) - 12:00 Dismissal [Parent Teacher Conferences]
March 18, 2022 (Fri) - 12:00 Dismissal [Parent Teacher Conferences]
CLINICIANS CORNER
This week in Mind Up, students practiced Sun Breathing as another tool to practice mindfulness. They enjoyed the combination of physical movement to coincide breathing in and out. We then spent some time talking about the brain! Students shared fun facts that they already knew about our brains. We then moved into a discussion about the important parts of our brain and their functions. For example, we discussed the difference between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex in responding to emotions. For many of our students, this was their first exposure to the parts of the brain and it was exciting for them to think about. In coming weeks, we will be building on this information to better understand why we behave and act in certain ways based on our situations.
SAVE THE DATE
Craig High School Grad Panel 2022 Tuesday February 16th: We are excited to extend an invite to all of our Craig parents to join us for our annual grad panel on Wednesday, February 16th from 11-11:45PM. We have assembled quite a special team of former grads who will be sharing their insights into navigating the college landscape from choosing a school and major to the challenges of college and resources available to students with learning disabilities. We hope you will join us. The panel will be Virtual so we will share the Zoom Link and speaker bios prior to the panel so in meantime, save the date!
Friday Twilight Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt. Peter
When the snow hits NJ that means three things! Shoveling, snow days, and afterschool Skiing! It's that time of year again, time to head up Mt. Peter (https://www.mtpeter.com/). Mt. Peter is located in Warwick, NY (51 Old Mt. Peter Road, 10990), about 30 miles from Craig. This is a Craig community event open to all students, family members, staff and friends of The Craig School. Families must provide their own transportation or car pool with others to the mountain.
We have coordinated to ski/snowboard after school (4 PM start) on Friday, Feb 11th. In order to join us and to take advantage of the Craig Group Discount, you must submit all forms and pay online by using the following link https://shop.mtpeter.com/groups and the group code: Craigschool
Helmets are a must for all skiers and snowboarders. Any questions reach out to Mr. Furlong at NFurlong@craigschool.org
THE CRAIG SCHOOL- HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
The Global Citizenship Student Conference: Thanks to one of our Craig Middle School Parents, the students of Craig High will have the opportunity to be a part of the upcoming Global Citizens Challenge (Global Citizenship Challenge 2022)! The Global Citizenship Challenge is an interactive conference experience where students virtually meet and work with other students from around the world. Our seven CSHS participants will gain skills in digital collaboration, social impact, and cross-cultural understanding while learning about career opportunities in tourism and hospitality from professionals in the field. And it will look awesome on their student resume and college applications!
On Thurs., Feb. 10th, our global student team led by our Director of College Counseling, Ms. Skerker, will attend a welcome session and orientation where they will learn what they can expect and hear more about the conference. Then on Friday, Feb. 11th, they will each join a “Penpal” session where students are broken into small groups to meet with other students from around the world. On Saturday and Sunday, they can join a variety of live and interactive leadership workshops and hear from travel leaders from Canada and the UK. It should be an amazing and enlightening experience!
PACS EVERYDAY!
***Please note the location. Meeting at the high school (not the LS/MS)
Log onto our store, browse our items, order for your student and your family and The Craig School receives 20% of the order! All of the proceeds from this go towards the community events that we have planned throughout the year for you and your students to enjoy!
PACS Executive Committee information along with membership forms are on our website.
It is not too late to join our membership, please email Angelina Bright, PACS PRESIDENT at pacs@craigschool.org
Girls Basketball - Grades 5, 6, 7 & 8
February 8, 2022 (Tues) - Away Game [Villa Walsh]
February 11, 2022 (Fri) - Home Game (red vs black)
February 15, 2022 (Tues) - Away Game [Peck]
February 16, 2022 (Wed) - End of season party
Practice 3:05-4:30
Games 3:05-5:00 if attending games, 5:30 if picking up at school
Boys Basketball - Grades 6, 7, & 8
February 8, 2022 (Tues) - Practice
February 10, 2022 (Thur) - Home Game [Unity Charter]
February 15, 2022 (Tues) - Practice
February 17, 2022 (Thur) - Home Game [Red vs Black]
February 22, 2022 (Tues) - Game TBA
February 24, 2022 (Thur) - Game TBA
Practice 3:05-4:30
Games 3:05-5:00
Please visit the SquadLocker Basketball Store at SquadLocker
Coed Basketball Clinic - Grades 3-5
The clinic is on hold, more information to follow.
BADGER HOMEWORK SUPPORT
Dates the Week of February 7th
Monday, February 7th
Wednesday, February 9th
Thursday, February 10th
Please remember to follow the same traffic patterns at homework support dismissal that you do at regular dismissal. Thank you!
If your child is leaving early or not coming to Badger Homework Support, please contact Mrs. Butter by email at bbutter@craigschool.org or via call/text message on the homework support hotline 1-862-207-9863. Thanks!
Save the Date!
Saturday, May 21, 2022
A Walk to Honor Janet M. Cozine
Thank you for participating in The Janet M. Cozine Fund. We appreciate all of the gifts and messages received from our current families, alumni families, alumni, faculty, and staff. Although we are well on our way towards raising the $265,000, there are still funds to be raised.
Please consider giving by using the donate button on this page.
You can also share our campaign mission with others.
https://www.craigschool.org/giving/janet-m-cozine-auditorium/ on social media, ask your company for a matching gift, or speak to others that may be interested in the Janet M. Cozine Auditorium.
Thank you again for your support of The Craig School.
Craig School Emergency Contact System: The Craig School uses a multi-tiered communication system that provides to our families, the highest level of certainty that you are made aware of any change in the opening or closing status of Craig Lower Middle School and Craig High. Our various communication tiers include:
DROP IN OPEN OFFICE HOURS with Dr. Loftin, Head of School
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday- LS/MS 2:00pm -3:00pm
Thursday - High School Campus - 2:00pm- 3:00pm
These hours are open for parents to schedule a meeting, drop in and discuss any issues or concerns or to just say hello.
973-334-1234
Birthdays: Please note:
We understand that some children want to share a “birthday treat” with their classmates on their special day. If you are planning to have your child bring food items into school for sharing please abide by the following:
Treats will be shared at snack time or homeroom (at the teacher’s discretion) and not during lunchtime or recess. We have more than one group-and sometimes grade- together at those times and it is difficult to single out only certain children for the treat while others are present.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Ellen Meisenbacher at emeisenbacher@craigschool.org
Thank you for understanding.
If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Mary Calvano at mcalvano@craigschool.org.
ATTENDANCE
Drop Off
Please schedule student arrival no earlier than 8:00 am. Classes begin at 8:20 am.
All absences and late arrivals should be reported to our main office. Please send an email to Kimberly McGroarty kmcgroarty@craigschool.org OR call our Main Line (973-334-1234 x 101) before 7:30 a.m.
For more information on ways of giving to Craig, please contact Katie Burke, Director of Development, at 973-334-1234 or make a donation online by clicking here.
