Dear Families,
Exciting News from the Craig School! Introducing our NEW Speaker Series dedicated to empowering parents of students with language-based learning differences. Join me for insightful discussions led by education, psychology, and advocacy experts. Explore strategies for effective support, fostering resilience, and enhancing your child's learning journey. Our Speaker Series is designed as dynamic sessions addressing our community's unique challenges and triumphs. Together, let's build a network of knowledge and support. Your child's success is our mission!
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!
VIEW THE SPEAKER SERIES INFORMATION HERE
Warmly,
Susan Schmitt
Dear Badger Families,
I know it may seem like the summer is a long way off, but for planning purposes, it is right around the corner. At The Craig School, we want to help our students and families in any way we can avoid the typical summer slide. We host a Summer Academy and Enrichment and provide summer packets in Reading, Language Arts, and Math. This year, Summer Academy and Enrichment will be on our high school campus in Montville.
For those that enroll in the Summer Academy, students will have four classes from 9:00 am to noon: Reading, Language Arts, Math, and Technology. The summer packets assigned by their Language Arts and Math teachers are considered done at the end of the Summer Academy. For Reading, we ask that your child continue their reading by completing a portion of the assignment during August, your child’s reading teacher will let you know what that will be.
All students who attend the academic morning have the chance to continue their day with us for enrichment activities in the afternoon. Students will bring lunch and then choose between sports, gym, game room, art, movie making, and other rotating activities. On Fridays, when the academy is not in session, the enrichment has a full day of activities, including off-campus field trips. This camp experience is a wonderful opportunity for socialization and building friendships.
For planning purposes, we must have an accurate count of who will be attending our summer programs. We kindly ask that you register your child(ren) as soon as possible. We do understand some families may be waiting for their Annual Review for their IEP to ensure an ESY placement. If that is the case, please just indicate that on the registration form and send it in. This will allow us to hold a spot for your child(ren).
Registration Link: 2024 Summer Academy Registration
Have a great weekend,
Jennifer Guthrie
Director of the Lower & Middle School
February
Monday-Tuesday, February 19th-20th, School Closed Winter Break
Friday, February 23rd, Skiing at Mt. Peter, 4-9
Wednesday- February 21st- Speaker Series
March
Friday, March 1st: Read Across America (Peer Leaders & PACS)
Wednesday- March 6th- Speaker Series
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 Cook-Off
Wednesday- March 27th - Speaker Series
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
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
SAVE THE DATE-Craig School Chili Throwdown (Saturday, March 23rd): We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our annual school-wide Craig School Chili Throwdown on Saturday, March 23rd from 11 AM-1 PM in our Mt. Lakes cafeteria. If you haven’t marked your calendars yet, get on that!
Next week, we will be sharing the various CHILI AWARD CATEGORIES and our Chili Chef sign-ups. More Chili Throwdown info to come!
Chili Throwdown 2023 and yes, that is the Mayor of Chilitown in the far right bottom corner!
Skiing/Snowboard- Save the dates for these Twilight Events! Mt. Peter in Warwick, NY, is the place to be on February 9th and 23rd. The events run from 4:00 pm to about 9:00 pm. Parents are responsible for supervision, forms, payment, and transportation.
Registration is available at:
https://shop.mtpeter.com/lifttickets
All group participants should sign up on this site. During the sign-up process, waivers will need to be signed for each item purchased. Once each participant completes the sign-up process, it will then prompt for payment. Your order will not be processed without payment.
All students are required to wear a helmet while participating in this activity.
Leadership Council
The Read Across America Committee chaired by Katherine and Meghan are meeting regularly to bring a week’s worth of programming to Craig. They are developing some great ideas that we are excited to share during Read Across America week March 4-March 8th. Info coming soon!
The Spirit Day Committee chaired by Cara and Amanda has some amazing spirit days on the horizon. First up this month, Twin Day February 29. Find a friend and twin with them! Your outfit can be as simple or as crazy as you like but the idea is to look identical.
The Peer Support Program started last week. We have 15 leaders taking part! This program has grown exponentially. There is strong educational research as to the effectiveness for both the leaders and the students of this type of program. Leaders push into their assigned classes thirty minutes each week until the first week in June.
Our 3rd annual 7th and 8th grade school dance is slated for Friday, May 10. I am looking for some parent volunteers to chair this committee. The first dance chairs created a Hawaiian theme. The second chairs created a red carpet theme. Each year parents transform the gymnasium and students arrive to music and light refreshments. It is a night students look forward to. Please consider joining me in creating an unforgettable night for the kids. Email me if you are interested. lgiven@craigschool.org
Looking ahead:
Plant Sale
Red Nose Day
Let’s Sac Hunger - (Service project)
Teacher Appreciation Week
Leader Appreciation Luncheon
Girls Volleyball Clinic grades 6th, 7th, and 8th
Please use the link below to sign up. Starts February 26, 2024
Saturday Basketball is Back! This program is for all grades!
Please use the link below to sign up. Starts March 9, 2024
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.
Celebrate the New Year with a Gift to Craig School!
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
Wednesday, February 21st
Thursday, February 22nd
Pick-up is at 3:55 pm
Please contact Stephen Vaporis, svaporis@craigschool.org, for more information.
February 27th, 2024
Join PACS for our community meeting on February 27th, 2024 at 8:30am at The Craig Highschool at 8:30am in room 103. We will be discussing our upcoming events and enjoying coffee, a light breakfast and conversation with other Craig parents.
Parking at Craig High: Guests may park in the front lot near the flagpole.
Entrance: You will be using the 1st Floor Middle Doors which are a short walk from where you will park.
Meeting Room: The PACS meeting will be held in Room 103.
Zoom Option: https://us06web.zoom.us/postattendee?mn=GEQHZEqlhZbcKVv_FNWnhYpDl9yU_cEsSxY.ggV0TAZ-57Rx4x9x
March 1st, 2024
The students will conclude Read Across America week by celebrating Dr. Suess's Birthday. We will need volunteers to help set up and serve a yummy Dr. Suess themed breakfast to our students. Click Here for the sign up genius.
March 20-22nd 2024
You don't want to miss this Craig favorite. The Annual Scholastic Book Fair will be held on March 20-22nd. 830-12:00. Please click Here for the sign up and more information on the fair.
March 23, 2024
All School Chili Cook-Off will take place March 23rd from 11:00AM-1:00PM in the Mt Lakes Cafeteria. More info to come.
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.
