Dear Craig Families, 

Have you ever heard the saying, difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations? I am reminded of this saying when I think about the various paths (some very difficult) you have taken to ensure your child gets the best education here at The Craig School. Would that journey be made any less arduous if you had a guide? This was my thinking in securing an educational advocate to speak with you as a group. 

On Wednesday, February 21st, at 7:00 pm, we will host a remote workshop on navigating the path to placement with your home district. There are so many aspects to cover, so we will start with this session and add more if parents have additional questions. 

We have procured Meghann Bierly, a former Craig parent turned educational advocate, for this session. She has founded Keel Services to help parents navigate this journey. She is keenly aware of the obstacles you face as parents in getting your home districts to collaborate and cooperate for your child's benefit. Please join us– as a parent who seeks answers or as a parent who has suggestions of your own! 

Be on the lookout via email for more details and a Zoom link. 

Warmly, 

Susan Schmitt

Dear Badger Families,

It is not lost on us that there have been more communications sent home this week than usual. While some go into hibernation during these winter months, not us! In case you missed some of the emails and links that went home this week, here is a recap.

Gogi Abroad did a parent presentation on Thursday morning. This is not a Craig-sponsored event, but our Head of School, Susan Schmitt has personally worked with these educators and has brought the information to our families. Here is a link to the information if you missed it.

An email and sign-up link for Family STEM Night was sent home on Wednesday afternoon and is going home in your child’s VIP folder. If you haven’t seen the information yet, it is in the community News section of today’s newsletter with the link to sign up. It is a fun, exciting community event for the lower and middle school students, families, and faculty & staff. I hope you can join us!

Just in time for our Friday Night Skiing and this cold winter weather, you too can own an official Craig beanie! The order forms were emailed home Thursday, and paper copies are going home in your child’s VIP folder. 

Speaking of Friday Night Skiing, you can find information about it in the Community News section of this week’s newsletter. Can’t wait to see everyone on the mountain!

Finally, PACS, Parent Association of the Craig School, will be hosting its annual winter meeting at Craig High on February 13th, 8:45 AM. All parents are welcome to attend live or via Zoom.  It's a great opportunity to connect with other Craig Parents and gain some insights into PACS plans for this school year.  More information and the Zoom link will be emailed home in this month’s “Back-PACS” Newsletter.

Have a great weekend,

Jennifer Guthrie

Director of the Lower & Middle School

February

Wednesday, February 7th: World Read Aloud Day

Thursday, February 8th: Family STEM Night/Pizza Dinner (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm)

Wednesday, February 14th:  Coffee with the Head of School (8:30 am - 9:15 am) Head of School Office

Friday, February 16th: 12:00 pm Dismissal - Faculty Forum

Monday-Tuesday, February 19th-20th: School Closed: Mid-Winter Break

March

Friday, March 1st: Read Across America (Peer Leaders & PACS)

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 Emailed Home & to Districts

Saturday, March 23rd: ALL School Annual Chili Cook-Off

Friday, March 29th: School Closed: Good Friday

Skiing/Snowboard

Save the dates for these Twilight Events! Mt. Peter in Warwick, NY, is the place to be on February 2, 9, and 23. 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/groups

 Group Code (as typed):  Craig2024

 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. Our group is set up to pay the Mt. Peter directly. Your order will not be processed without payment. The deadline for group registration is January 29, 2024.  

All students are required to wear a helmet while participating in this activity. 

If you can not attend all three dates and would still like to participate,  Please sign up at https://shop.mtpeter.com The group discount will not apply to this sign-up.

Family STEM Night - We invite you to join us for a fun night of pizza and a STEM challenge. Your family will work as a team to create something wonderful. The project is top secret…all supplies will be provided that night. We hope you can join us!

Thursday, February 8, 2024

6:30 - 8:30 pm

The Craig Lower School Cafe and Gym

Please respond no later than January 25, 2024

RSVP for Family STEM Night

​

Girls Basketball

1/23/24- Away Game at Villa Walsh. 455 Western Ave. Morristown. Away site pick-up 5:00 pm. Craig School pick-up 5:30 pm.

1/24/24- Away Game at Harding Township School. 34 Lees Hill Rd, New Vernon. Away site pick-up at 5:00 pm. Craig School pick-up at 5:30 pm.

1/25/24- End of season party. Pick up at 4:30 pm 

Boys Basketball

1/23/24- Away Game at Far Hills. 697 US-202 Far Hills. Away site pick-up at 5:00 pm. Craig School pick-up at 5:30 pm

1/24/24- Gottesman Academy game canceled 

1/25/24- Home game Red vs Black  Pick-up is at 5:00 pm

Craig School Annual Giving Campaign is in Full Swing!

The Craig School Annual Giving Campaign is officially underway!  Your contributions make a world of difference!

Our goal this year is simple yet impactful: 100 % participation from our incredible Craig community. Every gift, regardless of size, contributes to the success of Craig School. You are a crucial ingredient in the recipe that makes Craig thrive!

Ready to be part of something amazing? Click the Donation Button to make your contribution.

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 the key to Craig's success!

18th Annual Golf Outing 

January Dates

22nd–Monday 

24th–Wednesday 

25th–Thursday

Pick-up is at 3:55 pm

Please contact Stephen Vaporis, svaporis@craigschool.org, for more information.

February 13, 2024

Join PACS for our community meeting on February 13th, 2024, at 8:45 am at The Craig High School in room 103. We will be discussing our upcoming Dr. Suess-themed breakfast and enjoying coffee, light breakfast, and conversation with other Craig parents.

March 1, 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. A sign-up genius will be sent soon with all the details.

March 20-22, 2024

You don't want to miss this Craig favorite. The  Annual Scholastic Book Fair will be held on March 20-22nd. 8:30-12:00. More details to follow.

March 23, 2024

All School Chili Cook-Off. Dr. Cap and Mr. Furlong will have more information to come on this community event.

If you have any questions, please reach out to pacs@craigschool.org.

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!