Dear Craig Families, 

Here at Craig, we always have our eye on the next step for each student. In fact, we have our collective eye on the next 5-10 steps! We understand that parents and students alike are always nervous about the future– especially their education! We are so lucky at Craig to be able to plan longitudinally from grade 2 through grade 12! 

Our mission is to ensure all doors are open to our students no matter when they leave Craig for their next steps. Some students come to us and leave in a few years, ready for other challenges. Some students stay with us through high school. Every student is different, and our plan for each student is individualized and unique. Being intentionally small allows us that flexibility. This flexible pathway mentality also establishes a sense of trust and community. 

This flexibility and individualized pathway to success was evidenced by our alumni night last Friday night. Former and current students joined together to socialize, share success stories, and of course, eat pizza! The alums represented all sorts of pathways. Some stayed at Craig for ten years, and some for just two years. Either way, once a badger, always a badger! The common denominator is that all of these alumni are successful, and Craig has played a considerable part in their current success!

 How lucky are we to be part of such a powerful force in shaping the success of young lives? At Craig, we always keep our eye on the future and how we can prepare our students for the best next steps!

College and Career Counselor, Lindsey Skerker, and I met with the president of Centenary University to discuss possible pathways for Craig Students. 

Director of Student Affairs, Niles Furlong, welcomes two Craig alums and Athletic Hall of Famers back to Campus during the Annual Alumni Night. Once a Badger, Always a Badger!

Warmly,

Susan Schmitt

Dear Badger Families,

January has definitely brought us some interesting weather patterns, and looking ahead, it is not done with us yet. Any school delays or closings are communicated in four ways. You will receive a phone call through our parent outreach system and an email through Veracross. In addition, the information will be posted on our social media platforms and on NJ News 12 school closings and delays. If you did not receive the phone or email notification this week please let me know with the phone number or email address that you wish to be included and I will make sure it is updated on our list. If your child receives contracted transportation, please make sure to contact them directly with any changes to our schedule. 

We have been asked by several students to review our policy on shorts for the year and have decided that we will allow shorts all year long. The policy has been as such because we know how beneficial it is to have time outdoors in the fresh air for both physical and mental health. While we have decided to change the dress code rule and will allow shorts all year long, we do want to emphasize that all grades go outside for recess whenever the temperature is above freezing. If your child chooses to wear shorts, please make sure they are aware that they will still be going outside with the group for recess. 

As many students begin to layer their clothing and add hats and gloves this time of year, our lost and found continues to grow. Please label all items that you want returned to you. We do look for names when we sort through the lost and found and get those items back to their owners. 

Have a great weekend,

Jennifer Guthrie

Director of the Lower & Middle School

January

Monday, January 15th: School Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February

Wednesday, February 7th: World Read Aloud Day

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

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

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

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

We’re back! Leadership is gearing up for our spring events, Read Across America Week, Red Nose Day, Teacher Appreciation, 7th and 8th grade dance, and our Plant Sale. Sprinkled in we will continue our monthly Buddy Program,  ambassador program, and spirit days.  Our Peer Support program will soon launch. Interested leadership students sign up, and communicate what subject they would like to assist with. I then asked teachers if they would like any assistants in their classes. If there is a match and the schedules align then we move forward.   Leaders join the class for thirty minutes a week and assist the teacher in any way they see fit. The program will begin in February. Lastly, I have a few new proposals on the horizon so there might be some other events announced if they are approved by Council and administration. Stay tuned!

SKIING/SNOWBOARDING

 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. More information to come. Please contact Mr. Furlong at NFurlong@craigschool.org with questions.   

​

We want YOU!

Mrs. Miller is looking for students who are interested in adding to Literary Magazine!

What are we looking for, you ask?

Drawings & Paintings

Poems

Sculptures

Writing Pieces

Photography

Short Stories

Lego Sculptures

The  sky  is  the  limit  with  this  magazine!

Girls Basketball

Girls Basketball 2023-2024 Schedule

1/16/24 Tuesday   3:05-5:30       Away/Game/ Peck

1/18/24 Thursday   3:05-4:30           Practice

Boys Basketball

Boys Basketball Schedule 2023-2024

1/16/24 Tues 3:05-4:30 Practice

1/17/24 Wed 3:05-5:30 Game/Away/Peck

1/18/24 Thurs 3:05-5:30 Game/Away/RedOaks

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

10th–Wednesday 

11th–Thursday

Pick-up is at 3:55 pm

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

Lower/Middle School

February 13th, 2024

Join PACS for our community meeting on February 13th, 2024 at 8:45am at The Craig High School at 8:30am 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 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. A sign up genius will be sent soon with all the details.

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. 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!