Let’s start with a big thanks to PACS and to you, our parents, for helping us make this year’s Halloween Bash one of our best ever. Pumpkin and Costume pics and contest results will be coming at you in next week’s CHIL.
Speaking of our PACS, as we head into the Thanksgiving season, CHS would like to shine a special spotlight on PACS. Between our community welcome back cookout, teacher appreciation breakfasts, drive-in supplies for our school community, and just recently our Halloween Bash, PACS does so much for our kids and our community. And all of this is made possible by your membership in PACS.
As much as we aspire to hit the 100% mark for all of our families to be members of PACS, let's start with getting above the 50% mark. We are teetering around 20% CHS PACS Memberships as this week's CHIL goes to press. Let’s make it happen for our kids, our teachers, and our school community.
You can find the PACS membership forms under the COMMUNITY RESOURCES tab on our school website, or just click on https://www.craigschool.org/parents/pacs/. Slide down to the bottom of the page, where you will find the PACS WELCOME BACK HS FORM 25-26 PDF link. Fill it out, write the check, and send both in with your teen.
And as a thank you for getting your PACS memberships in, the CHS National Honor Society would like to extend a special favor to all of our Craig High School families. They will be willing to take all of your extra Halloween candy off your plate and play it forward. During this week, our NHS will be collecting post-Halloween candy to donate to TREATS FOR TROOPS. More info below.
This week, we gear up for our Fall Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (THURS and FRI, November 6th and 7th). School will be closed both days. If you haven’t already, reach out to Mrs. Mershimer at DMershimer@craigschool.org or call CHS at (973)334-1234 and share your day and time. Thursday, Nov 6th hour blocks to choose from include 8AM-2PM. Friday, Nov 7th, hour blocks are 8AM-12PM. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule. Once you choose your day and time, you can expect to receive the necessary Zoom links and the schedule that you will follow during your conference block by Wednesday, November 5th.
Have a wonderful Halloween,
Dr. Cap
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, November 4th - CHS GUEST COLLEGE VISITORS SERIES: Johnson College, Scranton, PA
Tuesday, November 4th - CHS Afterschool Intramural Soccer (CHS Gym 3-4:15PM)
Wednesday, November 5th - GOGI Spring Spain Trip PARENT ZOOM ( 6 PM Gogi Parent Google Meet Link
Wednesday, November 5th - CHS Afterschool Art (Art Studio, 3-4:15 PM)
Thursday-Friday, November 6th-7th-SCHOOL CLOSED: Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences
NEXT WEEK
Monday, November 10th - CHS GUEST COLLEGE VISITORS SERIES: Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn State affiliate)
Tuesday, November 11th - Craig School Community Virtual Q and A (7 PM, Link TBA)
Tuesday, November 11th - CHS Afterschool Intramural Soccer (CHS Gym 3-4:15PM)
Wednesday, November 12th - CHS Afterschool Art (Art Studio, 3-4:15 PM)
Friday, November 14th - CHS Picture RETAKE Day (Contact Ms. Steinel if interested, HSteinel@craigschool.org)
Friday, November 14th - CHS Lunch Delivery DECEMBER ORDERING Window OPENS (www.myfooddays.com)
THE WEEK AFTER THAT
Tuesday, November 18th - CHS Afterschool Intramural Soccer (CHS Gym 3-4:15PM)
Wednesday, November 19th - CHS Afterschool Art (Art Studio, 3-4:15 PM)
Friday, November 21st-12 PM CLOSE: Faculty Forum
Friday, November 21st - CHS Lunch Delivery DECEMBER ORDERING Window CLOSES (www.myfooddays.com)
Monday-Friday, November 24th to 28th-SCHOOL CLOSED: Thanksgiving Break
THE CRAIG SCHOOL COMMUNITY VIRTUAL Q&A: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 11th at 7PM for a Virtual Q&A. We will be hosting a casual meeting to discuss exciting upcoming planned events and programs, along with a Q&A from you- our community, to address your questions. Link coming soon! We hope everyone will join us.
Susan Schmitt- Head of School
Dr. Eric Caparulo- Director of The High School
Jennifer Guthrie- Director of The Lower/Middle School
Nile Furlong- Director of Student Engagement
Introducing a New Era of Connection: SMS Texting at The Craig School!
At The Craig School, we believe that communication is the heartbeat of our vibrant community. That's why we're thrilled to unveil an exciting new way for parents, students, and staff to stay connected—introducing SMS texting! Say goodbye to missed messages and hello to seamless communication right at your fingertips. Whether it's important announcements, schedule updates, or reminders about school events, this innovative system will ensure you’re always in the loop. Join us on The Craig School App- download and enable notifications.
CHS Senior Charlie Accepted to Johnson College: We are excited to share that the CHS Class of 2026 has added another acceptance and a new college to the CHS roster. Senior Charlie has been accepted to Johnson College, located in Scranton, PA. Johnson is a private, two-year college, offering 14 associate degree and 5 academic certificate programs. It was founded in 1912 as a trade school and has evolved into its current college status. It is considered one of the top 10 trade schools in the nation and boasts that 92% of all graduating students land a position in their chosen field in their 1st year post-graduation. They also have a financial aid program that over 77% of all their students benefit from.
Johnson College is located on a 44-acre campus in Scranton, PA. In addition, they provide on-site live labs through a variety of Industry partners that allow students to hone their skills in real-world, hands-on learning opportunities. The average student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, allowing for a more personalized learning experience. In addition, they host a variety of off-campus social outings, including what they call “Stressbuster Week” (dance parties, therapy dogs, and outdoor games). Charlie plans on studying HVAC in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology program. Way to go, Charlie! Johnson College will be part of our Guest College Visitors series on Tues, Nov. 4th, so interested students can find out more about this amazing trade-school college.
Craig High NHS Collecting Candy for Soldiers' Angels Program: The Craig High School Chapter of the National Honor Society will be collecting post-Halloween candy through this week. We will be donating all collected candy to Treats for Troops through the Soldiers' Angels organization, which provides aid and comfort to our veterans, current military members, and their families.
2024 NHS Candy Collection
If you have any excess Halloween candy and you want it taken off your hands, our NHS will take it! All candy can be dropped off to the NHS DONATION BOX in room 102 (Dr. Skerker’s Room). On behalf of our NHS, we thank you.
Badgers Wrap Up Season at STRIDES FOR EDUCATION 5K in Morris Plains: The CHS Cross Country Team had three reps running in this past weekend's 10th annual STRIDES FOR EDUCATION 5K held in Morris Plains. The race attracted 250 local runners. The 5K course took us through the streets of Morris Plains, past Dr. Cap’s favorite steakhouse (Arthur's Tavern), and wrapped up in Simon’s Park. Sophomore Asher dropped a full two minutes off of his best 5K time and placed 3rd in the 12-19 year old category. Juniors Mike and Alex ran solid 5K races, placing 4th and 6th in their age brackets. Way to go, Badgers!
Badger Afterschool Intramural Soccer and Esports Interest Check: This week, we will be polling students to check for interest in reestablishing our afterschool Indoor Intramural soccer league and starting up our Esports Intramural League.
Our leagues are CO-ED, open to all CHS students, and a great opportunity to be a part of a dynamic and supportive team. We are looking to hold our afterschool soccer sessions on the following TUES in November from 3-4:30 PM if we get enough interest:
We are waiting on some final equipment for our Esports Intramural League and are hoping to get that off the ground after Thanksgiving. For planning purposes, we are looking at MON after school as our Esports Days. Keep you posted on that as well.
REMINDER-WEDS Nov 5th 6 PM, Gogi Abroad Travel Parent Google Meet: Join us for an exciting Virtual Meeting on WED NOV 5th at 6 PM (Gogi Parent Google Meet Link) to learn more about our upcoming Spring Trip opportunities to Spain and Summer Adventure to the Galápagos Islands with Mr. Furlong and GOGI Abroad!
Meet our amazing GOGI Abroad guides from Spain and the Galápagos
Discover what makes these journeys so unique and life-changing
Ask questions, connect with other interested families, and get inspired!
Don’t miss this chance to learn how students will explore new cultures, dive into hands-on learning, and make memories that last a lifetime.
REMINDER-Ordering School Pictures from Josten PIX: You should have received an email link from JOSTENS PIX to set up an account, which will allow you to view your teen's pictures from picture day and the various ordering options available. They are ready! Go to https://shop.jostenspix.com/login, and our Craig High School EVENT CODE is FE243825
Any orders will be conveniently done online, and pictures will be mailed directly to you. Picture retake day is scheduled for later this month (Nov 20th). If you would like your teen to have a retake, reach out to Ms. Steinel (HSteinel@craigschool.org) and she will add them to the retake roster.
For more information on ways of giving or to make a donation online you can clicking here.
Lower/Middle School
15 Tower Hill Rd
Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046
Phone 973-334-1234
Fax 973.334.2861
Craig High School
24 Changebridge Road
Montville, NJ 07045
Phone 973.334.1234
Fax 973.334.1288
Administration
10 Tower Hill Road
Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046
Phone 973-334-1234
Fax 973 334 1299