LS/MS Newsletters

Dear Badger Families,

What a night! Thank you to everyone who came out for Family STEM Night. It was a wonderful event, and I cannot thank Mrs. Restieri, Ms. Arena, and Mrs. Vaporis enough for organizing and hosting such an engaging experience. I am also incredibly grateful to our enthusiastic faculty and staff who volunteered their time to support the evening. This cherished annual event, held since 2017, celebrates and highlights the strength of the STEM program at The Craig School—and this year’s event was truly one for the books.

STEM is an essential part of our science curriculum, providing students with opportunities to strengthen collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity—the “4 C’s” widely recognized as essential skills for success in college and future careers. By introducing these skills in the elementary years and continuing to refine them through middle school, we help build a strong foundation that benefits our students well beyond the classroom. Family STEM Night gives families a firsthand look at the types of projects and thinking their children engage in every day.

This year, families were challenged to use a kit of materials supplied by our science department to design and construct an architectural model of a new building for the school. Their designs needed to incorporate height, school spirit, a working elevator, recreational elements, and, of course, doors and windows. The results were nothing short of impressive. The creativity, teamwork, and thoughtful design process on display reflected the very best of our students and families. We may very well have some future architects in our community!

Family STEM Night not only celebrates innovation and learning but also continues to grow as a meaningful and fun community tradition. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Jennifer Guthrie
Director of the Lower & Middle School

February 2026 Important Dates

2/16 (Mon) - No School: Mid-Winter Break

2/17 (Tues) - No School: Mid-Winter Break

2/18 (Wed) - After School: Badger HW Support and Swim

2/19 (Thur) - After School: Badger HW Support and Robotics

2/23 (Mon) - After School: Badger HW Support and Art

2/24 (Tues) - After School: Dance and Music Club

2/24 ( Tues)- Speaker Series- Gretchen Berman- REGISTER HERE

2/25 (Wed) - After School: Badger HW Support and Swim

2/26 (Thur) - After School: Badger HW Support and Robotics

2/27 (Fri) - Twilight Skiing at Mt. Peter 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

March 2026 Important Dates

3/6 (Fri) - Twilight Skiing at Mt. Peter 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

3/15- (Sun) - Chili Throwdown at Craig High, Montville, 12-2PM 

3/16-3/20 (Mon-Fri) - Noon Dismissals: Parent-Teacher Conferences in the afternoons

3/30-4/6 (Mon-Mon) - No School: Spring Break

SPEAKER SERIES

REGISTER HERE

Director for the Day – Craig High Junior MAX

CHS 11th Grader, Max, took on the role of  Director for the Day at Craig High, an experience made possible by our recent Badger Bowl-a-Rama Auction.  Being a graduate of Craig Middle School, it only made sense that Max joined some cross-campus administrative meetings in Mountain Lakes, which gave him the opportunity to catch up with some of his former teachers and share in his newly acquired title, if only for the day! 

Max began his Director role at CHS by starting our students on their day, followed by helping to complete an administrative project to revamp our Honor Roll certs. Mission accomplished.  Next, we checked our admin calendar and had a later-morning meeting with the Director of Student Affairs, Mr. Furlong, so it was off to Mt. Lakes.  

Post meeting, Max helped set up the lunchroom with Mr. Furlong and as tribute to his Shadow Director Day, we formed the tables into a large letter “M”. After our Mt. Lakes, meeting we met up with the rest of the CHS National Honor Society for a community project at the Renaissance in Lincoln Park, where we guided the senior residents there in a card making/cookie decorating afternoon activity. Our day wrapped up with an Admin Lunch at Woodstack to reflect on our day. 

Max’s leadership, empathy, and connection to both campuses were on display throughout his Shadow Director Day and beautifully reflect the growth we see in our students year after year. We are so proud of him!

REGISTRATION: Craig LSMS Summer Program July-August 2026 Summer School registration is now open, so here is what you need to know. The Craig School Summer Academic Program will be held at our MOUNTAIN LAKES campus in July.

(July 6-July 30, Mon-Thurs 9 am-12 pm).  

In addition to the morning academic program, you can also register for the AFTERNOON ENRICHMENT Program, which follows the morning academics, M-TH from 12-3:30 PM.  The afternoon enrichment program offers all-day field trips on Fridays throughout July (Fridays, 9AM-4PM).  

For more information on our summer program, visit our website and go to the Summer Academy tab under Academics.. 

Any summer questions, reach out to our Director of Admissions, Kate Tartaglia, at KTartaglia@craigschool.org 

Craig School Friday Twilight Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt. Peters RETURNS starting FEB 27th 

We have had a good amount of real snow this season. So, let's head to the slopes! FRIDAY After-school ski dates for this year at Mt. Peter.

 Mt. Peter is located in Warwick, NY (51 Old Mt. Peter Road, 10990), about 30 miles from Craig. 

We have coordinated to ski/snowboard after school (4:00 PM start- ends 9:00 PM) on Friday, February 28th, and Friday, March 6th.  To join us and to take advantage of the Craig Group pricing, you must submit all forms and pay online by using the following link: https://shop.mtpeter.com/groups and the group code: Craig26

Helmets are a must for all skiers and snowboarders.  This Craig community event is open to all students, family members, staff, and friends of The Craig School.  Families must provide their own transportation or carpool with others to the mountain.  If you can not attend both dates and would still like to participate, please sign up at https://shop.mtpeter.com. The group discount will not apply.

The deadline for group registration is February 20, 2026

If you have any questions, reach out to Mr. Furlong at NFurlong@craigschool.org.

Gogi Trip to Galapagos 

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY-August Gogi Trip to the Galapagos:  Our June trip fell short on numbers. So, we are promoting an August trip. Please see the flyers below for more information. 

Any questions, email Mr. Furlong at NFurlong@craigschool.org 

Boys basketball 

What a great season. We are so proud of this group of Badgers! Thank you for all of your hard work. To our fans, we thank you for your support! Go Badgers! 

End of Season Party- Thursday 4/23/26 In the Cafe!

CO-ED Volleyball Sign-Ups Grades 6 to 8 

Volleyball Sign-Up 2026

SAVE THE DATE-The Return of the Craig School Chili Throwdown (Sunday, MARCH 15th, 12-2PM)

We are excited to announce the official date for this year’s Annual Craig School Chili Throwdown.  It will be Sunday, March 15th, from 12PM-2PM on the Montville campus.  More Chili Throwdown info to come!