THE CRAIG SCHOOL

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Message from the Director

Dear Badger Families,

This week, our Buddy Program included a feelings charades in which pairs continued to learn about each other while working on vocabulary to help express their feelings. Simple games like these spark conversations that lead to more sharing and connections between our students. Thank you, Mrs. Edwards, for organizing these activities, and thank you to the homeroom teachers for running them with the students.

Our Badger Boutique is part of our incentive program where students can spend their Badger Bucks they’ve earned. They earn through daily school activities when teachers or staff members feel they’ve demonstrated something extra in a positive way. Maybe during Monday’s advisory, their binder was completely organized, or during a review in class, they knew the toughest concepts. Maybe they mastered long division after a week of pushing through and persevering. At the Badger Boutique, students can buy small snacks, fidgets, toys, or Badger SWAG. Middle school students can pool their cards together for a pizza party. Yesterday, Hazel Sheth, Riley Zona, Meghan McLoughlin, and Ziva Damille pooled their cards together to buy a pizza party for the whole 8th grade! We will have one more Badger Boutique shopping before the end of the year!

Please make sure to look through today’s newsletter for sign-ups for our last round of After-School Activities, including Art, Music, Swim, and Robotics.

If you have not signed up for Summer Academy but intend to join us, please register through our website. The necessary emergency and transportation forms for all registered students are also posted on the website under the Academics tab.

Have a great weekend!

With Badger pride,

Jen Guthrie

Director of Lower & Middle School

CALENDAR INFO

April 2026 Important Dates

4/13 (Mon) - After School Badger HW Support, Art, and Volleyball Home Game

4/14 (Tues) - After School Music, YMCA Dance Class, and Volleyball Away Game

4/15 (Wed) - After School Badger HW Support and Swim

4/16 (Thur) - After School Badger HW Support, Robotics, and Volleyball Home Game

4/20 (Mon) - After School Badger HW Support and Art

4/21 (Tues) - After School Music

4/22 (Wed) - After School Badger HW Support and Swim

4/23 (Thur) - After School Badger HW Support and Robotics

4/24 (Fri) - Spirit Day: Dress like Adam Sandler or one of his characters!

4/24 (Fri) - Teacher Feature: Make Your Own Car (3:05-5:00 pm) Registration Required

4/25 (Sat) - Teacher Feature: NY Liberty Game (12:15-7:15 pm) Registration Required

4/27 (Mon) - After School Badger HW Support and Art

4/28 (Tues) - After School Music

4/28 (Tues) - Plant Sale Closes - last chance 9th Annual Plant Sale 2026 Order Link

4/29 (Wed) - After School Badger HW Support and Swim

4/30 (Thur) - After School Badger HW Support and Robotics

May 2026 Important Dates

5/5 (Tues) - Teacher Feature: Ice Cream & Movie (3:05-5:30 pm) Registration Required

5/7 (Thur) - Plant Sale Deliveries - 3:15 - 4:00 pm

5/14 (Thur) - Teacher Feature: Badger Esports Showdown (Grd 6-12) Registration Required

Pick Up at Craig High School

5/15 (Fri) - Noon Dismissal: Faculty Forum

5/19 (Tues) - Teacher Feature: Build a Stuffed Animal (3:05-5:00 pm) Registration Required

5/22-5/25 (Fri-Mon)- No School: Memorial Day Weekend

5/28 (Thur) - Evening: Craig Expo and Talent Show

COMMUNITY NEWS

THIS TUESDAY April 14th 7 PM, Craig Speaker Series ” Less Nagging, More Success-Practical ADHD and Executive Functioning Strategies that Every Parent Can Use at Home”: Join Therapist, ADHD expert, author, and Craig School parent, Allison Tyler, as she shares simple, effective strategies that parents can start using right away to support their child at home, reduce daily stress, and minimize power struggles.

Allison will touch on common challenges that all parents face, including task initiation, time management, and organization, while also sharing ways to strengthen self-regulation and independence (REGISTER HERE)

After School Activities

Students who are already signed up for Dance through the YMCA will continue their Tuesday dance class as is through April 14th. There is still space available if you would like to sign up for our other activities.

Mondays: After School Art Sign-Up Form

Tuesdays: After School Music Sign-Up Form

Wednesdays: After School Swim Sign-Up Form

Thursdays: After School Robotics Sign-Up Form

Craig School Teacher Features Is Back 2026

We are excited to share this year’s Teacher Feature opportunities for our Lower Middle School students! Space is limited for activities, so this is a great way to start thinking about which events your student might enjoy.

Make Your Own Car – Grades 3–8

Build, decorate, and race your very own wooden car with Mrs. Restieri & Mr. Torres! Test your car for speed and style.

Date: Friday, April 24

Price: $75

Max Students: 10 | Slots Remaining: 4

NY Liberty Game – Grades 5–12

Cheer on the New York Liberty as they take on Caitlin Clark & the Indiana Fever! Join Dr. Cap & Mr. Furlong for an afternoon at Barclays Center.

(Note: Dr. Cap will be taking Ms. Schmitt’s place for this Teacher Feature.)

Date: Saturday, April 25

Price: $150

Max Students: 10 | Slots Remaining: 3

Ice Cream & a Movie – Grades 3–8

Enjoy ice cream sundaes and a student-chosen movie with Mrs. Imperatore & Mrs. Shilling.

Date: Tuesday, May 5

Price: $75

Max Students: 12 | Slots Remaining: 6

Badger Esports Showdown – Grades 6 –12

Battle your friends and teachers in Mario Kart & Super Smash Bros. with Ms. Crum, Dr. Cap, Dr. Skerker & Mrs. Gallagher.

Date: Thursday, May 14

Price: $75

Max Students: 6 | Slots Remaining: 4

Build a Stuffed Animal – Grades 3–8

Create your own stuffed animal with Mx. Hecht, complete with a birth certificate and snacks.

Date: Tuesday, May 19

Price: $75

Max Students: 10 | Slots Remaining: 4

Over the Top Water Balloon Fun – Grades 6 –12

Join Ms. Jahn & her Craig alumni kids for a fun afternoon with 500 water balloons! Games and water-soaked fun guaranteed.

Date: Wednesday, June 3 or Friday, June 5 (weather dependent)

Price: $75

Max Students: 20 | Slots Remaining: 19

Space is limited. For full details and registration, visit the Teacher Feature 2026 Link

Deadline: Friday, April 17

Questions? Email Amanda Jahn, or Mary Calvano

9th Annual Leadership Plant Sale

Add color and greenery to your home while supporting student-led initiatives. Our plant sale is now live using our digital ordering system. Families can browse, order, and pay for all their plants in one place. Click the link below. Share the text to order with friends and family. Order deadline is Tuesday, April 28th, with delivery on Tuesday, May 7th, from 3:15 to 4:00 pm. Any questions, please contact Laura Given at lgiven@craigschool.org.

9th Annual Plant Sale 2026 Order Link

or text CraigFlowerSale to 76278

Craig School 20th Annual Golf Outing & Auction

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • Ballyowen Golf Club, Hamburg, NJ

Join us for a day of golf, connection, and impact in support of our students! Come golf, or join us for dinner - there’s something for everyone. This year, we are excited to offer GiveSmart for a simple, seamless registration experience.

Event Schedule:

11:00 AM: Check-in, Driving Range & Putting Green Open

11:30 AM: Lunch (check-in continues)

1:00 PM: Shotgun Start – Scramble Format

5:30/6:00 PM: Dinner, Awards & Auction

We are grateful for our returning supporters and warmly welcome new participants!

Interested in contributing to the auction? Contact Amanda Jahn, our Auction Chair, for details.

Registration closes: May 18, 2026

Questions? Contact Mary Calvano

Register or Explore Opportunities

8th Grade Graduation Updates

Dear 8th Grade Families,

Please be on the lookout for emails from Alyssa Chartier (achartier@craigschool.org) regarding graduation information. Graduation will be held in the auditorium at the Mountain Lakes campus on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The ceremony starts at 9:00 AM and runs until around 12:00 PM (noon).

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Ms. Chartier at the email address above.

PACS

Join us for our Open PACS Meeting on April 21 at 8:45 AM at the High School (Room 108). It’s a great opportunity to learn what’s happening in our community, share ideas, and connect with other parents. All are welcome - we hope to see you there!

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8) is quickly approaching! We look forward to celebrating our incredible teachers and staff throughout the week. This effort takes thoughtful planning and support - we’d love your help in making it extra special. Please take a moment to complete this Google Form to get involved.

Interested in becoming more involved? We are also beginning to look ahead to the 2026–2027 PACS Board. If you’d like to learn more or express interest, please reach out to pacs@craigschool.org.