Cranford Public Schools

Cranford Public Schools The Cranford School District has eight schools, housing approximately 3900 students. Cranford High School accommodates 1140 students in grades 9-12.

The Cranford Public School District takes great pride in providing its students, in grades PreK-12 with child-centered, innovative learning experiences each day of the school year. Enjoying its neighborhood schools, children in the elementary grades attend the following: Bloomingdale Avenue School, grades K-2; Brookside Place School, grades K-5; Walnut Avenue School, grades PreK-2; Livingston Ave

nue School, grades 3-5; Orange Avenue School, grades 3-5 and Hillside Avenue School, grades K-5. Orange Avenue and Hillside Avenue Schools also house the district’s two middle schools for students in grades 6-8 with their total student populations being 766 and 738 respectively. In addition, Lincoln Avenue School is home to an alternative elementary, middle and high school program. The following Mission Statement guides instruction in all of the district’s schools:

The Cranford Public Schools promotes Pre K – Grade 12 education as a shared responsibility among students, educators, administrators, parents and community. The Cranford Public Schools strives to create a safe, caring, and rigorous learning environment responsive to the individual needs and interests of our students offering programs of studies consistent with the Common Core State Standards, New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and 21st Century College and Career Readiness. Central to our programs are relevant, real-world learning experiences that stimulate and encourage curiosity, effective communication, goal setting and problem-solving skills while providing opportunities that promote creativity, self-expression, physical/emotional wellness and an appreciation of diversity. All students are provided with personalized learning experiences and critical thinking and technology skills needed to become thoughtful, responsible and productive citizens making contributions in local and global contexts fostering respect and accountability in all of their actions. The following Long-Range Goals correspond to the Mission Statement:

To implement a consistent, researched-based reading program, personalizing instruction and independent reading experiences for all Cranford students in grades K-8. To expand Cranford Public Schools’ Gifted and Talented services to further personalize instruction for all students. To provide exemplary basic skills instruction to all identified Cranford students with new emphasis on students at the K-2 levels, further personalizing learning experiences. To examine and redesign instructional school scheduling to maximize and personalize learning opportunities for all Cranford students. To improve technology services and resources meeting 21st Century demands and NJDOE mandates while providing personalized learning experiences for Cranford students. To infuse global opportunities in all Cranford classrooms facilitating awareness and understanding of world issues and creating personal connections for students with their international peers. To continually improve security measures at all Cranford Public School facilities. To ensure all Cranford Public Schools facilities are maintained addressing student and staff instructional and safety needs. Approximately 650 staff members at all grade levels aspire to foster critical-thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills across all areas of the district curriculum while continually crafting a caring environment. Cranford Public Schools' dedicated administrators, teachers, and support staff are the backbone of the educational process. Sixty-one percent of the highly skilled staff members have advanced degrees, including five doctorates. Cranford’s teachers are regularly recognized on the national, state, county and local levels. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:12. Staff development opportunities continue to be a central focus as excellence is addressed for both teacher and student growth. Since 2000-2001, Cranford has had a flourishing professional development school (PDS) relationship with Seton Hall University. The PDS staff is committed to training and nurturing current and future teachers to be skilled professionals who effectively translate theory into practice to guide children toward high levels of learning

Instructional programs are in place to foster exceptional learning opportunities for all children. Cranford High School was ranked 54 overall for public schools in NJ Monthly and 377 in Newsweek for the national rankings. This kept the tradition of making the Top 100 and Top 500 schools in the state and nation. CHS engages students in a host of benevolent community activities situated around a 140 earned credit hour requirement leading to graduation. At CHS, a large percentage of students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to and enroll in AP classes. Various special programs are also offered, including the Global Citizenship Endorsement Program, University Program, Academy of Performing Arts, and Science Academy. The district’s school-wide enrichment program provides opportunities for students to explore a wide variety of topics that would not ordinarily be covered in the regular curricula as well as a Pathways to Excellence Plus (P2E+) Program, grades 3-8 to provide both pull-out and push-in learning opportunities in writer’s workshop and mathematics. Special education programs are predicated upon the philosophy of inclusion with teachers trained in co-teaching. All district schools pride themselves on their character education programs coupled with quality service learning. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum and utilized at all grade levels as a tool to personalize learning, bring content to life, and facilitate technological literacy for students growing up in an electronic world. This year the district is upgrading the infrastructure, bandwidth, Internet and equipment; adding laptops; providing new district and school websites; modifying the E-mail system from WorldClient to Google; and replacing paper forms through an online student registration/data validation system powered by InfoSnap. On an ongoing basis, PowerSchool is utilized to communicate student progress to parents and students who seek to review their grades from home, while Naviance, a web-based tool, is used to assist parents and students in career exploration and the college application process. The entire Cranford community continually demonstrates its support of education and professional growth as noted through the Parent-Teacher Association, district-wide Parent-Teacher Council, Cranford Education Association, Cranford Administrative and Supervisory Association, Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence, and the school district budget. Through a unified community effort and open home-school communication, Cranford students continue to grow and thrive as they prepare to be tomorrow’s leaders.

08/25/2026

In a nutshell...
The Board took the following actions at the August 24th meeting of the Cranford Board of Education:

APPROVED
Business Items
APPROVED
Approved Revised Budget Statement 2026- 2027
APPROVED
Board Secretary’s Monthly Certification Budgetary Line Item Status
APPROVED
Field Trip Destination Approval
APPROVED
Superintendent’s Report
APPROVED
HIB Decisions
APPROVED
District Professional Development Plan
APPROVED
Approval K-12 Corebooks
APPROVED
Approval of Curricula
APPROVED
Out-of-District Placement of Special Education Student
APPROVED
Revised Purchase of Professional Consultation Services
APPROVED
Approval of Substitutes & Home Instructors
APPROVED
Retirement:
Susan Stein, Nurse, WAS
APPROVED
Rescind Appointments:
Ashley Buchanan, School Counselor, CHS
Nicole Coughlin, School Nurse, CHS
APPROVED
Resignations:
Tereza Curanovic, PT CRA, WAS
Deirdre Koczur, PT CRA, BAS
Francesca Higueros, PT CRA, WAS
Leah Chambers, PT CRA, OAS
Ann Murphy, PT CRA, WAS
Katelyn Sandin, PT Teacher of PE, HAS
APPROVED
Leaves of Absence: Katherine Reggio, Teacher of Spanish, CHS Lauren Gallagher, Teacher of Special Ed., BPS
Sylwia Konig, School Nurse, District
APPROVED
Appointments:
Courtney Bento, Leave Replacement Teacher of Kindergarten, WAS Samantha Barret, Teacher of Fifth Grade, OAS
Francesca Goglia, Teacher of Lang. Arts/English, CHS
Ann Dooley, Teacher of Industrial Arts/Woods, CHS
Nina Delmonaco, School Counselor, CHS
Kaitlin Gaynor, Teacher of Special Ed./Autism, WAS
Tracy Scerra, Teacher of Science, OAS
Lydia Brubaker, Teacher of Kindergarten, BAS
Christina Quint, Teacher of Special Ed./Autism, BPS
Christine Walters, Leave Replacement Teacher of Math, CHS
Melissa Konieczny, CRA, LIN
Nicoletta Savinelli, CRA, LIN
Amisha Jaggi, PT CRA, WAS
Jessica Andrade, PT CRA/PT LRA, BAS
Kirsten Fleming, PT CRA, CHS
Christine Mosquera, PT CRA, CHS
Sophia Fandino, PT CRA, WAS
Gabrielle Gialluisi, PT CRA, LAS
Mark Gioioso, PT CRA/LRA, LAS
APPROVED
Contract Revisions:
Daniela Sellinger, 10 mo. Secretary, CHS
Diane Fiorenza, 10 mo. Secretary, CHS
Jennie Pineiro, PT CRA, WAS
Glen Zullo, Third Shift Custodian, CHS
Tyshon Jones, Custodian, HAS
Rosemary, Knorr, 10 mo. Secretary, CHS
APPROVED
Staff Reassignments:
Alisha Lardieri, PT CRA LLD, BPS
Tetiana Chenona, PT CRA LLD, BPS
Carolyn Kube, CRA, BPS
Christina Paolillo, PT CRA FDK, BAS
Beatriz Grasso, PT CRA FDK/LRA, HAS
Linda Sosa, PT CRA FDK/LRA, HAS
APPROVED
Winter Coaching Appointment
APPROVED
Additional Assignments-Clubs
APPROVED
Miscellaneous Additional Assignment-Athletic Physicals
APPROVED
Social-Emotional Learning Facilitators
APPROVED
Coordinator and Advisor Appointments
APPROVED
Appointment of Facilitator
APPROVED
Appointment of Anti-Bullying Facilitator
APPROVED
Sixth Period Salary Adjustments
APPROVED
Policies & Regulation for Adoption

For more detailed information, please go to our website to view the agenda and/or minutes.

07/28/2026

In a nutshell...

The Board took the following actions at the July 27th meeting of the Cranford Board of Education:

APPROVED
Goals and Objectives Meeting
APPROVED
Business Items
APPROVED
Approved Revised Budget Statement 2025- 2026
APPROVED
Approved Revised Budget Statement 2026- 2027
APPROVED
Board Secretary’s Monthly Certification Budgetary Line Item Status APPROVED
2026-2027 Student Activity Accounts
APPROVED
Acceptance of Livingston Avenue School PTA Donation
APPROVED
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant Application FY 2027
APPROVED
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Consolidation Grant Application FY 2027
APPROVED
Revised Professional Services Environmental Remediation APPROVED
Contract Award Name Change
APPROVED
Approval of Travel Expenditures
APPROVED
Field Trip Destination Approval
APPROVED
Annual Emergency Virtual or Remote District Instruction Plan 2026-2027
APPROVED
Superintendent’s Report
APPROVED
HIB Decisions
APPROVED
Approval of Memorandum of Agreement
APPROVED
Workshop Presentation
APPROVED
Out of District Placement of Special Education Students
APPROVED
Revised Out of District Placement of Special Education Students APPROVED
Special Education Summer Evaluations
APPROVED
Special Education Extended School Year Appointments-Certified Staff
APPROVED
Retirements:
Gina DiFabio, Teacher of Kindergarten, WAS
Sonia Engstrom, LRA, WAS
Janet Nichnadowicz, PT CRA, WAS
APPROVED
Resignations:
Frank Benimeo, School Counselor, CHS
Erica Rubio, Librarian Media Specialist, BAS/OAS
Daniel Brown, Teacher of Woodshop, CHS
Lauren Berman, Teacher of Fifth Grade, OAS
Jessica Andrade, LRA, BAS
Caroline Ewing, PT CRA, WAS
Christine Carman, PT CRA, BAS
Caitlin Murach, Teacher of Music, LIN
APPROVED
Leaves of Absence:
Lauren Ballance, Teacher of Special Education, HAS
Richard Petruccelli, School Counselor, HAS
Jonathan Jackson, Teacher of Music, OAS
Brianna Pisano, Teacher of Third Grade, HAS
APPROVED
Appointments:
Alaysha Flecha, Teacher of First Grade, WAS
Guy Ratki, Teacher of Special Education, OAS
Erin Strathern, School Counselor, BAS/WAS
Yunaisys Maynard, Teacher of Spanish, LIN
Rachel Simpson, Teacher of English, CHS
Katherine Ryan, Librarian Media Specialist, BAS/OAS
Tyshon Jones, Custodian, HAS
Ann Teitelbaum, School Nurse, CHS
Ashley Buchanan, School Counselor, CHS
Christine Chesney, PT CRA Preschool, WAS
Kimberly Lawson, 12 Month Secretary, CHS
APPROVED
Contract Revisions:
Jennifer Barna, Leave Replacement Teacher of Special Education, CHS/PT 1:1 CRA, CHS
Allison Ahearn, Teacher of Special Education, BPS
Lisa Salvatoriello, School Nurse, OAS
John Gulliford, Director of Buildings and Grounds, District APPROVED
Staff Reassignment:
Christian Holandez, Teacher of Technology, OAS
APPROVED
Fall Coaching Appointments
APPROVED
Miscellaneous Additional Assignment-Lunch Coverage
APPROVED
Miscellaneous Additional Assignments
APPROVED
Miscellaneous Additional Assignment-Central Detention
APPROVED
Miscellaneous Additional Assignment-Lunch Coverage
APPROVED
Additional Assignment-District Webmaster
APPROVED
Coordinator Approvals
APPROVED
Non-Teaching Salary Adjustments
APPROVED
Extended School Year Tier Stipends
APPROVED
Purchase of Professional Consultation Services
APPROVED
Policy & Regulation for First Reading

For more detailed information, please go to our website to view the agenda and/or minutes.

Congratulations to Hillside Avenue School students Bridget Guterl, Elise Riley, Thomas Riley, Miriam Serna, Mackenzie St...
07/07/2026

Congratulations to Hillside Avenue School students Bridget Guterl, Elise Riley, Thomas Riley, Miriam Serna, Mackenzie Starr, and Liam O'Neill on receiving the Gold Standard Award from the Cranford High School National Honor Society!

Presented to students who exemplify leadership, service, and character, the award recognized their commitment to Relay for Life through the Hillside Helpers team. For the second year in a row, these students organized fundraisers, recruited participants, and supported the event, helping raise more than $4,000 for Cranford Relay for Life. We are proud of their dedication to making a difference in our community!

07/07/2026

Cranford Board of Education Appoints New District Director and Orange Avenue School Assistant Principal

Cranford Board of Education Appoints New District Director and Orange Avenue School Assistant Principal

LAS welcomed future third graders during the annual LAS/WAS 2nd Grade Walkover. Students enjoyed a special performance b...
07/06/2026

LAS welcomed future third graders during the annual LAS/WAS 2nd Grade Walkover. Students enjoyed a special performance by the band and chorus, met student leaders and third-grade teachers, participated in fun activities, and connected with their third-grade pen pals.

The day was filled with smiles, new friendships, and excitement as we welcomed the Class of 2036 to the LAS family! 💙💛

The 2026 Brookside Place School Olympics were a tremendous success! Thank you to our incredible students for bringing en...
07/06/2026

The 2026 Brookside Place School Olympics were a tremendous success! Thank you to our incredible students for bringing energy and teamwork to every event, and to our dedicated coaches, volunteers, and staff who helped make the day unforgettable.

A special thank you to Mrs. Nowicki for coordinating this wonderful tradition, along with our custodial and main office teams for their outstanding support.
Congratulations to this year's top teams:
🥇 Team Greece coached by Mrs. Sweet
🥈 Team Norway coached by Ms. Balaskovits
🥉 Team Italy coached by Mrs. Pierce

Congratulations to our Orange Avenue School published authors! This year, sixth and eighth graders became published auth...
07/03/2026

Congratulations to our Orange Avenue School published authors! This year, sixth and eighth graders became published authors, sharing original stories that showcase their creativity, imagination, and unique voices.

Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment! ✍️📚📖

Exciting things are growing at Lincoln School! Lincoln is proud to be a recipient of the 2026 Union County Kids Dig In! ...
07/03/2026

Exciting things are growing at Lincoln School! Lincoln is proud to be a recipient of the 2026 Union County Kids Dig In! School Grant Award. Thanks to the support of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Union County Board of County Commissioners, students now have a new raised garden bed where they will explore science, sustainability, and healthy living through hands-on learning.

Thank you to our community partners for helping us plant the seeds for future growth, both in the garden and in the classroom! 🌼🌱

Music, art and community came together at Cranford High School as the Fine and Performing Arts Department recently welco...
07/03/2026

Music, art and community came together at Cranford High School as the Fine and Performing Arts Department recently welcomed the Senior Citizen Advisory for a special luncheon, student performances and a collaborative art project.

From caterpillars to butterflies, Walnut Avenue School students watched science come to life! Preschool, Kindergarten an...
07/02/2026

From caterpillars to butterflies, Walnut Avenue School students watched science come to life! Preschool, Kindergarten and Grade 2 students recently celebrated the end of their butterfly studies by releasing the butterflies they raised into the wild after weeks of observation and discovery. 🦋

Address

132 Thomas Street
Cranford, NJ
00701

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Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

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