September 2026
From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Cranford High School Students
Welcome to Cranford High School! Whether you are returning to CHS or just beginning your high school journey, we are excited for the year ahead. What makes CHS special is the commitment and pride of our students, staff, families, and community.
At CHS, we believe that every student should feel a sense of belonging, be encouraged to pursue their goals, and have opportunities to discover their passions. Each student brings unique talents, strengths, and perspectives to our school community. We believe that you should have a voice in your high school experience and take an active role in making CHS the best it can be. Together, we will continue to create a school culture grounded in academic excellence and meaningful relationships.
Whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, through service, or in leadership opportunities, I encourage you to explore your interests, try something new, and take advantage of all that CHS has to offer. Some of your most memorable experiences may come from the moments when you challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.
As you prepare for the start of the school year, please take a moment to review the pages below for important updates, including information about student schedules, chromebooks, and other reminders to help you get ready for a successful year.
I am excited to walk the halls with you and look forward to all that you will accomplish.
Let’s Go Cougars!
Your Principal, Dr. Donlevie
Take a Paws & Catch Up!
Welcome to “Paws for News” — our new home for weekly updates. All the important news you need, now in one place!
Quote of the week: "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." — F. Scott Fitzgerald
Cranford Dialogue
Cranford Dialogue publishes multimodal content that fosters spirit and pride in all members of the Cranford High School community; student-driven content reflects the diverse beliefs, interests, passions, and skills found amongst the individuals and groups that make up our community. Dialogue seeks to be the intersection that celebrates these with the world.
Absence Reporting Community Message
CHS Community, In an effort to provide a more efficient and user-friendly process when reporting absences, we have updated our Absence Reporting process. Parents may log into their PowerSchool Parent Portal, navigate to “Forms,” and submit the “CHS Absence Reporting Form.” This digital approach is meant to save time for you while ensuring accurate and timely communication of student absences. CHS PowerSchool Parent Portal: Powerschool. Doctor’s notes, college visit notes, or other applicable documentations to support absences can be send to CHSAttendance@cranfordschools.org. You can still report your child absent by calling the CHS Attendance Office for the remainder of this school year. We plan to move to a full implementation of the CHS Absence Reporting Form through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Notes from the Nurse It’s hard to believe that the school year has begun! As we get ready for the year ahead, here are a few important reminders from the CHS Health Office.
Please feel free to share this in your Weekly Newsletters. It has been shared with our SEL Facilitators and counselors. This will be a living document updated with new links and documents of information and our school celebrations of themed weeks.
Community Partner Memberships - Please join the CHS community partners, support and sign up today! Click the links below: PTSA Friends of the Performing Arts Booster Club
The CHS Program of Studies has been prepared to acquaint Cranford High School students and their parents with the many course offerings that are available at the high school. Committed to academic excellence and advancement in all areas, we are continuing to work on the proactive growth model that stresses fulfillment of goals. Please review pages 19-21 to become familiar with the CHS CTE Academy Programs.
To review all of the important CHS protocols, policies and programs click on the Student Handbook link.
Stamp Your Success — Freshman Passport Updates!
Welcome to “Freshman Passport” — your first step toward lunchtime freedom!
This program is intended to encourage positive academic and social activities for 9th grade students during the day, particularly during the lunch block.
Don’t miss out: The 2026–2027 Freshmen Passport QR Code is your pathway to freedom—complete it now and unlock open campus opportunities in junior and senior year.
Goal: Motivate students to engage in positive academic and social activities in order to earn Open Lunch as a 10th grader while building excellent habits to reach their full potential.
Schedules and Events
2026-27 Rotate/Drop and Bell Schedules
You can also use the helpful Period Notifier to keep track of the schedules (including during half-days, delayed openings, homerooms, and midterm/finals).
- Open Campus: Seniors
- Open Lunch: Sophomores & Juniors
- Check Fresh Updates for Freshman Passport
Open Campus will be available to seniors who are “in good standing” according to the Open Campus Letter and have handed in their permission slip. In this letter will be instructions on how to obtain Open Campus if not approved.
Open Lunch:- 9th Grade Students do not have Open Lunch but can earn it during their 10th grade year
- 10th Grade Students “in good standing” have Open Lunch on Tuesday and Thursday
- 11th Grade Students “in good standing” have Open Lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- “in good standing” for 10th and 11th grade students will be explained at their grade level assemblies the first week of school. Then a letter and form will be sent to parents explaining the requirements related to behavior, attendance, and achievement similar to the 12th grade requirements.
Other Information
General School Details
- All parents/visitors will need to enter and exit from the main door. Please ring the bell, state your name and purpose for the visit and have your ID ready.
- Lockers and Locker rooms Students will receive locker assignments and combinations on the first day of school.
- All students are assigned a locker with a combination lock to secure their school supplies. Due to security reasons, only school issued locks may be used on lockers, and this lock should be kept throughout high school and returned upon graduation. Students are expected to keep the lockers neat and clean. Students will be responsible for damages and may be assessed the cost of repair. Any damage to lockers should be reported immediately. Loss of a lock will result in a ten dollar replacement fee.
Updates:
- A Delayed Opening at CHS will start at 9:30 AM.
- If you or anyone you know is interested in being a Lunchroom Assistant at CHS (10:30 AM - 12:30 PM) or another school in the district, please reach out to me or visit the application site: HERE.
Surveillance Cameras
Cranford High School has security cameras inside the building and around the perimeter of our school to ensure the safety of all staff, students, and visitors and to safeguard our facility from vandalism and theft. Cameras will be used in locations as deemed appropriate by the administration. Video recordings will be reviewed if there is evidence that a violation of board policies, administrative regulations, building rules, or laws has occurred.
Links
In addition, important information can be found on the right navigation as well as below. I encourage you to take a few moments to review the following documents, and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
- Student Handbook 2026-2027 which includes, but is not limited to, information regarding Administrative regulations, graduation requirements, credit Assignments, board of education policies, academic integrity procedures, midterm/final exam procedures, Cranford High School Office phone numbers.
- Policy 5600: Student Discipline/Code of Conduct
- Regulation 5600: Student Discipline/Code of Conduct
- Academic Integrity Procedures
- Cranford High School Office Phone Numbers
- ADAPT-Alchohol Drug Assistance Program for Teens- REMINDER - a student may be entered into the ADAPT Program based on the criteria below in addition to the possession or use of drugs or alcohol: Referral by a student’s parent for smoking, and/or the use of tobacco, nicotine, vaping devices or other products and devices related to smoking or the use of tobacco. A student is in possession of or is caught in the act of smoking or using tobacco, nicotine, vaping devices or other products related to the use of tobacco. Cranford Police Department-Memorandum of Agreement notification.