February 2026
From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Cranford Family,
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a restful winter recess and are ready for the possibilities that lie ahead.
Today, I am honored to officially begin my role as Principal of Cranford High School. I am genuinely thrilled to return to a high school setting where I spent nearly 20 years of my career. I look forward to walking the CHS halls and meeting our talented students and staff.
The Cranford Public Schools have a well-deserved reputation for being a supportive and student-centered school community. I am eager to contribute to the academic excellence of CHS, and just as importantly, to learn about the culture and traditions that make CHS unique.
My educational philosophy is centered on supporting the whole child. This means focusing not only on each student’s academic growth and achievement, but also on their social and emotional development. My goal is to help every student reach their fullest potential, whether in the classroom, on the stage, in athletics, or in any of the many opportunities CHS provides.
The safety and security of our students and staff will always remain a top priority. I am committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
As I transition into this role, my primary focus will be to listen and learn. I want to understand what makes Cranford High School special and how we can work together to support continued growth. I strongly believe in collaboration and look forward to partnering with families, students, staff, and the broader Cranford community.
I look forward to an exciting year ahead and am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students and families of Cranford High School. Please know that my door is always open, and I welcome the chance to connect with you.
Warm regards,
Dr. Gina Donlevie
Cranford High School Principal
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: "Success Is A Journey Not A Destination."
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.
Updated 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 or emailing CHSAttendance@cranfordschools.org 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 2025-2026 school year.
Frosty First Lap: Cranford Relay for Life Cranford Relay for Life is hosting a "Frosty First Lap" on Saturday, January 10th at Memorial Field Track from 10am-1pm. Come out and make a commitment to help fight cancer in 2026 and make a donation and take a few laps! You can also start the year off right by making a donation to Relay or starting/joining a team for June 5th at OAS! This is a family friendly event, and all ages are welcome! Join Here
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.
CHS PAW "Performing Artist of the Week"
Click here for details. Nominated based on Leadership and/or Artistic Skill and/or Work Ethic: Ciara Gonzalez de Quevedo
CHS Athletes of the Week
Click here for this week's details. Student athletes are nominated based on Leadership/Sportsmanship, Skill, Improvement, and/or Work Ethic: Nick Dizdar - Varsity Basketball and Maddie Lionetti - Varsity Winter Track
Athletic Schedule
Come out and support Cranford High School's Winter Athletes! Click here for the schedule. Go Cougars!
Yearbook is on Sale!!
The Golden C team would like to announce that the yearbook is officially on sale right now. If you would like to purchase one please visit the following link: CHS Jostens Store.
Harlem Wizards Return to CHS!!
The Class of 2027 is excited to announce that we will once again be hosting the Harlem Wizards for an epic Faculty vs. Wizard game on Thursday, March 19th in the CHS Lower Gym. This event is always a hit with non-stop fun, be sure to get your tickets early to secure your spot in the action! Doors open at 5:30 PM and the event kicks off at 6:30 PM.
And of course this event would not be possible without your support! If you would like to volunteer to help with the snack stand, merchandise, or ticketing or CLICK HERE and please reach out to Ms. Lieberman or Ms. Lembo. If you cannot volunteer your time and would prefer to help by donating a snack we would also greatly appreciate it!
Dress Code Reminder Student dress is an important part of student expression that we value. We have to remember that, as in any profession or workplace, there are standards of appropriate dress at school. The dress code committee has submitted updates that are currently under review for the 2025-2026 school year. However, at the moment, we need to respect the dress code as stated. Specifically, shoes without a backing, clothes that show undergarments, low cut tops, and/or clothes with offensive language are prohibited at CHS.
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. In addition this also highlights our Family Academy Nights. 25-26 District SEL Calendar
Stopit/HIB Reporting
- Can you please also send out the Stopit parent/guardian letter and the Stopit student flyer in an upcoming Friday blast to share with parents after your teachers have shown to their students? The student flyer is a PDF so doesn't have your individual school sign up codes on it, but they are listed below and are also listed at the end of the HIB student video.
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.
Gaggle - Please click this LINK to view the Gaggle website and click HERE to view a short video to better understand how Gaggle works.
Facebook - Follow Mr. Cantagallo on Facebook
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 2025–2026 Freshmen Passport QR Code is your pathway to freedom—complete it now and unlock open campus opportunities in junior and senior year.
Unlock your future one stamp at a time — the Freshman Passport Program is your first-class ticket to open campus freedom by 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
2025-26 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).
Schedules, Events, and Rotation Calendar
- Open Campus: Seniors
- Open Lunch: Sophomores & Juniors
- Check Fresh Updates for Freshman Passport
National School Counseling Week - School Counselors Amplify Student Success Please join in celebrating all of the members of our school counseling department this week during National School Counseling Week February 2 - 6. The theme this year is: “School Counselors Amplify Student Success.” We are so grateful to our amazing Counseling Team. Please show them your appreciation for all that they do!
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. Students will be receiving a letter shortly regarding approved or unapproved Open Campus privileges. In this letter will be instructions on how to obtain Open Campus if not approved.
Student schedules were available on Aug. 19th via PowerSchool
- 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
Important lunch/food service 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:
- Students that ride their bike should lock them up next to the "Bridge" for safety reasons; the West End bike racks have been removed.
- 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.
- Family Life and HIV/AIDS Curriculum and Grade 9, 11 and 12
- Student Handbook 2025-2026 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.