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District Office » Superintendent » Superintendent's Message

Superintendent's Message

Mark Cantagallo
 
Superintendent of Schools
 
908-709-6202
 
Alison McNulty
 
Executive Asst. to the Superintendent of Schools
 
908-709-6202

August 14, 2026

Dear Cranford Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

 

As summer winds down, we know your mind is turning toward school supplies, schedules, and setting your children up for a successful year ahead. Please know that our entire team is here to help, and we'll keep the updates coming as day one approaches.

Our commitment is to give your child both a rich academic foundation and the core executive functioning skills, like resilience, confidence, and self-advocacy they need to thrive at every stage of their educational journey.

Mark Your Calendar: Tuesday, August 18th at 12:00 PM Please visit this document to:

  1. Update your emergency contact information.

  2. Then view your child's class schedule.

Construction Update

  • The four additions continue to see significant progress day by day and remain scheduled to open on time.  The high school elevator project was completed.  The solar and energy upgrades are in their final stages.  The LAS boiler and unit vent replacement is receiving final touches.  Though some projects were planned to extend into the school year the buildings will be safe and ready to open on September 3rd.

 

Strategic Planning

  • The District is in year 4 of its implementation of the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and will continue to focus on the District mission, “Empowering Students to Thrive in a Diverse and Dynamic World.”

 

 

 

Safety and Wellness

 

 

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid Program - The District continues to provide training for our faculty through a Youth Mental Health First Aid Program in which all new teachers participate. Current faculty will also continue to be offered this 8-hour course that teaches staff how to help students who may be experiencing challenges in the areas of mental health and substance use.  The training helps individuals identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.  Approximately 410 faculty members have already been fully trained in the program!

 

  • No Place for Hate, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, is a self directed program for grades K-12 that assists all members of the school community in providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment while also decreasing acts of bias and bullying.  Each Cranford public school has been awarded the No Place for Hate “Gold Star” Status designation again in 2025-2026 and we continue to provide programming that supports this initiative each year.

 

Engagement

  • Coffee and Conversation - The District will hold Coffee and Conversation with the superintendent meetings on Tuesday, November 10th and Wednesday, April 21st from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.  These informal meetings will provide a forum to discuss topics that are important to the school community.

 

  • Climate and Culture Survey - As part of the District’s continuous goal to increase meaningful stakeholder engagement to enhance practices, structures and, ultimately, student learning, each school will send out a climate and culture survey for staff and parent(s)/guardian(s) to provide feedback.

 

 

 

Our school community thrives thanks to the incredible dedication of our parent organizations:

  • PTA (Parent Teacher Association)

  • PASE/SEPAG (Parents Advocating for Special Education / Special Education Parent Advisory Group)

  • CFEE (Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence)

  • CHS Booster Club

  • FOPA (Friends of the Performing Arts — CHS/OAS/HAS)

These wonderful groups are the heartbeat of our community. They plan special events, enrich our academic, social, and extracurricular programs, and provide endless support for our students and staff.

We are deeply grateful for everything they do. Please consider getting involved and supporting one or more of these terrific organizations.  When we work together, our entire school district benefits!

Attached please find a packet with the following information: 





You will also receive information from your child’s principal which will be specific to your particular school.  Should you find there is any additional information that you need, please check the school district website www.cranfordschools.org or contact your child’s principal directly.  

 

We look forward to working with you and your children and thank you for your continued support of Cranford Public Schools.

 

Sincerely,

Mark Cantagallo

Mark Cantagallo

Superintendent of Schools