Send Us Your Back to School Photos

The day is finally here! Cranford students went back to school on Monday, officially marking summer's end. Patch wants to see your photos!

Email back to school photos to nicole.bitette@patch.com with student(s) name, school and grade to be added to our photo gallery.

Have a happy school year!

Cranford PD reminds you to drive carefully now that school is open.

Here are some safety tips provided by the Cranford Police Department(provided by AAA, the National Safety Council, and Safe Kids):

Tips for Parents: 
- Discuss the safest route to school with your kids. 

- Map out the route on paper to help your children "see" the route before they are on the road. 

- Afterwards, walk along the route with your children so they may become familiar with it. 

- Talk about why it is safer to cross at some street corners rather than others — and to use crosswalks. 

- Discuss the meanings of traffic symbols with your children. 

- Help your children understand the importance of cooperating with police officers and adult crossing guards. 

- Teach your children to stop, listen and look for approaching and turning vehicles, especially those turning right on red. 

- Stress the importance of allowing enough time to cross the street safely. 

- Make sure your children know they must walk — not run — across the street and to continue to look for vehicles. 

- If your children have a good understanding of left and right, then introduce them to the concept of looking left-right-left before crossing. 

- Above all, set a good example for your children — their actions and attitudes are modeled after yours! 


Tips for Pedestrians: 

- Developmentally, most kids can't judge speeds and distances until at least age 10, so younger kids need to cross with an adult. 

- Did you know most walking injuries happen mid-block or someplace other than intersections? Whenever possible, cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. 

- Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and keep looking and listening while crossing. 

- Walk, don't run, when crossing the street. 

- It's always best to walk on sidewalks or paths, but if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. 

- Remove headphones when crossing the street or walking in the street. 

- If you need to use your phone, stop walking. 

- Distraction among drivers is at an all-time high today, so try to make eye contact with the driver before you step into the road. 

Tip for Bicyclists: 
- Always wear your helmet. 

- Ride on the right side of the road in a single file in the same direction as other vehicles. 

- Obey all the rules of the road. 


Tips For Drivers: 
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones, before and after school hours. 

- Most walkers are injured mid-block, not at intersections, so watch out for kids who may dart into traffic or cross where they shouldn't. 

- Give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk. New Jersey State Law requires motorists to STOP for pedestrians in the crosswalk. 

- Using cell phones, even hands-free, makes it harder for drivers to be alert to walkers who may also be distracted on cell phones. Remember New Jersey State Law prohibits hand held cellular phone use.