Superintendent's Welcome Message to the Community

Dear Bridgewater-Raritan Community,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the last days of summer while looking forward to another successful school year.   Our school district is ready to welcome our students back on Wednesday, September 7th as we take another step forward in returning to normal operations following the Covid-19 pandemic.  Since the end of the 2021-22 school year, we have implemented several enhancements that will improve the overall operations of our schools while improving the student and parent experience.
 
Over the summer, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District invested in several facilities projects at multiple buildings.   Flooring replacements, including gymnasium floors, have been completed at Hamilton, Crim and the Middle School, mitigating damage from the flooding experienced in September 2021. Multiple roofing, paving, and mechanical projects have been completed, and one of our turf fields was replaced at the High School.  All district buildings are ready to open and welcome students on the first day of school. 
 
September will bring several changes throughout the district, including the High School, which will now operate on a rotating drop block schedule.  With this format, six classes will meet every day vs. the traditional eight-period schedule. Two periods will drop daily as courses meet three out of every four days. Classes will be fifty-four minutes in length with a unit lunch. Overall, we believe this system will maximize learning times while lightening the daily academic load on our students. Please check the High School website for additional information about the new schedule.
 
To enhance the safety and security of our school community, the district has hired additional security personnel to assist our local police departments. These individuals will collaborate with law enforcement to ensure that each building consistently implements safety and security best practices.  Our highly-qualified security staff comprises retired law enforcement officers who will supplement, not supplant, the School Resource Officers and Class Three officers currently stationed throughout our district buildings. A link to our staff can be found here:  School Security Introductions.
 
The district is proud to introduce two new principals for the 2022-23 school year. Mr. Dan Hemberger is our new High School Principal, and  Mr. Aldo Russo has been named the Principal at JFK Primary School. I am confident these individuals will have an immediate and positive impact on our school community.  Please follow the links to the press releases for each of these individuals.  Dan Hemberger, Aldo Russo
 
In March 2023, the district will be moving forward on a referendum to update facilities throughout our schools and to provide full-day kindergarten. Investment in our facilities will result in essential upgrades focused on enhancing the learning environments for students and staff alike while taking advantage of state funding for a portion of our project costs. Additional information on the referendum will be forthcoming in September at your respective back-to-school nights and district communications.   
 
And last but not least, the district has revived our social media accounts, and we ask you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Live links are included at the bottom of this page and can be found on the district website.  
 
On behalf of the administration, faculty, and staff, I would like to welcome all to the 2022-2023 School Year!   
 
Robert Beers
Superintendent of Schools
rbeers@brrsd.k12.nj.us

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