Welcome back! I hope all of our students, staff, and families enjoyed a rejuvenating winter break. As we return to school and enter the second half of the 2025-2026 academic year, I would like to congratulate the newly elected members of the Board of Education: Steven Singer, James Maloney, and Lucy Li. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Michael Pepe on his selection as Board President and to Rebecca Hassouna as Vice President.

I look forward to working collaboratively with our new and returning Board members as we continue to advance the mission of providing an exceptional educational experience for every student in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

As we enter the second half of the school year, our attention turns to finalizing the 2026-2027 budget. Like most districts across New Jersey, Bridgewater-Raritan faces significant financial challenges, highlighted by a multi-million dollar deficit driven by rising health insurance costs, increased utility expenses, negotiated employment contracts, and persistent inflationary pressures, while operating under the state's two percent tax levy cap.

Our administrative team is working diligently to craft a fiscally responsible budget that maintains the quality programs and services our students deserve. Additionally, we continue to focus on implementing full-day kindergarten, grade reconfiguration, and adjustments to school start times to create enhanced learning environments for our students.  While we recognize the challenges ahead, our team remains committed to thoughtful planning, competent leadership, and transparent communication to steer the Bridgewater-Raritan community through these rapidly changing times.

During the December 16 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Robert Beers announced school schedules that will take effect in September 2026 as the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District implements significant changes to grade configurations and introduces full-day kindergarten district-wide.

The proposed start and dismissal times are outlined in the chart below:

School Level                          Start Time          Dismissal Time

Middle School  (6-8)                  7:30 AM               2:10 PM

High School (9-12)                     8:00 AM              3:01 PM

Intermediate Schools (4-5)        8:00 AM               2:25 PM

Primary Schools  PreK-3           9:20 AM               3:40 PM

Primary Schools include full-day kindergarten beginning September 2026

These schedule adjustments support the district's comprehensive facilities improvements, funded by the $155 million referendum in 2023, and align with best practices for student learning.  

A link to the presentation can be found here:  Transportation Analysis

The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District welcomes families from Bridgewater Township and Raritan Borough to register their children for kindergarten and grade 1. We look forward to partnering with you on your child's educational journey!

Exciting News: Full-Day Kindergarten Coming in 2026–2027

Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will offer Full-Day Kindergarten for all district students. This enhancement reflects our commitment to giving our youngest learners the best possible start through engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction in a supportive and enriching environment.

Ready to Register?

Register now to receive special information for Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District’s launch of the Full-Day Kindergarten Program!

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The following Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District staff members have been selected as their school’s 2025-2026 Governor’s Educator of the Year Award and Educational Services Professional Award recipients. Congratulations to all of the honorees!  

The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District continues to deliver on the promises made to taxpayers, who overwhelmingly supported our district's referendum. We are currently completing ongoing projects while preparing for the next phase, which is scheduled for completion in September 2026.

Projects Currently in Progress:

-Window Project Phase Two (Middle School, Hillside Intermediate School, and Wade Building)

-Middle School Addition (on schedule for Summer 2026 completion)

-Bradley Gardens Cafeteria Project (completion scheduled for Summer 2026)

-HVAC Upgrades (district-wide)

Projects Beginning in 2026:

-Bathroom Renovations at Primary Schools

-Middle School Classroom Renovations

-Middle School HVAC Project

We are working diligently with our architects, project managers, and contractors to support the grade reconfiguration scheduled for September 2026. I hope you notice the difference as you visit our schools and see the enhanced learning spaces.  

Decorative ornaments created by 19 students in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District are featured on the New Jersey State Christmas Tree, which stands beside the National Christmas Tree at the White House in Washington, D.C. The trees are located in President’s Park on the South Lawn of the White House.

These students are currently in 5th Grade at Eisenhower Intermediate School, but they created these ornaments last year while attending John F. Kennedy Primary School.

The students, who made the ornaments under the guidance of JFK Art Teacher Claudia Johnson this past year, are as follows: 

Abby Gordillo, Addie Kennedy, Alexa Thomas, Alia Patel, Arieth Onofre Maceda, Chase LaMaestra, Dylan Escalante, Emelyn Salazar Sanchez, Genesis Alpizar-Meza. Jackson Bachman, Jeremy Brewster, Kailey Balaban, Mia Boscaino,  Mia Perez, Nolan Piedade, Riley Simicsak, Sanvi Bichkule, Westley Niper, Wendy Rakotosalama

The popularity of playing for the Unified Basketball Team at Bridgewater-Raritan High School has soared to a record number this winter, with 38 students participating—so many that the program had to create a second team. For the first time since Unified Basketball was launched four years ago, there will be both varsity and junior varsity teams. 

This remarkable growth reflects the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District's commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that all students have meaningful opportunities to participate in athletics, build friendships, and experience the benefits of teamwork.  The expansion of the unified program demonstrates how our district continues to prioritize creating welcoming spaces where every student can thrive and contribute to our school community.

Congratulations to all of the students and faculty who make this goal a reality. 

The Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 6, at the Wade Administration Building. During the meeting, newly elected board members Lucy Li, James Maloney, and Steven Singer were sworn in to begin their terms of office. Following the swearing-in ceremony, the Board selected its leadership for the coming year, electing Michael Pepe as President and Rebecca Hassouna as Vice President. The Board also approved the official meeting calendar for 2026, which is attached for your reference. Link

All members of the public are invited to attend meetings in person or remotely.  Meetings are live-streamed, recorded, and can be accessed using the following link:  BOE Live Stream