Dear Families,

June is here and with it comes the traditional events that mark the end of another successful school year. Last week, our 8th Graders - the graduating Class of 2023 - enjoyed the first off-site formal dance since the Class of 2019. It was well-attended and our soon to be graduates spent the whole night on the dance floor! We also enjoyed our Middle School Spring Concert culminating a year in which we revitalized and expanded our arts programming. This week also marked the beginning of our Moving Up, Moving On and Graduation celebrations for our Preschool, Kindergarten, Grade 3 and Grade 8 students. We are looking forward to the many end of year events and seeing our families gather to support and recognize our children.

This amazing school year did not appear out of thin air. It is the result of detailed planning and preparation by many different people. Throughout April and May we highlighted many of those people who help make the Red Bank Borough Public Schools the special school community it has become. We celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week along with a host of other special days recognizing School Nurses, Administrative Professionals, Support Staff, Vice Principals and Principals. Additionally, on May 16th we had the opportunity to celebrate our award-winning educators and recognize several teachers who recently garnered tenure. As I have said many times over the past nine years, I am honored and privileged to serve this community alongside so many outstanding educators and support staff. I am so proud of the team we have assembled and the expertise, passion, and compassion we represent. A special congratulations to Phyllis Colicchio-Tartaglia and Fran Rizzo on their retirement. We thank them both for their years of service to the district and their dedication to our students. Good luck and best wishes on your next chapter!

This summer will not only bring rest, relaxation, and reflection but also a significant change to our Board of Education. On May 9, 2023, Board of Education member (and former Board President), Mr. Ben Forest was elected to the Red Bank Borough Council effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Forest’s new responsibilities prohibit him from continuing to serve our school community at that point. We are grateful for his many years of service to our staff, students and families and wish him the best of luck! Unfortunately, we are also losing Board of Education member Ms. Laura Camargo. Ms. Camargo was a valuable member of our Board and brought great perspective as a public school educator and also a Red Bank parent. We hope to have two new members in place in July. If you are interested in serving our school district, please visit our website.

As noted previously, this summer will once again be busy with numerous projects at both our Primary and Middle School. All of this work will culminate approximately five years of deliberate efforts to strengthen our infrastructure for long-term viability and fortify our community assets. Additionally, exterior projects for both buildings are in the works for the future which include redesigned parking at the Primary School and outdoor playing space/field upgrades at the Middle School.

Finally, I wish the Class of 2023 all the best. After you walk across the stage at Count Basie Field on June 13th, continue to Dream BIG and be your #BestSelf! And speaking of former Rockets….Ms. Jamie Herman is coordinating an effort to highlight our former students through the #AlwaysARocket initiative. If you are a graduate of #RocketNation, complete this survey so we can share the great things you are accomplishing, contributing, and experiencing as you continue on your #BestSelf journey. Do you know a former ROCKET? Please share this information on our behalf. We look forward to cultivating strong connections with our former students - Once a Rocket, Always A Rocket!

Thank you for contributing to this outstanding year. I wish you all a fun-filled and restful summer. We will spend our time improving facilities, enhancing security, updating curriculum, refining best practices and preparing for another outstanding year. Thursday, September 7, 2023 will begin the next and best chapter of the #RBBisBIA story!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
   

IMPORTANT UPDATES

REGISTRATION: Complete this form or share with friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 2023-2024 Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.

RESIDENCY & CONTACT INFO: Per our yearly reverification process, incoming Kindergarten and Grade 4 students will have to provide updated proofs of residence over the summer. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2022, please contact Ms. Grable at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork. If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately.

CHROMEBOOKS: Except for current Preschool 3 students, Grade 8 students or those students transferring out of the District, students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. Families are responsible for the safety and security of this device as per our One to One Device Program Agreement.

SUMMER PROGRAMMING: We look forward to our Extended School Year and Preschool to Kindergarten Transition program which will run in person from July 10 - August 4. Programs will be held at Red Bank Middle School and United Methodist Church. Due to construction projects, the Primary School will be closed for staff and families after school ends and until further notice. Regarding all other programming, sign-ups are officially closed. You will be receiving scheduling information in the near future.

RED BANK CLASSIC: Join us on Saturday, June 17th for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering. It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear school spirit wear. We will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.

Our District Website lists all upcoming events including our BOE approved 2023-2024 District Calendar.

• Grade 8 Graduation - Tuesday, June 13th at 6:00 PM - Count Basie Park
• First Day of School for Students - September 7, 2023

STAY CONNECTED ALL SUMMER: Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools), our Twitter feeds (@rbpsEAGLES, @rbmsROCKETS, @RedBankPreK, @RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB) and Instagram (@RedBankSup and @DreamBigRB).

Dear Red Bank Families,

Spring is here and so is our Spring Break. Schools will be closed effective Friday, April 7 and reopen on Monday, April 17. We wish everyone who celebrates a Happy Passover and Happy Easter! This week is National Assistant Principals Week and we are proud to have two of the best! Thank you to Primary School Vice Principal Christina Vlahos and Middle School Vice Principal Maura Harrington for all you do to support our students, families, staff and community. The passion displayed by Ms. Harrington and Ms. Vlahos to inspire BIG Dreams is infectious and a key reason #RBBisBIA!

As you know, Retired Officer Joe Fields joined us in January as our first Special Law Enforcement Officer. Officer Fields has split his time between our Primary School and Middle School as we continued our search for additional personnel. Since January, Officer Fields has become a welcomed addition with his presence appreciated by our staff and parent community. He has also established a great rapport with our students who are happy to see him at our facilities. I am excited to announce that when we return on April 17, we will welcome two new members to our school community. We anticipate that our Municipal Council will approve Retired Officers Juan Sardo and Errico Vescio as additional Special Law Enforcement Officers to our schools on Wednesday, April 12. Moving forward, Officer Fields will be a daily presence at Red Bank Middle School and Officer Sardo will take over at Red Bank Primary School. Officer Vesci will serve as an alternate and fill in at both locations as needed. We are excited to have these former esteemed members of the Red Bank Police Department as part of our #RBBisBIA journey and most especially, we are proud that all three officers are products of our Primary and Middle Schools. We are grateful for the partnership we have with the Red Bank Police Department and the open line of communication we enjoy thanks to the leadership of Chief Darren McConnell and his team. The safety of our students, staff and guests is and always will be our number one priority.

Looking ahead from a facilities perspective, we have many projects scheduled to be completed between April 7 and our September 7 reopening. These projects will better support our daily operations, improve safety and security, increase outdoor access for recess, and enhance the long-term viability of our facilities. Our buildings and campuses are community assets, and we look forward to ensuring they are always safe, functional, and welcoming.

• Updated Security Measures and Access Control at United Methodist Church

• Replacement of Primary School Hallway Heaters

• Resurfacing of both Primary School Playgrounds

• Painting of 300 and 400 Wing Classrooms at Primary School

• Final Touches to the Primary Patch (Garden)

• Replacement of Primary School Hallway Ceiling Tiles & Floor Tiles

• Replacement of 14 Roof Top and other HVAC units at Middle School

• Replacement of Walk-In Refrigerator and Freezer at Middle School

• Replacement and Upgrading of Middle School Boilers

Additionally, we are planning future projects for the exterior of both Red Bank Primary and Red Bank Middle School to enhance safety, traffic flow, and outdoor experiences for our students.

A special shout out goes to the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation (RBBEF)! The goal of the RBBEF is to enhance the educational experience with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and also support performing arts, social sciences, and physical education. The Foundation generates and distributes funds to encourage new approaches to learning, deliver enrichment opportunities and provide resources to teachers for highly motivating programs. One of their primary fundraisers is the annual Casino Night. Normally held in the fall, this year’s event took place on March 24 at the Elks Lodge. The evening was a huge success, raising over $20,000 to support our students. A very special thank you to the many sponsors of the event. We are grateful for the leadership of current RBBEF President, Mark Taylor and Past President, Susan Berke, who along with the RBBEF Executive Committee made the 6th Casino Night the best one yet. Proceeds from this and other recent fundraisers will help support a new addition to the Primary School gymnasium to be used for Physical Education, indoor recess, and other special events. The Casino Night event will return to the fall next school year so be on the lookout for ways to support or participate. Also, be on the lookout for RBBEF Trivia Nights and other ways to support our partner in education!

Please remember that Attendance Matters! Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects. Let’s work together to ensure your child takes full advantage of the educational journey we work hard to provide - that starts with showing up! Please review the following documents for more information and ways to ensure your child puts their best foot forward. 

• Preschool and Kindergarten (Spanish)

• Grades 1 to 5 (Spanish)

• Grades 6 to 8 (Spanish)

Also, it is important to note that attendance letters are distributed when a student accrues 7, 10, and 15 absences. These documents also provide reminders that school attendance is compulsory and excessive absences without reason or supporting documentation could lead to the filing of a complaint with the municipal court. While school personnel will be in contact with you regarding your child’s attendance, it also helps to keep an open line of communication with your child’s school (Main Office, School Counselor, School Nurse) to avoid any miscommunication.

We work diligently to hire expert teachers and design an elite learning environment for each child. Illnesses aside, it is our hope that each child can maximize their opportunity to take advantage of the high-quality instruction and programs we offer to our community.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

STATE ASSESSMENTS: The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment for all Grades 3-8 students will begin on Monday, May 15, 2023. A specific letter with more details will be sent to families in advance. As teachers begin to discuss these assessments with our students, we seek your support in doing the same at home. Remind your child that putting their best foot forward is always important. We will do our best to minimize any stressors as we approach and administer the NJSLA. Test scores are not a direct priority - providing an outstanding instructional environment IS. If we do that, then strong test scores and significant student growth will be a by-product. That said, consistent attendance, strong effort, and the right mindset will be needed to best represent our school district.

REGISTRATION: Complete this form or share with friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 2023-2024 Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.

RESIDENCY: Per our yearly reverification process, incoming Kindergarten and Grade 4 students will have to provide updated proofs of residence over the summer. More information will follow.

CALENDAR: As indicated on our original 2022-2023 District Calendar, the calendar will be revised due to unused emergency days and distributed to the public on April 26, 2023 after Board of Education approval. We anticipate the last day of school to be Wednesday, June 14, 2023 with Minimum School Days beginning Friday, June 9, 2023. Grade 8 Graduation will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Count Basie Park.

SUMMER PROGRAMMING: Those families eligible for Extended School Year (ESY) and our Preschool 4 Transition Program have already been notified. We are currently working on other Summer 2023 Programming which will include some virtual sessions, in-person targeted literacy sessions as well as opportunities with community partners such as the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Project Write Now. More information will be sent via Remind in the near future.

RED BANK CLASSIC: Join us on Saturday, June 17, 2023 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering. It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear school spirit wear. We will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.

Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

• Our BOE approved 2023-2024 District Calendar

• RBMS Rockets Baseball and Softball Schedules

• SEPAG/BPAC Parent Education Sessions (A Remind message will be sent with signup information.)  

• Grade 8 Graduation - Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Count Basie Park

• International Night - Friday, May 5, 2023 - Red Bank Primary School

STAY CONNECTED: Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools), our Twitter feeds (@rbpsEAGLES, @rbmsROCKETS, @RedBankPreK, @RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB) and Instagram (@RedBankSup and @DreamBigRB).

Enjoy your spring break!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.    

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are halfway through the 2022-23 school year and looking forward to celebrating the 100th Day of School on Friday, February 10th! It has been an exciting winter season of Rocket Basketball with our Boys’ team competing intensely versus their Shore League opponents and our Girls’ team dominating the division with a record of 12 wins and 1 loss. Recently, we also enjoyed several events including our Primary School Winter Concert, Grade 3 Bingo Night, Grades K & 1 Movie Night, Grade 4 & 5 Social, and a Middle School Dance for Grades 6-8. Each was well-attended and successful in its own way!

We are looking forward to the second half of the school year and the many activities planned for students and families. Today is the start of Black History Month and we have a variety of instructional experiences scheduled for our students at all grade levels throughout February as well as some special assembly programs. March will kick off with Read Across America Week with guest readers from our community. March also includes Parent-Teacher Conferences and a special parent night with Alisha De Lorenzo on Thursday, March 30 - more details to follow. As our calendar indicates, April brings with it our Spring Break and schools will be closed on Friday, April 7 through Friday, April 14.

With all this action, in addition to our strong academic programming, each day seems to get better and better. As a community we have and continue to navigate many challenges; however, the brighter days we hoped for are here and the brightest are on the horizon. I am grateful to work alongside the best staff in America to support the best students and families in America, in the best community in America. And we will keep this attitude and mindset so that we can continue to grow and be certain we are the best for the students, families and community of  Red Bank.

Please remember that Attendance Matters! Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects. Let’s work together to ensure your child takes full advantage of the educational journey we work hard to provide - that starts with showing up! Here are some ways to ensure good attendance during the winter months: ENGLISH | SPANISH.

Thank you for your continued support and your partnership in educating OUR children. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events! Please review the important updates below.

The Red Bank Police Department recently shared the following regarding a Virtual Kidnapping Scam: Our department has received several reports from residents who have received phone calls in which the person on the phone tells them that a family member has been kidnapped and then demands that they send money from a money transfer store to someone in Mexico. After the money has been sent, it turns out that no one in the resident's family was kidnapped. Please be aware that this type of scam is very common and please contact the police if you receive one of these types of calls.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

• Registration
  • Complete this form or share with friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 2023-2024 Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• Chromebooks
  • Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook they have been issued. District-owned Chromebooks should never be taken to an outside computer service for any type of repairs or maintenance. Please refer to our Technology Device Usage Agreement.
• Health Update
  • Please continue to be vigilant monitoring your child for illness and symptoms of flu and Covid. Beginning March 1, 2023, we will no longer send home communications announcing positive cases in school. Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness. Contact your School Nurse with any questions.
• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:
  • Our BOE approved 2023-2024 District Calendar
  • RBMS Rockets Basketball Schedules
  • Bedtime Stories with a Mystery Reader - Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
  • February 8 - Preschool Math & Science Night
  • February 10 - 100th Day of School
  • February 15 - Grade 8 Parent Information Session
  • February 20 - District Closed 
• Lunch Apps
  • If you did not submit a Free/Reduced Lunch Application for the year, please complete and submit through Parent Portal. If you need assistance, please contact your child’s main office.
• Summer Programming
  • We are currently working on our Summer 2023 Programming. More information will be sent via Remind in the near future. Be sure to have your contact information updated should your phone number or email change.
• Stay Connected
  • Finally, don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools), our Twitter feeds (@rbpsEAGLES, @rbmsROCKETS, @RedBankPreK, @RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB) and Instagram (@RedBankSup and @DreamBigRB).

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.    

Dear Red Bank Families,

The first four months of the 2022-2023 school year flew by! We enjoyed a productive and more “normal” start as well as a myriad of school, family and community activities.

As you know, safety has been and will always be our number one priority. Thanks to a shared services agreement with the Borough, we are implementing School Resource Officers in the district. We are grateful to the Red Bank Borough Council’s continued support of our school community. Please join us in welcoming retired Detective Joey Fields from the Red Bank Police Department, a Red Bank native who served on the force beginning in 1991. Detective Fields will serve as a Class 3 Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO). Class 3 Officers are retired law enforcement officers who come with extensive training and experience. The primary goal of these officers is to support safety and security at our school facilities. An ancillary benefit is building a bridge to the community as a role model for our student population. We look forward to this added layer of security and building a stronger community. At this time, Detective Fields will be splitting his time amongst all of our locations until additional personnel are hired.

Congratulations to three of our amazing staff members who were recently named 2022 Governor’s Educators of the Year - George Platis (Red Bank Primary School Teacher), Chelsey Cooney (Red Bank Middle School Teacher) and Shary Ashe-Holt (District Educational Services Professional). Thank you to the families and staff who submitted nominations as well as the committee members who reviewed the applications. We take great pride in hiring, training and retaining high-quality educators and are elated to recognize these outstanding individuals for their efforts to inspire and support the BIG Dreams of our children.

Here are some important reminders as we finish out 2022 and welcome 2023!

• Thursday, December 22, 2022, is the last day of school for students. We will follow a regular, full-day schedule.

• Winter Recess begins on Friday, December 23, 2022. All schools reopen on Monday, January 2, 2023. Please refer to our 2022-2023 District Calendar for other important dates.

• For families of a child in Kindergarten through Grade 8, don’t forget to visit Genesis Parent Portal to view your child’s trimester progress report.

• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

  • Middle School Winter Concert - December 21 @ 6:00 PM

  • Primary School Winter Concert - January 18 @ 6:00 PM

  • RBMS Rockets Basketball Schedules

We are certain the next six months of school will shine even brighter for our students, the community, and the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our RBMS Rockets basketball season as well as various school and PTO events. In the new year you will also receive information about 2023-2024 Preschool Registration for new families.

We wish you all a restful and peaceful holiday season filled with laughter and joy. And may all of our BIG Dreams come true!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.    

Dear Red Bank Families,

Winter and the holiday season have both arrived and we are approaching the end of our first trimester. It was great to see families fill our school buildings during Parent-Teacher Conferences this month. We have much to be thankful for, including our beautiful and talented students, our amazing staff, supportive community partners and you, our families, that help make the district such a special place!

In addition to being grateful, we have much to celebrate! Below are some recent accolades and highlights. Congratulations to all honored and involved in reaching these milestones.

• Our Red Bank Middle School Boys Cross Country team recently completed an undefeated season and is the 2022 MCISCCL Division Champions. This program only began five short years ago and it was possible thanks to the support of former State Senator Jennifer Beck, Jeremy Grunin of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, and local businessman and community advocate Tim McCloone.

• Our Red Bank Middle School Soccer Programs both enjoyed highly successful seasons, winning the Count Basie Cup and also advancing to their respective league championship games.

• Three of our extraordinary and highly credentialed staff were recently named 2022 New Jersey Department of Education Exemplary Elementary Educators (Morgan Cassella - Preschool, Megan McGrann - Primary School and Toni Merritt-Graham - Middle School). This brings our district's total thus far to an impressive 13 recipients since 2016.

• Red Bank Primary School received the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable VIP Award for 2022. This program provides all students and staff with access to fresh fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis.

• Our strong community partnerships are exemplified by our collaboration with the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation (RBBEF). The Foundation recently hosted a Trivia Night at the Triumph Brewing Company to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math or STEAM-related experiences for our children. 

Here are some important reminders for next month!

• All students will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. The District will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 24 & 25. Please refer to our 2022-2023 District Calendar for other important dates.

• If you have not done so already, visit Genesis Parent Portal and complete your Free/Reduced Meal Application. All students will NOT receive free breakfast or lunch unless eligible.

• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

  • Primary School Gingerbread House Contest - December 19 @ 5:30 PM

  • Middle School Winter Concert - December 21 @ 6:00 PM

  • Primary School Winter Concert - January 18 @ 6:00 PM

As our health situation improves, please know that we do have a limited number of free COVID-19 tests for families. We will be setting up stations at various school events until our supply is depleted. At the same time, please ensure your child is at school on a daily basis and on time unless they are ill. We know that students who consistently attend school for in-person instruction do significantly better in all aspects. A very Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.  

Dear Red Bank Families,

It seems like we just opened school yesterday, but October is here and the holiday season is right behind it. Aside from the usual hiccups associated with the opening of schools, such as refining transportation routes, we enjoyed a highly successful September. Our staff kicked off the year with tremendous energy and that was reciprocated by our students setting the foundation for an excellent school year. Our Fall Athletics season attracted many participants and both our Soccer programs and Cross Country teams are competing at a high level and off to a strong start. We look forward to tomorrow night’s Count Basie Cup as our soccer teams face off against Red Bank Charter School beginning with a girls game at 5:30 PM. We also enjoyed an amazing Rocketfest at Red Bank Middle School on Friday, September 30. The evening was filled with music, inflatables, food, family, and fun! It was great to see so many families at this event and during our various Back to School Nights. We appreciate your participation in our family events and your partnership in your child’s educational journey. We look forward to our next big family event - Harvest Fest - at Red Bank Primary School on Friday, October 21 beginning at 6:00 PM. Most importantly, as I greet families and students at morning arrivals, the smiles and positivity remind me that we are creating a safe, challenging and inspiring school environment for each child every day.

School safety is our number one priority. Without a safe and comfortable environment for our students and staff, everything else is irrelevant. As you may be aware, on June 28, 2022, the Red Bank Board of Education voted favorably to engage in a shared services agreement with the Borough of Red Bank to implement School Resource Officers at Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School. The agreement also includes daily visits to both of our district's off-site preschool facilities. Recently, the Red Bank Borough Council also approved this shared services agreement. We are grateful for their continued support of our school community. Looking ahead,  we will work with the Red Bank Borough Police Department to identify Class 3 Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO) to join our school community. Class 3 Officers are retired law enforcement officers who come with extensive training and experience. The primary goal of these officers is to support safety and security at our school facilities. An ancillary benefit is building a bridge to the community as a role model for our student population. We look forward to this added layer of security and building a stronger community.

Below are just a few of the many upcoming events in our school community! 

• Oral Lease Affidavit Renewals: Some families received a letter requesting they submit updated proofs of residence by Friday, October 7. Please call 732-758-1507 if you have any questions.
• Annual Title I Meeting and Family Information Session (Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Standards): Monday, October 17 at 6:00 PM at Red Bank Primary School. All Kindergarten through Grade 8 families are invited to attend.
• COVID Vaccine Clinic: Tuesday, November 15 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at Red Bank Primary School. Open to all families.
• Annual Halloween Parades: Individual sites will be communicating specific information. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in ensuring all participants remain safe.
• All schools will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Monday, October 31 and November 7, 8 & 9.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on November 7 & 8. More information will be provided by your child’s individual school/site.
• The District will be closed for the NJEA Convention on November 10 & 11. As always, refer to our 2022-2023 District Calendar.
• The Governor’s Educator of the Year Program is back. Please take a moment and nominate one of our outstanding staff members using this form! The deadline is Friday, November 11, 2022.
• Reminder: Visit Genesis Parent Portal and complete your Free or Reduced Meal Application. All students will NOT receive free breakfast or lunch unless eligible.

With the flu season approaching and COVID still a factor, please continue to keep your children home if they are sick and notify the Nurse in your building if your child tests positive for COVID-19. Thank you again for your cooperation in kicking off another great year!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Day 1 is in the books and we are off to a great start! It was great to see our hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms filled with so many smiling faces. On behalf of our entire staff, please accept our gratitude and thanks for your patience with student arrivals and dismissal. The logistics of the first few days are always an interesting time and today’s inclement weather certainly did not help. Fortunately, our students enjoyed an outstanding day in school and we are certain things will improve with arrivals and dismissal over the next two weeks.

In the meantime, please note the following:

• School buses take about two weeks to fall into a consistent rhythm.
• The first few days of school always bring many extra vehicles to our parking lots for drop-off and pick-up.
• Inclement weather increases the number of family vehicles.
• The layout of Red Bank Primary School presents several challenges, so please continue to be patient as we get into a routine.

Finally, if you have not already done so, visit Genesis Parent Portal and complete your September Notices Verification and your Free or Reduced Meal Application. As a reminder, this year all students will NOT receive free breakfast or lunch unless eligible. View these School Meal Changes Videos (English & Spanish) for more details.

Looking forward to a great year. See you at Back to School Nights!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Summer is coming to an end, which means our empty buildings will once again become schools! We are excited to welcome our 1,261 children for our first day of school on Tuesday, September 6th! And tomorrow night - we look forward to an amazing Outdoor Family Movie Night in collaboration with the RBBEA on The Great Lawn of Red Bank Middle School. Please join us for Minions: The Rise of Gru at 7:45 PM (Food Opens at 7 PM - Pizza, Popcorn, Water and more)! Don’t forget your blankets and lawn chairs! As always, please refer to our District Calendar for upcoming events.

Once again, this has been a busy summer for the Red Bank Borough Schools. We have made multiple facility upgrades, including air conditioning and new scoreboards in the Middle School Gym, new flooring in all Middle School rooms, fresh painting of many Primary School Classrooms, and great progress with our school garden - The Primary Patch! Our staff have also been working on updating various areas of the curriculum which you will hear more about during Back to School Nights and other special events. And as you know, we take pride in hiring compassionate and highly-credentialed educators and this year we welcome many new educators and support staff members to our #RBBisBIA family. We are also excited to have all Preschool students in Red Bank for the first time in over a decade.

After a challenging few years that included hybrid learning and periods of full-remote instruction, student attendance will be a special focus. Our goal for 22-23 is for every child to be in school at least 171 of the 180 days of school. Research shows that student attendance is a huge factor in student performance. Unless ill, we need students to attend school daily, on time and for the duration of the day, ready to learn! We will do our best to create an engaging learning environment so our students run in just as fast as they run out! If your child must miss school due to illness or other reason, contact 732.758.1500 to leave a message for the Primary or Middle School, and for Preschool, contact your site directly. Remember, if your child misses school, then your child misses out!

What would an update be without at least one mention of COVID. We are hopeful the major disruptions due to COVID are behind us. Looking ahead, we will once again be mask-optional and remote instruction will not be an option. We will continue to exclude student-positive cases from school for 5 days. Assuming all symptoms have subsided, the student may return on Day 6 but must wear a mask through Day 10. If your child is in the classroom of a positive case at Preschool to Grade 5, you will receive a Remind text message informing you to monitor your child for symptoms. Due to classroom transitions, a positive case in Grades 6-8 will result in a similar Remind text sent to all students in the impacted grade level. Additionally, if there is a positive case in your household and your child is unable to isolate, we highly recommend your child wears a mask to school for a full 10 days.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• If you have not already done so, visit Genesis Parent Portal and complete your September Notices Verification and your Free or Reduced Meal Application. As a reminder, this year all students will NOT receive free breakfast or lunch unless eligible. View these School Meal Changes Videos (English & Spanish) for more details.
• Families are responsible for any damage caused to your child’s district-provided Chromebook and will be responsible for paying for repairs as per our 1:1 Technology Device Agreement. Chromebook repair fines vary but the minimum fine is $50.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8, please share the link to our Central Registration.
• If you have recently moved in or out of Red Bank or changed your phone number, alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1507 immediately to update your paperwork.
• We have completed our annual residency re-verification for all Kindergarten and Grade 4 students. In the fall, we will be reaching out to specific families regarding expired leases and affidavits.
• Please review our 22-23 Family Handbook prior to the start of school and as a first point of reference throughout the school year.

Back to School Nights:

• Preschool (UMC, FBC, MDCC & Acelero): September 21, 2022 @ 6:00
• Preschool/Kindergarten/Grade 1/Vazquez/Rigby: September 28, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 
• Grades 2 & 3/McGann/Guzman: September 29, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 
• Grades 4 & 5: September 14, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 
• Grades 6 & 7: September 15, 2022 @ 5:15 PM
• Grade 8: September 15, 2022 @ 6:30 PM

Fall Events:

• Red Bank Middle School Rocketfest: September 30, 2022
• Red Bank Primary School Harvest Fest: October 21, 2022

We are looking forward to writing the next chapters in the #RBBisBIA story. This Best In America mindset will continue to define our culture and set the standard for all learners, adults and children alike. We will strive to be the Best In America so that we can be certain we are the Best for Red Bank!

Looking forward to a great year. See you on the 6th!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We hope this summer update finds you and your families healthy, happy and relaxed. We look forward to welcoming our staff back on September 1 and our students the following week on September 6. Yet again, this has been a busy summer in the Red Bank Borough Schools. Between summer programs, numerous construction projects and the hiring of new staff, we have kept busy ensuring everything is “just right” come September.

As you know, safety is and has always been at the forefront of everything we do. Our goal is to provide all students and staff a comfortable learning environment and the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful climate we have created in each of our school buildings. Looking ahead, we hope to collaborate with the Borough of Red Bank and the Red Bank Police Department in 2022-23 to enhance safety and security at each District location. We will keep you posted with updates as we approach opening day on September 6!

Finally, we are pleased to announce that The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Red Bank Borough Public School District with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) for the FIFTH year in a row! ASBO International’s COE recognizes districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. Congratulations to our Business Administrator, Eileen Gorga, and our entire Business Office staff.

SAVE THE DATE

• September Packet Pickup will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 17 & 18 from 9:00-11:30 AM and 4:00-6:30 PM at Red Bank Primary School. You may collect your packet, including teacher assignment and bus/walker card, no matter what school your child will attend in September 2022. All outstanding fines from the 2021-2022 school year must be paid in advance prior to receiving your new packet. 

• Genesis Parent Portal opens on Thursday, August 17 in conjunction with our September Packet Pickup. In case you forgot, an email with your username and password will be sent on August 16. All families will need to visit the Portal in order to digitally sign various documents. All Free and Reduced Meal Applications must be submitted through the Portal, similar to last year. All reduced meal applications will be FREE this year due to a Federal Grant! Our Board of Education has recently approved lunch balance forgiveness, so all students will start the 22-23 school year with a zero balance.

• SAVE THE DATE! We are thrilled to bring back Outdoor Family Movie Night on Thursday, September 1! All families are invited to the Red Bank Middle School with their blankets and beach chairs to enjoy a movie and treats. Admission is FREE and the event begins at 7:00 PM. More details will be provided during September Packet Pickup. Should the September 1 forecast call for rain, the event will be held on August 31. 

• Please refer to our District Calendar for 2022-2023. All Preschool - Grade 8 students begin school on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 with a full day of school. Please plan vacations, family events and doctor appointments utilizing this calendar. Research shows that student attendance is a huge factor in student performance. Unless ill, we need students to attend school daily, on time and for the duration of the day, ready to learn!

• We are proud to say each child from Preschool through Grade 8 has a district provided Chromebook. Please note families are responsible for any damage caused to the device and will be responsible for paying for repairs as per our 1:1 Technology Device Agreement. Chromebook repair fines vary but the minimum fine is $50.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Would you like FREE at-home COVID-19 tests? Visit www.covid.gov/tests to order today.

• Our Summer Learning 2022 website is live. You will find various activities to engage all learners throughout the summer. Summer assignments for Red Bank Regional High School are also included.

• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8, please share the link to our Central Registration.

• If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. Once again, our bus contractors are experiencing bus driver shortages and as a result, we anticipate changing several bus stops due to safety concerns as well as the need to condense some bus routes. These changes will hopefully eliminate many, if not all, of the challenges we faced last school year. Having your current address is critical to our transportation operations. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1507 immediately to update your paperwork.

Enjoy the next few weeks and we look forward to seeing you on August 17 or 18 at September Packet Pickup!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.