Dear Red Bank Families,

First, a special congratulations to our Rocket graduates. The Class of 2022 walked proudly across the stage Thursday evening in a beautiful ceremony culminating their journey through the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. Their achievements and their smiles will resonate forever throughout our hallways and in our hearts. We wish each graduate all the best as they continue to chase their BIG Dreams!

Today is our final day of the 2021-22 school year and this our final Community Update. Over the last few months we have enjoyed the return of many traditional family events and school celebrations. For many years, these events have represented the heartbeat of our school culture and we look forward to hosting many more in 2022-23. A special thank you to our students, families and staff for your efforts to make this school year the best it could be!

As you may be aware, the NJDOE has recently updated many academic standards. Unfortunately, incorrect information has been shared. In Red Bank, these revised Standards will not be implemented until September 2022. Between now and then, we will be working on updating curriculum guides which will be shared with our Board of Education and our school community. Our current guides for all subjects are always available on our website. As we refine and adopt the necessary changes, we will provide additional information to all our families.

Please review the important reminders below.

• Check out our RBMS Athletics Spring Update!
• Our Summer Learning 2022 website is now live. You will find various activities to engage all learners throughout the summer. Summer assignments for Red Bank Regional High School are also included.
• Any student entering Grades 4-8 is eligible for the Jazz Arts Project - a free two-week camp (July 11 – 22 from 9AM-3PM) held in-person at the Monmouth Conservatory.
• We are excited about our various summer programs, including Extended School Year (ESY), Kindergarten Transition, Jazz Arts Project, Count Basie, Project Write Now and more! If you have not already received information about these programs, you will be soon.
• Please refer to our District Calendar for 2022-2023.
• Except for current 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. 
• If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. We do anticipate changing several bus stops due to safety concerns as well as the need to condense some bus routes. Having your current address is critical to our transportation operations. 
• This summer, we anticipate re-certifying residency requirements for many of our families. Shortly, you may receive a mailing requesting proof of residency, lease agreements and/or other required documents necessary as per Board of Education policy. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2021, please contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1507 immediately to update your paperwork.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration.

Please join us tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). 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.

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. September 6, 2022  will begin the next and best chapter of the #RBBisBIA story!

All the best,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Families,

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we have numerous events planned for students and families. These include the annual end of year celebrations and rites of passage such as field trips, field days, Moving Up, Moving On and Graduation ceremonies, and of course one of our hallmark events - PTO International Night at Red Bank Primary School on Friday, May 6, 2022. We are excited to host these events by combining the traditions of the past with the creativity utilized to conduct these events during the pandemic. Specific information will be forthcoming from your child’s school. New this year is Preschool Family Fun Day & Primary School Tours on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Please pass this exciting opportunity on to neighboring families! Looking ahead to 2022-23, we are thrilled to announce we are expanding the YMCA Before and After Care Program at Red Bank Primary School to include Grades 4 and 5. Call 732-566-9266 or e-mail afterschool@ymcanj.org for information. As you plan for next school year be sure to review our 2022-2023 District Calendar.

As we navigate the challenges we have endured as a school community over the past two years, we have much to be proud of and much more work ahead. Returning to many of our traditional activities breathes fresh air into our school spirit and seeing our students excel in certain areas reminds us of their resilience and talent. Just recently, we received secondary school acceptances for our graduating Rocket Nation Class of 2022. Our students have been accepted into some of the most prestigious High Schools in the local area and beyond, including the highly competitive Red Bank Regional Academies. We are proud of our students for their achievements and the support received from their parents and our amazing staff from Preschool to Grade 8. Overall, our total acceptances increased from 35 to 63 from 2021 to 2022. Their BIG Dreams have been supported throughout their time in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools and here is the evidence!

Our Red Bank Regional Academy acceptances nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022 for a total of 54. These include Visual and Performing Arts (10), Early Childhood (11), Engineering (9), Finance (9), Information Technology (10) and Pre-International Baccalaureate (5). Students were also accepted into High Tech High School (2), Christian Brothers Academy (4), Cate School in California (1), Darrow School in New York (1) and Trinity Hall (1). We are thrilled with the opportunities that lie ahead for our students as they continue to chase their BIG Dreams.

While this is great news, at the same time we are witnessing first hand, the impact of the pandemic on all our children, Preschool through Grade 8, and specifically those in Middle School who are also in the midst of the social and emotional developments associated with the adolescent years. The outcomes of the pandemic, many related to the area of mental health, have taken a toll on each of us, but across the County and State, students in Grades 6 through 8 appear to be experiencing the most difficulty. In Red Bank, to support mental wellness and healing, we have worked diligently with individual students and families to best support the educational experience for every child on this #RBBisBIA journey. Additionally, we have embraced the many lessons learned during remote and hybrid instruction which are now woven into the fabric of our daily practices to strengthen an already strong school community. Most importantly, now that many of the restrictions implemented due to COVID are behind us, we are able to restore many of the core elements that made the special culture and climate at all of our schools nearly palpable. We look forward to the improving spring weather and the return of many family events including opportunities for parent education programs. We intend to close out the 21-22 school year on a high note and inspire outstanding momentum to kick-off the 22-23 school year!  We will do so with the compassion and empathy needed to address the needs of our school community while holding our students, staff and community to the high standards and expectations represented by the #RBBisBIA mindset.  Be on the lookout for more information after break and please review the following reminders.

GENERAL REMINDERS

• As indicated on our original 2021-2022 District Calendar, the calendar will be revised due to unused emergency days and distributed to the public on April 27, 2022. We anticipate the last day of school to be Friday, June 17, 2022 with Minimum School Days beginning Monday, June 13, 2022.
• 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 Chromebook Care Instructions.
• Preschool - Grade 8 registration is now open for September 2022! Current students, including Preschool, do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us. 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.
• Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). 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.

The District will be closed April 15-22, 2022 for Spring Break. Please be mindful of the ongoing health concerns surrounding Covid and take any necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of our school environments upon our return to school on Monday, April 25, 2022.

We wish you all a wonderful Spring Break!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Families,

We are excited that spring is here and look forward to the final three months of another amazing school year! We have implemented a mask-optional environment for the past two weeks and, thus far, it has not led to any complications. As expected, our school community has treated each person’s individual decision with the appropriate respect.

With the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing across the State and within our local area, plus the increasing number of vaccinated members of our school community, we hope this trend continues. Moving forward, we will continue to make the health and safety of our students and staff our number one priority. This will include ongoing conversations and proactive response internally by our leadership, student services personnel, and classroom educators. Additionally, we will maintain necessary communications with the Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD). We anticipate a mask-optional environment for the remainder of the 21-22 school year; however, as previously noted, a change in the health climate or new mandates from the Office of the Governor, NJDOH or NJDOE, may require us to revisit our protocols.

In an effort to fortify and maximize in-person instruction for all students, effective Monday, March 28, 2022 in-school close contacts will no longer be excluded from school. However, symptomatic individuals and those who test positive for COVID-19 will still be required to follow appropriate exclusion protocols (household close contacts - see below). Rest assured, we will continue to communicate with all families as needed regarding the health of their child. We will no longer exclude students for quarantine related to travel. However, please review the CDC recommendations for your reference.

As always, please Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result and contact your School Nurse if your child(ren) are symptomatic, have tested positive, or were in close contact with an infected individual outside of school. These precautions will be appreciated and not result in any actionable attendance consequences for your child. We are committed to providing a safe learning environment for all individuals and will monitor available data relative to COVID-19. We will maintain good hygiene and safety protocols such as physical distancing to every extent practicable. Additional modifications to our COVID-19 protocols will be considered as appropriate for the remainder of the school year.

COVID-19 PROTOCOL REMINDERS

• As a reminder, we ask that you send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot.
• Positive Cases: Students who test positive will be excluded from school for 5 days for the purpose of isolation. Return is contingent upon improving symptoms and the child being fever-free for 24 hours. Upon return, students will be required to mask for an additional 5 days.
• Household Close Contacts: Please reach out to your child’s school nurse as each situation varies based on multiple factors, including the ability to isolate, vaccination status, etc.
• Vaccinated Individuals: As a reminder, these individuals DO NOT need to quarantine if exposed unless symptoms develop.

GENERAL REMINDERS

• The District will be closed for Spring Break (April 15-22). 
• Our 2022-2023 District Calendar is available for families to review.
• Genesis Parent Portal will open for Report Cards on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 4:00 PM for all Kindergarten - Grade 8 students. Please call your child’s school if you don’t have an active account.
• Preschool - Grade 8 registration is now open for September 2022! Current students, including Preschool, do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us. Please pass this message along to friends and neighbors.
• Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). 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.

Thank you again for your support and cooperation. I look forward  to seeing you as we return to many in-person family events this spring!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Families,

I hope this communication finds you and your loved ones doing well. We are less than three weeks away from spring and more hopeful than ever that we are moving in a positive direction. As a reminder, we ask that you send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot. If any of your family members are interested in receiving the vaccine or need a booster, register for our Vaccine Clinic on March 14 held at Red Bank Primary School.

In response to Governor Murphy lifting the mask mandate, the Red Bank Borough Public Schools will transition to a mask-optional environment, including on buses, effective Monday, March 7, 2022. Certainly this transition will result in a variety of emotions for students, families, and staff. It is important that we are cognizant of this fact and embrace the personal decision of each individual. We will continue to focus on providing a safe environment and maintaining a healthy one. It is our goal to maximize daily attendance and remain open for in-person instruction, therefore it is imperative that we continue to implement social distancing to the greatest extent possible in all situations including the classroom, cafeteria, and hallway.

COVID Protocol Updates and Reminders

All protocols delineated below are subject to change based on Executive Orders by the Governor and/or changes to guidelines by the NJDOH and/or NJDOE.

• Face Coverings: Effective Monday, March 7,  2022 the District will operate as a mask-optional environment, including on buses. Any student or staff member who wishes to continue wearing a face covering in school may do so without any alteration or modification to their instructional schedule. Parents with children in Kindergarten to Grade 5 are encouraged to communicate their wishes to their child’s homeroom teacher. Preschool families will receive a survey to complete via Remind.
• Contact Tracing: The district will maintain the three feet distance for contact tracing once masks become optional. This distance will also apply to breakfast and lunch services in our cafeteria.
• Positive Cases: Students who test positive will be excluded from school for 5 days for the purpose of isolation. Return is contingent upon improving symptoms and the child being fever-free for 24 hours. Upon return, students will be required to mask for an additional 5 days.
• Unvaccinated and Unmasked Close Contacts (within 3 feet) In School: 5 Day Exclusion for Quarantine and Negative Test (PCR) to Return on Day 6 with masks required upon return for days 6-10.
• Household Close Contacts: Please reach out to your child’s school nurse as each situation varies based on multiple factors, including the ability to isolate, vaccination status, etc.
• Vaccinated Individuals: As a reminder, these individuals DO NOT need to quarantine if exposed unless symptoms develop.
• Preschool Providers: The YMCA Preschool Program will follow all district health protocols as referenced above. Acelero and Monmouth Day Care Center Preschool Program families will receive information directly from their specific sites. Until then, all current protocols apply at Acelero and Monmouth Day Care Center.
• Supporting a Healthy Environment: Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result and contact your School Nurse if your child(ren) are symptomatic, have tested positive, or were in close contact with an infected individual outside of school. These precautions will be appreciated and not result in any actionable attendance consequences for your child.

GENERAL ITEMS

• New 2022-2023 District Calendar
• Our 2022-2023 District Calendar has been approved by our Board of Education.

• Registration

• • Use this form or pass it along to friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 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.

• Health and Wellness

• • Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 as the Red Bank Classic makes a return. If you are interested in joining our team, please select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear #RBBisBIA, Dream BIG or any school spirit wear. On that day we will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.

• A film titled Butter was recently released in theaters. This movie depicts the issues of bullying in schools, depression and youth suicide risk. It also attempts to emphasize the importance and value of mental health care. The trailer and movie website offer information on mental health support under the heading R U Ok? 

• • Staff are always available to talk with students who are feeling overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, hopelessness or other issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Thank you again for your support and cooperation. Have a wonderful weekend!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are excited to announce that the February 10, 2022 New Jersey Department of Health COVID Activity Level Report indicates Monmouth County is now at a moderate level after numerous months of being at the high or very high level. Recently, Governor Murphy announced an end to the mask mandate for New Jersey schools effective Monday, March 7, 2022. Although we have not received updated guidelines regarding contact tracing, social distancing, quarantine and isolation practices, etc., we fully anticipate operating as a ”mask optional” school district beginning on that date (excluding Acelero Learning which operates under state and federal guidelines). However, as per federal requirements, all school bus passengers will need to wear a mask until further notice. Please note, any student or staff member who wishes to continue wearing a face covering in school may do so without any alteration or modification to their instructional schedule. Since 2014-2015, we have built our culture on the following core values:

1. Safety First
2. Daily Learning for All
3. Inspiring Our Children to Dream and Achieve BIG

The safety of our students and staff will continue to remain our top priority. As we enter this mask optional journey, we will continue to monitor COVID protocols and communicate directly and swiftly with families as needed. We will provide any additional Safe Return Plan changes in a subsequent Community Update which you can expect prior to March 7, 2022. Should COVID-related health circumstances worsen, and pending any potential changes to the mask mandate issued by the Governor and NJ Department of Health, the district may be required to modify protocols.

As many are aware, for nearly 25 years, this community has financially supported two public school districts - the Red Bank Borough Public Schools and a local charter school. While the Red Bank Board of Education advocated for a unified public school system for Red Bank effective in July of 2022, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recently opted to renew the charter for 5 more years.

We are extremely disappointed in this decision to renew as we provided a comprehensive package with detailed evidence supporting a single public school system in Red Bank. As we noted in our communications to the NJDOE, this is not a charter school issue, it is an issue of equity. The current structure is clearly a barrier to educational equity in this community. If we were building a new Red Bank, a system of two public schools would not be a part of the conversation. Furthermore, in Path to Progress (08/09/18), the Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup noted that school districts with less than 1,000 students cost taxpayers 10 to 15 percent more per pupil than larger districts and are unable to provide as diverse a curriculum.

We are the only community in New Jersey of similar size that supports two K-8 public school districts. Moreover, a comprehensive review of both schools would clearly show that the local charter school does not distinguish itself in any way from the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. Most importantly, after 24 years of existence, if this experiment with a two-school model is effective and/or efficient, why has it not been replicated in similarly-sized communities by the NJDOE? And why have other local municipalities not explored this as an option?

Again, this decision from the NJDOE is not only disappointing but disheartening. We are grateful to the many residents, community partners and municipal leaders who support our vision for Red Bank. Our intent was and continues to be unifying a community and building a robust, diverse, and fiscally responsible school district for all of Red Bank to enjoy. Looking ahead, we will redouble our efforts to inspire our students to Dream BIG and maintain our Best In America mindset, so that we can be certain we are best for the students, families, and community of Red Bank.

We thank all of our families for your continued support and assistance to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. We hope that the improved health situation is a light at the end of this very long tunnel.  As always, students should remain home when ill and please continue to communicate as needed with our school nurses.

GENERAL ITEMS

• Revised 2021-2022 District Calendar
  • Due to an increase in home-school communications, we are seizing an opportunity to maximize our instructional time by eliminating the formal parent-teacher conferences scheduled for later this month. February 23 and 24 will now be full days of instruction for students in Preschool - Grade 8. Friday, February 25 remains a Minimum School Day for all students. A revised calendar can be found on our website.

• New 2022-2023 District Calendar
  • Our 2022-2023 District Calendar was recently approved by our Board of Education.

• Registration
  • Please use this form or pass it along to friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 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.

• Student Vaccination
  • Please send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot. This information will help us contact trace.

• Student Safety
  • Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
  • Contact your School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor if your child(ren) are symptomatic, have tested positive, or were in close contact with an infected individual outside of school.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are nearly halfway through the school year but also looking ahead to September 2022 and our registration process is underway. Please use this form or pass it along to friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 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.

As expected, the reopening of our schools in 2022 presented a variety of COVID- related challenges. With February on the horizon,  I am cautiously optimistic that the biggest challenges are behind us. Recently, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control have made various updates to the recommendations for K-12 schools and child care settings. As a result of these changes and based on the improved COVID-related data from our schools, in our community, and statewide, we are making adjustments to our response protocols. These adjustments will promote health and safety while also increasing student and staff attendance thereby improving student learning. The information below delineates the forthcoming changes. It is important to note that the information listed offers our decision makers guidelines. Not every scenario fits into a neat little box and we will continue to assess the details of each individual situation. In the event an investigation is unclear or the necessary data cannot be confirmed, we will proceed with the maximum or even additional caution.

GENERAL ITEMS

• Face Coverings (Masks)
  • On a daily basis, students should arrive at school with a clean and appropriately fitting face covering. At this time, face coverings are still a requirement for all public schools.

• Student Vaccination
  • At this time, we know that 400+ of our eligible students have received, at a minimum, their first dose of the vaccine. This is based on current data. However, we believe this number is closer to 500 due to the backlog of entering information.
  • Please send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot. This information will help us contact trace.

• Face Shields
  • We will continue the use of face shields through Friday, January 28, 2022 for students and staff at times when social distancing is not possible or practical, including but not limited to: small group instruction, therapy services, morning meetings, etc. Beginning Monday, January 31, 2022 shields will be optional and implemented as requested by parents/guardians. Please remember, we implemented shields in lieu of desk barriers utilized in most other school districts.

• Travel
  • Vaccinated students will not be required to quarantine for domestic or international travel but should monitor symptoms for 5 days following return.
  • Unvaccinated students will be required to quarantine for a full 5 days after travel and monitor for symptoms. Get tested if symptoms develop and contact your school nurse.

• Return from Exclusion for Purposes of Quarantine
  • Lunch accommodations required for 5 days after returning from exclusion (Positive cases and Close Contacts).

• Preschool Health Guidelines
  • If your child attends Monmouth Day Care Center or Acelero Learning (Head Start) you will receive health and safety updates as needed directly from those sites. This information may differ slightly from District sites as they are required to follow the NJDOH Childcare Center Guidelines.

• Family Information: Continue to assist us in the following ways:
  • Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
  • Contact your School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor if your child(ren) is symptomatic, has tested positive, or has been in close contact with an infected individual outside of school.
  • Check our website and social media platforms for important information.
  • Click HERE for future vaccination clinics.
  • Vaccines/Boosters are available at Riverview Medical Center: Children on Wednesdays and Thursdays 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Adults Monday through Friday 7:00am to 12:00pm.
  • CDC COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Information

Again, thank you for your continued efforts to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff. I look forward to the second half of this school year and seeing you at upcoming events!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Thank you for your cooperation, flexibility, and patience in response to our transition to remote instruction on Friday, January 7, 2022. We are fortunate in two ways - one, we did not have to utilize one of our two remaining Emergency Closure Days; and two, we were able to practice our full-remote learning platform.

While the safety of our students and staff will always be our number one priority, we also believe that in-person instruction is critically important for our families and community. The use of face shields or periods of temporary remote learning are not something we prefer to implement; however, in order to maximize our ability to provide in-person instruction we must sometimes make choices that are less than ideal. As always, you can be certain that any decision we make in response to COVID-related challenges is to ensure the health and safety of our school community AND fortify our ability to open our doors for all students on a daily basis.

The District will be open for students and staff for normal operating hours on Monday, January 10, 2022 with the following exceptions and procedures:

• Our First Baptist Church and United Methodist Church Preschool sites will remain on remote instruction through Friday, January 14 and return to in-person instruction on Tuesday, January 18. Grab & Go Meals for students attending these sites will be provided on Monday (1/10) and Thursday (1/13) from 11:30-1:00 PM at both Red Bank Middle School and Red Bank Primary School.
• Face shields will be highly recommended for staff for the remainder of the month. Students will wear face shields per the teacher’s discretion based on the makeup and circumstances of the individual classroom and when appropriate social distancing is not possible. This implementation will allow our educators to operate in a way that most closely resembles our optimal learning environment with the ability to conduct small group instruction, center activities, etc.
• All in-person before and after school programs including athletics are canceled until further notice.
• YMCA Before and After Care at Red Bank Primary School will continue to operate.
• All Preschool students, remote and in-person, will follow a Minimum School Day schedule for Monday, January 10. This does not include Preschool students at Red Bank Primary.

The District will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 17. Additionally, Monday, January 24 is a Minimum School Day for all Preschool students, excluding those at Red Bank Primary.

Thank you again for your support. Your efforts play an integral role in helping us help your children. Please continue to assist us in the following ways: 

1. Keep your child home if they or anyone in your household is waiting on a COVID-19 test result. 
2. If you are not receiving our text messages via Remind or accidentally opted out, please contact your child’s school.
3. Check our District Website and social media platforms for important information.
4. Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness.
5. Refer to our Daily Screening Checklist for additional information.
6. If anyone in your household tests positive, contact your School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor. 
7. Send your child to school with an appropriate and properly fitting mask.
8. The District, in collaboration with MCHD, will be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine clinic on Saturday, January 15th at St. Anthony's Church, Herbert Street, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. The clinic is 100% FREE. Please complete this form if you or your child plan to attend. First Dose, Second Dose and Boosters will all be available! 

Stay safe and be well!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Happy New Year! The District will be closed for all students and staff on Monday, January 3, 2022. We have three emergency days built into our calendar and will be utilizing one at this time. Due to the high volume of reported COVID-19 related issues, we are unable to implement our normal operating schedule. We expect to have more feedback tomorrow from families and staff and will utilize the day to plan our course of action for a Tuesday reopening.

Upon our reopening, we also ask that you keep your child home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness. Please refer to our Daily Screening Checklist for additional information. If anyone in your household tested positive over the break, please contact your designated School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor.

It is our intent to reopen as per our normal schedule; however, if plans change please be prepared to pivot to any of the following:

• Minimum School Day schedule with Grab and Go meals for students.
• Remote instruction for students.
• Possible use of additional emergency closure days. 

Again, please continue to communicate with our site-based staff and report any COVID-19 related concerns or questions.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

I hope this Community Update finds you and your family healthy and safe. As you may know, both New Jersey and Monmouth County are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 transmissions. Since Thanksgiving, Monmouth County COVID-19 case rates have approximately doubled. Between December 1, 2021 and December 15, 2021 there were 2,881 new confirmed cases in Monmouth County and 29% of those cases were among children 18 years old and younger. This past week, the schools reported 514 new student cases and 89 new staff cases. Cumulatively, Monmouth County schools have reported the most student cases this fall by County (n = 3,297). Based on the recommendation of the Monmouth County Department of Health, four school districts closed last week and will remain closed heading into their winter break. Although we have experienced some positive cases here in Red Bank, we are fortunate that the impact on our instructional programming has been minimal; however, we have seen a rise in positive cases with students and staff and the need to exclude more students for the purpose of quarantine.

It is our intent to make sure all staff and students are healthy and prepared to enjoy the holidays and winter break. Recently, we have noticed many students are coming to school without a mask. While we do have a limited quantity for those that may need one due to occasional forgetfulness or breakage during the day, we do not have enough to supply each child on a daily basis. Please make sure your child leaves for school with a properly fitting mask every single day.

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) recently updated their guidelines. The most important update reduces the exclusion period for individuals who are close contacts of staff or students who tested positive for COVID-19 and who are asymptomatic. In this case, the exclusion period is now reduced to 10 days (or 7 days with negative test results collected at 5-7 days) with the continued monitoring for symptoms through 14 days after exposure.

Winter Break

• If anyone in your household tests positive over the break, please email your designated School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor. 
• If your family is traveling out of state during the holidays, please notify your designated School Nurse in order to determine if quarantine is required.  

Below are some important updates.

• The District will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Thursday, December 23, 2021. The District will be closed from December 24, 2021 and reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022.
• Genesis Parent Portal is open for Report Cards for all Grades K-8 students. Preschool Progress Reports will be sent home in student folders on Wednesday, December 22.
• If you need assistance scheduling a COVID-19 Vaccine appointment, please reach out to your designated School Nurse, visit the NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Finder or contact the NJ Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545.
• Save the Date! COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic and Carnival at St. Anthony’s Church Gym on Saturday, January 15, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. More information will be sent via Remind.
• Continue to refer to our 2021-2022 District Calendar as you make any plans that could impact your child’s attendance.
• We are currently seeking Guest Staff (Substitutes) as well as full-time Custodians. If you are interested in any of these positions or know someone who is, please contact us at 732-758-1510.

I wish you all a healthy and joyous holiday season and the very best that the new year has to offer.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

As we approach the holiday season, we certainly have much to be grateful for here in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools including full days of school, in-person instruction, the expansion of extra-curricular and interscholastic activities, and the opportunity for our students to consistently interact in a supportive yet challenging learning environment. Over the years and amid challenges, our #RBBisBIA mindset guided us on an amazing journey and has created a special culture and experience for our students and families. Part of that culture includes a commitment to hiring expert educators who exemplify compassion and embrace the Dream BIG...We’ll Help You Get There! spirit. I would like to acknowledge two such educators today. Congratulations to Red Bank Middle School teachers Mrs. Erin Carty and Mrs. Diana Archila. Both were recently recognized as New Jersey Department of Education Exemplary Secondary Educators! This is a wonderful distinction for these two teachers and our District. To date, ten Red Bank staff members have received this honor. In the near future you can expect the announcement of our Governor’s Educators of the Year.

As we prepare for the final days of 2021 and the coming new year, please review the following items. 

• Transportation continues to be a challenge for all school districts. Recently, we completely redesigned our transportation routes in order to minimize the numerous and lengthy delays caused by the nationwide bus driver shortage. Although this has markedly improved our daily operating procedures, we are still running into challenges when one or more Bus Drivers calls out sick. Although our contractors are fully staffed to serve our routes, they do not have substitute drivers available and any absence will likely result in a delayed bus route. We thank you for your continued cooperation and patience. 
• We continue to offer COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in the District in collaboration with the VNA and MCHD. No matter what type of vaccine you are looking for or if you need shot one, shot two or your booster, you can come to the Red Bank Primary School from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, December 2 or Monday, December 13. All are welcome from ages 5 and up and no appointment is necessary.
• If your family anticipates traveling out of state, please notify your designated School Nurse in order to determine if quarantine is required. 
• As the holidays approach, each site will be sending out specific information regarding events. Please continue to check your text messages sent via Remind. If you are not receiving messages or changed your phone number, contact the Main Office of your child’s school.
• Genesis Parent Portal will be open for Report Cards for all Kindergarten through Grade 8 students on Friday, December 17 at 4:00 PM. A message will be sent via Remind. Preschool Progress Reports will be sent home in student folders on Wednesday, December 22.
• All schools will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Thursday, December 23, 2021. The District will be closed from December 24, 2021 and reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022. 
• We are beginning to provide different enrichment and intervention opportunities for students as the year progresses. If your child is eligible, information will be provided by their individual school and/or teacher. This includes a winter basketball season at Red Bank Middle School.
• Continue to refer to our 2021-2022 District Calendar as you make any plans that could impact your child’s attendance. Preschool families at United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, Acelero Learning, Monmouth Day Care Center & YMCA of Greater Monmouth will see additional Minimum School Days for students.
• We are currently seeking Guest Staff (Substitutes) as well as full-time Custodians. If you are interested in any of these positions or know someone who is, please contact us at 732-758-1510.

Finally, as per protocol, the local charter school recently applied for their five-year renewal. Every five years, this application is submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education and its Commissioner for review and a determination. Our Board of Education is in favor of a single public school system and passed a resolution indicating such on August 31, 2021. Additionally, we recently sought and received the support of the Red Bank Borough Council. We support a single public school system for the students and families of Red Bank. This would provide a diverse and more robust educational experience for all children opting for public education in our community, and do so in a more fiscally responsible manner. At this point, we have presented our case to the Acting Commissioner of the NJDOE and expect a response at some point early in the new year. If you have any questions regarding this process or are interested in supporting this endeavor please contact me directly.

As always, I am honored and privileged to serve this community. I wish you all a healthy and joyous holiday season and the very best that the new year has to offer.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

It is certainly great to be back in school full-time and we are off to a strong start. Yes, the first few weeks presented challenges in several areas, including transportation and COVID-19 related illness; however, in many ways we are not just back to normal but new and improved. Our Fall Athletics season drew high participation and both of our Soccer programs and Cross Country teams competed at a high level. We enjoyed two amazing family events - Harvestfest and Rocketfest - that drew over 2,500 people combined! Most importantly, as I visit classrooms throughout our school sites I see smiling faces and students happy to be back!

We are still dealing with a national bus driver shortage but thanks to some creativity and compromise, we have re-designed several bus routes in collaboration with our transportation contractors. The implementation of this plan will begin Monday, November 1 and includes the reduction of Primary School Bus #5. Former PS5 Bus students and some others will be reassigned to other bus routes and receive new bus passes this week. As a result of these changes, you may also see a change in your child’s bus aide. We anticipate some minor bumps in the road next week but looking ahead this change will provide safer and more timely travel for our students to and from school each day.

We are currently seeking additional Guest Staff (Substitutes) as well as full-time Custodians. If you are interested in any of these positions or know someone who is, please contact us at 732-758-1510.

Finally, we are excited at the prospect of vaccination eligibility for 5-11 year olds and we anticipate additional vaccination clinics will be held at Red Bank Primary School in November and December - more details to follow.

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

• We look forward to seeing our families virtually next week for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please make every effort to connect with your child’s teacher(s) so that together we can work on supporting their BIG Dreams.
• Individual sites have sent out information regarding our Annual Halloween Parades. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in ensuring all participants remain safe.
• All schools will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Friday, October 29 and November 1, 2 and 3. The District will be closed for the NJEA Convention on November 4 & 5. Continue to refer to our 2021-2022 District Calendar.
• The Governor’s Educator of the Year Program is now accepting nominations! Take a moment to nominate one of our outstanding staff members! Click HERE for more information. The deadline is November 12, 2021.

Some of you may have heard of a recent “challenge” on the social media app TikTok in which individuals are encouraging others to steal or damage school property. Our schools are not immune from such vandalism and theft. Our buildings are meant to be a safe, clean space for our students and staff and we are requesting your partnership in accomplishing this shared goal. It is disappointing that these videos are encouraging this behavior within our school communities. We recognize that our students are outstanding role models and productive members of our school community. We thank you for your continued support in ensuring that this school year is a positive one for all.

As you may be aware, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 253 required that all school staff either be fully vaccinated or be tested weekly moving forward for this school year. The Governor’s office has provided funding for the required testing by way of Federal COVID-19 relief funds, which we have successfully applied for and have been granted, to receive on behalf of our school community. As a part of this grant, we will also offer COVID-19 screening tests to any families who wish to have their students tested. There is no requirement for students to be screened.

If you wish to sign up your child for regular testing please contact your child’s school nurse via email or phone. Additionally, you may contact the nurse at any time during the year if you simply would like your child tested once because you have a concern about exposure. We hope you find this to be yet another positive step as we work together to keep our school community safe, learning, and growing!

As we enter the holiday season, we are counting on our families, students and staff to help maintain a safe, healthy and engaging environment for all. Be well and stay healthy.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Thanks to our team effort we are off to a strong start to the 21-22 school year. It is exciting for everyone to be back in school for a full day of instruction, especially our students. We can see the joy in their eyes and we hear it in their voices as they are engaging in much more interaction with their peers. Of course, we are all grateful to be back to “normal”; however, it is not without its challenges.

Currently, we are facing a nationwide bus driver shortage that is impacting our ability to provide consistency for our families. Our students are also navigating the return to a more structured school day and the social elements that go along with school related activities. And of course, we are still managing the daily impact of the ongoing health concerns.

We expect our challenges with transportation to improve significantly over the next few weeks. If your child is a bus student please review this Transportation Update.

We know that resilience is one of the most prevalent character traits of our student body and expect they will respond successfully academically, artistically, athletically, and socially to enjoy a special school year.

What we cannot predict, is the impact of illness on our school community. But we can work together to ensure that we do everything in our power to minimize the risk for our students and staff.

HEALTH REMINDERS:

• ATTENDANCE: Our schools are open because we want each child to experience the benefits of the #RBBisBIA mindset on a daily basis. We are here to inspire BIG Dreams for each child and then help them get there....but we also want to maximize the number of days all children attend school this year. In order to do that, it will require extra precaution when necessary. Keeping your child home temporarily due to illness will not negatively impact their school record or their educational journey. In fact, doing so will enable us to better maintain the viability of our full day, in-person instructional environment for your child and ALL of our students.
• It is imperative that all students are screened at home on a daily basis and those who exhibit symptoms of illness remain at home. Please reference our Daily Screening Checklist and the Please Keep Me Home If… sheet to assist you with the screening process.
• In the event your child is exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please keep them home and contact your designated School Nurse for guidance:
• Nurse Rochford (Preschool): 732-758-1500 (EXT 1536)
• Nurse Reardon (Primary): 732-758-1538
• Nurse Croken (Middle): 732-758-1532

Monmouth County continues to remain in the High-Risk category as indicated by the weekly COVID-19 Activity Level Report and we all know the challenges we faced last November. Let’s work together to ensure our students enjoy the best school year possible.

Transportation and the health climate aside, the return to school and the inundation of information can be overwhelming for families. Once again, please see these reminders and resources to help make the transition to the new school year smooth for all of us. And of course, if you have specific questions, always feel free to contact the relevant staff member using our Staff Directory.

OTHER REMINDERS:

• Please note Back to School Night events at all locations will be virtual. Details will follow shortly from your child’s school.
• For a full review of general reopening information, please thoroughly review the School Reopening Guide which gives an overview of healthy and safety protocols and other important information. 
• Throughout the year, we must have your current address, email and phone number/emergency contact on file. Contact your child’s school Main Office with any updates.
• Our Virtual Backpacks are full of information related to district and school specific procedures.

As always, we are counting on our families, students and staff to help maintain a safe, healthy and engaging environment for all. Be well and stay healthy.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Our 2021-2022 school year is less than two weeks away. I am certain that mixed feelings exist amongst us all - students, staff and families. As a District, we are fully committed to resuming our normal operations to the greatest extent possible this year. Our first full-day for students is Thursday, September 9, 2021. Breakfast and lunch services will begin that day. Each family should thoroughly review the School Reopening Guide which gives an overview of face covering requirements, daily health screening procedures, meal service details and general reopening information.

If you have not picked up your September Packet from your child’s school/site, please do so immediately. Please read all the information that was included. If you have questions, reach out to your child’s school/site prior to the first day of school.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS 

• Throughout the year, we must have your current address, email and phone number/emergency contact on file.
• Our Genesis Parent Portal houses all report cards, interim reports, lunch applications and important documents. If you have not logged in yet, visit the website. Included are some helpful how-to videos as well as an email address should you have any problems.
• Families will need to acknowledge several important policies, permissions and documents in Genesis Parent Portal prior to viewing teacher assignments and student schedules.
• Our Virtual Backpack is full of information related to school-specific schedules and procedures.
• Preschool Handbook
• Primary School Handbook
• Middle School Handbook
• Our Virtual Backpack is also full of information related to important health information.
• Daily Screening Checklist
• Daily Health Screening Certification
• Please Keep Me Home If...

Once again, we are counting on our families, students and staff to help maintain a safe, healthy and engaging environment for all. If anything, the past two years have taught us the importance of in-person instruction and the resilience of our students and staff. I am confident that by working together we will write many more chapters in the #RBBisBIA story! Be well and enjoy the remaining days of summer.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

I hope this message finds you and your families safe, healthy, and enjoying the summer break. While it should be our priority to enjoy the summer and our families to the maximum, inevitably, questions about September 2021 will arise. Along with these questions will come speculation. Please use our Community Updates as your primary source of information. This mid-summer update is meant to share some important information as we approach the 21-22 school year.

On Friday, August 6, 2021 Governor Phil Murphy announced that all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face coverings indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The Governor signed Executive Order (EO) 251, which will mandate masking in the indoor premises of all public, private, and parochial preschool, elementary, and secondary school buildings, with limited exceptions.

While masks will be broadly required in school buildings for the coming school year, the following Executive Order exceptions relevant to the Red Bank Borough Public Schools will remain unchanged from the 2020-2021 school year: 

• When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors; (all sites are fully air-conditioned with the exception of the Middle School gymnasium)
• When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an IEP or 504 Plan, precludes use of a face covering;
• When an individual is engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering;
• When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals.

Please note, we will continue basic safety practices such as face coverings on all buses, temperature scanning, isolation rooms for potential COVID cases, high-accessibility to hand sanitizer, frequent hand-washing, and the use of barriers as needed during meals and small-group instruction, etc.

We look forward to opening our doors for students in the fall and we are counting on our continued partnership to keep our entire school community safe by monitoring your child daily for illness and keeping your child home if they or a family member is sick, being tested or awaiting COVID results. We are confident our collaborative efforts to manage the challenges of the 20-21 school year will lead to great success for all students in 21-22!  In the meantime, continue to Dream BIG, stay safe and be well. 

• District Calendar & Important Dates and Times
  • Preschool Meet & Greet - September 2, 2021
  • United Methodist Church (UMC) - 2:30 PM
  • First Baptist Church (FBC) - 2:30 PM
  • Acelero Learning - 4:00 PM (Virtual)
  • The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County - 2:30 PM
  • Monmouth Day Care Center (MDCC) - 5:30 PM
  • Red Bank Primary School - See Below
  • Kindergarten - September 2, 2021, 4:00 PM at Red Bank Primary School
  • Grade 4 - August 23, 2021, 3:00 PM at Red Bank Middle School
  • Preschool - October 6, 2021 - 6:00 PM (All Sites EXCLUDING Red Bank Primary School)
  • Primary School
  • September 29 (Preschool, Grades K & 1 and Vazquez/Rigby) - 6:00 PM
  • September 30 (Grades 2 & 3 and Guzman/McGann) - 6:00 PM
  • Middle School
    • September 22, 2021 (Grades 4-8) - 6:00 PM
• Classes for ALL Preschool-Grade 8 students begin on Thursday, September 9, 2021. We anticipate operating on a full-day schedule. Full remote-learning will not be an option. 
• Please refer to our 2021-2022 District Calendar, especially during times when the District is closed.
• Three (3) Emergency Days are included in the calendar in the event of snow and/or other emergencies requiring us to close. As of today, the remote learning option on inclement weather days is not possible. As a result we will conduct traditional snow days.
• September Packet Pickup will be held on Monday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 24. You will be able to pick up important materials (bus passes, teacher assignments and important Health and Safety information) for all your children, no matter their grade level, at one location. Look for a special postcard to arrive at your home on or around August 11.
• Orientations will be held on the following dates/times:
• Back to School Nights will be held on the following dates/times:
• School Times
  • Preschool - 8:55 AM Arrival & 3:15 PM Dismissal
  • Primary School - 8:55 AM Arrival & 3:15 PM Dismissal
  • Middle School - 8:05 AM - 8:20 AM Arrival & 2:55 PM Dismissal

Residency & Registration

• If you plan to move in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation.
• We are in the process of re-certifying residency requirements for many of our families. You may receive a mailing requesting proof of residency, lease agreements and/or other required documents necessary as per Board of Education policy. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2020 we ask that you contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration.

Water Bottles & Supply Lists

• Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Bottles may be the refillable type but they MUST be clear, no exceptions. Glass bottles are not permitted.
• Most supplies needed by students will be provided by the District. On August 23 and 24 during September Packet Pickup, families will be provided a general list of supplies from your child's school.

Dress Code

• A uniform dress code will continue to be required for Preschool - Grade 8 (this does not apply to Acelero Learning or Monmouth Day Care Center). Students are to wear tan khaki colored bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, skort or jumper) with a solid color red, black, or white collared shirt, blouse, short or long sleeved polo shirt, turtlenecks and/or sweaters. Clothing may be purchased at any store. If you need assistance please contact the Main Office of your child’s school.

Breakfast & Lunch

• Our current plans include offering breakfast and lunch to students in September 2021. This includes hot meals. We do not anticipate sending food home with students as we did this past year.

Technology

• All Preschool - Grade 8 students have a district-provided Chromebook. It is important that this device remains safe and is used in an appropriate manner at all times. Devices will need to be brought back and forth from home to school each day. The device should be charged nightly at home.

Before & After Care

• The Community YMCA will be providing before and after care services for students that attend Red Bank Primary School. Click HERE for more information. The program can only operate if enough families demonstrate interest in participating.

Extra Curricular Activities & Athletics

• We believe these experiences are critical, now more than ever to the social and emotional well-being of our children. Our desire is to reinstate a full array of extra curricular activities, before/after school programming and athletics in September 2021.

Parent Portal

• In order to maximize our home-school communications, we are looking for 100% Parent Portal participation. The Portal will include report cards, handbooks, forms, grades and more for ALL students. If you have never logged into Parent Portal, please call your child’s school.

The Road Forward

• In June, the New Jersey Department of Education released The Road Forward. The document features a series of initiatives that paves the way forward for our education community by investing heavily in identifying and addressing the academic and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on our students and educators.

Counseling, Health and Educational Services

• In the event your child needs support in the area of counseling, mental health or health during this time, contact Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.

General Information

• Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.

Continue enjoying your summer and we look forward to seeing you at September Packet Pickup on August 23 or 24.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.