Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

Today is officially the final day of the 2019-2020 school year. March 13, our final day in our brick and mortar settings, seems like a distant memory. Classroom whiteboards with 3/13/20 lesson objectives and daily agendas suggest time has stood still and things remain unchanged; however, we all know better than this. Things are not the same and in some ways, they should never be the same again. Our country and our community are being tested. We are under duress and stress. We have endured the loss of lives due to COVID-19 and the loss of lives as a result of social injustice and egregious violence. It is time for change and our school community will embrace the opportunity to be at the forefront of social and educational reform. On June 9, 2020, our Board of Education President, Dr. Frederick Stone, spoke about the murder of George Floyd. He acknowledged our responsibility to equity and challenged us to redouble our efforts. Today more than ever, we must embrace inclusivity, engage in tough conversations, and implement structures to support access and opportunity for all. We will do our part for our students, our families, and our staff to support the well-being of this community.

While not a replacement for what we normally do on a daily basis, our foray into remote and virtual learning was nothing short of heroic on the part of our staff, our students, and our families. Our experiences provided us the knowledge and functionality to do better and be better. Regardless of our learning environment come September - in-person, remote, or hybrid - we have expanded our capacity and skills in a way that will better serve our students.

Looking back it is easy to see this was a school year like no other. Yet in many ways, it was business as usual for a school district accustomed to ongoing growth and distinguished accomplishments. We started off the year by receiving the prestigious Lighthouse Award from the New Jersey Department of Education in July. In the fall, our Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams both captured the Shore Athletic League Championship. And 2020 started off well as we received the distinction of High-Performing as a result of the New Jersey Department of Education’s QSAC evaluation process. And we closed out our year with more good news. Mrs. Dena Russo, Vice-Principal of Red Bank Primary School, received the NJPSA Visionary Leadership Award and the NAESP National Distinguished Vice-Principal honor. Yes, we missed some milestones and some special events unique to our school community including in-person Moving Up and Moving On Ceremonies, the AVID College and Career Showcase, our Academic Showcase, and one of my personal favorites - International Night at our Primary School but this week is filled with virtual celebrations. We already enjoyed our virtual 2020 Athletics and AVID celebrations and tonight we have the highly anticipated 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony which will be available on our website at 6:00 PM.

As we prepare for the 2020-21 school year we still have many more questions than answers. Our bi-weekly updates will continue to ensure you are fully informed regarding plans and guidelines. If necessary, additional updates will be sent as well. As a reminder, we will continue our Meal Distribution services at Red Bank Middle School every Monday and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:00 AM.

Thank you all for your efforts during these challenging times. Our collaboration is a strong demonstration of the resilience and unity our community needs to maintain moving forward. I hope your summer is filled with BIG Dreams, good health, and smiles.

We miss you.
We see you.
Be well.

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW.

• “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch - All Children 18 or Younger
  • Food Services are open Mondays and Thursday from 8:30-11:00 AM throughout the summer at RB Middle School - English/Spanish.
  • Important NJ SNAP Information
• Chromebook Return
  • Chromebooks are not being collected at this time EXCEPT for families transferring out of the District or that have a child in Grade 8 with no siblings in the District.
• Voter Registration & Eligibility
  • Visit us during “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch for paper forms.
  • Applications - English | Spanish and Voter Eligibility Guidelines.
• Extended School Year (ESY)
  • ESY will be held virtually for eligible students. Information will be communicated directly to any family involved.
• Summer Learning Opportunities
  • Information regarding Summer Learning will be mailed home with Report Cards to all current Grades K-7 families. Information will also be posted on our website.
  • Click HERE for a Summer Reading video tutorial from the Red Bank Public Library.
• District Communication System Change
  • Beginning July 1, 2020, we will be implementing a new communication system for all families called Remind. Many families are already familiar with this system. Moving forward, Remind will be utilized by all teachers as well as for all district-wide communication. Our reliance on phone blasts will be reduced and the focus will be on text messages. More information will be mailed home with Report Cards.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with neighbors and other prospective families!
  • Any student currently in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools does not need to register.
  • If you are relocating within Red Bank or have moved out of Red Bank, call 732-758-1510.
• Assessment - Grades K-8
  • Report Cards will be mailed the week of June 29, 2020. See our May 20, 2020 Community Update for specific grading info. Visit our Virtual Learning Website for additional educational experiences for ALL students.
• 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.
  • Parents of Special Education students with questions or needs are encouraged to reach out to their case managers, related service providers or Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.
  • Review our Notice Regarding Special Education Services (English or Spanish).
  • Visit our State & Federal Resources section for important information.
• General Information
  • Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.
  • Our District has a Forced Closure Plan as required by the NJ Department of Education. This plan is fluid and changes weekly as new guidance is provided. It addresses feeding, instruction, student services and more.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

June is finally here, and although it is not the June we anticipated, we do expect to wrap up another successful school year for the Red Bank Borough Public Schools with the appropriate attention given to achievements and milestones. These include a virtual AVID Celebration, recognition of our Grade 8 Student-Athletes, identification of our 2020 National Junior Honor Society inductees, and a virtual celebration of Red Bank Middle School’s Class of 2020. Additionally, our educators will also independently honor in a variety of ways the Moving Up and Moving On of our Preschool, Kindergarten and Grade 3 students. Through a shared Project Based Learning experience, we have already initiated the transition process as our current third-graders prepare for the excitement and opportunities they will enjoy at Red Bank Middle School in the fall. Through the use of Flipgrid, we anticipate sharing a fun introduction to the new faces our 4-year olds will meet at Red Bank Primary School come September. And finally, as previously noted, we are excited to share with our school community and the world, our Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

Looking ahead, we do not know what September will bring. We are in constant discussions with County and State representatives to assess potential options for 2020 and we are anxiously awaiting specific guidelines from the State regarding the reopening of schools. While I am hopeful our students will be back in school enjoying the high-quality instructional environment we have carefully cultivated here in Red Bank, at this time, we still have more questions than answers. In the meantime, we will continue to work diligently to best prepare for the fall and we will provide frequent communications throughout the summer regarding important updates.

As a reminder, Wednesday, June 17 will be our 180th and final day of school. Please be sure to review the important information below regarding Meal Distribution and Student Materials Pickup. As noted below, beginning Monday, June 8 our meal distribution hours are extended to 8:30 to 11:00 AM at Red Bank Middle School every Monday and Thursday. Meals will be distributed throughout the summer months.

On behalf of our teachers and support staff, I thank you again for your continued support and your ongoing communication to help us best serve our children. Let’s continue to inspire BIG Dreams, be our #BestSelf and keep our children smiling as this school year comes to a close. Our next update will be on Wednesday, June 17. Until then, we will maintain our #RBBisBIA mindset so we can rest assured, we are the Best for Red Bank!

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW.

• “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch - All Children 18 or Younger
  • Beginning Monday, June 8, 2020, food services will be opened from 8:30-11:00 AM. English | Spanish.
• Preschool & Grades 4-8 Unclaimed Student Materials Pickup
  • Preschool and Grades 4-8 Unclaimed Student Materials Pickup Information: English | Spanish
• Extended School Year (ESY)
  • Our ESY program will be held virtually for all eligible Special Education students. Additional information will be communicated directly to any family involved.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with neighbors and other prospective families!
  • Any student currently in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools does not need to register.
  • If you are relocating within Red Bank or have moved out of Red Bank, call 732-758-1510.
• Grading - Trimester 3
  • Report Cards will be mailed the week of June 29, 2020. Assignments provided virtually or via home learning packets should be completed to the best of your child’s ability.
  • Paper packets may be returned to Red Bank Middle School during meal services on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-11:00 AM.
  • See our May 20, 2020 Community Update for specific grading info.
• Home Learning Information
  • See our May 20, 2020 Community Update for specific info.
  • Staff are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 PM at a minimum. You may reach out to them via email, ClassDojo, Remind and/or Google Meet/Classroom should you have any questions.
  • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for additional educational experiences for ALL students.
• 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.
  • Parents of Special Education students with questions or needs are encouraged to reach out to their case managers, related service providers or Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.
  • Review our Notice Regarding Special Education Services (English or Spanish).
  • Visit our State & Federal Resources section for important information.
• General Information
  • Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.
  • Our District has a Forced Closure Plan as required by the NJ Department of Education. This plan is fluid and changes weekly as new guidance is provided. It addresses feeding, instruction, student services and more.
  • The New Jersey Department of Education continues preparations for the next stages of school opening, and hearing from parents is a priority. Take a few minutes to complete a NJDOE Parent Survey - English or Spanish.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

The end of this unusual school year is fast approaching. We revised the 19-20 calendar and Wednesday, June 17 will be our 180th and final day of school. On that evening, we will celebrate our eighth-grade graduating Class of 2020 with a virtual ceremony to culminate their journey through the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. Graduation and Grade 8 activity details will be distributed later this week directly to our eighth-grade families. Additionally, we have initiated planning for a virtual Extended School Year program for all eligible special education students. As noted below, eligible families will receive notification soon.

We have many housekeeping items to address as we look ahead to the remaining 19 days of school. The majority of these items are listed below. Please review carefully and mark your calendars. For events that require a visit to our schools, we request that one parent/guardian participate per family in order to ensure adherence to public health guidelines.

Looking back over the past 9 weeks, we have much to be proud of as a school community. The word resilience is simultaneously overused and an understatement. This infographic brilliantly shares our journey in numbers but it cannot convey the compassion, unity, patience, collaboration, and enthusiasm that writes this story. On behalf of our teachers and support staff I thank you for your continued support and your ongoing communication to help us best serve our children. Let’s continue to inspire BIG Dreams together and keep our children smiling as we close out the 19-20 school year!

Our next update will be on Wednesday, June 3. Until then, we will maintain our #RBBisBIA mindset so we can rest assured, we are the Best for Red Bank!

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW.

• Food Services
  • FOOD SERVICES ARE ONLY AT RED BANK MIDDLE SCHOOL.
  • Due to Memorial Day, our schedule has changed for the week: English | Spanish.
  • If your income has changed and you believe you may qualify for Free or Reduced lunch, please review our application (English | Spanish). Once completed, email it to menteri@rbb.k12.nj.us, mail it (Red Bank Borough Board of Education, 76 Branch Ave, Red Bank, NJ 07701) or drop it off at Red Bank Middle School during “Grab and Go” Food Services.
• Grade 8 Graduation, Caps & Gowns, Chromebook Returns and Locker Pickup information will be communicated by Friday, May 22, 2020.
• Preschool - Grade 7 Student Materials Pickup Information: English | Spanish
• 2019-2020 Calendar Change
  • Our Board of Education approved a revised Calendar. The last day of school is Wednesday, June 17, 2020.
• Extended School Year (ESY)
  • Our ESY program will be held virtually this year for all eligible Special Education students. Additional information will be communicated directly to any family involved.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Registration for new Preschool - Grade 8 students is on hold. We will alert the community when more information is available. Please share with prospective parents, especially those planning to enroll in Preschool for September 2020.
• Grading - Trimester 3 - Report Cards will be mailed the week of June 29, 2020. Assignments provided virtually or via home learning packets should be completed to the best of your child’s ability.
  • Grades K-3: Students will receive an overall grade for Literacy and Mathematics as a result of not being able to individually assess each standard. The grading terminology will remain consistent with the numbering system on the grading rubric. Special Areas will not be assessed for the third trimester, although they are valued and viewed as an important part of the development of students.
  • Grades 4-5 and Grades 4-8 Specials: Students will be graded as PASS or UNABLE TO ASSESS. All unable to assess grades will have comments.
  • Grades 6-8: Students will be graded as PASS, FAIL or UNABLE TO ASSESS. All unable to assess and fail grades will have a comment. A final grade will be calculated as PASS, FAIL or UNABLE TO ASSESS.
• Home Learning Information
  • Preschool
    • Click HERE for Home Learning information.
  • Grades K-2: HOME LEARNING PACKETS
    • Home Learning Packets will continue until Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Work will be provided during Student Materials Pickup.
  • Grade 3-8: VIRTUAL LEARNING
    • Virtual Learning will continue until Wednesday, June 17, 2020.
    • Students in these grades should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments.
    • Grades 4-8 Students - Click HERE for Red Bank Middle School Virtual Learning Plans.
  • Staff are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 PM at a minimum. You may reach out to them via email, ClassDojo, Remind and/or Google Meet/Classroom should you have any questions.
  • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for additional educational experiences for ALL students.
• 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.
  • Parents of Special Education students with questions or needs are encouraged to reach out to their case managers, related service providers or Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.
  • Review our Notice Regarding Special Education Services (English or Spanish).
  • Visit our State & Federal Resources section for important information.
• General Information
  • Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.
  • Our District has a Forced Closure Plan as required by the NJ Department of Education. This plan is fluid and changes weekly as new guidance is provided. It addresses feeding, instruction, student services and more.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

As you know, Governor Murphy recently closed all of New Jersey’s schools for the remainder of the 19-20 school year. It is a decision that will provide us the best opportunity to reopen in September, and hopefully with minimal restrictions. We are deeply saddened we will not be able to reopen our doors this spring for our students or provide the same end of year experiences to which we all have grown accustomed. However, this presents an opportunity for us to grow in new ways as a school community and close out the school year to the best of our ability.

We are currently preparing for Week 8 of Home Learning and adjusting our meal distribution operations. Thanks to the support of our community, our successful tax-neutral bond referendum will enable us to complete several emergent projects. At Red Bank Primary School, work has begun to replace HVAC units while we anticipate a May start date for the new roofing project. As you will read below, this requires all food and home learning packet distribution to take place at Red Bank Middle School on May 11 and May 14. We will evaluate these operations and make any necessary adjustments for the weeks ahead.

As noted previously, our school year typically ends with many special events, most notably our eighth-grade dance and graduation as well as our AVID and Athletics celebrations. As of today, we have not received any guidance on what will be permitted or prohibited regarding these events. While a few other districts may be advertising plans, it is premature to do so without confirmation of the parameters. We do expect to celebrate some of these milestones and will share the details once we can plan accordingly. And again, this also applies to our Extended School Year program and the reopening of school in September.

We are committed to the continuity of instruction during this unprecedented pandemic, with the understanding that we cannot replicate school. Our main focus continues to be the health and well-being of our families and providing the food and other support services needed to help them successfully navigate through this crisis. Our staff will continue to support students in whatever ways necessary. Our trimester three grading information will be in our next update. Our expectations and grading will reflect the existence of the many inequities, provide flexibility to our families and ensure no student is harmed due to this situation. Students should continue to do their very best in completing assignments. Families will be contacted if students are not demonstrating active participation. Any extraordinary lack of contact from a student will lead to a wellness check at the place of residence.

Our next update will be released on Wednesday, May 20 and as always, it will be communicated via our website, marquee, phone blast, social media, etc. Until then, we will maintain our #RBBisBIA mindset so we can rest assured, we are the Best for Red Bank!

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW.

• Food Services
  • Beginning Monday, May 11th, FOOD SERVICES WILL ONLY BE PROVIDED AT RED BANK MIDDLE SCHOOL. “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch distribution is held every Monday and Thursday from 9:00-11:00 AM. For English, click HERE. For Spanish, click HERE.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Our regular registration process for new students (Preschool - Grade 8) is on hold. We will alert the entire community when more information is available. Please share this information with prospective parents, especially those planning to enroll in our Preschool program for September 2020.
• Classroom Materials (Lockers & Desks)
  • We are currently preparing for the packing up of all student desks and lockers. We will have dates/times set aside for pickup as well as the opportunity for students to return textbooks, trade books, instruments, etc. More information will be forthcoming in our next update
• Notice Regarding Special Education Services (English or Spanish)
• Grading - Trimester 3
  • Our grading plan for the third trimester has not been finalized. We plan to communicate our intentions on Wednesday, May 20. Assignments provided virtually or via home learning packets should be completed to the best of your child’s ability. However, our main concern is for students and families to remain healthy and safe at this time.
• Education (Home Learning Packet Info: English or Spanish)
  • Preschool - Grade 2 - HOME LEARNING PACKETS & SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
    • New Home Learning Packets for May 18-29, 2020 will be available at the Red Bank Middle School on Monday (May 11) and Thursday (May 14) from 9:00-11:00 AM. At that time, Grades K-2 students should return any completed work (paper-based) in the large white envelope received last week.
  • Grades 3 & 4 - VIRTUAL LEARNING & HOME LEARNING PACKETS
    • Students in Grades 3 & 4 should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Grade 4 Virtual Learning Plans. A select group of students in Grades 3 & 4 will be provided home learning packets and will be contacted individually.
    • ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 & 4 should return any completed paper-based work to the Red Bank Middle School on Monday (May 11) or Thursday (May 14) from 9:00-11:00 AM. If you have the white envelope provided, place all work in the envelope. If not, write your child's name and teacher on the front page.
  • Grade 5, 6, 7 & 8 - ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING
    • Students in these grades should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Red Bank Middle School Virtual Learning Plans.
  • All staff are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 PM at a minimum. Feel free to reach out to them via email, ClassDojo, Remind, Google Meet or Classroom should you have any questions.
  • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for additional educational experiences for ALL students.
• 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.
  • Parents of Special Education students with questions or needs are encouraged to reach out to their case managers, related service providers or Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.
  • Visit our State & Federal Resources section for important information.
• General Information
  • Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.
  • Our District has a Forced Closure Plan as required by the NJ Department of Education. This plan is fluid and changes weekly as new guidance is provided. It addresses feeding, instruction, student services and more.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

We closed our doors on Friday, March 13 and while the days have seemed long, the time has flown by. We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and peaceful Spring Break. As we prepare for Week 7 of Home Learning, we continue to send strong thoughts of positivity to our students and families and wish everyone the best of health. Looking back, we have faced immense challenges and we thank you for your patience, participation and partnership to support our children and this journey. Looking ahead, we still face uncharted waters but we do so with optimism, the experience of lessons learned and the #RBBisBIA mindset which encourages us to be our best every day.

As per Governor Murphy's Executive Order 104, schools are closed indefinitely. We anticipate the Governor’s next update on Friday, May 15. At this time, we are dealing with many unknowns and cannot predict what future parameters may include, as a result, planning for future events is on hold. Our school year typically ends with many special events, most notably our eighth grade dance and graduation as well as our AVID and Athletics celebrations. While we hope to celebrate these rites of passage in some form or fashion, we do not currently have the necessary information to plan these events. As this process continues to unfold, we will explore ways to acknowledge these milestones and continue to provide updates along the way. This also applies to any potential plans for the reopening of school this academic year or in September.

As we continue our virtual and home learning, we are committed to the continuity of instruction during this unprecedented pandemic, with the understanding that we cannot replicate school. Our main focus continues to be the health and well-being of our families and providing the food and other support services needed to help them successfully navigate through this crisis. Our staff will continue to support standards-based instruction, differentiated in ways no one ever expected. A variety of modifications, accommodations and adjustments must be made to support everyone involved, including the adults. Our expectations and our trimester three grading will reflect the existence of so many inequities, provide flexibility to our families and ensure no student is harmed due to this situation. We encourage each student to do their very best in completing assignments and participate virtually whenever possible. Parents/Guardians will be contacted by administrators if students are not demonstrating active participation through the available platforms. Additionally, as a precaution to ensure the well-being of our families, any extraordinary lack of contact from a student will lead to a wellness check at the place of residence.

Below are some general suggestions on how to support your child’s home learning:

• Scheduling regular times each day for your child to do school work.
• Having your child take movement and brain breaks.
• Contacting your child’s teacher with any questions.
• Asking your child about assignment due dates and supporting them, as needed.
• Designating a place where your child will work on his/her assigned tasks.

Our next update will be released on Wednesday, May 6 and as always, it will be communicated via our website, marquee, phone blast, social media, etc. Until then, we will maintain our #RBBisBIA mindset so we can rest assured, we are the Best for Red Bank!

And this bears repeating…

We look forward to the days our empty buildings once again become schools. We look forward to seeing our hallways and classrooms filled with smiling faces. And, we look forward to the beautiful days ahead when our students run into our schools just as fast as they run out. We are not sure when, but rest assured that day will come. In the meantime, continue to take care of yourselves and your families and practice good health habits and social distancing.

Enjoy this awesome video created by our Primary School Music Teacher, Mrs. Boehm and our Mathematics Coach, Dr. Cuddihy with support from the Best Staff in America!

Please read the important updates below.

• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Due to school closures, our regular registration process for new students (Preschool - Grade 8) is on hold. We will alert the entire community when more information is available.
  • Please share this information with prospective parents, especially those planning to enroll in our Preschool program for September 2020.
• Education (Home Learning Packet Info: English or Spanish)
  • Preschool - Grade 2 - HOME LEARNING PACKETS & SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
    • New Home Learning Packets for May 4-15, 2020 will be available at the Red Bank Primary School on Monday (April 27) and Thursday (April 30) from 9:00-11:00 AM. At that time, Grades K-2 students should return any completed work (paper-based) in the large white envelope received last week.
  • Grades 3 & 4 - VIRTUAL LEARNING & HOME LEARNING PACKETS
    • Students in Grades 3 & 4 should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Grade 4 Virtual Learning Plans. A select group of students in Grades 3 & 4 will be provided home learning packets and will be contacted individually.
    • ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 & 4 should return any completed paper-based work to the Red Bank Primary School on Monday (April 27) or Thursday (April 30) from 9:00-11:00 AM. If you have the white envelope provided, place all work in the envelope. If not, write your child's name and teacher on the front page.
  • Grade 5, 6, 7 & 8 - ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING
    • Students in these grades should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Red Bank Middle School Virtual Learning Plans.
    • Our grading plan for the third trimester has not been finalized. Assignments provided virtually or via home learning packets should be completed to the best of your child’s ability. However, our main concern is for students and families to remain healthy and safe at this time.
    • All staff are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 PM at a minimum. Feel free to reach out to them via email, ClassDojo, Remind, Google Meet or Classroom should you have any questions.
    • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for additional educational experiences for ALL students.
  • Food Services
    • Our “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch distribution is held on Mondays and Thursdays. For English, click HERE. For Spanish, click HERE.
  • 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.
    • Parents of Special Education students with questions or needs are encouraged to reach out to their case managers, related service providers or Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.
  • General Information
    • Contact Information - Important Numbers and Email Addresses
    • Our District has a Forced Closure Plan as required by the New Jersey Department of Education. This plan is fluid and changes weekly as new guidance is provided. It addresses feeding, instruction, student services and more.
    • If you have any questions, call 732-758-1500 and leave a message.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

We hope everyone is doing well and holding up under the circumstances. Thank you for another successful week of remote learning and for the enthusiastic response to our Virtual Learning Spirit Week!

Governor Murphy's Executive Order requires all New Jersey schools to be closed indefinitely and we anticipate his next update on Friday, April 17. After several weeks of intense efforts by our students, families and staff to support continuity of instruction, the #RBBisBIA attitude is shining brightly! We are set to enjoy a much-deserved Spring Break beginning on Friday, April 10 and ending on Sunday, April 19.

You can expect our next update on Wednesday, April 22 and as always, it will be communicated via our website, marquee, phone blast, social media, etc. This update will include details about assessing student work for the third trimester and any plans we have developed moving forward. As we progress through this unprecedented journey, we expect to improve each week in all areas including communication, food services and instruction. We are keenly aware that this is not a time for added stress or confusion, so we are committed to making every decision in the spirit of simplicity, compassion and assistance.

Today more than ever, we are here for each student and every family. Our goal is to continue to provide the inspiration for BIG Dreams and then support each child on their journey to get there! We are committed to doing our daily best to ensure this never changes. Please do not hesitate to reach out for any type of assistance you might need. If we cannot provide direct support then we will connect you with the appropriate resources.

We look forward to the days our empty buildings once again become schools. We look forward to seeing our hallways and classrooms filled with smiling faces. And, we look forward to the beautiful days ahead when our students run into our schools just as fast as they run out. We are not sure when, but rest assured that day will come. In the meantime, continue to take care of yourselves and your families and practice good health habits and social distancing.

Please read the important updates below.

• Education (Home Learning Packet Info: English or Spanish)
  • Preschool - Grade 2 - HOME LEARNING PACKETS & SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
    • New home learning packets for the week of April 20 - May 1, 2020 will be available at the Red Bank Primary School on Monday (April 13) and Thursday (April 16) from 9:00-11:00 AM. At that time, Grades K-2 students will receive an envelope where they can return completed work on April 27 or 30.
  • Grades 3 & 4 - VIRTUAL LEARNING & HOME LEARNING PACKETS
    • Students in these grades should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Grade 4 Virtual Learning Plans. In addition, home learning packets for the week of April 20 - May 1, 2020 will be available at the Red Bank Primary School on Monday (April 13) and Thursday (April 16) from 9:00-11:00 AM. At that time, each child will receive an envelope where they can return completed paper-based work on April 27 or 30.
  • Grade 5, 6, 7 & 8 - ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING
    • Students in these grades should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Red Bank Middle School Virtual Learning Plans.
  • We are working on revising our grading plan for the third trimester. All work assigned virtually or on paper should be completed to the best of your ability.
  • If you need to connect to WiFi, click HERE.
  • Visit our Virtual Learning website for additional educational experiences for all students.
  • All staff are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 PM at a minimum. Feel free to reach out to them via email, ClassDojo, Remind or Google Classroom should you have any questions.
• Food Services
  • Our “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch distribution will be held on Mondays and Thursdays moving forward. For English, click HERE. For Spanish, click HERE. We will be open during Spring Break.
  • On Monday (April 13) and Thursday (April 16) our community partners Fulfill and Lunch Break will be providing bags of non-perishable food to families. This is first come, first served.
• Counseling & Health 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
  
  • Contact Information - Important Numbers and Email Addresses
  • If you have any questions, call 732-758-1500 and leave a message.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. As a parent, I understand the amount of uncertainty we have at the moment and the many questions going through your minds - Will we have end of the year activities including promotion? What about grades and report cards? Will my child be promoted to the next grade? We understand these questions can lead to increased anxiety. Rest assured we are all in the same boat and will continue to communicate via our website, phone blast, social media, etc. Thank you for your patience as we as a District and State try to figure things out.

On a lighter note, join in the fun as we have our first Virtual Learning Spirit Week!

As of today, our schools will be closed indefinitely and re-open as per the guidance of Governor Murphy. It is anticipated Governor Murphy will next revisit the status of all New Jersey schools on Friday, April 17. In the meantime, continue to take care of yourselves, your families, practice good health habits and social distancing.

Please read the updates below as some items have been modified.

• Education
  • Students in Preschool-Grade 8 have assignments to complete via educational packets and/or virtual learning. On Monday, March 30, students in Grades 3-8 should check Google Classroom on a daily basis for assignments. Click HERE for Red Bank Middle School Virtual Learning Plans.
  • Any packets not picked up have been mailed or delivered. At this time we do not plan on having another Chromebook distribution. If you need to connect to WiFi, click HERE.
  • Visit our Virtual Learning website for additional educational experiences for students in Preschool-Grade 8.
  • All State Assessments have been cancelled for this school year.
  • All staff are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-12:00 PM at a minimum. Feel free to reach out to them via email, ClassDojo, Remind or Google Classroom should you have any questions.
• Food Services
  • IMPORTANT CHANGE: Our “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch distribution will be held on Mondays and Thursdays moving forward. For English, click HERE. For Spanish, click HERE. We will be open for food services during Spring Break.
• Counseling & Health 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
  • Contact Information - Important Numbers and Email Addresses
  • If you have any questions, call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Your call will be returned within 24 hours.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

I hope this message finds you and your family safe, healthy and happy. It is certainly a challenging time for our school community and beyond. Again, we appreciate you sharing these messages with other families that may not see our various communication methods.

Below are important updates. As always, do not hesitate to reach out for assistance of any kind. We wish all of you the best during these difficult and uncertain times. Remember to practice good health habits and social distancing as recommended.

• Education
  • As of this update, Preschool - Grade 2 students have enough work via paper packets to last until Thursday, April 9, 2020. Students in Grades K-2 that did not receive a packet can come to the Red Bank Primary School on Monday, March 23 or Tuesday, March 24 from 9:00-11:00 AM to pick up materials.
  • As of this update, Grades 3-8 students have assignments via virtual learning (Chromebooks and Personal Devices). We will be having a third Chromebook pickup date on Thursday, March 26 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Red Bank Middle School. Here is info in English and Spanish. This will be our last pickup session - first come, first served. Again, we are providing one device per family and a parent/guardian must be present. If you have a device and need to connect to free WiFi, click HERE.
  • Our staff members are available Monday through Friday from 9:00-11:00 AM at a minimum. Feel free to reach out to them via email, Remind or Google Classroom should you have any questions.
• Breakfast and Lunch Services
  • Our “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch distribution continues on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. For English, click HERE. For Spanish, click HERE.
• Counseling & Health 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
  • Contact Information - Important Numbers and Email Addresses
  • If you have any questions, call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Your call will be returned within 24 hours.

As of this update, we will be closed until Thursday, April 9 which brings us to our scheduled Spring Break. Our intention is to reopen on Monday, April 20, 2020. We wish you all the best. Stay healthy and be well!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

I hope this email finds you and your family safe and sound. Thank you for paying close attention to all the messages and correspondence we have shared over the past week. We appreciate you sharing these messages with other families that may not access our website, social media platforms and/or phone blasts.

Below are some important updates. Please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance of any kind. We wish all of our students and families the best during this challenging time. Please practice good health habits and social distancing as recommended.

• Education
  • Our Leadership Team and Staff are working on plans to extend learning beyond the initial ten days planned. Stay tuned for more information! Staff is available via email for questions from 9:00-11:00 AM Monday through Friday.
• Chromebooks
  • We will be distributing Chromebooks for students who do not own a device in Grades 3-8 only (one per family). Click for more details in English or Spanish.
• Breakfast and Lunch Services
  • We will be continuing our “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch distribution. Click for more details in English or Spanish.
• Counseling & Health Services
  • In the event your child needs support in the area of counseling, mental health or health during this time, please contact Mrs. Hurd at 732-758-1520 or hurdj@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• General Information
  • Contact Information - Important Numbers and Email Addresses
  • If you have any questions, please call 732-758-1500 on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday between the hours of 8:30 and 12:30 PM.

As of right now, we will definitely be closed until Friday, March 27, 2020. With that being said, it is highly probable that we will extend that until after Spring Break and potentially reopen on Monday, April 20, 2020. Once this decision is final, we will let you know.

We wish you all the best during these challenging times. Stay healthy and be well.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Families,

As a precautionary measure, ALL schools will be closed beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020. Below is our plan to address various areas. PLEASE share this information with family and friends that live in Red Bank. We want 100% of our families to be aware of this plan. We will continue to actively engage with local, county and state officials regarding developments and share new information as it becomes available.

1. Education
   1. All students in Preschool - Grade 8 received hard copies of work in various academic areas on Thursday and/or Friday. These assignments are intended to sustain learning while schools are closed.
   2. The work provided includes both hard copy and digital options.
   3. Assignments should be completed and submitted upon our return to school (this does not apply to Preschool). We have several digital subscriptions to which students have access.
   4. Teachers will be available via email for questions from 9:00 to 11:00 AM Monday through Friday.
   5. A standard assignment for all students includes the following independent reading requirements which may include books, magazines, and newspapers, etc:
      1. Grades K-2: Minimum of 20 Minutes Daily
      2. Grades 3-5: Minimum of 30 Minutes Daily
      3. Grades 6-8: Minimum of 40 Minutes Daily
2. Chromebooks
   1. For the week of March 16, Chromebooks will not be available. We are currently designing a plan to have Chromebooks available beginning the week of March 23 with the following parameters:
      1. Students in Grades 3 -8
      2. One Chromebook Per Family
      3. Must Have WiFi Access (Devices Do Not Have Cellular)
      4. Completion of Technology Usage Agreement
3. Breakfast and Lunch Services
   1. “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch Distribution (10 Meals Per Week)
   2. Available for ALL Red Bank Residents 18 or Younger - Children MUST Be Present In Order To Be Fed
   3. Both the Red Bank Primary School & Red Bank Middle School are available as pickup locations for ALL children 18 years or younger, no matter what school(s) they attend.
   4. Schedule: 9:00-11:00 AM
      1. Monday (Breakfast & Lunch)
      2. Tuesday (Breakfast & Lunch for Tuesday and Wednesday)
      3. Thursday (Breakfast & Lunch for Thursday and Friday)
4. Counseling & Health Services
   1. Tentatively, YMCA counseling services will continue at Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School beginning on Monday, March 23. If your family receives these services, you will be contacted regarding the schedule.
5. General Information
   1. Contact Information - Important Numbers and Email Addresses
   2. Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 20:
      1. Visitors are not permitted inside any school location or office.
      2. If you have any questions, please call 732-758-1500 on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday between the hours of 9:00 and 12:00 PM.
   3. Public WiFi
      1. Several organizations may be able to offer public WiFi, however, we advise our students to use appropriate judgment and recognize the importance of social distancing during this public health pandemic.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and cooperation as we work through this together to assure the safety of all in our community.

We wish all of our students and families the best during this challenging time. Please practice good health habits and social distancing as recommended.

The Red Bank Borough Public Schools are still here to inspire BIG Dreams and Help You Get There! Do not hesitate to reach out for assistance of any kind.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Borough Families,

On March 11, we distributed a joint statement in conjunction with the Red Bank Regional High School, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, and Red Bank Charter School Districts. Our statement indicated that our school districts would remain open based on the recommendation of the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission (MCRHC). At that time, the MCRHC designated our schools as low-risk. Since that time, both the Little Silver School District and the Shrewsbury Borough School District have opted to close their schools although the timeframe for either has not been specified. This was not done as a result of a directive from any medical agency but with what the MCRHC describes as “an abundance of caution.”

Due to this information, I spent part of my day visiting each of our locations and nearly all of our classrooms. Our student attendance was in alignment with historical data from March 2019 and the last several months with only a slight uptick. Staff attendance has also remained unchanged. Additionally, we have reviewed the number of students visiting our School Health Offices over the past five days. These records have indicated no significant increases in the number of students being seen or sent home for illness. Moreover, there is no evidence of any specific ailments or symptoms which would cause us alarm.

The other part of my day was spent in discussions with local Superintendents, District Leadership, local leaders and the Health Officer of the MCHRC. The MCHRC’s stance has not changed from yesterday, and actually our designation was slightly changed for the better from “low” to “low to extremely low” risk at this time. Finally, our school district is truly a community school district. We provide multiple services which our families need or require on a daily basis. We cannot be compared to neighboring towns. With this in mind, and in conjunction with the recommendation of the MCHRC, we will remain open through tomorrow (Friday, March 13, 2020), however, we will operate on a Minimum School Day schedule. An early dismissal for all schools will allow the opportunity to ensure students receive their home learning assignments, have the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch, and also permit earlier access for our increased custodial staff to start a weekend of cleaning.

Dismissal Schedule:

• Primary and All Preschool Locations: 1:15 PM
• Middle School: 1:00 PM

Moving forward, we anticipate an official directive from a state agency within the next 24-48 hours regarding public school attendance. We will continue to provide frequent updates through all of the methods we have available (see below).

Much information is being circulated via the news, social media, various websites, etc. We realize this unique situation is a stressful time for all. Our number one priority, as always, is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Our plans will be revised as needed based on updates by the Governor's Office, Monmouth County Regional Health Commission and the New Jersey Department of Education. In our continued efforts to keep families and the community informed, I want to share with you some major points regarding our response to COVID-19.

1. Prevention - The District has undertaken the following steps in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
   1. Cancelling of Events
      1. All Facility Use requests from outside groups have been cancelled until further notice. Events such as PTO Bingo, March Madness Dodgeball, etc. have been cancelled. Finally, all athletic practices/games have been postponed until further notice.
   2. Enhanced Cleanliness and Disinfection Protocols
      
      1. In response to guidance from the NJ Department of Health in February, our maintenance and custodial staff are fully informed regarding expectations regarding the use of cleaning agents and disinfectants. Since early February, we have increased use of disinfectant on all flat surfaces and touch points during nightly cleaning, increased periodic wiping of door handles and touch points during the day and use of electrostatic disinfectant sprayer on bookcases and manipulatives in classrooms.
      2. In addition to the district’s routine cleaning protocol, the custodial staff was directed to begin a frequent disinfecting treatment in high-traffic and high-touch areas (desks, doorknobs, stair railings, sinks, tables, keyboards, water fountains, lunch tables, dispensers, etc.). Cleaning protocols are based on recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and the Department of Health.
      3. Additional custodial staff has been brought in after hours and on weekends for cleaning purposes. The cancelling of events, including morning and after school activities, has provided more time to focus on cleaning.
      4. Equipment such as that being used for athletics, gym, music (keyboards), etc. is being cleaned after each use and with increased vigilance.
      5. We communicated with all bus companies and have confirmed they have implemented stricter daily cleaning practices.
   3. Student Education
      
      1. We continue to reiterate to our students the importance of hand washing and other preventative measures.
      2. We are minimizing large group gatherings during the days such as assemblies, lunch table gatherings, etc. to the best of our ability.
   4. Student Attendance
      
      1. Students should never come to school sick or without being fever-free for at least 24 hours. Regardless of any school attendance letters, please do not send your child to school if they are exhibiting any symptoms of illness or fever. IF YOU ELECT TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL NOT PURSUE TRUANCY VIOLATIONS.
2. Forced Closure Plan
   
   1. As a District, we have submitted a Forced Closure Plan as required by the New Jersey Department of Education. This is a living document and continues to be modified as we receive more information and guidance.
   2. A notice was sent home today to all families from Preschool - Grade 8 from Mr. Laugelli regarding academic instruction information. Our teachers have sent home work that can be completed independently should a closure occur.
   3. In the event of a forced closure, breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup from the Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School. Details would be sent via phone blast.
   4. Students who receive Related Services would be eligible for compensatory services as needed and based on their IEP when schools reopen. These include counseling, speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
3. Communication
   
   1. Communication during this time is CRITICAL. We will continue to utilize the following methods: website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us) alerts/notices, phone blasts, Remind messages, Twitter (@rbpsEAGLES, @rbmsROCKETS & @RedBankPreK), Facebook (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools), Instagram (@RedBankSup & @DreamBigRB), our electronic marquee and traditional paper notices.
   2. If you are not receiving phone blasts, please contact your child’s school immediately.
4. Resources: Families should continue to consult these resources for information and advice.
   
   1. New Jersey Department of Health
   2. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
   3. NJDOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-222-1222
   4. How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
   5. Scholastic Learn at Home

The decision to close schools is not always a simple one. Remaining open is not a decision we made without consideration and input from multiple parties including local, county and State officials. While we understand families may feel differently, we believe maintaining our normal schedule of school services for tomorrow is the best plan for our community at this time.

We wish you all the best during these challenging times. Please feel free to contact me directly should you have any questions or special circumstances.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

This afternoon there was a joint meeting including the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission (MCRHC), personnel from Riverview Medical Center, school personnel from Red Bank Regional, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Red Bank Borough, and Red Bank Charter as well as town officials, police, and a legislative representative. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the newly discovered “presumptive positive” case of COVID-19 at RBR and the proactive plans for our communities moving forward.

After consultation with the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission, RBR has closed. However, “there is no recommendation to close any of the PK-8 sending school districts at this time.” 

The Monmouth County Regional Health Commission will lead a proactive effort to identify “close contacts”of the “presumed positive” RBR student. We are working in conjunction with the local school districts, the MCRHC, and local hospitals who are working directly with local physicians. We expect to have mitigation discussions on a daily basis.

Limiting the impact of COVID-19 will require a shared response from everyone. Families should continue to consult these resources for information and advice.

• NJ Department of Health
• CDC
• NJDOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

As this issue is both uncharted and developing, we will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

On Thursday, March 5th, I distributed a letter regarding COVID-19 emphasizing the importance of precautionary measures. At this time, prevention continues to remain our primary focus. We continue to evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of our students and staff. Looking ahead, schools may be required to close either preemptively or reactively.

Each District has a wide range of tentative plans regarding what to do in the event of a prolonged school closure. These plans range from paper/pencil activities to online learning opportunities. The notion of “simply teaching remotely” is easier said than done. While we are planning for a possible closure, we will continue to follow our regular daily schedule unless directed otherwise. As you can expect with a situation of this kind, there is a tremendous amount of logistics. We are in constant communication with multiple agencies, including our colleagues in nearby districts. We are expecting additional guidance from the NJDOE as this issue develops.

You may be aware of the current situation at Red Bank Regional. We are obviously concerned about COVID-19. However, that concern should not result in panic and unnecessary speculation. This afternoon, I participated in a teleconference with multiple school officials, as well as an in-person meeting with the Peninsula Superintendents. Our focus should remain on prevention. We will continue to follow guidance from the Governor’s Office, Monmouth County and NJ Departments of Health & Human Services and the NJDOE.

The Department of Health is strongly recommending that symptomatic individuals should immediately contact their primary health care physician regarding testing measures. Please utilize the CDC website to obtain up-to-date information. I will continue to keep you posted as new information is received. In the meantime, please contact me directly if you have any questions.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

The Red Bank Borough Public School District is closely monitoring information related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) to ensure we are fully informed. Recent media reports about the spread of COVID-19 have raised concerns about the potential impact of the virus and how schools and communities should respond. We are communicating and collaborating with local, county, and state agencies to keep abreast of any necessary actions to keep our students and staff safe. According to the NJ Department of Health, most people have little immediate risk of exposure to this virus and this virus is NOT currently spreading widely in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the risk for a New Jersey citizen contracting COVID-19 at this time is low. On a recent statewide conference call, Governor Murphy and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health reiterated the same.

Recommendations at this time are the basic precautions we take annually during cold and flu season such as:

• Do not come to school if you are sick; a child who has a fever should remain at home until they are “fever free” for a minimum of 24 hours. (SEE ATTENDANCE BELOW)
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• If unable to wash hands, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes, and nose.
• Avoid any unnecessary physical contact with others (i.e. handshaking).
• Do not share food or drinks.

Additionally, in response to guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health in early February, our maintenance and custodial staff are fully informed regarding expectations regarding the use of cleaning agents and disinfectants. Since early February, we have implemented the following:

1. Increased use of disinfectant on all flat surfaces and touch points during nightly cleaning.
2. Increased periodic wiping of door handles and touch points during the day.
3. Use of electrostatic disinfectant sprayer on bookcases and manipulatives in classrooms.

Please utilize these resources for more information about COVID-19:

• https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_community.shtml
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• NJDOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance Matters! We have invoked this mantra for the last two years and believe if our students miss school then they are missing out. However, please note that students should never come to school sick or without being fever-free for at least 24 hours. Regardless of any school attendance letters, please do not send your child to school if they are exhibiting any symptoms of a respiratory illness or fever.
We will continue to monitor this potential public health crisis and will update parents and guardians when we have additional information. We will continue to work closely with our state, county, and local partners to ensure the safety of our students and staff, and to minimize any impact that this may have on our students and schools.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Happy New Year!

We hope you enjoyed a restful and peaceful holiday season filled with laughter and joy. The first four months of the 2019-20 school year flew by! We enjoyed a productive start and a flurry of school, family, and community activities. We are certain the next 6 months of school will shine even brighter for our students, community, and the Red Bank Borough Public Schools.

Congratulations to our 2019 Educators of the Year, Carol Boehm and Kristen Maiello, and Cathy Reardon, our 2019 Educational Services Professional. The Red Bank Borough Public Schools have an exceptional faculty and support staff, making it a true honor to be singled out by colleagues and families for this recognition.

As always, our school district is fortunate to have strong partnerships and community support. The Red Bank Borough Education Foundation is a key component to our success. Thank you for your continued support of the RBBEF and their annual fundraising efforts to provide STEAM related activities and experiences for our students. The fall Casino Night was another great success, raising over $15,000 which will directly impact our instructional and extra-curricular programming.

Looking ahead in January, we are excited to continue our winter basketball season and to host the Middle School Spelling Bee and Primary School Winter Concert. Additionally, we will also open Preschool registration for 2020-21 with a variety of information sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about our high-quality Preschool program, as well as learn about the K-8 journey our students enjoy. Later this winter, we will host educators from all over the state to share the best practices that garnered our school community the 2019 NJDOE Lighthouse recognition.

Wishing you a year of positivity, happiness and good health. And may all of our BIG Dreams come true!

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

On Tuesday, November 5th you will have the opportunity to vote on a bond referendum put forth by the Red Borough of Education. The bond referendum is a tax-neutral proposal to improve infrastructure, specifically the roof and several HVAC units at Red Bank Primary School, and a complete window replacement at Red Bank Middle School. The items were identified as emergent or Priority 1 items based on a comprehensive facilities assessment completed in conjunction with our architectural firm. In order to properly serve the district's students - OUR Priority 1 - we must address the Priority 1 facility needs, to ensure the safety, security, and structure of our schools, staff, and students. Please review this brief video to learn more about the referendum and please get out to vote on Tuesday, November 5th!

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

As you are aware, we are constantly striving to be the best school district in America so that we can rest assured, we are the best school district for the children and families of Red Bank. Of course, in order for our community to benefit from the extraordinary learning environment we provide, students must attend school on a regular basis.

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. In the event your child must miss school, it is necessary for you to call 732.758.1500 and report the absence. We also know that when students miss too much school, regardless of the reason, it can hinder academic growth. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:

• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.

Clearly, going to school regularly matters!

Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two (2) days every month! We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Click here for practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Preschool
• Primary School
• Middle School

We work hard to create a challenging and supportive learning experience for our children every day – if they miss school, they miss out! Help us instill the Best In America mindset throughout our school community and help us inspire your child to achieve BIG Dreams!

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

We are off to a fast start to the 2019-20 school year. We hope each of our students is enjoying a smooth transition as they return from summer break. So far, our daily operations have run efficiently with some minor issues involving transportation. As you are well aware, each year it takes about two weeks to refine the transportation schedule and work out any unanticipated challenges. We appreciate your patience during this time and expect to have any problems ironed out by September 20th.

We are excited for what is new this year including:

• Primary School Emergency Access Path
• Primary School Security Vestibule
• Middle School Schedule
• Additional Staff at Preschool and Middle School: ESL, ELA, Mathematics
• Washer and Dryer installation at both school locations

This year, we will again do our best to ensure that every student attends school regularly. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in preschool and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:

• Children chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.

Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!

We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

Please note if your child will miss school due to illness or another reason, please be sure to call 732.758.1500 to notify the attendance office. For preschool sites outside of the Primary School, you may call your site directly.

Information regarding our attendance policies will be available on our website and feel free to speak to the office staff if you have any specific questions. We work hard to create a challenging and supportive learning experience for our children every day – if they miss school, they miss out! Help us continue our #RBBisBIA journey and utilize our recently developed Strategic Plan, Dreaming BIGGER, to inspire and support our students and families. Also, please visit rbbef.org to support the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation and Save the Date for Casino Night 2019 – Friday, November 1st! And of course, do not forget to vote on November 5, 2019 on our proposed referendum to complete emergent major repairs to Red Bank Primary and Red Bank Middle Schools.

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families:

Here we are approaching the start of another school year! Our doors will open to our community on Thursday, September 5th for more than 1,400 Red Bank children and like every other August, I am happy to say that our empty buildings will once again become schools.

This summer was especially exciting for a variety of reasons. We have made important upgrades to both the Primary and Middle School to enhance safety, security, and the instructional spaces. Two of our staff members, Alyssa May, Kindergarten Teacher, and Lucia Lakata, ESL Coach, earned Doctoral degrees from Rutgers University. We hired many talented new staff members to strengthen an already extraordinary staff. We are preparing for a November 5th referendum vote to replace the outdated roof and HVAC units at Red Bank Primary School and the outdated windows at Red Bank Middle School. And of course, in July, our district was recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education as a 2019 Lighthouse District for our instructional practices and the significant academic growth demonstrated by our students.

We are ready to continue our #RBBisBIA journey and utilize our recently developed Strategic Plan, Dreaming BIGGER, to inspire and support our students and families. Our Best In America mindset will continue to define our culture and set the standard for all learners – adults and children alike, and our District vision will continue to set the tone as our core values guide the way.

Student attendance continues to be a special focus. Our goal for 19-20 is for every child to be in school at least 171 of the 180 days of school – anything more is considered chronic absenteeism and negatively impacts a child’s academic growth. We will do our best to create an engaging learning environment so our students run in just as fast as they run out! Information regarding student attendance will be shared in a variety of forms throughout the school year. If your child must miss school due to illness or other reason, please contact 732.758.1500 to leave a message for the Primary or Middle School, and for Preschool please contact your specific site directly. If your child misses school then your child misses out! #AttendanceMatters.

I look forward to seeing you at the RBBEA Outdoor Family Movie Night at Red Bank Middle School on Tuesday, September 3rd. We will be giving away backpacks and installing free bike lights! Also, please visit rbbef.org to support the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation and Save the Date for Casino Night 2019 – Friday, November 1st!

Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

I hope this communication finds you enjoying a great start to the summer of 2019! After another outstanding school year we are all ready to recharge for 2019-20 and the exciting journey ahead. The 2018-19 school year culminated a 5-year period of unparalleled success for our school community. During this time we encouraged our community to Dream BIG and model the #RBBisBIA mindset. We also enjoyed a variety of recognition for our students, staff, schools, district, and programs. It was one award or distinction after another. Additionally, we advocated for fair funding, enhanced our instructional programs, elevated our intramural and interscholastic athletics, engaged in multiple arts integration partnerships, earned high performing status from the NJDOE, and demonstrated significant student growth. Most importantly, as a community we have created a unique togetherness resulting in a strong culture and a positive climate. Our school district utilizes strong curricula and provides access to technology for all students but it is the students, staff, and families of this community who define us as a school district. It is how this school district makes you feel that separates us from others.

This summer we will be providing presentations at the Board of Education meetings scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 23rd at Red Bank Primary School and 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 27th at Red Bank Primary School. At the former, we will present an overview of the Middle School instructional schedule designed to meet new NJDOE requirements. At the latter, we will share information regarding our Middle School Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. The presentation will include a look back at 18-19 and a preview of what lies ahead in 19-20.

As we look forward to next year, we have scheduled four different times at two convenient locations for your September Packet Pickup (see below). We will share reminders of this information with the community via postcard mailing, automated phone calls, and social media, but please add this information to your calendar now. If you have any questions over the summer, our school offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during July and August.

Preschool Orientation will be offered on both September Packet Pickup Days. You must attend one of the orientation sessions to receive your packet.

• Monday, August 19th, 5:00 p.m., Red Bank Primary School
• Tuesday, August 20th, 9:00 a.m., Red Bank Middle School

Grade 4 Orientation will be held on Tuesday, August 20th at 4:00 p.m. in the Red Bank Middle School auditorium. Student packets will be available immediately after the presentation.

Once again, I cannot express enough how proud I am to serve this community and how grateful I am to work with such outstanding professional educators and the remarkable children of Red Bank. Today, we are ready for the future and we will be Dreaming BIGGER for our children in 2019-20 and beyond!

Have a happy and healthy summer. See you on Thursday, September 5th for the first day of our new year!

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.