Superintendent's Message

This is our last Community Update of 2025. We consistently have much to be grateful for here in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. We are lucky to have such resilient students, nurturing and professional staff, a dedicated Board of Education and supportive families that serve as our partners in education.

Now that the Board of Education election results have been certified, we officially congratulate Suzanne Viscomi and Paul Savoia on their re-election and welcome Christy Sunquist, a current parent of three. A special thank you to Erik Perry who is stepping down after serving on the Board of Education since 2019. Erik and his wife Rosie have been long-time supporters of the Red Bank Borough Public Schools, even after their daughter Sarah graduated. Erik always put our students and families first and supported our staff to ensure they could be their very best for this community. He was thoughtful, deliberate and measured with his input and feedback, a style that ensured his words were heard clearly and positively impacted our collective efforts to move our school district forward. Erik’s demeanor and approach were consistent during challenging situations and times of achievement alike. We wish him well and thank him for his years of service. I look forward to working with our full Board of Education as we continue to inspire our students to Dream Bigger!

Speaking of Dreaming Bigger, our Grade 8 students, with the support and guidance of our teachers and school counselors, recently completed the High School application process. The group applied to a diverse selection of schools around Monmouth County and beyond including Red Bank Regional High School Academies, Christian Brothers Academy, Red Bank Catholic, Ranney School, Trinity Hall and Monmouth County Vocational School District programs (Allied Health and Science, Academy of Law and Public Safety, Communications High School, High Tech High School and MAST). Red Bank Regional Academies include Engineering, Finance, Early Childhood, Creative Writing, Information Technology, Pre-IB, Visual and Performing Arts. Through the SEEDS Program, we also had two students apply to various boarding schools across the country.

OUR #RBBisBIA STAFF IN THE NEWS

• Congratulations to our 2025 Governor’s Educators of the Year Recipients - Diana Archila (Middle School Art Teacher), Jennifer Rigby (Primary School Special Education Teacher) and District Educational Services Professional Joanne Fiore (School Psychologist)! Many thanks to the families and staff who submitted nominations as well as the committee who reviewed the applications. 
• We received fantastic news that Kristen Smith, Middle School ELA Teacher, earned the distinction of New Jersey Department of Education Exemplary Secondary Educator. Exemplary Educators exhibit strong knowledge and skills, an inspiring presence, and a positive impact on students, colleagues and the school community. We are proud to recognize these individuals for their efforts to inspire our students and represent their colleagues as a whole. We continue to take pride in hiring and retaining high-quality educators.
• Nurse Reardon of the Primary School was recently featured on the New Jersey School Boards Association website for her “Unsung Superheroes in Education Award” distinction. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Our Curriculum and Instruction website features new videos providing families an overview of the DIBELS-8 and mCLASS Lectura. Scroll to the bottom and click on VIDEOS. This research-based assessment system is used to monitor Kindergarten - Grade 6 student reading development.
• The Red Bank Borough Education Foundation (RBBEF) is holding a Trivia Night on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Triumph. Visit their website for ticket information.
• As of January 1, 2026, we will no longer use the Remind platform for messaging as we transition to ParentSquare. If you have trouble receiving messages, contact the Main Office at your child’s site/school.
• Take a peak into our Kindergarten - Grade 3 classrooms at Red Bank Primary School and the launch of Morning Meeting. Morning Meeting is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set children up for social and academic success.
• Welcome Michael Campanella, our new School Resource Officer (SRO) at Red Bank Primary School. Officer Mike is a Rumson native and veteran law enforcement officer, having worked as a Patrolman, Advocate and Detective with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, FBI Crisis Negotiator and most recently, an SRO in Neptune City and Fair Haven. Officer Mike has already made his presence and energy felt with students and staff alike!

SAFETY, HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Now that the colder weather has arrived, we ask families to ensure their children wear appropriate clothing. This includes coats, gloves and hats. Should you need assistance, contact your child’s School Nurse and/or School Counselor. And, with the cold weather comes an increase in illness. Please refer to our “Please Keep Me Home If…” distributed in August.
• As the holiday season approaches, should you or your family need any type of support, please reach out to our School Counselors or view our Crisis Response Page. We have individuals who can assist academically, socially and emotionally.
• SAVE THE DATE for the Monmouth County Schools Partnership for Wellness Symposium on Mental Health and Wellness on March 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM at Brookdale Community College. Registration is coming soon and will be shared with all staff and families.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS AS WE WELCOME 2026

• Tuesday, December 23, 2025, is the last day of school before winter recess. We will follow a Minimum School Day schedule.
• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:
  • The District will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026.
  • Digital Safety Parent Presentation - January 8, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Primary School)
  • Primary School Winter Concert - January 14, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Middle School)
  • Preschool Information Session - Saturday, January 17, 2026 @ 10:00 AM (Primary School)
  • District Closed (MLK, Jr. Day) - January 19, 2026
• For Kindergarten - Grade 8 families, visit Parent Portal to view your child’s trimester progress report.
• Visit our District Calendar which includes schedules, athletic events, PTO events, Board of Education meetings and more! Our Virtual Backpack contains important notices for all families.
  • We anticipate distributing the 2026-2027 District Calendar in March.

On behalf of myself, our Leadership Team and Board of Education, I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season, a relaxing winter recess and a very Happy and Healthy 2026!

I hope this brief update finds you and your loved ones doing well. It was wonderful to see so many families at Parent-Teacher Conferences and our Halloween Parades and Celebrations. While we have much to be thankful for, our school community recently experienced a tragedy. The loss of a very special second grader reminds us that each moment is precious. While this is a profound tragedy, I know each of us is committed to healing our community and ensuring our wonderful district remains a place of stability and care. Should you or your family need any type of support, please reach out to our School Counselors or view our Crisis Response Page. We are fortunate to have so many individuals who help us strive to be the best in America so we can be certain we are the best for Red Bank.

The recent Board of Education Election results are still pending official certification but we are pleased to congratulate Suzanne Viscomi and Paul Savoia on their re-election and welcome Christy Sunquist, a current parent of three. I am grateful to work with a Board of Education who appreciates our staff, understands our mission and believes in our children. I look forward to working with our full Board of Education as we continue to inspire our students to Dream Bigger!

Our Dream BIG Curriculum Insights Newsletter for November is now available. Feel free to peruse it and learn more about what is happening in your child’s classroom.

Our fall athletics season recently wrapped up, and what a season it was! From start to finish, our student-athletes represented Red Bank with pride, commitment and heart. Thank you again to everyone who continues to support Red Bank Athletics. A very special thank you to Horizons at the Jersey Shore and their Executive Director Lori Hohenleitner. Once again, they are financially supporting our Morning Intramural Program at Red Bank Middle School. Horizons is a longstanding community partner and we are forever grateful for their support of our students and their pursuit of BIG Dreams!

• Boys Soccer: The Rockets capped off a perfect season, finishing the regular season 10-0 and winning the championship with a 1-0 battle against Union Beach. They close the year at 11-0 and are your Shore Athletic League Champions.
• Girls Soccer: The Lady Rockets delivered an outstanding season, finishing 7-2-1 in the regular season and 1-1 in the postseason, for an 8-3-1 overall record. They earned second place in the conference and made a strong run to the league finals.
• Cross Country: Our boys' cross country team earned third place in the conference with an impressive 7-2 record, competing with toughness every meet. The girls' team finished 4-5 and showed tremendous progress throughout the season, highlighted by strong individual improvements and a ton of heart from the entire group. Across all teams, our student-athletes showed dedication both on the field and in the classroom.

SAFETY, HEALTH & WELLNESS

• From November 17-21, Drs. James Parker Blvd will be closed and impassable to traffic, 24 hours a day, near the Conrail freight line train tracks. The closure will impact school bus routes as well as general traffic flow in the area. The detour will direct traffic to use Newman Springs Road and Chestnut Street as the alternate east-west route. 
  • Our bus stops and times will remain the same; however, delays can be expected. 
  • Sign up for notifications with the Borough of Red Bank by visiting their website.
• We will hold a Staff and Community Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Red Bank Primary School from 4:00-5:30 PM in collaboration with The Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy. We will have flu vaccines for the uninsured and flu and COVID vaccines for insured children and adults. We kindly ask families to register in advance using this link.
• Now that the colder weather has arrived, we kindly ask families to ensure their children wear appropriate clothing on a daily basis to school. This includes coats, gloves and hats. Should you need any assistance, please contact your child’s School Nurse. And, with the cold weather comes an increase in illness. Please refer to our “Please Keep Me Home If…” guidelines distributed in August.

THANK YOU

• Thank you to all the families that ordered pies from Delicious Orchards! Proceeds will support the Primary School and Middle School PTOs. Just a reminder, pies must be picked up at the Primary or Middle School on Tuesday, November 25 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Families will receive an email reminder so they are aware of which school they should visit.
• Thank you to our families and staff for participating in the “Comfy for a Cause” event in support of Lunch Break and in honor of the 80th Anniversary of World Food Day. As a District, we raised over $1,500 to help individuals and families in need.

UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES

• Per our yearly residency reverification process, letters were sent to all families with expired leases. The deadline is Friday, November 14, 2025. Should you have any questions, contact Mrs. Grable at 732-758-1510.
• Students will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. 
• The District will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 27 & 28, 2025.
• Continue to visit our District Calendar which includes schedules, athletic events, PTO events, Board of Education meetings and more! Our Virtual Backpack contains important notices for all families.

Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

• RBPS Chorus Performs at Westside Tree Lighting - December 5, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
• RBPS Winter Festival - December 5, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
• RBMS Winter Band & Chorus Concert - December 17, 2025 @ 6:00 PM (Middle School)
• Parent Presentation: Digital Safety - January 8, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Primary School)
• RBPS Winter Concert - January 14, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Middle School)

Wishing all who celebrate a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!
 

Happy October! We enjoyed an exciting month of September and a true local summer! October will be filled with more excitement and hopefully a touch of fall weather.

A big thank you to our Primary School families who have demonstrated patience and cooperation as we experimented to improve the flow of traffic for arrival and dismissal. We appreciate your continued support of a safe and organized start and end to our school day. Currently, our system for arrivals is working perfectly. Our dismissal procedures are improving daily and will continue to improve as we grow more accustomed to the changes. Recently, we implemented several steps to reduce congestion during afternoon dismissal including the expansion of our bussing footprint to include some additional students (and reduce cars) and the initiation of an earlier release time for our Preschool students.

Moving forward, we have multiple plans to help streamline operations at Primary School dismissal:

• Expansion of the front parking lot and widening of the entryway for Preschool and Kindergarten pickups.
• Addition of a new concrete sidewalk parallel to the emergency pathway for Grades 1-3 pickups.

In Summer 2026, Phase 2 of this project will enhance the entire front parking lot. Help us further promote a safe environment by:

• Ensuring your child arrives on time to kick off a great day (prior to 8:45 AM for the Primary School)
  • For all school times, visit our Handbook.
• Walking and/or biking to pick up your child(ren) on good weather days.
• Carpooling with another family to pick up your child whenever possible - especially during inclement weather.
• Utilizing the bus if your child is eligible but has not taken advantage of this, especially for dismissal.

On September 29, Red Bank Middle School hosted its first-ever cross country meet on school grounds, and what a day it was!  We can’t thank our families, staff, and community enough for coming out to cheer and support. The energy was unreal, and our runners felt every bit of it! Overall, we’ve had an exciting start to our fall sports season, and we’re officially past the halfway point! Our cross country and soccer teams have 94 students participating in total. Additionally, we have 58 more students participating in our intramural athletics program! We are proud of all our student athletes for their dedication, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Here are some quick stats as of today.

• Girls Soccer: Currently in second place in the Shore Athletic League Conference with a strong 5-1-1 record. 
• Boys Soccer: Undefeated and holding first place in the Shore Athletic League Conference with a perfect 8-0 record. 
• Boys Cross Country: Undefeated at 6-0, standing at the top of the conference leaderboard. 
• Girls Cross Country: Continuing to show impressive improvement and teamwork each meet their effort and spirit have been outstanding!

As our District enters year two of our Strategic Plan (Dream Bigger: A Five Year Roadmap), take a moment to view some video highlights from the progress made during the 2024-2025 school year. Our website also includes comprehensive details of this five year initiative. As we continue on this roadmap and enhance our efforts to communicate with families at the teacher, school and district level, we will be transitioning from our Remind messaging system to ParentSquare in December 2025. While nothing is needed from your end at this time, we do ask that you ensure all contact information (phone numbers and email addresses) are current. Please reach out to your child’s school if you need to make any changes.

In the next week or so we will also be posting all Back to School Night Presentations for families to review. In the interim, if you have any questions, be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher, school counselor or case manager.

NEWS FROM THE RED BANK BOROUGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION (RBBEF)

• Thank you to all the families who donated to our September Kickoff Fundraiser. We raised nearly $4,000 from these efforts!
• Please continue to support our fundraiser with the Red Bank Shell Gas Station (corner of Newman Springs and Shrewsbury Ave). The RBBEF is the beneficiary of the Giving Pump through October 31, 2025 (see article). You must fill up at either #3 or #4 to participate (look for purple signage). This is an easy way to support without spending extra money!
• Save the Date for the RBBEF’s Trivia Night - Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Triumph in Red Bank. To purchase tickets, visit their website.

IN THE NEWS

• The District recently received a competitive literacy grant from the NJ Department of Education in the amount of $33,500. The LIFT (Literacy Initiative for Families and Thriving Communities) Grant will help support us in developing programs that cultivate home-based literacy habits and foster strong family engagement in children’s literacy development.
• The Red Bank Borough Public Schools were recently featured in the video entitled Mental Health Matters: How NJ4S & COMPASS Are Changing Lives in NJ Schools. We are proud to partner with NJ4S COMPASS who can support and expand upon the work our School Counselors and Social Workers do on a daily basis!
• We recently received a very generous ($20,000) donation from the Leonard & Lois Green Charitable Foundation. The donation will help support our Chorus and Instrumental Music Programs at both Red Bank Primary and Middle School! We currently have over 120 students participating in Chorus across the District and over 120 students participating in Strings and Band in the District!
• Red Bank Primary and Middle School were honored with the prestigious Gold Award by EZ Ride for their outstanding work in promoting safe walking and biking for students. The Borough of Red Bank was also recognized with a Gold Award, celebrating the community's leadership in this important initiative. Here is a press release with details. Congratulations!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (ICYMI)

• Our Annual Family Health Notification was recently shared with all parents in Grades K-8. Please reach out to your child’s Principal with any questions.
• Our 2025-2026 Assessment Calendar and Notification was recently shared. Reach out to Dr. Cuddihy with any questions.
• The Governor's Educator of the Year Program is back and nominations are currently being accepted via our form. Please take a moment to nominate a deserving educator!
• We are selling pies from Delicious Orchards this year - Apple, Cherry, Pecan, or Pumpkin. Payment is due when placing the order and can be made in cash or check payable to: Red Bank Borough BOE. Proceeds will support the Primary School and Middle School PTOs. Orders must be submitted by Friday, October 24. Pies must be picked up at the Primary or Middle School on Tuesday, November 25 from 3:00-5:00 PM.
• Our Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in Preschool - Grade 3 is up and running! This convenient document lets all parties see what is part of this special program. If you are interested in volunteering to help package items, reach out to Nurse Cathy at the Primary School.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• October 16, 2025 - 80th Anniversary of World Food Day - Dress Down Day
• October 17, 2025 - PTO Trunk or Treat - Red Bank Primary School - 6:00 PM
• October 19, 2025 - Red Bank Borough Halloween Parade - 2:00 PM
• October 24, 2025 - Primary School Character Education Assemblies
• October 24, 2025 - Middle School Fall Dances
• October 25, 2025 - Primary School PTO Color Run - 9:00 AM
• October 28, 2025 - Mayor's Wellness Campaign: Stress Management for Families Event
• October 31, 2025 - Grades K-5 Halloween Parades and Preschool Classroom Celebrations
• October 31, 2025 - Minimum School Day for Students

Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools) and Instagram (@RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB and @RedBankPreschool).

Welcome Back to the 2025-2026 school year! Thanks to the hard work of our staff, great weather and the cooperation of our amazing students and families, we enjoyed a relatively smooth opening week. We realize things are never perfect and thank you for your patience, especially with arrivals and dismissal and of course, transportation. It always takes a few weeks for the bus drivers and aides to get accustomed to the routes and students so expect more consistent operations after this week.

We are continuing to assess the arrival and dismissal procedures at Red Bank Primary School. Our new parking area is a great improvement but we are still working on how to maximize the space to enhance safety and efficiency. The overwhelming amount of families and vehicles the first few weeks of school make this assessment difficult, but as that number declines we will make the necessary adjustments and communicate any changes. In all that we do, the safety of our students is our number one priority!

If your child is eligible for a bus to the Primary School but has not taken advantage of this opportunity we ask that you consider this option (especially for dismissal). Maximizing our transportation services makes sense financially and also will alleviate the number of vehicles on school grounds.

We thank everyone who participated in our Red, White and Blue Day today in honor of those who were impacted by the tragedy of 9/11. Our Grade 8 students and staff attended the service organized by the Borough at Riverside Gardens Park. Looking ahead, we are excited to start our athletics season with our first XC meet next Thursday at Henry Hudson, our first Boys Soccer game on Tuesday the 16th at Count Basie Park vs. Keyport and our first Girls Soccer game on Wednesday the 17th vs. Keyport at Keyport. Visit here for the full fall athletics schedule.

Please support our Partner in Education, the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation, as they partner with the Red Bank Shell Gas Station (corner of Newman Springs and Shrewsbury Ave). The RBBEF is the beneficiary of the Giving Pump during the months of September and October (see recent Red Bank Green article). You must fill up at either #3 or #4 to participate (look for purple signage). This is an easy way to support the RBBEF without spending any extra money!

Save the Date for the RBBEF’s Trivia Night - Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Triumph in Red Bank. To purchase tickets, visit their website.

SAFETY & WELLNESS

• We will be hosting a Community Vaccine Clinic for all interested students and families on October 7 and November 20 from 4:00-5:30 PM at Red Bank Primary School. More details to follow.
• If your child must miss school due to illness or other reason, contact 732-758-1500 to leave a message for the Primary or Middle School, and for Preschool, contact your site directly. Any unverified absence will result in a wellness check by the Red Bank Police Department.
• Throughout the year, all families will receive a Remind message after monthly safety and security drills. This is a NJDOE requirement and a good opportunity to practice in the event of an emergency.
• Please remember that dogs are not permitted on school grounds as per BOE Policy 7490.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS
  • Preschool (Ms. Smith’s Class Only): September 15, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
  • Preschool (UMC/FBC/Primary at Red Bank Primary School): September 15, 2025 ⧫ 6:00 PM
  • Grade K & Schlosser/Vazquez: September 24, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
  • Grade 2 & Gonzalez: September 24, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
  • Grade 1 & Nieves: September 25, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
  • Grade 3 & Rigby/McGann: September 25, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
  • Grade 4 & Arauz/Merritt/Meyers: September 16, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
  • Grade 5 & Rue/Velastegui: September 16, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
  • Grades 6-7 & Davidson: September 17, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
  • Grade 8: September 17, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
     
• Genesis Parent Portal is open. All families need to visit the Portal in order to digitally sign various documents and complete a lunch application, if applicable.
• If you plan to move (or have already moved) in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Mrs. Grable at 732-758-1510 to update your paperwork.
• District Closed: September 23, 2025 (Rosh Hashanah) & October 2, 2025 (Yom Kippur)
  • Refer to our District Calendar for 2025-2026.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

• We currently have a custodial vacancy at Red Bank Middle School (Monday-Friday from 3:00-11:30 PM). If you are interested, email lemusm@rbb.k12.nj.us or call 732-758-1507.
• In order to see what day of the cycle it is at RB Primary School (Eagles) or RB Middle School (Rockets), take a look at the live calendar posted on our website. Embedded in this calendar are athletic practices/games, rehearsals, club schedules, important celebration days, days the District is closed and more!

Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools) and Instagram (@RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB and @RedBankPreschool).

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

As we all know, the Red Bank Borough Schools are a special place because of our staff. We have enjoyed accolades for our programs and District BECAUSE we have enjoyed such overwhelming recognition for individual staff members. It is a special group of expert educators with more than 50% holding advanced degrees and over 50% with multiple teaching certifications. It includes 16 Teachers Who Rock and 16 NJDOE Exemplary Educators…and now a special Unsung Superhero!

Congratulations to Cathy Reardon, Primary School Nurse! In June we nominated several staff for the NJ School Boards Association’s Unsung Superheroes in Education Awards. This week we received notice that Cathy will be receiving this recognition in the School Nurse category at their Annual Conference in October. She is the only nurse in NJ to receive this recognition! Nurse Cathy exemplifies the BIA spirit and our school community is immensely grateful for all she does to keep the sun shining brightly for all at Red Bank Primary School.

Kudos to our Preschool Supervisor, Morgan Cassella, who was selected this summer to serve on the State committee tasked with revising the New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool Standards. Her contributions will help shape the updated standards, which are expected to be released later this school year. It is exciting to know that Morgan’s expertise and the successes of our program will play such an important role in the future of Preschool education in New Jersey.

We headed into the summer of 2025 with our usual mindset: let’s get better. With Dream BIGGER: A 5 Year Roadmap as our guide, as well as our mission and vision statements for inspiration, we have engaged in multiple areas to enhance our school district for our students, our families and our staff.

Upon their arrival on September 4, our students will see many facility improvements including exterior enhancements to expand outdoor learning and extra-curricular experiences. Our visiting adults will notice a new parking lot, improved traffic flow and a redesigned main office space at the Primary School to improve efficiency AND new and improved boiler and hot water systems at Red Bank Middle School. Without getting into specifics, we also made several enhancements to safety and security, our number one priority, and an ongoing process.

Regarding teaching and learning - we are excited that with our support, 15 of our teaching staff members are pursuing additional teaching certificates through the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning. Over the past two weeks, we held two successful CPR classes for 28 staff, welcomed 16 new tenure track or Long-Term Replacement teachers during New Teacher Orientation and held two training sessions for 46 staff members on Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). As shared in our recent Community and Staff updates, we have exciting things happening with the launching of new programs, specialized professional learning and an emphasis on a data-driven approach to refine instruction, and deliver, what each student needs. We are also excited about the new schedule design at Red Bank Middle School which will better support the general learning styles of our Rockets in Grades 6-8 AND offer the flexibility to address the personalized needs of each student. Plus, our average class size in Grades K-5 is currently 19.5 with a maximum of 21 students!

As we have for over a decade, we will continue to identify ways to improve while serving Red Bank with the community school spirit. Our goals as a District and Board of Education support this journey and will continue to drive our efforts to support each and every student who walks through our doors - and their families - with inspiration, compassion, inclusiveness, respect and high expectations. We will support academic achievement for all learners by providing a safe, equitable, and student-centered learning environment. We will implement community school elements to ensure equity and access that allows all students the opportunity to maximize their academic, athletic, artistic, and social potential. And we will strengthen engagement in the school community by remaining responsive to student, staff, and community feedback.

Our entire organization, individually and collectively, has worked earnestly to improve our school district for the past decade. While the aforementioned achievements are important - facility upgrades, curricular enhancements, or refined communications - nothing brings me more pride or joy than the feeling of the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. It resonates and reverberates throughout our district. It has been and always will be palpable and nearly tangible. And that feeling, which separates us from other school communities, is based on one thing - TRUST. The trusting relationship we have cultivated together is not just a point of pride for our school district, it is a point of pride for the entire Borough of Red Bank. It must be preserved and nurtured, and we all must be the caretakers of this special bond.

As we begin a new year, we will continue to strive to be the best school district in America, so we can be certain we are the best for you, our students, our families, and everyone who considers Red Bank their home. With steadfast commitment, we will continue to inspire and support the aspirations of ALL students with our Dream BIG…We’ll help you get there spirit.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s educational journey. We know you have BIG Dreams for your children…we do too! Enjoy the holiday weekend with your friends and family and we look forward to seeing you on the first day of school!

IMPORTANT DATES

• Visit our Virtual Backpack for Supply Lists and Uniform Dress Code info: Primary School and Middle School.
• Genesis Parent Portal is open. All families need to visit the Portal in order to digitally sign various documents and complete a lunch application, if applicable.
• If you plan to move (or have already moved) in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Mrs. Grable at 732-758-1510 to update your paperwork.
• First Day of School: September 4, 2025
  • Students will follow a Minimum School Day Schedule on September 4 & 5.
  • Refer to our District Calendar for 2025-2026.
• District Closed: September 23, 2025 (Rosh Hashanah) & October 2, 2025 (Yom Kippur)

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

• We currently have a custodial vacancy at Red Bank Middle School (Monday-Friday from 3:00-11:30 PM). If you are interested, email lemusm@rbb.k12.nj.us or call 732-758-1507.
• In order to see what day of the cycle it is at RB Primary School (Eagles) or RB Middle School (Rockets), take a look at the live calendar posted on our website. Embedded in this calendar are athletic practices/games, rehearsals, club schedules, important celebration days, days the District is closed and more!
• Click on the Primary School or Middle School links to view specific details regarding several adjustments to the arrival and dismissal procedures at RB Primary School and RB Middle School.
• I Read to the Superintendent: We plan to implement this program at RB Primary School as another effort to rally our students around reading! Details to follow.

EVENTS, NEWS & REMINDERS

• Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools) and Instagram (@RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB and @RedBankPreschool).

It was great to see so many of our families at September Packet Pickup! Having students back in the building was certainly a treat and we look forward to opening our doors for them on Thursday, September 2. Once again, we enjoyed a great turnout with almost 90% of our families visiting Red Bank Middle School. If you were unable to attend, contact your child’s site/school to schedule a date/time to grab your packet.

It’s been a busy summer with our buildings undergoing annual maintenance and major renovations simultaneously. The hard work of many will result in better experiences for our students, families and staff. As previously noted, we will make several adjustments to the arrival and dismissal procedures at Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School. The plans are intended to improve safety and streamline traffic flow. Regardless, the first few days always bring an extraordinary amount of cars and people to our school sites. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we not only open a new year but also implement these new protocols. Some good news, we expanded our bussing footprint for the Primary School so we will have one additional bus (and hopefully, less vehicles!) traveling to 222 River Street each day. Click on the Primary School or Middle School links to view specific details.

We are also excited about our new schedule at RBMS. Students in Grades 6-8 will have four core classes (blocks) per day for 63 minutes each - ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies. One of the best features of our schedule is the ability to rotate morning and afternoon classes. Students have two core classes in the morning followed by Lunch/Recess, a Special and Health/Physical Education and then two more core classes in the afternoon. This new schedule allows us to flip the two core classes in the morning with the two core classes in the afternoon on a Day 1/2 schedule. We expect this new schedule will also enhance high school readiness for all of our learners.

In order to see what day of the cycle it is at Red Bank Primary School (Eagles) or Red Bank Middle School (Rockets), take a look at the live calendar posted on our website. Embedded in this calendar are athletic practices/games, rehearsals, club schedules, important celebration days, days the District is closed and more!

In addition to construction projects, schedule updates and other enhancements, we look forward to several changes in the area of curriculum and instruction and assessment. Families will hear more about these changes at Back to School Night, Parent-Teacher Conferences and throughout the year. However, in the interim, please visit our latest Curriculum Update Newsletter.

We continue to enjoy many robust community partnerships. The YMCA of the Jersey Shore will continue to offer before and after school care for our families at Red Bank Primary School. Currently, the YMCA does not have the demand to offer this program at Red Bank Middle School. If you are interested in this program being held at Red Bank Middle School, submit this form by August 28th. If you have specific questions about the program in general, visit our virtual backpack or contact afterschool@ymcanj.org.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Visit our website for Supply Lists and Uniform Dress Code information: Primary School and Middle School.
• Genesis Parent Portal is open. All families need to visit the Portal in order to digitally sign various documents and complete a lunch application, if applicable.
• If you plan to move (or have already moved) in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. Having your current address is critical to our transportation operations. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Mrs. Grable at 732-758-1510 to update your paperwork.
• First Day of School: September 4, 2025
  • Students will follow a Minimum School Day Schedule on September 4 & 5.
  • Refer to our District Calendar for 2025-2026.
• District Closed: September 23, 2025 (Rosh Hashanah) & October 2, 2025 (Yom Kippur)

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS

• Preschool Smith: September 15, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Preschool (UMC/FBC/Primary): September 15, 2025 ⧫ 6:00 PM
• Grade K & Schlosser/Vazquez: September 24, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 2 & Gonzalez: September 24, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
• Grade 1 & Nieves: September 25, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 3 & Rigby/McGann: September 25, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
• Grade 4 & Arauz/Merritt/Meyers: September 16, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 5 & Rue/Velastegui: September 16, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
• Grades 6-7 & Davidson: September 17, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 8: September 17, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM

EVENTS, NEWS & REMINDERS

• Preschool Registration is open. We ask that you pass this info along to your neighbors and friends who may have age-eligible children. If you have children ready to register for Grades K-8, call 732-758-1500 x1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools) and Instagram (@RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB and @RedBankPreschool).

Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you on the first day of school!

In three weeks our buildings will once again become schools for nearly 1200 students and 200+ staff members! We look forward to welcoming our returning students and staff as well as welcoming many new faces across the District. Our Leadership Team, Teachers and Support Staff have spent countless hours this summer preparing their individual areas from curriculum writing  to scheduling, and of course facility improvements, all with the goal of making things “almost perfect” for September 4!

Facility projects at UMC Preschool, the Primary School and Middle School are all moving along, many are complete or in the final stages as we enter the homestretch! Again, these improvements support our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and high-quality learning environment for all students. If you plan to visit any of our schools or offices, we still recommend calling in advance. As we start the new year, we anticipate slight changes to our arrival and dismissal procedures at both the Primary and Middle Schools. Our intent is to streamline drop-off and pick-up to enhance student safety. Details will follow and we appreciate your support and cooperation.

We are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of new curricular tools and assessments. More details will be shared soon!

• Arts & Letters (Grades K-3) and Math & You (Grades K-8) will be adopted as new resources.
• Our assessment toolbox will expand to include:
  • LinkIt! Benchmarks (ELA/Math: Grades 2-8, Science: Grades 4-8)
  • DIBELS-8 and mCLASS Lectura (Grades 4-6).

As you know, we have earned an abundance of honors in recent years for individuals, schools, programs and our District. We are pleased to announce another award. The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Red Bank Borough Public School District with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE)! ASBO International’s COE recognizes districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. Congratulations to our Business Administrator and our entire Business Office staff!

Please visit our Virtual Backpacks for Supply Lists and Uniform Dress Code information: Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School.

IMPORTANT DATES

• September Packet Pickup will be held on Thursday, August 21 (12:30-3:00 & 4:30-7:00) and Friday, August 22 (9:00-11:30) at Red Bank Middle School. You may collect your packet, including teacher assignment and bus/walker card, no matter what school your child will attend in September. 
  • All fines must be paid in advance prior to receiving your new packet, including lunch and technology. Additionally, required proof of vaccinations are due prior to the release of packets.
  • If you are unable to attend, contact your child’s school on Monday, August 25 to schedule an alternate pickup time. 
• Genesis Parent Portal opens on August 21. All families need to visit the Portal in order to digitally sign various documents and complete a lunch application, if applicable.
• If you plan to move (or have already moved) in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. Having your current address is critical to our transportation operations. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Mrs. Grable at 732-758-1510 to update your paperwork.
• First Day of School: September 4, 2025
  • Students will follow a Minimum School Day Schedule on September 4 & 5.
  • Refer to our District Calendar for 2025-2026.
• District Closed: September 23, 2025 (Rosh Hashanah) & October 2, 2025 (Yom Kippur)

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS

• Preschool Smith: September 15, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Preschool (UMC/FBC/Primary): September 15, 2025 ⧫ 6:00 PM
• Grade K & Schlosser/Vazquez: September 24, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 2 & Gonzalez: September 24, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
• Grade 1 & Nieves: September 25, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 3 & Rigby/McGann: September 25, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
• Grade 4 & Arauz/Merritt/Meyers: September 16, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 5 & Rue/Velastegui: September 16, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM
• Grades 6-7 & Davidson: September 17, 2025 ⧫ 5:00 PM
• Grade 8: September 17, 2025 ⧫ 6:30 PM

EVENTS, NEWS & REMINDERS

• Preschool Registration is open. We ask that you pass this info along to your neighbors and friends who may have age-eligible children. If you have children ready to register for Grades K-8, call 732-758-1500 x1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools) and Instagram (@RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB and @RedBankPreschool).

Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you on August 21 or 22 at September Packet Pickup!

We hope this summer update finds you and your families healthy, happy and relaxed. We look forward to welcoming our staff back on September 2 and our students on September 4. Yet again, this has been a busy summer across the District. Between summer programs, numerous construction projects and the hiring of new staff, we have kept busy ensuring everything is “just right” come September.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to share an update on these many facilities projects that have taken place across our campuses. These improvements support our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and high-quality learning environment for all students. If you plan to visit, we recommend calling in advance. Generally speaking, daily operating hours are 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. Here’s a summary of the major upgrades by location:

Preschool

• UMC Renovation: We are adding a new classroom to support our growing early childhood program.

Primary School

• Courtyard & Exterior Improvements: Renovations will include a refreshed courtyard, improved parking, and upgraded drainage for better functionality, aesthetics, and outdoor experiences.
• Main Office Renovation: The office was redesigned for efficiency and will feature new flooring, ceiling, lighting, and furniture to create a brighter and more efficient space.
• Hose Bib Additions: Three new hose bibs (two in the courtyard and one in the Primary Patch) were installed to improve landscaping and maintenance access.
• PTO Storage Shed: A new storage shed will be added for PTO supplies and event materials.

Middle School

• Campus Landscaping: The addition of 13 Eastern Redbuds and 16 Schip Laurels to beautify and shade the grounds.
• Mechanical Upgrades: Replaced existing boilers with a new high-efficiency boiler system and the 20-year old hot water heater system.
• Interior Refresh: Classrooms received carpet cleaning, and red stairwell treads will be added for both safety and appearance.
• Auditorium Area Storage: New cabinetry will be installed to support storage and organization.
• Exterior Maintenance: The building exterior has been power-washed and waterproofed; the front awning, light poles, and benches will be freshly painted.
• Music Room: Enhancements to this space will support the continued growth of our music program.
• New Storage Shed: Additional storage capacity will be added near the Middle School.
• Skylight Replacement: Replacement of three compromised classroom skylights for better lighting and insulation.

In addition to these improvements, we also implemented multiple safety and security upgrades at each of our locations.

As previously shared, we look forward to a new schedule for Grades 6-8 students in September. In order to meet the needs of our students and improve our instructional practice, our 84 minute blocks will now become 63 minute blocks. Students in Grades 6-8 will now have:

• Four core classes (blocks) per day for 63 minutes each - ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies.
• 40 minute lunch/recess
• 40 minutes of Physical Education/Health
• 40 minute Special (Art, Music, Spanish, PLTW, Computer Science)

The new schedule also ensures our students are physically active. It includes 100 minutes of weekly recess, which is not required in Grades 6-8 and 50 additional weekly minutes of Physical Education/Health beyond the NJDOE requirement. Students who participate in our Instrumental Music program will do so during this time on a rotating schedule, thus alleviating conflicts with academic courses.

One of the most exciting new features of our schedule is the ability to rotate morning and afternoon classes. Students have two core classes in the morning followed by Lunch/Recess/Specials and then two more core classes in the afternoon. This new schedule allows us to flip the two core classes in the morning with the two core classes in the afternoon on a Day 1/2 schedule. We expect this new schedule will also enhance high school readiness for all of our learners.

We are proud to say we have successfully completed the first of our five year Strategic Plan - Dream Bigger: A Five Year Roadmap. To see the full plan, our Action Plan progress and some video highlights, visit our website. We look forward to working on the various goals and objectives delineated and created last year with various stakeholders. Continue to view the website for additional content throughout the year.

IMPORTANT DATES

• September Packet Pickup will be held on Thursday, August 21 (12:30-3:00 & 4:30-7:00) and Friday, August 22 (9:00-11:30). You may collect your packet, including teacher assignment and bus/walker card, no matter what school your child will attend in September. 
  • All fines from the 2024-2025 school year must be paid in advance prior to receiving your new packet, including lunch and technology. Additionally, any required proof of vaccinations are due prior to the release of packets.
• Refer to our District Calendar for 2025-2026. All Preschool - Grade 8 students begin school on Thursday, September 4, 2025. September 4 and 5 will be Minimum School Days for all students. Please plan vacations, family events and doctor appointments utilizing this calendar. Research shows that student attendance is a huge factor in student performance. Unless ill, we need students to attend school daily, on time and for the duration of the day, ready to learn!
• If you plan to move (or have already moved) in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. Having your current address is critical to our transportation operations. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Mrs. Grable at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.

EVENTS, NEWS & REMINDERS

• Check out our Summer Resources for Families and our Summer Learning Website for resources and activities.
• Preschool Registration is open. We ask that you pass this info along to your neighbors and friends who may have age-eligible children. If you have children ready to register for Grades K-8, call 732-758-1500 x1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• Don’t forget to stay updated by visiting our website (www.rbb.k12.nj.us), our Facebook page (@RedBankBoroughPublicSchools) and Instagram (@RedBankSup, @DreamBigRB and @RedBankPreschool).

Have a great rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing you on August 21 or 22 at September Packet Pickup!