Superintendent's Messages Archive

Dear Families,

June is almost here and with it comes the annual events that mark the end of a successful school year. Last week, the Class of 2024 attended their formal dance right here in Red Bank. We also enjoyed our Primary and Middle School Spring Concerts. This week marks the beginning of our Moving Up, Moving On and Graduation celebrations for our Preschool, Kindergarten, Grade 3 and Grade 8 students. We are looking forward to the many end of year events and seeing our families gather to support and recognize our students! Please take a look at a video created just this past week during Red Bank Middle School’s Field Day.

This summer, the Primary School will house our Extended School Year and Newcomer Program. In addition, we are excited to offer a variety of summer programming due to pandemic relief funds provided by the federal government as well as the support of our community partners. You can still register for these programs by visiting our website. Included are the Louis & Gia Maione Prima Music Camp (Presented by Jazz Arts Project), River Rangers, Monmouth Stars and Count Basie Classes in the Visual and Performing Arts.

Along with routine maintenance, we are elated to break ground on a major project at Red Bank Middle School on June 19! Many exciting exterior upgrades which will be enjoyed by all Middle School students will occur during the summer and into the fall including:

• Outdoor Pavilion for Classroom, Lunch, and Performances
• Walking/Jogging Track for Recess, Physical Education and Cross Country 
• Multi-Purpose Sport Surface with Basketball Courts and 3 Pickleball Courts (Fenced In)
• New Garage and Storage Building for Custodial/Maintenance Department
• New Trees and Shrubbery
• Gaga Pit, Garden and Fitness Stations for Student Use

Regarding next year, we expect to receive $773,682 in emergency Stabilization Aid under a bill signed by Governor Murphy on May 14. The bill is designed to help districts like Red Bank who saw cuts to state aid under the state funding formula. The notification is welcomed news and will enable us to maintain programming and services for our students and families. Additionally, there is reason to be optimistic regarding a new or revised formula for 2025-26.

Also, a special thank you to the 77 participants who contributed to our strategic planning process this spring. The list included teachers and support staff, district leaders, parents, community partners, members of the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation, members of the Borough Council, and our Mayor, William Portman. Five goal areas emerged from the common themes identified by the group at large at the end of the second meeting and include: Enhanced Student Experience, Facilities & Finance, Community & Stakeholder Engagement, Culture & Climate and Health & Wellness. The group also developed a goal statement and a list of objectives for each of the five areas. Next steps will occur in July when our district leadership team designs an action plan to support these objectives. The final plan will be presented and adopted at our Board of Education meeting Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

Finally, we wish the Class of 2024 all the best. After you walk across the stage at Count Basie Field on June 14, continue to Dream BIG and be your #BestSelf! And speaking of former Rockets….Ms. Herman is coordinating an effort to highlight alumni through the #AlwaysARocket initiative. If you are a graduate of #RocketNation, complete this survey so we can share the great things you are accomplishing as you continue on your #BestSelf journey. Know a former ROCKET? Please share this info on our behalf. Once a Rocket, Always A Rocket!

I wish you all a fun-filled summer with family and friends.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

• TRIVIA NIGHT: Our partner in education, the RBBEF, is hosting Trivia Night on June 5 at 7:00 PM at Triumph Brewing Company. Consider making a team and attending this fun event! For info, visit their website.
• REGISTRATION: Complete this form or share with friends and neighbors if you are interested in our 2024-2025 Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• RESIDENCY & CONTACT INFO: Per our yearly reverification process, incoming Kindergarten and Grade 4 students will have to provide updated proofs of residence over the summer. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2023, please contact Ms. Grable at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork. If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately.
• CHROMEBOOKS: Except for current Grade 8 students or those students transferring out of the District, students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. Families are responsible for the safety and security of this device as per our One to One Device Program Agreement.
• RED BANK CLASSIC: Join us on Saturday, June 15 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering. It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear school spirit wear. We will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.
• SUMMER FEEDING: The District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program at Red Bank Primary School (222 River Street) from July 8 - August 2, 2024. Meals are provided to all children free of charge. Visit our Virtual Backpack for specific details.
• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including our 2024-2025 District Calendar.
  • Grade 8 Graduation - Friday, June 14 at 6:00 PM - Count Basie Park
  • First Day of School for Students - Thursday, September 5

Dear Families,

As we approach Spring Break, we would like to say THANK YOU for the support shown in the past few weeks.

THANK YOU…

• for supporting the Ice Cream Wars at Nicholas Creamery during March, especially our Celebrity Scoopers. Although we may not be victorious, it was a great event where students, staff, families and community members could come together and enjoy some Red Rumble.
• to the 44 participants that attended our first Strategic Planning session on March 13. If you were unable to attend, please view our form and register for any of the upcoming sessions.
• to the families and staff that supported our Scholastic Book Fairs at RBPS and RBMS.
• to the staff that helped plan, coordinate and execute the numerous events at RBMS celebrating March Madness Week. If you haven’t done so, take a look at our special video message.
• to the families that attended and staff that participated in our Virtual Bedtime Stories with a Mystery Reader program. We look forward to next year!
• for attending Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Please enjoy our most recent video just added to our website - The Grade 1 Experience! Visit our website for Preschool and Kindergarten videos.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND INFORMATION

• Our 2024-2025 District Calendar was recently approved. Visit our website for the full version.
• Students will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Thursday, March 28. 
• The District will be closed beginning Friday, March 29 and reopen on Monday, April 8, 2024.
• We wanted to inform you about an exciting celestial event happening on Monday, April 8 - a Solar Eclipse! Currently, we intend to operate on a regular full-day schedule but if something changes we will communicate via Remind over the break. All classrooms will have age appropriate discussions and/or lessons regarding this phenomenon. Safety is our top priority, so we will also provide instructions on how to safely view the eclipse. Students will also remain indoors beginning at 1:00 PM and any after school events will be canceled or rescheduled. We hope you support this learning opportunity by discussing this event with your child.
• The New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) for students in Grades 3-8 will commence in May. A letter will be forthcoming with specific dates and times based on your child’s grade level.
• Our Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 14 at 6:00 PM at Count Basie Park. Should the weather not cooperate, the event will be moved to Red Bank Middle School with limited seating.
• Our anticipated last day of school remains as Tuesday, June 18, 2024 due to emergency day use.
• Per our yearly reverification process, incoming Kindergarten and Grade 4 students will have to provide updated proofs of residence before the beginning of the 24-25 school year. A letter will go out when we return from Spring Break with more information.

Regarding our 2024-2025 budget, the recent loss of $1.7 million in State Aid was completely unpredictable, but I am optimistic we will receive stabilization aid to address our short-term concerns. I am also optimistic we will see a revised and improved funding formula to address our long-term concerns. In the meantime, we have managed to design a budget that will allow us to move forward on this #RBBisBIA journey. Senator Gopal continues to be a strong advocate for the Red Bank Borough Public Schools and I am grateful to have his support, as well as the support of Assemblypersons Donlon and Peterpaul. We will certainly continue to inspire BIG Dreams for every child who walks through our doors - and we will help them get there. We hope to have more details after our spring break. You can expect a subsequent community update shortly after our return delineating next steps and if needed, how you can help us advocate for fair funding.

Looking ahead, we are excited about several upcoming projects to our physical plant.

Red Bank Middle School Exterior Project - June 2024

• Outdoor Pavilion for classroom, lunch, and performances.
• Walking/Jogging Track for Recess, Physical Education and Cross Country 
• Multi-Purpose Sport Surface with Basketball Courts and 3 Pickleball Courts (Fenced In)
• New Garage and Storage Building for Custodial/Maintenance Department
• New Trees and Shrubbery
• Gaga Pit, Garden and Fitness Stations for Student Use

Red Bank Primary School Project - June 2025

• New and Improved Parking
• New Entrance for 100 Wing
• Courtyard Redesign with Drainage Improvements
• Sport Surface for outdoor activities including Recess and Physical Education

Red Bank Middle School Boiler Replacement - June 2025

• Complete Boiler Modernization supported by a Regular Operating District (ROD) Grant

The aforementioned construction improvements will fortify our community assets, provide an improved educational experience for our students, and beautify the schools for our neighbors. It is important to note, these projects are possible thanks to the grant funding received due to the pandemic. The work we have done to enhance our infrastructure is a silver lining of the pandemic and also a huge benefit in light of our recent state funding reductions.

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable spring break. I look forward to the exciting events and experiences we will enjoy over the final 51 days of school upon our return.

Dear Families,

March is here and as always, it is a busy time of the year for the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. We recently celebrated Read Across America Week at Red Bank Primary School and welcomed many guest readers and soon it will be March Madness Week in Rocket Nation. Please check out other upcoming events and important reminders listed below.

• We are excited to kick off our Strategic Planning process for the next five years on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. If you would like to attend or receive more information regarding future sessions, please visit our website. 
• The Peninsula Ice Cream Wars are back! For info, check out our special notice.
• 2024-2025 Registration is in full swing. If you have a child eligible for Preschool, please complete this form. If you have a child eligible for Grades K-8, please contact our schools directly. We would greatly appreciate you sharing this information with neighbors and friends!
• The District will be closed for Spring Break starting Friday, March 29, 2024 and will reopen on Monday, April 8, 2024. Students will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on March 26, 27 and 28.
• We anticipate our 2024-2025 District Calendar being BOE approved on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 and distributed shortly thereafter.
• Our anticipated last day of school remains as Tuesday, June 18, 2024 due to emergency day use. The current calendar will be revised and redistributed the last week of April.
• REPORTING AN ABSENCE: In the event your child will be absent, it is imperative for us to be notified to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Please call your child’s school/site as the attendance office voicemail is available 24 hours a day and provide: Student’s Name, Grade, Reason for the Absence and Return Phone Number. If you fail to report a child's absence, our staff are required to reach out to all contacts, including emergency contacts, to confirm the child’s well-being. If they are unable to confirm, we will contact the Police Department to conduct a wellness check.

March also brings with it budget season. As we prepare our budget for the 2024-25 school year, we find ourselves in a difficult situation. Based on the recently released State Aid numbers, our allocation was reduced by over $1.7 million. With Governor Murphy’s historic allocation of nearly $1 billion to the State Aid coffers, and our enrollment remaining status quo, we expected our numbers to increase slightly or at least remain flat for 2024-25. Once again, the formula which calculates State Aid allocations has failed our school community.

As you may be aware, over the course of a 10 year period beginning in 2013-14, the Red Bank Borough Public Schools were short changed over $44 million. It is important to note, during this same time period  and every year since, including next year, the Red Bank Charter School remains fully-funded and unaffected by the funding formula. After multiple years of lobbying, we started on the road to recovery when S2 legislation was finally passed in 2018 to revise the formula. The intent was to fairly redistribute aid throughout New Jersey over a seven year period and minimize the impact on those districts being reduced. During this time, while still underfunded, we saw our aid increase annually, until eventually, we reached 100% funding for the 2023-24 school year.

Senator Vin Gopal and our new assembly members, Donlon and Peterpaul, have been staunch advocates for recalibrating the formula and of the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. Several of my colleagues testified earlier today in front of the legislative budget committees and expressed they were well-received and believe there is “motivation for both short and long-term solutions." Along with several other Superintendents from impacted districts, I will be testifying before a committee in Trenton on Thursday to promote school funding reform and advocate for immediate change. We must address the gross inequity caused by the rigidness of the current funding formula and the failure of leaders to eliminate the fiscal redundancies of financing two school districts (the Red Bank Borough Public Schools and Red Bank Charter School) in a small community like Red Bank. You cannot find a community of our size in the entire state with this type of educational system.

All that said, we will move forward with optimism. In the meantime, we will develop a budget that is a reflection of our priorities. It will promote safety, security, and well-being for all, emphasize student academic growth, and provide inspiration for students to dream and achieve big. Our children matter and I will do my best to honor that. We will certainly provide an update to the entire community once we know next steps and how you can help us advocate for fair funding.

We hope to see you and your family at Celebrity Scoop Night and/or during Parent-Teacher Conferences!

It is hard to believe that 2024 is less than two weeks away! We have much to be grateful for this holiday season in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools from our amazing students, our dedicated and highly credentialed staff, our collaborative Board of Education and you, our supportive families.

Congratulations to three of our phenomenal staff members who were recently named 2023 Governor’s Educators of the Year - Crystal Hackett (Red Bank Primary School Preschool Teacher), Kristyn Finnigan (Red Bank Middle School Math Teacher) and Thomas “Mr. Tom” Schroll (District Educational Services Professional). Many thanks to the families and staff who submitted nominations as well as the committee members who reviewed the applications. We are elated to recognize these three outstanding individuals for their efforts to inspire and support the BIG Dreams of our children.

Recently we shared a memo regarding student attendance. If you have not had the opportunity to review it, please do so. We realize some absences are unavoidable. 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+ days over the course of an entire school year. Just as important, please ensure your child arrives at school on time. Prompt arrivals support organized morning procedures that set the tone for a positive day! Please reach out to your child’s school should you have any questions.

Friday, December 22 is not only the last day of school before winter break, it is the final day of work for Mary Valdivia, after 13 years as Supervisor of Preschool for Red Bank and over 40 years of service as an educator. Mary led with trust and compassion while always advocating for her students and staff. We wish Mary all the best of health and happiness as she starts her new journey. While Mary will be missed, we are excited to welcome a familiar face back to Red Bank and our Preschool Program. After a one-year hiatus, which she spent in Manchester as a Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialist, Morgan Cassella is back to lead our Preschool Program. Prior to that, Morgan served in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools as a Preschool Master Teacher/Coach from 2013 until the fall of 2022. Morgan is held in high regard within our community and her extensive experience in early childhood education will serve as a tremendous asset to our students, families, and staff.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS AS WE WELCOME 2024!

• On Friday, December 22, 2023 we will follow a Minimum School Day schedule.
• The District is closed from December 25 - January 1. Tuesday, January 2 is a Professional Learning Day for Staff. Therefore, students return on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
• For Kindergarten through Grade 8 families, don’t forget to visit Genesis Parent Portal to view your child’s trimester progress report.
• Red Bank Resource Network, a program of the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, and Monmouth County Department of Human Services is offering free bilingual services for families.

We look forward to the many exciting events and activities planned for the next six months, ultimately leading to June 2024 when we will celebrate the Class of 2024! In the new year you will receive information about 2024-2025 Preschool Registration for new families. In February you will also receive information regarding our Strategic Planning process which will help guide our journey over the next five years. Additionally, we anticipate distributing the 2024-2025 District Calendar in March. As always, please refer to our current District calendar as you make plans for the spring and end of the school year.

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

We have nearly completed the first trimester of the school year and the holiday is already upon us! It was a fun-filled fall and we enjoyed seeing so many families at our special events including Rocketfest, Harvest Fest, our many Halloween parades, Preschool Family Fun Day, our fall athletic competitions, and most recently, Parent-Teacher Conferences. We continue to focus on the health and well-being of our entire school community by offering COVID and Flu Vaccine clinics and providing services during the school day such as Tender Smiles and Optical Academy. As always, we have much to be thankful for as we serve the wonderful community of Red Bank. We are fortunate to have so many individuals - students, staff, parents/guardians, Borough leaders, and community partners - 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 excited to announce we will have continuity of leadership. Congratulations to Jennifer Garcia, Christina Bruno, and Ellen "Pamela" McArthur on earning 3-year terms and Paul Savoia on earning a 2-year term. 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 and Achieve BIG!

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

• We are pleased to officially welcome Mr. Dougherty as our new Red Bank Middle School Vice Principal.
• Fall Athletics at Red Bank Middle School ended on a high note this past month. Our Boys Soccer team won the Shore Athletic League Championship and our Girls Soccer team had an impressive season with an 11-1 record. In Cross Country, three students medaled with one student finishing in the Top 10 in Monmouth County!
• Special thanks to families and community members who nominated staff as part of the Governor's Educator of the Year Program. We look forward to announcing the recipients in early December.
• For the sixth year in a row we have earned the ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for meeting the program’s high standards in financial reporting and accountability.
• Thanks to the Red Bank Borough Education Foundation (RBBEF), both the Primary School and Middle School each have beautiful new Book Vending Machines. Students are able to earn a token and select a book of their choice.
• Our new website was recently launched. The sleek design gives the entire site a new feel as well as being in compliance with all required accessibility standards.

Here are some important reminders for the next month!

• All students will follow a Minimum School Day schedule on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. The District will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 23 & 24. Please refer to our District Calendar for other important dates.
• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:
• RBPS Chorus Performs at Westside Tree Lighting - Friday, December 8, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
• RBPS Winter Festival - Friday, December 8, 2023 @ 6:30 PM
• RBPS Winter Concert - Wednesday, December 13, 2023 @ 6:00 PM (Middle School)
• RBMS Winter Concert - Wednesday, December 20, 2023 @ 6:00 PM (Middle School)

IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE REMINDER

We know that students who consistently attend school for in-person instruction do significantly better in all aspects. In order for your child to maximize their experience in our schools, maintain smooth daily operations, and ensure student safety, we ask that when healthy, your child is in school and on time each day. Start times at Red Bank Primary School (including Preschool sites) and Red Bank Middle School are 8:55 AM and 8:20 AM, respectively. If your child arrives after this time, they are not only considered late, it also disrupts the flow of our morning routines. We remind you to keep your child home in the event of illness, but when healthy, all children should be in school and on time. If you are keeping your child home due to illness or another reason, it is necessary for you to notify the main office. If you fail to do so, the school will be required to contact you directly to confirm your child’s absence, but more importantly, confirm their safety. In the event we are unable to confirm your child’s absence, we are required to contact the Red Bank Police Department to conduct a wellness check.

Wishing all who celebrate a very Happy Thanksgiving and a restful long weekend!

Yesterday, we enjoyed an amazing (and hot!!!) opening day of the 2023-24 school year! On behalf of our 240 educators and support staff, I think I can say it was a joy for us to welcome our children back and see so many smiling faces.

As I mention each year, we appreciate your patience with any inconsistencies the first couple of days (or weeks). Although it may not seem like a big lift, with so many moving parts, opening a school year is never a simple task. While we do it really well here in Red Bank, some things are just out of our control no matter how much we prepare. Your cooperation with arrivals and dismissals is especially appreciated. As you know, the first few days of school bring with them many parents and extra vehicles, so drop-off and pick-up can be what we might call “organized chaos”. I ask that you remain patient and follow all procedures during arrival and dismissal to ensure the safety of our children. Yes, that may mean an extra few minutes in line; however, safety must be our number one priority. Additionally, the new school year also brings new bus drivers with new bus routes. In many cases, it may take 7-10 school days for the bus companies to work out unexpected challenges and navigate local road construction projects so that our pick-ups and drop-offs can consistently fall into the designated time range. Your understanding here is appreciated as well. Safety is our top priority and having students and family members walking through our parking areas is an unnecessary risk.  If you are driving your child to school, we ask that you follow procedures and remain in the drop-off line to let your child off near the designated areas and/or school personnel.

We love to see our parents walking their children to and from school at the Primary School as it helps to alleviate congestion at arrivals and dismissal. We realize parents may want to park the first few days and walk their child(ren) to the door but this will not be permitted effective Monday, September 11. Of course, this excludes a parent that has an appointment or needs to speak with a staff member.

A special thank you to our Maintenance and Custodial staff for making sure our buildings and grounds looked spectacular for our students! It was a long, hot summer of preparation that required our custodians and maintenance technicians to dance around several major construction projects, but as usual they came through for our students and staff in a big way.

On another note, Maura Harrington has served our community as the Vice Principal at Red Bank Middle School for nearly 5 years. Recently, she accepted a new position in her hometown school district. Ms. Harrington will remain with us through Friday, October 6. While we are saddened to lose such a strong school leader, we are grateful for the work Ms. Harrington has done to support our students and families. Her contributions to our school district were many and will resonate within our school community for years to come. We have engaged in a detailed process to find a dynamic leader to fill this void and hope to announce that leader once the process is complete.

Please mark your calendars! We will be having COVID and Flu Vaccination Clinics for any students and families in the District who wish to attend. The Clinics will be held at the Primary School on Wednesday, October 4th from 4:00-6:00 PM and Saturday, October 7th from 8:00-10:00 AM.

Additionally, the Indie Street Film Festival is offering FREE tickets for “Dear Thirteen” on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 1:15 PM at Basie Center Cinemas (36 White Street). All Parents, Staff, and Students are welcome! Reserve FREE Tickets here with the code RBMS. Space is limited! Here is a brief synopsis of the movie.

Monday begins our first full week of school. It will begin with Red, White, and Blue Day on Monday, September 11 and conclude with a Minimum School Day for students on Friday, September 15. Dismissal times for Minimum School Days in Preschool through Grade 3 begin at 1:15 and for the Middle School 1:00 PM.

We look forward to a year of supporting the BIG Dreams of our children and collaborating with our families to best serve our community. Enjoy the weekend and stay well!

Summer is coming to an end, which means our empty buildings will once again become schools! We are excited to welcome our nearly 1200 students for our first day of school on Thursday, September 7th! It has been a busy summer for the Red Bank Borough Schools. We have made multiple facility upgrades, including HVAC replacement, magnetic door holders and fire panel replacement at the Middle School and new hallway flooring, ceilings and lighting at the Primary School plus fresh paint in almost 20 Primary School classrooms, playground upgrades and bathroom conversions! We are already working on our next projects which include Middle School boiler replacements and exterior projects for both buildings which include redesigned parking at the Primary School and outdoor playing space/field upgrades at the Middle School.

This summer we saw a significant change to our Board of Education. On May 9, 2023, Board of Education member (and former Board President), Mr. Ben Forest was elected to the Red Bank Borough Council effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Forest’s new responsibilities as a Councilperson prohibit him from continuing to serve our school community as a Board of Education member. We are grateful for his many years of service to our staff, students and families and wish him the best of luck as he continues to serve our community in this new role! Unfortunately, Ms. Laura Camargo also resigned as a member of our Board of Education. Ms. Camargo was a valuable member of our Board and brought great perspective as a public school educator and also a Red Bank parent. While both Ben and Laura will be missed, we are excited to announce the addition of two new members to our Board of Education - Ms. Christina Bruno and Mr. Paul Savoia. Both started in their new positions this summer and are excited to kick off their first school year serving our school community.

We continue to focus on student attendance from Preschool to Grade 8. Research shows that student attendance is a huge factor in student performance. Unless ill, we need students to attend school daily, on time and for the duration of the day, ready to learn! We will do our best to create an engaging learning environment so our students run in just as fast as they run out! If your child must miss school due to illness or other reason, contact 732.758.1500 to leave a message for the Primary or Middle School, and for Preschool, contact your site directly. Remember, if your child misses school, then your child misses out!

As per NJDOH guidelines, we will continue to exclude student positive COVID cases from school for 5 days. Assuming all symptoms have subsided, the student may return on Day 6 but must wear a mask through Day 10. Please continue to monitor your child for illness and as always, keep them home if they are sick. We will make adjustments to these protocols as needed during the school year. Please reach out to your child’s school nurse if you have any questions.

As High School approaches for our recent graduating Class of 2023, I wish them all the best one last time. I know you will make us all proud as you write your own story, chase your BIG Dreams, and strive to be your #BestSelf! And a reminder for all former Rockets, Ms. Jamie Herman is coordinating an effort to highlight our former students through the #AlwaysARocket initiative. If you are a graduate of #RocketNation, complete this survey so we can share the great things you are accomplishing, contributing, and experiencing as you continue on your #BestSelf journey. Do you know a former ROCKET? Please share this information on our behalf. We look forward to cultivating strong connections with our former students - Once a Rocket, Always A Rocket!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• If you have not already done so, visit Genesis Parent Portal and complete your September Notices Verification and your Free or Reduced Meal Application. If you are not interested in applying, please indicate this on the initial application screen.
• Families are responsible for any damage caused to your child’s district-provided Chromebook and will be responsible for paying for repairs as per our 1:1 Technology Device Agreement.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8, please share the link to our Central Registration.
• If you have recently moved in or out of Red Bank or changed your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Ms. Grable at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.
• We have completed our annual residency re-verification for all Kindergarten and Grade 4 students. In the fall, we will be reaching out to specific families regarding expired leases.
• Please review our 23-24 Family Handbook prior to the start of school and as a first point of reference throughout the school year.
• Please review our Breakfast After the Bell program for Red Bank Primary and Middle School.

Important Dates:

• First Day of School: September 7, 2023
• Minimum School Day: September 15, 2023
• District Closed: September 25, 2023 (Yom Kippur)
• Red Bank Middle School Rocketfest: October 6, 2023
• Red Bank Primary School Harvest Fest: October 20, 2023

Back to School Nights:

• Preschool (UMC, FBC & MDCC ): October 4, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
• Preschool/Kindergarten/Grade 1/Vazquez/Rigby: September 27, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
• Grades 2 & 3/McGann/Clayton: September 28, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
• Grade 4: September 13, 2023 @ 5:00 PM
• Grade 5: September 13, 2023 @ 5:30 PM
• Grades 6 & 7: September 14, 2023 @ 5:00 PM
• Grades 8: September 14, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

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

Looking forward to a great year. See you on the 7th!

Dear Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
   

IMPORTANT UPDATES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT UPDATES

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

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

Enjoy your spring break!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.    

• Updated Security Measures and Access Control at United Methodist Church

• Replacement of Primary School Hallway Heaters

• Resurfacing of both Primary School Playgrounds

• Painting of 300 and 400 Wing Classrooms at Primary School

• Final Touches to the Primary Patch (Garden)

• Replacement of Primary School Hallway Ceiling Tiles & Floor Tiles

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

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

• Replacement and Upgrading of Middle School Boilers

• Preschool and Kindergarten (Spanish)

• Grades 1 to 5 (Spanish)

• Grades 6 to 8 (Spanish)

• Our BOE approved 2023-2024 District Calendar

• RBMS Rockets Baseball and Softball Schedules

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

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

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT UPDATES

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.    

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.    

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

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

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

• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

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

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

  • RBMS Rockets Basketball Schedules

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

Here are some important reminders for next month!

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


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Our District Website lists all upcoming events including:

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

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

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

In the meantime, please note the following:

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

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

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Back to School Nights:

Fall Events:

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

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

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• If you have not already done so, visit Genesis Parent Portal and complete your September Notices Verification and your Free or Reduced Meal Application. As a reminder, this year all students will NOT receive free breakfast or lunch unless eligible. View these School Meal Changes Videos (English & Spanish) for more details.
• Families are responsible for any damage caused to your child’s district-provided Chromebook and will be responsible for paying for repairs as per our 1:1 Technology Device Agreement. Chromebook repair fines vary but the minimum fine is $50.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8, please share the link to our Central Registration.
• If you have recently moved in or out of Red Bank or changed your phone number, alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank, contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1507 immediately to update your paperwork.
• We have completed our annual residency re-verification for all Kindergarten and Grade 4 students. In the fall, we will be reaching out to specific families regarding expired leases and affidavits.
• Please review our 22-23 Family Handbook prior to the start of school and as a first point of reference throughout the school year.
• Preschool (UMC, FBC, MDCC & Acelero): September 21, 2022 @ 6:00
• Preschool/Kindergarten/Grade 1/Vazquez/Rigby: September 28, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 
• Grades 2 & 3/McGann/Guzman: September 29, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 
• Grades 4 & 5: September 14, 2022 @ 6:00 PM 
• Grades 6 & 7: September 15, 2022 @ 5:15 PM
• Grade 8: September 15, 2022 @ 6:30 PM
• Red Bank Middle School Rocketfest: September 30, 2022
• Red Bank Primary School Harvest Fest: October 21, 2022

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

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

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

Please review the important reminders below.

Please join us tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear school spirit wear. We will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.

I wish you all a fun-filled and restful summer. We will spend our time improving facilities, enhancing security, updating curriculum, refining best practices and preparing for another outstanding year. September 6, 2022  will begin the next and best chapter of the #RBBisBIA story!

All the best,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Families,

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

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

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

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

GENERAL REMINDERS

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

We wish you all a wonderful Spring Break!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• As indicated on our original 2021-2022 District Calendar, the calendar will be revised due to unused emergency days and distributed to the public on April 27, 2022. We anticipate the last day of school to be Friday, June 17, 2022 with Minimum School Days beginning Monday, June 13, 2022.
• Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook they have been issued. District-owned Chromebooks should never be taken to an outside computer service for any type of repairs or maintenance. Please refer to our Chromebook Care Instructions.
• Preschool - Grade 8 registration is now open for September 2022! Current students, including Preschool, do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us. Per our yearly reverification process, incoming Kindergarten and Grade 4 students will have to provide updated proofs of residence over the summer. More information will follow.
• Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear school spirit wear. We will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.

Dear Families,

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

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

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

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

COVID-19 PROTOCOL REMINDERS

GENERAL REMINDERS

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


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• As a reminder, we ask that you send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot.
• Positive Cases: Students who test positive will be excluded from school for 5 days for the purpose of isolation. Return is contingent upon improving symptoms and the child being fever-free for 24 hours. Upon return, students will be required to mask for an additional 5 days.
• Household Close Contacts: Please reach out to your child’s school nurse as each situation varies based on multiple factors, including the ability to isolate, vaccination status, etc.
• Vaccinated Individuals: As a reminder, these individuals DO NOT need to quarantine if exposed unless symptoms develop.
• The District will be closed for Spring Break (April 15-22). 
• Our 2022-2023 District Calendar is available for families to review.
• Genesis Parent Portal will open for Report Cards on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 4:00 PM for all Kindergarten - Grade 8 students. Please call your child’s school if you don’t have an active account.
• Preschool - Grade 8 registration is now open for September 2022! Current students, including Preschool, do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us. Please pass this message along to friends and neighbors.
• Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for the Red Bank Classic. Select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear school spirit wear. We will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.

Dear Families,

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

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

COVID Protocol Updates and Reminders

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

GENERAL ITEMS

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• • Face Coverings: Effective Monday, March 7,  2022 the District will operate as a mask-optional environment, including on buses. Any student or staff member who wishes to continue wearing a face covering in school may do so without any alteration or modification to their instructional schedule. Parents with children in Kindergarten to Grade 5 are encouraged to communicate their wishes to their child’s homeroom teacher. Preschool families will receive a survey to complete via Remind.
  • Contact Tracing: The district will maintain the three feet distance for contact tracing once masks become optional. This distance will also apply to breakfast and lunch services in our cafeteria.
  • Positive Cases: Students who test positive will be excluded from school for 5 days for the purpose of isolation. Return is contingent upon improving symptoms and the child being fever-free for 24 hours. Upon return, students will be required to mask for an additional 5 days.
  • Unvaccinated and Unmasked Close Contacts (within 3 feet) In School: 5 Day Exclusion for Quarantine and Negative Test (PCR) to Return on Day 6 with masks required upon return for days 6-10.
  • Household Close Contacts: Please reach out to your child’s school nurse as each situation varies based on multiple factors, including the ability to isolate, vaccination status, etc.
  • Vaccinated Individuals: As a reminder, these individuals DO NOT need to quarantine if exposed unless symptoms develop.
  • Preschool Providers: The YMCA Preschool Program will follow all district health protocols as referenced above. Acelero and Monmouth Day Care Center Preschool Program families will receive information directly from their specific sites. Until then, all current protocols apply at Acelero and Monmouth Day Care Center.
  • Supporting a Healthy Environment: Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result and contact your School Nurse if your child(ren) are symptomatic, have tested positive, or were in close contact with an infected individual outside of school. These precautions will be appreciated and not result in any actionable attendance consequences for your child.
• New 2022-2023 District Calendar
  • • Our 2022-2023 District Calendar has been approved by our Board of Education.
• Registration
• • Use this form or pass it along to friends and neighbors if you are interested in our Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• Health and Wellness
• • Join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 as the Red Bank Classic makes a return. If you are interested in joining our team, please select the team name #RBBisBIA when registering (team names are not in alphabetical order). It is also great to have fans to support our runners! Anyone who plans on attending - runners and fans - please wear #RBBisBIA, Dream BIG or any school spirit wear. On that day we will take a group photo at 8:00 AM in front of The Dublin House.
• A film titled Butter was recently released in theaters. This movie depicts the issues of bullying in schools, depression and youth suicide risk. It also attempts to emphasize the importance and value of mental health care. The trailer and movie website offer information on mental health support under the heading R U Ok? 
• • Staff are always available to talk with students who are feeling overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, hopelessness or other issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GENERAL ITEMS

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

• Revised 2021-2022 District Calendar
  • Due to an increase in home-school communications, we are seizing an opportunity to maximize our instructional time by eliminating the formal parent-teacher conferences scheduled for later this month. February 23 and 24 will now be full days of instruction for students in Preschool - Grade 8. Friday, February 25 remains a Minimum School Day for all students. A revised calendar can be found on our website.
• New 2022-2023 District Calendar
  • Our 2022-2023 District Calendar was recently approved by our Board of Education.
• Registration
  • Please use this form or pass it along to friends and neighbors if you are interested in our Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.
• Student Vaccination
  • Please send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot. This information will help us contact trace.
• Student Safety
  • Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
  • Contact your School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor if your child(ren) are symptomatic, have tested positive, or were in close contact with an infected individual outside of school.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are nearly halfway through the school year but also looking ahead to September 2022 and our registration process is underway. Please use this form or pass it along to friends and neighbors if you are interested in our Preschool Program. Current families do not need to re-register. Anyone interested in enrolling in Kindergarten through Grade 8 should call Central Registration at 732-758-1500 EXT 1511 or email register@rbb.k12.nj.us.

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

GENERAL ITEMS

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• Face Coverings (Masks)
  • On a daily basis, students should arrive at school with a clean and appropriately fitting face covering. At this time, face coverings are still a requirement for all public schools.
• Student Vaccination
  • At this time, we know that 400+ of our eligible students have received, at a minimum, their first dose of the vaccine. This is based on current data. However, we believe this number is closer to 500 due to the backlog of entering information.
  • Please send us a copy of your child’s vaccination card after their second shot. This information will help us contact trace.
• Face Shields
  • We will continue the use of face shields through Friday, January 28, 2022 for students and staff at times when social distancing is not possible or practical, including but not limited to: small group instruction, therapy services, morning meetings, etc. Beginning Monday, January 31, 2022 shields will be optional and implemented as requested by parents/guardians. Please remember, we implemented shields in lieu of desk barriers utilized in most other school districts.
• Travel
  • Vaccinated students will not be required to quarantine for domestic or international travel but should monitor symptoms for 5 days following return.
  • Unvaccinated students will be required to quarantine for a full 5 days after travel and monitor for symptoms. Get tested if symptoms develop and contact your school nurse.
• Return from Exclusion for Purposes of Quarantine
  • Lunch accommodations required for 5 days after returning from exclusion (Positive cases and Close Contacts).
• Preschool Health Guidelines
  • If your child attends Monmouth Day Care Center or Acelero Learning (Head Start) you will receive health and safety updates as needed directly from those sites. This information may differ slightly from District sites as they are required to follow the NJDOH Childcare Center Guidelines.
• Family Information: Continue to assist us in the following ways:
  • Keep Your Child Home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness or are waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
  • Contact your School Nurse and the Principal/Supervisor if your child(ren) is symptomatic, has tested positive, or has been in close contact with an infected individual outside of school.
  • Check our website and social media platforms for important information.
  • Click HERE for future vaccination clinics.
  • Vaccines/Boosters are available at Riverview Medical Center: Children on Wednesdays and Thursdays 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Adults Monday through Friday 7:00am to 12:00pm.
  • CDC COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Information

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

Stay safe and be well!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

Winter Break

Below are some important updates.

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

HEALTH REMINDERS:

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

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

OTHER REMINDERS:

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• ATTENDANCE: Our schools are open because we want each child to experience the benefits of the #RBBisBIA mindset on a daily basis. We are here to inspire BIG Dreams for each child and then help them get there....but we also want to maximize the number of days all children attend school this year. In order to do that, it will require extra precaution when necessary. Keeping your child home temporarily due to illness will not negatively impact their school record or their educational journey. In fact, doing so will enable us to better maintain the viability of our full day, in-person instructional environment for your child and ALL of our students.
• It is imperative that all students are screened at home on a daily basis and those who exhibit symptoms of illness remain at home. Please reference our Daily Screening Checklist and the Please Keep Me Home If… sheet to assist you with the screening process.
• In the event your child is exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please keep them home and contact your designated School Nurse for guidance:
  • Nurse Rochford (Preschool): 732-758-1500 (EXT 1536)
  • Nurse Reardon (Primary): 732-758-1538
  • Nurse Croken (Middle): 732-758-1532
• Please note Back to School Night events at all locations will be virtual. Details will follow shortly from your child’s school.
• For a full review of general reopening information, please thoroughly review the School Reopening Guide which gives an overview of healthy and safety protocols and other important information. 
• Throughout the year, we must have your current address, email and phone number/emergency contact on file. Contact your child’s school Main Office with any updates.
• Our Virtual Backpacks are full of information related to district and school specific procedures.

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

IMPORTANT REMINDERS 

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

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

Dear Red Bank Families,

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

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

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

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

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

Residency & Registration

Water Bottles & Supply Lists

Dress Code

Breakfast & Lunch

Technology

Before & After Care

Extra Curricular Activities & Athletics

Parent Portal

The Road Forward

Counseling, Health and Educational Services

General Information

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

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors; (all sites are fully air-conditioned with the exception of the Middle School gymnasium)
• When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an IEP or 504 Plan, precludes use of a face covering;
• When an individual is engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering;
• When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals.
• District Calendar & Important Dates and Times
  • Preschool Meet & Greet - September 2, 2021
    • United Methodist Church (UMC) - 2:30 PM
    • First Baptist Church (FBC) - 2:30 PM
    • Acelero Learning - 4:00 PM (Virtual)
    • The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County - 2:30 PM
    • Monmouth Day Care Center (MDCC) - 5:30 PM
    • Red Bank Primary School - See Below
  • Kindergarten - September 2, 2021, 4:00 PM at Red Bank Primary School
  • Grade 4 - August 23, 2021, 3:00 PM at Red Bank Middle School
  • Preschool - October 6, 2021 - 6:00 PM (All Sites EXCLUDING Red Bank Primary School)
  • Primary School
    • September 29 (Preschool, Grades K & 1 and Vazquez/Rigby) - 6:00 PM
    • September 30 (Grades 2 & 3 and Guzman/McGann) - 6:00 PM
  • Middle School
    • September 22, 2021 (Grades 4-8) - 6:00 PM
  • Classes for ALL Preschool-Grade 8 students begin on Thursday, September 9, 2021. We anticipate operating on a full-day schedule. Full remote-learning will not be an option. 
  • Please refer to our 2021-2022 District Calendar, especially during times when the District is closed.
  • Three (3) Emergency Days are included in the calendar in the event of snow and/or other emergencies requiring us to close. As of today, the remote learning option on inclement weather days is not possible. As a result we will conduct traditional snow days.
  • September Packet Pickup will be held on Monday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 24. You will be able to pick up important materials (bus passes, teacher assignments and important Health and Safety information) for all your children, no matter their grade level, at one location. Look for a special postcard to arrive at your home on or around August 11.
  • Orientations will be held on the following dates/times:
  • Back to School Nights will be held on the following dates/times:
  • School Times
    • Preschool - 8:55 AM Arrival & 3:15 PM Dismissal
    • Primary School - 8:55 AM Arrival & 3:15 PM Dismissal
    • Middle School - 8:05 AM - 8:20 AM Arrival & 2:55 PM Dismissal
• If you plan to move in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation.
• We are in the process of re-certifying residency requirements for many of our families. You may receive a mailing requesting proof of residency, lease agreements and/or other required documents necessary as per Board of Education policy. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2020 we ask that you contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Bottles may be the refillable type but they MUST be clear, no exceptions. Glass bottles are not permitted.
• Most supplies needed by students will be provided by the District. On August 23 and 24 during September Packet Pickup, families will be provided a general list of supplies from your child's school.
• A uniform dress code will continue to be required for Preschool - Grade 8 (this does not apply to Acelero Learning or Monmouth Day Care Center). Students are to wear tan khaki colored bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, skort or jumper) with a solid color red, black, or white collared shirt, blouse, short or long sleeved polo shirt, turtlenecks and/or sweaters. Clothing may be purchased at any store. If you need assistance please contact the Main Office of your child’s school.
• Our current plans include offering breakfast and lunch to students in September 2021. This includes hot meals. We do not anticipate sending food home with students as we did this past year.
• All Preschool - Grade 8 students have a district-provided Chromebook. It is important that this device remains safe and is used in an appropriate manner at all times. Devices will need to be brought back and forth from home to school each day. The device should be charged nightly at home.
• The Community YMCA will be providing before and after care services for students that attend Red Bank Primary School. Click HERE for more information. The program can only operate if enough families demonstrate interest in participating.
• We believe these experiences are critical, now more than ever to the social and emotional well-being of our children. Our desire is to reinstate a full array of extra curricular activities, before/after school programming and athletics in September 2021.
• In order to maximize our home-school communications, we are looking for 100% Parent Portal participation. The Portal will include report cards, handbooks, forms, grades and more for ALL students. If you have never logged into Parent Portal, please call your child’s school.
• In June, the New Jersey Department of Education released The Road Forward. The document features a series of initiatives that paves the way forward for our education community by investing heavily in identifying and addressing the academic and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on our students and educators.
• 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.
• Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.

Dear Red Bank Families,

First, a special congratulations to our Rocket graduates. The Class of 2021 walked proudly across the stage Wednesday evening in a beautiful ceremony culminating their journey through the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. Their achievements and their smiles will resonate forever throughout our hallways and in our hearts. We wish each graduate all the best as they continue to chase their BIG Dreams!

This is our final Community Update of the 2020-2021 school year. After almost 30 updates this year, we look forward to better days ahead for our families, our staff and our greater Red Bank community. Make no mistake, this has been a challenging time for all of us. Each of us has been impacted by COVID-19 - academically, economically, medically, emotionally and physically. But, with the health outlook looking better each day and more people receiving the vaccine, we are on the road to recovery. As we have said before, this year has also resulted in many small victories and silver linings. Over the past few weeks, we have had numerous celebrations as our students are Moving Up, Moving On and Graduating. We congratulate them all on persevering and navigating through such a unique school experience. We thank our entire staff for their dedication to our students, not just academically but also socially and emotionally. We thank our families for their constant support and cooperation. The 2020-21 school year was a true community effort!

In September, we anticipate returning to a full-day schedule for all students. Full remote-learning will not be an option. Our schedule will include breakfast, lunch and regular special area courses. We also plan to offer before and after care at Red Bank Primary School and possibly at all of our Preschool Sites/Providers. Over the summer, we will continue to share any additional guidance received regarding social distancing, face coverings and other health-related guidelines. Continue to check our website for important updates.

Please review the important reminders below.

• The last day of school will be Friday, June 18, 2021. Please refer to our District Calendar for 2021-2022.
• We will offer “Grab and Go” meals Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00-11:30 at Red Bank Primary School from July 5 through August 4, 2021. Any child that lives in Red Bank 18 years or younger is eligible to receive these FREE meals.
• If you registered for any Summer Learning 2021 offerings, be sure to check your home email. If you have not heard anything to date, contact us at 732-758-1510.
• Please review our draft Safe Return Plan. Public comment will end on Sunday, June 20, 2021.
• Except for current Grade 8 students or those students transferring out of the District, students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. Families are responsible for the safety and security of this device as per our One to One Device Program Agreement. 
• If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation.
• This summer, we anticipate re-certifying residency requirements for many of our families. Shortly, you may receive a mailing requesting proof of residency, lease agreements and/or other required documents necessary as per Board of Education policy. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2020 we ask that you please  contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration.

Please enjoy the summer. Take the time to reconnect and recharge. September will open new doors on this #RBBisBIA journey and we will enter with renewed spirit and boundless energy. I look forward to seeing you on September 9th!

All the best,

Dear Red Bank Families,

June is around the corner and so is the close of what has certainly been a unique school year. While challenging, due to our collective response this year has also resulted in many small victories and silver linings. Our students and staff put their best foot forward and the support from our families and greater community matched these efforts. We are excited for the final 14 days of school, celebrating our successes, acknowledging milestones and enjoying all that summer has to offer.

As you know, we recently eliminated the mandatory use of face shields in our buildings. With all other safety protocols remaining in place, as well as the reduction of COVID-19 cases statewide and increased number of vaccinations locally, this change has not compromised the safety of our students and staff. The Governor’s recent Executive Order related to public mask wearing does not apply to the school setting. We anticipate additional guidance regarding masks and social distancing in the near future. However, until then, we will continue with all current practices including school buses, indoor and outdoor events. In the meantime, we will incorporate mask breaks as needed, especially during outdoor activities. Please continue contacting our School Nurses or Main Offices for ANY health-related issues.

In September, the full-remote learning option (Cohort D) will no longer be available. We anticipate returning to a full-day schedule for all students which will include breakfast, lunch and regular special area courses. At this time, we do not have specific guidance regarding social distancing for school settings regarding September. Once these guidelines are available, we will make any necessary accommodations in order to maintain normal daily operating procedures.

Please review the important reminders below and reach out to your child’s school with any questions.

• The District will be closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.
• As you begin making plans for the new school year, please refer to our District Calendar for 2021-2022.
• Summer Learning 2021 information can be found HERE. Please note, the deadline is June 1, 2021. No students will be accepted after the deadline.
• Information will be communicated from your child’s school regarding End of Year Activities. All health and safety guidelines will need to be followed, including limited capacity.
• Grade 8 Graduation will be held at Count Basie Park on June 16 at 6:30 PM (Rain Date: June 17).
• The last day of school will be Friday, June 18, 2021.
• Except for current Grade 8 students or those students transferring out of the District, students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. Families are responsible for the safety and security of this device as per our One to One Device Program Agreement. 
• We plan to continue offering “Grab and Go” meals throughout the summer. More details will follow.
• If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation.
• This summer, we anticipate re-certifying residency requirements for many of our families. In June, you may receive a mailing requesting proof of residency, lease agreements and/or other required documents necessary as per Board of Education policy. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2020 we ask that you please  contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.

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

Be well,

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are entering the final stretch of this particularly long school year. Your support, the dedication of our entire staff and the resilience of our students have contributed to a successful year and will certainly make our transition to September 2021 easier.

After consulting with our Leadership Team, School Nurses and Restart Committee and reviewing the updated CDC guidance, the Monmouth County Activity Level Report, the local health statistics, and the number of COVID-related incidents within our schools, we have decided to suspend the mandatory use of face shields for students and staff effective May 19.

Any parent of a child in Preschool-Grade 5 who would like their child to continue wearing their face shield should contact their homeroom teacher. Grades 6-8 parents should contact the main office of Red Bank Middle School. Please note, all staff and students will be required to wear masks indoors and out until further notice. We will be particularly cognizant of safe and appropriate mask breaks, especially during outdoor activities, as the weather grows warmer.

We are excited for the remaining 23 days of school and although they might look slightly different, we look forward to celebrating with many of our usual end of the year activities.

Be well,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Red Bank Families,

This is a particularly special week as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week here in Red Bank and across the country. While not all of our staff members have the title of “teacher,” they collectively contribute to the success of our students and school district as a whole. Under normal circumstances, our staff members are an incredible resource to our students and families, and a driving force behind the #RBBisBIA mindset. Today, more than ever, I am honored and privileged to work alongside such talented, compassionate and professional colleagues. Our students enjoy robust programming, access to technology and safe, inviting facilities, yet our staff remains their greatest resource. Together, we look forward to our remaining days of school and celebrating the unique journey we travelled in 2020-2021.

Looking ahead, please continue to communicate with our School Nurses or Main Offices for ANY health-related issues. We remain steadfast in our safety protocol implementation but over the next couple of weeks we will reassess specific procedures based on updates to NJDOH guidance. Any changes or modifications will be communicated in our next update.

Please review the important reminders below and reach out to your child’s school with any questions.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our school community, and to those that are like second moms to our students!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• The District will be closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.
• End of Year Activities are currently being finalized. Information will be communicated from your child’s school. Please remember all health and safety guidelines will need to be followed, including limited capacity.
• Grade 8 Graduation will be held at Count Basie Park on June 16 at 6:30 PM (Rain Date: June 17).
• The last day of school will be Friday, June 18, 2021.
• Except for current Grade 8 students or those students transferring out of the District, students will be keeping their Chromebooks over the summer. Families are responsible for the safety and security of this device as per our One to One Device Program Agreement. 
• We plan to continue offering “Grab and Go” meals throughout the summer. More details will follow.
• If you plan to move over the summer in or out of Red Bank or change your phone number, please alert us immediately. This is important for communication, emergencies and transportation.
• This summer, we anticipate re-certifying residency requirements for many of our families. In June, you may receive a mailing requesting proof of residency, lease agreements and/or other required documents necessary as per Board of Education policy. If you have renewed a lease or moved within Red Bank since July 1, 2020 we ask that you please  contact Ms. Lemus at 732-758-1510 immediately to update your paperwork.
• Summer Programming details will be forthcoming and sent to specific grade levels/groups via our Remind text messaging system. We are collaborating with several outside groups to provide different experiences this summer. We also expect to bolster our after school program in September with in-person opportunities.
• If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We hope you all enjoyed Spring Break and time with loved ones over the holidays. While we are hopefully seeing some light at the end of this very long tunnel, please remain vigilant in your efforts to keep your family and our community safe. Continue to communicate with our School Nurse or Main Office for ANY health-related issues. Erring on the side of caution is far better. As of today, over 200 staff members and Preschool provider staff are partially or fully vaccinated. Regardless, we must remain steadfast in our safety protocol implementation and proceed with caution.

After Friday, April 23, 2021 we will no longer accept cohort changes for students in Cohort D (Full-Remote). These students will need to remain in Cohort D for the remainder of the school year. Please contact the main office of your respective building if you wish your child to return to in-person instruction. We anticipate ALL students returning to full-day, in-person instruction in September 2021. To date, under 13% of our students remain in Cohort D.

As a reminder, students who are healthy and part of Cohort C should attend school daily for in-person instruction. Remote instruction is offered for families who have opted out of in-person learning (Cohort D) and for those in-person students who must be temporarily excluded from school. We do not have the personnel or capacity to offer remote instruction on random days for Cohort C students. This hinders our operations and compromises our overall effectiveness. Healthy Cohort C students must attend in-person instruction unless otherwise directed by school personnel. Students will be marked absent, even if they attend virtual class. The only exception applies to a COVID related issue that was not previously communicated to the school.

We recommend families do not travel beyond the immediate region (NY, CT, PA & DE). Students who do will be excluded from all in-person instruction for the 14 days following their return. Continue to keep us informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information, including illness and/or travel. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick.

Each year, students in Grades 3-8 must take the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) in Literacy, Math and Science (Grades 5 & 8). Recently, the US Department of Education responded to New Jersey’s assessment waiver request. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the NJSLA has been cancelled and replaced with the Start Strong assessment in September/October 2021 (Grades 4-8 in Literacy and Math and Grade 5 in Science). More information will be communicated in September. The requirement to administer ACCESS for ELLs (English Language Learners) or the DLM (Dynamic Learning Maps) was not waived. The families of those students impacted will receive a letter with more information.

We plan to finish out the 2020-2021 School Year maintaining a Minimum School Day schedule. A transition at this point in the year would require significant change and a serious implementation dip. We believe the system we have in place is instructionally sound and offers our students the best opportunity for comprehensive growth. We continue to work on planning various End of Year Activities. Grade 8 Graduation will be held at Count Basie Park on June 16 at 6:30 PM (Rain Date: June 17). Our National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be held in-person on May 19 (families involved will be notified). We have yet to receive updated guidance from the NJ Department of Education and all in-person events will be handled within the parameters of our current health situation which includes face coverings, social distancing, etc.

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

We look forward to the final two months of school!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Spring is certainly in the air as the weather begins to improve, daylight lasts a bit longer and the sounds and smells of a new season surround us. While these changes cause us to be hopeful, we are cognizant of the recent uptick in COVID cases in Monmouth County and New Jersey. Please continue to remain vigilant in your efforts to keep your family and our entire community safe. We have all worked too hard to take a step backwards. As of today, over 150 staff members and Preschool provider staff are partially or fully vaccinated. Regardless, we must remain steadfast in our safety protocol implementation and proceed with caution.

Spring Break begins on Thursday, April 1 and ends on Tuesday, April 6. As stated in our last Community Update, we will pivot to full-remote instruction for all students and staff on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (April 7, 8 and 9). Meal services will be available on Wednesday, April 7 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Red Bank Middle & Primary Schools. These “Grab & Go” meals will include breakfast and lunch for all three days.

We are excited to welcome back students to in-person instruction on a daily basis. To date, 15% of our student population is part of Cohort D (Full-Remote). If you would like your child to return to in-person instruction, contact your school's main office a minimum of two weeks prior to the desired effective date.

Students who are healthy and part of Cohort C should attend school daily for in-person instruction. Remote instruction is offered for families who have opted out of in-person learning (Cohort D) and for those in-person students who must be temporarily excluded from school. We do not have the personnel or capacity to offer remote instruction on random days for Cohort C students. This hinders our operations and compromises our overall effectiveness. Healthy Cohort C students must attend in-person instruction unless otherwise directed by school personnel. Students will be marked absent, even if they attend virtual class. The only exception applies to a COVID related issue that was not previously communicated to the school.

While we recommend families do not travel beyond the immediate region (NY, CT, PA & DE), please note that students will be excluded from all in-person instruction for the 14 days following their return. Continue to keep us informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information, including illness and/or travel. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick.

Looking ahead, on April 12 we will have 100% of our certificated staff back on campus. With these additions and the flexibility offered by improved weather, we anticipate expanding instructional programming and also fortifying instructional support in specific areas. However, we will be maintaining a Minimum School Day schedule until further notice. We continue to work on planning various traditional End of Year Activities. We are happy to announce that Grade 8 Graduation will be held at Count Basie Park on Wednesday, June 16 at 6:30 PM with a rain date of June 17. More information to follow. Again, we have yet to receive updated guidance from the NJ Department of Education and all in-person events will be handled within the parameters of our current health situation which includes face coverings, social distancing, etc.

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

We wish you and your family a peaceful, happy and safe Spring Break. Continue practicing social distancing and implementing all the necessary safety precautions. Together, we will get through this and certainly come out stronger!

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Red Bank Families,

Regarding Red Bank Primary School, we have received the necessary information to open Tuesday, March 16 for in-person instruction for all classrooms excluding three specific classrooms. These families have already been notified.  All test results relative to any other classrooms came back negative.

Regarding our First Baptist Church Preschool site, we will return two of the three classrooms. One class will remain on remote instruction until we have additional information. At our United Methodist Church Preschool site, one classroom will transition to remote for at least Tuesday (3/16) and Wednesday (3/17). These families have already been notified.

Additionally, our Preschool partner, Monmouth Day Care Center will fully transition to remote instruction for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. One of their district classrooms will remain excluded for the required 14-day period.

It is clear the Peninsula is experiencing an uptick in COVID-related situations. To make matters more complicated, we are also seeing an uptick in allergies and other illnesses. We will continue to implement short-term transitions to remote instruction as needed in order to make sure we have all of the information necessary to maintain a safe environment for all. Please remember, our actions are meant to be proactive and as a result, should be reassuring and comforting. These temporary “closures”, in theory, should make you more confident in our practices and not heighten your sense of concern.

Please continue to keep us informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

*** UPDATED SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2021 ***

Out of an abundance of caution, First Baptist Church Preschool and the Primary School will remain on remote instruction for Monday, March 15.

Unfortunately, we currently have 2 excluded classrooms at Primary, plus the potential for 5 additional excluded classrooms between First Baptist Church Preschool and the Primary School, as well as multiple staff members unavailable for COVID-related concerns and other planned absences. The remote day tomorrow will give us additional time to regroup and hopefully collect current lab results. We do expect most classrooms to return on Tuesday, March 16 and will follow up tomorrow evening with a subsequent update.

Please continue to keep us informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school.

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Dear Red Bank Families,

Today is March 13, 2021. On this date one year ago, we faced many unknowns as we transitioned to remote learning. As students and staff left our school buildings on that Friday afternoon, no one could anticipate the extraordinary challenges ahead. As a school community, we have continuously overcome many hurdles created by the pandemic with grit and determination. We have not been perfect but we have grown and improved daily while persevering with the support of our BIA mindset. Today, with spring on the horizon and increased availability of vaccines, we have many reasons to be hopeful.

As of today, over 130 staff members and Preschool provider staff are partially or fully vaccinated. Regardless of our progress with staff vaccinations, until further notice we will continue to implement current safety protocols and proceed with caution. Thursday, March 11, was the largest group of staff vaccinated in one day - over 40! We anticipate a large number of absences after their second vaccination appointment which is scheduled immediately following our Spring Break. As a result of these anticipated absences along with travel and social gatherings that may occur as a result of the holidays, we will pivot to full-remote instruction for all students and staff on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (April 7, 8 and 9).

To date, 20% of our student population is part of Cohort D (Full-Remote). If you would like your child to return to in-person instruction, please contact your school's main office a minimum of two weeks prior to the desired effective date. Overall our food services program is going well, with Preschool, Kindergarten and Self-Contained Special Education Classes having lunch and all other classes having breakfast. As the health climate improves, we will continue to evaluate all of our food options. The change in weather will also provide more opportunities for outside dining and student activities.

We are currently working on planning a variety of traditional End of Year Activities including but not limited to Middle School Spring Sports, Moving Up Ceremonies, Field Days, Grade 8 Graduation, Grade 8 Dance and more. Next week we will be sending out a survey specifically for Grade 8 families asking for their input on future activities and the anticipated level of participation. Please keep in mind that although we are in the planning phase, many of these events are tentative as we have yet to receive updated guidance from the NJ Department of Education. Furthermore, all events being planned that are in-person would be handled within the parameters of our current health situation which includes face coverings, social distancing, etc.

If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration. Our next Virtual Preschool Information Session is Thursday, March 18, 2021!

Please continue to keep us informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick.

Prior to March 2020, we were a thriving school district built on a sturdy combination of values and programs designed and implemented by a dedicated staff and enjoyed by our students and families. This platform provided us a strong foundation which enabled us the flexibility to redesign our instructional programming for what was ahead. As a school district, the pandemic caused a multitude of hardships; however, our unified response as a community will result in a bright future. We fully expect an expeditious recovery as we progress through the spring and reimagine the next chapters in the #RBBisBIA story!


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Red Bank Families,

We hope you each enjoyed a few days away from technology and were able to disconnect. While all the pre-pandemic activity options are not currently possible, it is always great to recharge with your loved ones. We are happy to report that as of today, over 50 eligible and interested staff members have received their first vaccination shot, some even their second. We look forward to the day our entire Red Bank community has this option available.

All things considered, we have enjoyed a successful school year thus far. With many reasons to be optimistic and 77 school days remaining, we are beginning to plan for our traditional spring and end of year activities and summer programming. With that being said, these programs will certainly be designed to meet the required health and safety protocols.

SCHEDULE INFORMATION - UPDATED FEBRUARY 24, 2021

If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration. Our Preschool Information Sessions are just around the corner!

It is extremely important for us to remain informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information. Immediate communication will allow us to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Continue to take the appropriate precautions regarding gatherings outside of school, face covering usage and frequent hand washing. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick. We appreciate your support and look forward to the spring!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• On March 1st, students will be returning to five days of in-person instruction, thus eliminating Virtual Wednesdays. We plan to continue our current Minimum School Day structure until further notice and potentially through June 18th.
• On March 1st, we will also begin serving breakfast in Grades K-8. (Preschool and Primary School LLD/MD/PSD classrooms will continue serving lunch.) In reassessing our food services plan, we realized serving breakfast in school instead of lunch provides the most benefit. These benefits include the natural staggered arrival time frame, hand sanitizing already included as part of morning procedures, desks already clean from the previous evening and the added bonus of ensuring students start the morning off well-fed. Lunches will continue to be sent home daily.
• We will also be considering other options moving forward such as adding back a snack or switching to lunch service as the health climate continues to improve. We enjoyed successful classroom based-meal services in September and October, and although enrollment is higher, we have an added layer of protection with everyone wearing shields.
• COVID-19 cases in Red Bank continue to decline and the recent NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report shows half of the counties have moved into the Yellow (Moderate) category. We will be prepared to adjust accordingly.
• If necessary, we will also be prepared to implement full-remote learning for April 7, 8 and 9 after Spring Break. Please be prepared for this possibility.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We hope this correspondence finds you and your loved ones healthy and in good spirits. It is hard to believe that we are approaching the one year mark since the pandemic directly impacted our school community. As we have said in the past, we are certain these challenging times will ultimately result in us becoming stronger and more resilient than ever. Frustration and stress continue to persist for us all - students, staff and families - but we cannot let these challenges define us or overwhelm us. There is reason to be hopeful and optimistic. We must continue to support one another on this journey with kindness, empathy, and compassion at the forefront. Thank you all for your continued patience, flexibility and understanding. Although not perfect, our efforts have created a productive school year in light of the circumstances. Remember, some school districts have been remote since March 2020. Let’s continue our partnership to make the remaining months of the 20-21 school year the best they can be!

We are happy to report that as of today, eligible and interested staff members 65 or older have received their first vaccination shot. Between our VNA partnership and staff receiving the vaccine in other ways, we have 22 staff members partially or fully vaccinated. We are elated that the VNA has also opened up the opportunity for our High-Risk 1B Group staff members to be vaccinated which represents over 40 additional staff members. We anticipate them receiving their first dose within 7-10 days. As staff receive their second dose of the vaccine, we may see a higher than normal amount of staff absences due to possible side effects. If this is the case and our staff absences increase significantly, we may need to temporarily transition to full remote instruction.

SCHEDULE UPDATES

Recently, our Board of Education approved our 2021-2022 District Calendar. Our current calendar (revised in July 2020) was designed intentionally with COVID in mind. It must be viewed as an entire product and not in isolated segments. We are fortunate to pivot to full-remote instruction on inclement weather days as per the Governor’s Executive Order. For 2021-2022, our intention is to reinstate traditional snow days. As you know, we are unable to implement Delayed Openings this year due to our Minimum School Day schedule. When we return to a full day of instruction, we will have the option of running a Delayed Opening schedule in an emergency situation. Without built-in emergency days, the use of a true “snow day” would require staff and students to come to school beyond Friday, June 18th.

As we look forward to the 2021-2022 School Year, we are gearing up for our Preschool Information Sessions & Registration. If you know anyone that has a child eligible for Preschool or is interested in attending our schools in Grades K-8 in September, please share the link to our Central Registration.

As a reminder, even while students remain home on a full-remote schedule, it is still extremely important for us to remain informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information. Immediate communication will allow us to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Continue to take the appropriate precautions regarding gatherings outside of school, face covering usage and frequent hand washing. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick. We appreciate your support.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Beginning March 1, our intention is to expand our four days of in-person instruction to five days, thus eliminating Virtual Wednesdays. We plan to continue our current Minimum School Day structure until further notice and potentially through June 18th. (Acelero Preschool will return to five days of in-person instruction on February 24th.)
• The addition of in-person Wednesdays does not compromise health and safety from a cleaning perspective.
• On March 1, we will also resume in-person, classroom-based lunch for all students, Preschool - Grade 8. We will be implementing various safety procedures and protocols involving lunch services in the classroom. We are hopeful by March 1, more staff will be vaccinated and the change in weather will permit some outdoor lunch seating - we are ordering outdoor tables and seating for various sites.
• We plan for March with optimism due to a variety of reasons. We are also excited that the cases in Red Bank have dropped significantly since December and the recent NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report shows ⅓ of counties have moved into the Yellow (Moderate) category. Of course, all plans are subject to change. In the event things change for the  worse, we will be prepared to adjust these timelines accordingly.
• Based on our current District Calendar, we will be closed for Winter Break on February 22 and 23, 2021. Please plan accordingly.
• Finally, if necessary, we will also be prepared to implement full-remote learning for April 7, 8 and 9 after our planned Spring Break. Please be prepared for this possibility.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are sending this alert to inform you that we must temporarily switch to a full-remote schedule for ALL Red Bank Primary School students effective immediately. Our intent is to reopen Red Bank Primary School for in-person instruction on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Additionally, a Grade 4 section at Red Bank Middle School will need to close on Thursday and Friday while we await certain results. Impacted families will receive a phone call. All other Red Bank Middle School classrooms and Preschool sites will remain open. *** Updated 8:55 PM - ALL Grade 8 Students and Santos/Velastegui at Red Bank Middle School will switch to a full-remote schedule and return for in-person instruction on Thursday, January 28, 2021. ***

Please know we do not take this decision lightly. Since day one our focus has been on the safety of our entire school community. Some of the reasons for our closure include:

We remain committed to in-person instruction and we believe this short-term transition to remote instruction will provide us the best  opportunity to resume and maintain an in-person instructional schedule for the long-term. On Thursday, January 28, we anticipate all students at the Primary School returning to a four day in-person schedule, including Grade 3 students, originally scheduled to return on Monday, January 25.

FREE Grab & Go Meals will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank from 9:00-11:00 AM on Thursday (January 21) and Monday (January 25) at both the Primary School and the Middle School.

Even while students remain home on a full-remote schedule, it is still extremely important for us to remain informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any information. Immediate communication will allow us to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

We realize the timing of this news may cause some level of inconvenience. However, there is nothing more important than the safety and health of our students and staff. Your cooperation is always a key factor in our success.

Continue to take the appropriate precautions regarding gatherings outside of school, face covering usage and frequent hand washing. As always, please keep your child home if they are sick AND keep them home if someone else in your household is sick. We appreciate your continued support.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Numerous students and staff home with COVID-19 symptoms
• Multiple presumptive positives (students and staff)
• Several positive cases (students and staff)
• Difficulty in being able to conduct contact tracing in a timely manner
• Delays in COVID-19 test results 

Dear Red Bank Families,

Happy New Year! We are hopeful as we enter the new year and eager to reopen our doors on Monday, January 11, 2021! Please review the schedule below and contact your school’s main office with any questions. 

Of course, this timeline is fluid and dependent upon local, county and state health data. At any point, we will be prepared to transition to short-term full-remote instruction if circumstances warrant. This may be done for specific classrooms, grade levels, and/or school sites. We will continue to consult with the Monmouth County Health Department and the COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools. Additionally, two specific circumstances will likely result in a temporary transition to full-remote instruction for the District.

In case you are unaware, the COVID-19 Pre-Registration Vaccination website is now available. New Jersey will roll out COVID-19 vaccines in a phased approach to all adults who live, work, or are being educated in the State. Within six months, New Jersey aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population.

Important Changes - Breakfast, Lunch & Snack:

Important General Reminders:

Important Schedule Reminders: Please adhere to the delineated times for your child’s location.

It is extremely important for us to remain informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Please contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any necessary information. Consistent and immediate communication of this information will allow us to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Also, please check your child’s temperature each morning and monitor your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19. We also ask that you keep your child home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness. Please refer to our 2020-21 Family Health Guide for additional information.

On another note, last evening, the Board of Education held their Annual Reorganization Meeting. Congratulations to Dr. Stone and Mr. Kalorin on their reappointment as BOE President and Vice-President, respectively. A warm welcome to new Board of Education member Ellen P. McArthur and congratulations to our reelected Board of Education members, Jennifer H. Garcia and Laura P. Camargo. We look forward to working with them to write the next chapter of the #RBBisBIA story!

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2021!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 students will return to their previous A, B or C cohort schedule. 
• Preschool, Grades K & 4, In-Class Resource Students and Specialized Populations will begin 4-days of in-person instruction on Monday, January 11. 
• We will remain on a Minimum School Day schedule with Full Remote Instruction each Wednesday.
• We will continue to expand our in-person instruction by specific grade levels as per the chart below. 
   

1. Movement into the Very High Risk (RED) category of the NJDOH’s COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix. 
2. A confirmed transmission within one of our school sites. 

• FREE Grab & Go Meals will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank from 9:00-11:00 AM on Thursday (January 7) at both the Primary School and the Middle School.
• Preschool: Students will eat lunch in school. Breakfast for the next day will be taken home.
• Kindergarten - Grade 5: Students will receive a snack and eat in small, socially distant waves. Breakfast/Lunch will be taken home.
• Grades 6-8: Breakfast/Lunch will be taken home. Snacks will not be provided.
• If you are not interested in receiving meals, email Nicole Tate (taten@rbb.k12.nj.us).
• Students may still be part of Cohort D (Full Remote Learning). If after reviewing our plan you would like to change your child’s placement, contact your school's main office a minimum of two weeks prior to the desired effective date.
• If you are having Chromebook issues, ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi. Many issues are a result of home devices losing connection. Also, please restart your device and try again before reaching out to staff.
• Visit our Remote Learning Dashboard and Special Area Courses Website
• Arrival Schedule:
  • First Baptist Church, United Methodist Church & YMCA: No Entry Prior to 8:30
  • Monmouth Day Care Center & Acelero Learning Center: Assigned Start Times Per Class
  • Primary School: Bus Students (8:30-8:45 AM) & Drop-Offs/Walkers (8:40-8:50 AM)
  • Middle School: All Students - No Entry Prior to 8:05 AM
• Minimum School Day Dismissal Schedule:
  • First Baptist Church, United Methodist Church & YMCA: 1:15 PM
  • Monmouth Day Care Center & Acelero Learning Center: See Individual Sites
  • Primary School: 1:15 PM
  • Middle School: 12:55-1:15 PM

Dear Red Bank Families,

As noted previously, we will remain on full-remote instruction through Friday, January 8, 2021. We will return to our original hybrid schedule on Monday, January 11, 2021. In addition, we will initiate the expansion of in-person instruction to four days based on the chart below. The timeline is fluid and dependent upon local, county and state health data. At any point, we will be prepared to transition to full-remote if circumstances warrant. We will continue to consult with the Monmouth County Health Department and the COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools.

Students in Cohorts A and B will not participate in 4 days of instruction until the specified reopening date.
Students in Cohort C will continue to follow their previous schedule.

Students are still able to be part of Cohort D (Full Remote Learning). If after reviewing our plan for in-person instruction you would like to change your child’s placement, contact your child’s Main Office a minimum of two weeks prior to the desired effective date.

Our commitment to providing a Co-Teaching environment for nearly all students has played a huge role in our successes, therefore, we expect to continue this practice until at least March 22, 2021. The impact of the Spring 2020 forced closure and the current hybrid instructional schedule has definitely resulted in some challenges. We believe maintaining the Co-Teaching model will best support the needs of our students.

Important Changes - Breakfast, Lunch & Snack:

Important General Reminders:

Important Schedule Reminders: Please adhere to the delineated arrival times for your child’s location.

It is extremely important for us to remain informed about household illnesses, positive COVID-19 cases, and exposures. Please contact your School Nurse or Main Office to report any necessary information. Consistent and immediate communication of this information will allow us to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Also, please check your child’s temperature each morning and monitor your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19. We also ask that you keep your child home if they or a household member exhibit any signs of illness. Please refer to our 2020-21 Family Health Guide for additional information.

On a final note, remember we are here to support you. Do not hesitate to contact our School Counselors to request any assistance you and your family may need. If we cannot help you directly, we will connect you with an appropriate resource.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season and all the best 2021 can offer.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• FREE Grab & Go Meals will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank from 9:00-11:00 AM on Monday (January 4) and Thursday (January 7) at both the Primary School and the Middle School.
• Preschool: Students will eat lunch in school. Breakfast for the next day will be taken home.
• Kindergarten - Grade 5: Students will receive a snack and eat in small, socially distant waves. Breakfast/Lunch will be taken home.
• Grades 6-8: Breakfast/Lunch will be taken home. Snacks will not be provided.
• If you are not interested in receiving meals, please email Nicole Tate (taten@rbb.k12.nj.us).
• Report Cards for Grades K-8 are available via Parent Portal.
• If you are having Chromebook issues, ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi. Many issues are a result of home devices losing connection. Also, please restart your device and try again before reaching out to staff.
• Visit our Remote Learning Dashboard and Special Area Courses Website
• Arrival Times:
  • First Baptist Church, United Methodist Church & YMCA: No Entry Prior to 8:30
  • Monmouth Day Care Center & Acelero Learning Center: Assigned Start Times Per Class
  • Primary School: Bus Students (8:30-8:45 AM) & Drop-Offs/Walkers: 8:40-8:50 AM
  • Middle School: All Students - No Entry Prior to 8:05 AM

Dear Red Bank Families,

After consultation with the Monmouth County Health Department and in accordance with the recommendations on Page 3 of  COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools we have opted to remain on full-remote instruction through Friday, January 8, 2021. Although frustrating and disappointing, we determined this is the right decision for the short-term and the long-term.  In assessing the short-term benefits, we believe this will offer continuity of instruction, maximize student attendance, and protect our students and staff for the upcoming holidays. Looking ahead, we believe this will also provide the path of least resistance to an expansion of in-person instruction beginning on Monday, January 11, 2021. We are wholeheartedly committed to returning on January 11, 2021 and also increasing in-person instruction for specific grade levels and specialized populations. It is our intent to have all students back on a 4 day schedule by the end of January. Information will be distributed prior to winter break delineating the schedule of returning students/grade levels. We will continue to operate on a Minimum School Day schedule for in-person instruction as well as maintain our full-remote Wednesdays.

Once again,  although things may not change drastically in January from a numbers perspective, it is our steadfast intention to return to our hybrid schedule on Monday, January 11, 2021 AND begin our phased expansion to 4 days of in-person instruction. You can expect our next update the week of December 21, 2020 with additional information.

Please continue to contact your child’s school IMMEDIATELY should your child or any member of your household test positive for COVID-19 or show any symptoms. This data is critical in order to ensure our entire community remains healthy and safe. Here is a list of important contacts.

Important Reminders:

Meal Services:

Wishing you all the best as we approach the holiday season. Be safe and stay #RBWell!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Report Cards for Grades K-8 will be available via Parent Portal on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 4:00 PM. A Remind message will be sent along with a helpful video on 12/21/20.
• Parent-Teacher Conference information will be communicated by each school/site.
• If you are having Chromebook issues, ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi. Many issues are a result of home devices losing connection. Also, please restart your device and try again before reaching out.
• Visit our Remote Learning Dashboard and Special Area Courses Website
• Visit our website (Preschool | Primary | Middle) and Virtual Backpacks
• FREE Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank from 9:00-11:00 AM on Mondays (December 14 & 21 and January 4) and Thursdays (December 17 & January 7) at both the Primary School and the Middle School.

Dear Red Bank Families,

As you are aware, since Friday, November 13, our students have been engaged in full-remote instruction. Our intent was to return to our hybrid schedule on Monday, December 7, but unfortunately, the circumstances in our local community do not support that possibility at this time. The month of November resulted in 269 new positive cases in Red Bank and although we have avoided school-based infections, the high community spread poses an unpredictable threat to our school community. We are currently aware of nearly 50 students and staff who remain in quarantine due to a recent exposure to COVID-19, predominantly through household contacts. Additionally, we are aware of approximately a dozen students and staff that have tested positive since our transition to full-remote on November 13, 2020. Considering the likelihood of a post-Thanksgiving surge over the next few days, these numbers are concerning.

On Thursday, November 19, 2020, Monmouth County was placed in High Risk (Orange) and remains so as of this update. In accordance with the NJ Department of Health document titled COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools, this category delineates that school districts should consider implementing full virtual learning. After a careful assessment and consultation with the Monmouth County Health Department, our School Nurses, Leadership Team and local districts, we will remain on full-remote instruction through Friday, December 11, 2020.

This decision was the most challenging I have faced while serving this district and community. We - our students, our families, our staff, our leaders - have successfully worked together thus far and we must remain unified and positive moving forward. Things may become more challenging in the coming weeks but better days are on the horizon.

You can expect our next update the evening of Thursday, December 10 with the hope that the situation has improved sufficiently for us to resume in-person programs on Monday, December 14. However, under the present circumstances, I must recommend that we all prepare for the possible extension of full-remote learning.

Please continue to contact your child’s school IMMEDIATELY should your child or any member of your household test positive for COVID-19 or show any symptoms. This data is critical in order to ensure our entire community remains healthy and safe. Here is a list of important contacts.

Meal Services:

General Reminders:

Wishing you all the best as we approach the holiday season. Be safe and stay #RBWell!

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• We are fully committed to maximizing our opportunity for in-person instruction.
• We strongly believe in the protective measures we have implemented. 
• We are excited for our remote schedule redesign.
• We are disappointed that we must delay our return.
• We understand the frustration we are all experiencing.
• Yet we remain hopeful that we will not only return to in-person instruction sooner than later, but also expand the format for in-person instruction as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
• Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank from 9:00-11:00 AM on Monday, December 7 and Thursday, December 10 at both the Primary School and the Middle School.
• Visit our new Remote Learning Dashboard and our Special Area Courses Website!
• Visit our website (Preschool | Primary | Middle) and Virtual Backpacks for notices, including many about Health & Safety.
• Families should be accessing our Parent Portal. For help, see our guides (English | Spanish).

Dear Red Bank Families,

Just last week, we planned on releasing information detailing a slow expansion of in-person instruction; however, the recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in New Jersey, Monmouth County, and Red Bank forced us to reconsider. Additionally, we also opted for a temporary transition to full-remote learning out of an abundance of caution. Our temporary closure was specifically implemented to protect the long-term viability of our in-person instructional program. We hoped to return to our hybrid model tomorrow.

While our current safety protocols and preventative measures greatly minimize the risk of a COVID-19 positive entry or an on-site transmission, the climate outside of our facilities is becoming an unquantifiable threat to our educational environment, students and staff. After discussions among our leadership team and school health personnel, and in collaboration with the Monmouth County Health Department, we will remain on a full-remote learning schedule through Friday, December 4. We expect to return to our hybrid model effective Monday, December 7 with Cohorts A & C for in-person instruction. Again, this is not a result of on-site exposures but a precaution based on the data collected regarding community exposures connected to our schools. 

At this time we are also delaying our plans for increasing in-person instruction. We do not plan to make significant changes until January 2021. Cohort D (Full-Remote) students will be able to return and be part of Cohort A or B beginning Monday, December 14, 2020 as per our adopted BOE Policy. Those families will receive a survey sent to their email address (if you do not receive an email within 24 hours, please contact your child’s school).

The challenge ahead requires teamwork. We need your help in reporting ANY member of your household that exhibits ANY COVID-19 symptoms or receives a Positive COVID-19 test result. The Monmouth County Health Department will not be contacting any households so it is imperative for you to contact your child’s school nurse immediately so that we may initiate the contact tracing process. Please continue to take the appropriate precautions regarding gatherings outside of school, the use of face coverings and frequent hand washing.

Meal Services:

General Reminders:

Wishing you all the best as we approach the holiday season. Be safe and stay #RBWell! 

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank from 9:00-11:00 AM on Thursday, November 19, Monday, November 23, Monday, November 30 and Thursday, December 3, 2020 at both the Primary School and the Middle School.
• Meals are not provided for days that are holidays and weekends (for example, Thanksgiving).
• Visit our website (Preschool | Primary | Middle) and Virtual Backpacks for notices, including many about Health & Safety.
• All families should be accessing our Parent Portal. For help, see our guides (English | Spanish).
• Here is a list of important contacts and our District Calendar is HERE.
• Visit our Special Area Courses Website

Updated November 12, 2020 - 7:45 PM.

Dear Red Bank Families,

Unfortunately, since the long weekend, we now have experienced several positive cases of COVID-19 across the district. Fortunately, only one of the cases directly impacted our middle school community and due to cohorting, the impact was minimal. It is important to note that the source of each case was identified as the household. Additionally, the families of any child that was considered to be in close contact with a student who tested positive have already been notified. At this point in our school year, we have no evidence of any transmission occurring in our schools.

We have taken exhaustive measures to provide a safe environment for students and staff since our reopening. However, the recent increase of cases in Red Bank, combined with our intent to preserve the long-term viability of in-person instruction, leads us to an unfortunate conclusion. We must transition to a full-remote schedule beginning tomorrow, Friday, November 13, 2020 through Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Our intent is to return to in-person instruction for Cohorts B & C on Thursday, November 19, 2020. 

Meals (including breakfast and lunch) will be available for any child 18 years or younger that lives in Red Bank in a “Grab and Go” format from 9:00-11:00 AM on Friday, November 13 and Monday, November 16 at both the Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School. Our Monday meal distribution will include meals for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Again, we appreciate your continued support. We realize the timing of this news may cause some level of inconvenience. However, there is nothing more important than the safety and health of our students and staff. Your cooperation was a key factor in our success throughout September and October and will continue to be moving forward. Please continue to take the appropriate precautions regarding gatherings outside of school, face covering usage and frequent hand washing.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Posted November 12, 2020 - 10:00 AM.

Dear Red Bank Families,

I hope this brief update finds you and your family well. Unfortunately, the return to school in New Jersey after the long weekend has created a variety of concerns locally and across the State. As a result, this short delay in distribution was required to ensure we are sharing the most accurate and up to date information available.

Since our opening of school, we have continually assessed our hybrid, in-person instructional model making adjustments for improvement where needed. More recently, we have designed and reviewed several models of expansion for our in-person instruction. We are certainly eager to have all students in school as often as possible. In doing so, we must also consider the preservation of a healthy school environment for students and staff as well as the long-term viability of our educational model. With that being said, at this time we are unable to commit to any schedule changes. We are hopeful that we will have an additional update shortly with more detailed information including any potential changes to our instructional schedule.

We appreciate your continued support. Your cooperation was a key factor in our success throughout September and October and will continue to be moving forward. Please continue to practice the health and safety habits that have allowed us to enjoy 40 days of school thus far.

 
Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Red Bank Families,

We have learned a lot over the first six weeks of school and continue to make adjustments to improve health and safety protocols, as well as our in-person and remote instructional platforms. With the onset of winter and the flu season, we encourage you to remain steadfast with social distancing and other best practices for limiting the spread of illness and specifically, COVID-19. As you know, New Jersey has seen a rise in positive cases and we need to exercise healthy habits in order to maintain the instructional environment we have established. 

Looking ahead, we are preparing tentative plans to increase in-person instruction should the climate permit. These plans will be designed with the physical and emotional health and safety of our students and staff in mind. Additionally, any changes to our operating schedule will be implemented deliberately and methodically. Trimester 2 begins on Monday, December 14. We do not anticipate any major structural changes to our schedule prior to that date. Any planned changes will be shared in our next Community Update which we have scheduled for Wednesday, November 11. This will offer you the benefit of nearly 5 weeks to prepare for any potential changes.  In addition, on November 11 you will also be asked to complete a brief form indicating your child’s preferred method  of instruction (full-remote or in-person) for Trimester 2.

At this time, extra-curricular activities including Athletics are still on hold. We are preparing for a winter athletic season in the event the climate permits. We are also planning to add other extra-curricular activities as part of our in-person expansion plans. Again, all changes will be pending our ability to do so in a safe manner.

Be on the lookout for our new Special Area Courses website. The site will offer a wide variety of weekly activities in the areas of Physical Education and Health/Mindfulness, Art, Music, Financial Literacy, World Languages and Project Lead the Way. We anticipate launching this website through your child’s Google Classroom. Please check it out and encourage your child to do the same! 

Additionally, in an effort to further protect your child from illness, we are piloting a new safety practice beginning Monday, October 26 at each grade level.  Every student will be provided with an appropriate-sized  face shield to serve as an additional protective barrier. As noted, with the flu season and winter upon us, we are taking extra precaution to keep everyone safe and keep our schools open.

Important Reminders About Breakfast & Lunch:

Important Reminders About Schedules:

General Reminders:

We must remain unified in protecting the long-term viability of our school schedule. Please continue to do your part by checking your child’s temperature each morning and monitoring your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19. We also ask that you keep your child home if they exhibit any signs of illness. Please refer to our 2020-21 Family Health Guide for additional information. Furthermore, please be sure your child and family are practicing healthy habits on days off and during our November school closures, including Thanksgiving break. 

Regarding holiday travel, please consider New Jersey’s Travel Restrictions and quarantine responsibilities related to certain destinations. Anyone traveling to an area of high community transmission as listed by the NJDOH Travel Advisory will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return to New Jersey. Parents should contact the Nurse with any questions. Students returning from any of the states listed will be assigned remote learning for the duration of the quarantine. Adherence is necessary to keep our school community safe as we continue to provide in-person instruction. Please notify the school if you will be required to quarantine so staff have ample time to prepare for the transfer to all remote learning for your child.

On a final note, please remember we are always here to support you. Please do not hesitate to contact our School Counselors to request any assistance you and your family may need. If we cannot help you directly, we will connect you with an appropriate resource.

I have never been more proud of our students, staff and school community. Our response during these trying times exemplifies the #RBBisBIA mindset. Let’s continue to strive to be the Best In America so we can be certain we are the Best for Red Bank. 

All the best to you and your family.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• If you have not completed an application for Free and/or Reduced meals, complete one immediately (English | Spanish). Forms are required for ALL students, even those on full-remote (Cohort D). These applications are used to determine the financial aid we receive from the State. 
• Meals are served only on days that school is in session. Therefore, no meals are provided on days the District is closed.
• Week of November 2, 2020
  • ALL COHORTS FOLLOW A VIRTUAL SCHEDULE - Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4
  • District CLOSED - Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6
• Please adhere to the delineated arrival times for your child’s location. As the weather grows colder we will be unable to open our doors for early arrivals. 
  • Arrival Times:
    • First Baptist Church, United Methodist Church & YMCA: No Entry Prior to 8:30
    • Monmouth Day Care Center & Acelero Learning Center: Assigned Start Times Per Class
    • Primary School: Bus Students (8:30-8:45 AM) & Drop-Offs/Walkers: 8:40-8:50 AM
    • Middle School: All Students - No Entry Prior to 8:05 AM
• Visit our website (Preschool | Primary | Middle) and Virtual Backpacks for notices, including many about Health & Safety.
• Information regarding Halloween costumes and procedures will be sent directly from your child’s school/site. We will not be able to accommodate parades this year at our schools. Face coverings will also need to be worn, even if a child is in costume.
• All families should be accessing our Parent Portal. For help, see our guides (English | Spanish).
• Here is a list of important contacts and our District Calendar is HERE.

Dear Red Bank Families,

As of today, we have completed 18 days of the 2020-2021 school year. We are off to a strong start while addressing the minor bumps in the road. Currently, our buildings are at 42% capacity and all of our buses are under 50% capacity. Our staff continues to work tirelessly on providing a robust remote instructional experience for all students. And you, our parents and guardians, continue to be your child’s first teacher during this new normal. Our successful opening led to a visit from Governor Phil Murphy and the Interim Commissioner of Education, Kevin Dehmer during which both complimented our students, staff, facilities, and the safety protocols implemented in the District. We invited both for a return visit in the spring when we hope to showcase in more depth the #RBBisBIA story.

Our Virtual Back to School Nights are in full swing. Individual sites/schools have communicated information about these events. As always, visit our websites (Preschool | Primary | Middle) and Virtual Backpacks for important notices, including many about Health & Safety.

As indicated in our Community Message on Sunday, October 4, we dealt with a positive COVID-19 test within our school community. Temporarily pivoting to virtual instruction is not a step we take lightly, but one that is necessary in order to guard against the spread of COVID-19. The decision to close is not one made in isolation. In response to this situation, we worked in conjunction with the Monmouth County Health Department to ensure we adhered to all recommended health and safety guidelines. (For more info, visit the New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools.) Our research and contact tracing concluded the possible existence of two close contacts. As a result, we responded with an abundance of caution by transitioning to full remote learning for all Grade 6 students and staff with an in-person return date of Monday, October 12. The decision to do so was rooted in health and safety while minimizing long-term risk to the instructional schedule we have implemented.

You may see other local districts and districts throughout the State dealing with similar situations. Please note, comparing district responses is not a fair assessment. Districts are separated into specific regions by the NJDOH. Red Bank is categorized in the Central East Region. The Current Activity Level in the Central Region as of today is rated as Moderate. 

When responding to a COVID-19 scenario, the district’s assigned region will play a significant role. The COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix provides data and public health recommendations for local health departments and schools to consider based on the level of COVID-19 transmission in their region. The matrix is for the LHDs in collaboration with the local school districts and the Communicable Disease Service. Regional risk levels are just one tool that local health departments and schools can use when assessing COVID-19 risk. Local health departments have additional knowledge of COVID-19 in their jurisdictions that can inform local planning and response actions. Implementation of these public health recommendations should be guided by what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs of each community. Additionally, the matrix provides public health recommendations regarding the type of instruction (in-person, hybrid, remote), response to ill staff or students, exclusion criteria, and activities that involve interaction with multiple cohorts.

We have begun to reevaluate our current status in regards to expanding in-person instruction but no decisions have been made at this time. Again, we will continue to assess the situation keeping health and safety as our number one priority. Our secondary goal is to offer as much in-person instruction as possible; however, we will do so deliberately so we do not jeopardize the platform we have constructed or require the need for extended remote instruction for all students. If adjustments need to be made to our schedule we will provide as much advance notice as possible. Continue to do your part by checking your child’s temperature each morning and monitoring your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19. We also ask that you keep your child home if they exhibit any signs of illness. Please refer to our 2020-21 Family Health Guide for additional information.

BELOW ARE IMPORTANT REMINDERS.

One final note. We are very fortunate in the Red Bank Borough Public Schools to have a collection of remarkable staff members. With that being said, it is time for the annual Governor's Educator of the Year Recognition Program. Here is the 20-21 Nomination Form. Recipients from the past five years cannot be considered based on the guidelines (click HERE for a list). The form closes on Sunday, November 8, 2020. All forms submitted will be shared with nominees after the selection process. Please take a few moments to nominate a deserving staff member (or two).

We cannot thank you enough for your continued support and patience during these past 7 months. Let’s continue to ensure everyone remains healthy and safe in our school community.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Tuesday, November 3, 2020 and Wednesday, November 4, 2020 will be Virtual Days for ALL STUDENTS.
• All families should be accessing our Parent Portal. For help, see our guides - English | Spanish.
• Here is a list of important contacts.
• Our District Calendar is accessible HERE.

Dear Red Bank Families:

This letter is to inform you that an individual at Red Bank Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19. We are working closely with public health officials and following CDC, state, and local health department guidance in order to assure the health and safety of our community. Those individuals deemed to be “close contacts” were contacted by the school and the Monmouth County Health Department. The individual will spend the required time in isolation and the close contacts will be subject to a 14-day quarantine. Cleaning and disinfecting of the building were completed on Friday evening as per our normal schedule. In addition, with an abundance of caution, we cleaned and disinfected specific areas of the building on Sunday. Furthermore, GRADE 6 staff and students in the following homerooms will participate in remote instruction from Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9: Mrs. Lynch, Ms. Coco, Mr. Cuddihy, Mrs. LoCascio, Mrs. Pape, and Ms. Hartman. All five days will follow the schedule of our standard “virtual Wednesdays”.

As needed, we will update you with any forthcoming information. In the meantime, we encourage parents and students to continue following the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention promoted safeguards, such as:
Staying home when you are sick;

As always, we appreciate our community’s support and cooperation. You can assist us by remaining vigilant but sensible in your approach to dealing with this health concern. Should you have any questions about this situation, please feel free to contact your school nurse.


Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

• Cohort A Grade 6 students will return for in-person instruction on Monday, October 12.
• Cohort B Grade 6 students will return for in-person instruction on Thursday, October 15.
• Washing hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds;
• Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
• Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks, and utensils;
• Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);
• Wearing a face covering while in school; and
• Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are approaching the end of Week #2 and by all accounts we are off to a successful start on our journey. Thanks to the cooperation of our families, the dedication of our staff, and the resilience of our students we have experienced only minor glitches which we expect to address as we continue to refine our hybrid model of instruction. Although we did an admirable job last spring during our sudden forced closure, our staff is working tirelessly to provide a more robust remote instructional experience for our students this school year.

As you are aware, we are conducting temperature checks each day at all locations for students, staff and visitors. We do ask that you continue to do your part by checking your child’s temperature each morning and monitoring your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19.  We also ask that you keep your child home if they exhibit any signs of illness. Students are required to wear face coverings on school buses and throughout the school day. We do have a supply of extra face coverings on hand but if possible, please send in an extra face covering(s) with your child in the event of an emergency. Please refer to our 2020-21 Family Health Guide for additional information. We continue to rely on our partnership to keep our entire school community safe and make our school year a success for all.

Additionally, we are now working directly with the Monmouth County Department of Health to ensure we continue to implement best practices for health and safety. In the event, any health concerns exist within our school community we will communicate the necessary information swiftly and through multiple platforms. In these circumstances, we believe clarity and responsiveness will be of the utmost importance.

As of today, it is too early to reevaluate our current status and we do not foresee any major changes to our school schedule coming in the near future. We will continue to assess the situation keeping health and safety as our number one priority. If and when adjustments need to be made to our schedule we will provide as much advance notice as possible. Currently, we are preparing for Back to School Night. Information regarding this event will be shared by your child’s individual school. 

Below are several important reminders.

Thank you again for your support in the successful reopening of the Best School District in America! As a community, let’s keep up the great teamwork to maintain a safe learning environment for our students and staff. 

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

• Our School District is CLOSED for students and staff on Monday, September 28 for Yom Kippur.
• All families should be accessing our Parent Portal. For directions and contact information if you are having difficulty, see our guides - English | Spanish.
• Here is a list of important contacts.
• Review our Top 20 Facts for Parents (English | Spanish) highlighting important details of our Restart & Recovery Plan and our User Friendly Guide for Families & Staff to The #RBBisBIA Road Back (English | Spanish). 
• For a complete version of the required NJDOE Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen Schools, click HERE. 
• View our Virtual Backpack for important Health & Safety notices which need to be followed on a daily basis.
• If you are in need of WiFi, visit www.internetessentials.com.  If you are in need of financial assistance for WiFi, call 732-785-1510. 

Dear Red Bank Families,

Our entire staff and I are excited to welcome your children back on Monday, September 14, 2020. Although we will not all be physically together, we will be able to connect that day with all students and continue on our #RBBisBIA journey.

Below are several important reminders. Please review carefully.

We look forward to opening our doors for students on September 14. Please remember to do your part and check your child’s temperature each morning and monitor your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19. More than ever, we are counting on our partnership to keep our entire school community safe. View our Virtual Backpack for important Health & Safety notices which need to be followed on a daily basis.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

• If your child is in Cohort B or D, information will be forthcoming through Remind and/or via email from his/her teacher with directions on how to connect on Monday.
• All families should be accessing our Parent Portal. For directions and contact information if you are having difficulty, see our guides - English | Spanish.
• Bus passes, teacher assignments and important Health and Safety information was mailed Friday. If you have not received a packet, contact your child’s school. Here is a list of important contacts.
• For Chromebook Distribution Information and WiFi assistance, click HERE.
• Review our Top 20 Facts for Parents (English | Spanish) highlighting important details of our Restart & Recovery Plan and our User Friendly Guide for Families & Staff to The #RBBisBIA Road Back (English | Spanish). 
• For a complete version of the required NJDOE Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen Schools, click HERE. 

Dear Red Bank Families,

In order to maximize our home-school communications, we are looking for 100% Parent Portal participation. The Portal will include report cards, handbooks, forms, grades and more for ALL students. If you cannot access Parent Portal, click HERE in lieu of calling the Main Office. Use the FORGOT MY PASSWORD feature on Parent Portal if you need to reset your password. At this time, the only information posted are cohort assignments. Here are directions (English | Spanish) on how to retrieve your child’s cohort.

Please review the information below in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year which begins Monday, September 14, 2020. Additional information including bus passes, teacher assignments and directions on how to retrieve Welcome Back information in Parent Portal will be mailed home the week of September 7, 2020.

DEVICE DISTRIBUTION (Kindergarten - Grade 8 Students):

IMPORTANT: ALL students MUST have WiFi as students in Grades K-8 regardless of cohort will be on a Full Remote Schedule each Wednesday. If you are in need of WiFi, visit www.internetessentials.com. If you are in need of financial assistance for WiFi, call 732-785-1510. 

MEAL SERVICES: “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch for all Red Bank children 18 or younger ends on Thursday, August 27th. Meal services will resume on our first day of school, Monday, September 14. More information will be provided regarding students needing meals that are on full remote learning.

Our next update is Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Please review our Top 20 Facts for Parents (English | Spanish) highlighting important details of our Restart & Recovery Plan and our User Friendly Guide for Families & Staff to The #RBBisBIA Road Back (English | Spanish). For a complete version of the required NJ Department of Education Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen Schools, click HERE. 

We look forward to opening our doors for students on September 14. Please remember to do your part and check your child’s temperature each morning and monitor your child daily for symptoms of COVID-19. More than ever, we are counting on our partnership to keep our entire school community safe. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school. Visit Contact Information for important numbers and emails.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

• Cohort A & C: Students will receive their device Monday, September 14 or Tuesday, September 15 at school.
• Cohort B: Students may pick up devices on September 8, 9 or 10 from 9:00-11:00 AM or 1:00-3:00 PM at the Red Bank Middle School (Gym Door #4). 
• Cohort D: Students may pick up their devices and other materials for full remote learning on September 11 from 8:30-12:30 PM at the Red Bank Middle School (Gym Door #4). 

Dear Red Bank Families,

We are sharing a Top 20 Facts for Parents (English | Spanish) highlighting the most important details of our Restart & Recovery Plan. Don’t forget to visit our User Friendly Guide for Families & Staff to The #RBBisBIA Road Back (English | Spanish).

SEPTEMBER 2020 COHORT ASSIGNMENT: Here are directions (English | Spanish) on how to retrieve your child’s cohort assignment via Parent Portal. At this time, the only information posted is cohort assignments. Please check the email address utilized at the point of registration as a message was sent to that account earlier today. If you cannot access the information or never submitted an email address, click HERE to submit a form in lieu of calling. Use the FORGOT MY PASSWORD feature on Parent Portal if you are unsure about your specific information.

All students are assigned to one of four cohorts which is noted in Parent Portal.

MEAL SERVICES: “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch for all Red Bank children 18 or younger will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-11:00 AM at RB Middle School on August 20, 24 and 27. After August 27, meal service will not resume until our first day of school, September 14. More information will be provided regarding students needing meals that are on full remote learning

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

In future updates, we will provide details regarding specific student schedules, teacher assignments, sample pictures of classrooms, bus information, Chromebook distribution schedules (all Grades K-8 students), meal information, safety guidelines/procedures and more. Moving forward, much of this information will be posted via Parent Portal, including all report cards for students in Grades K-8.

If you are in need of WiFi, visit www.internetessentials.com. If you are in need of financial assistance for WiFi, call 732-785-1510. Students MUST have access to WiFi as ALL students in Grades K-8 will be on a Full Remote Schedule each Wednesday, no matter what cohort they are assigned.

Please be aware that Tuesday, November 3, 2020 will be a virtual day for ALL STUDENTS due to the Governor’s Executive Order #177. The Red Bank Borough Board of Education approved a revised 2020-2021 School Calendar (click HERE). The start date for ALL STUDENTS is Monday, September 14, 2020.

Our next update is scheduled for next Wednesday, August 26, 2020. For a complete version of the required NJ Department of Education Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen Schools, click HERE.

REMINDERS

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

• Cohort A: In Person Instruction Mondays & Tuesdays. Full Remote Learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays.
• Cohort B: In Person Instruction on Thursdays & Fridays. Full Remote Learning on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
• Cohort C: In Person Instruction on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. Full Remote Learning on Wednesdays. Cohort C is only for students in self-contained special education classes (PSD, MD & LLD).
• Cohort D: Full Remote Learning
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with 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.
• 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
  • Questions? Call 732-758-1500 and leave a message. Here is other important Contact Information.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We hope this message finds you and your loved ones doing well and enjoying the summer. This communication is intended to keep you updated on our plans for the 2020-2021 school year. Our Leadership Team, Restart Committee, and Board of Education continue to work on developing a plan to create a safe environment for the return of our students and staff. We are guided by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), Center for Disease Control (CDC), New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission (MCRHC). 

As you may have seen in the news, some of this guidance continues to evolve, which has made it a challenging task in providing you with information that is set in stone. Therefore, keep in mind that each update may bring about some changes based on new information received. We thank you for your flexibility, patience and cooperation during this time.

We have created a User Friendly Guide for Families & Staff to The #RBBisBIA Road Back (English | Spanish). We hope this assists in your planning for September 2020. Expect more information to be shared in future updates.

 We expect our next update to be released on Wednesday, August 19 at which time you will receive directions on how to retrieve your child’s cohort assignment via Parent Portal. In addition, we will be sharing information regarding the Top 20 Facts for Parents.

Beyond that date, we will be providing details regarding specific student schedules (including students in full remote and in the hybrid model), teacher assignments, bus information, Chromebook distribution schedules (all Grades K-8 students), meal information, specific safety guidelines/procedures and more. If you are in need of WiFi, visit www.internetessentials.com. If you are in need of financial assistance for WiFi, call 732-785-1510. Students MUST have access to WiFi as ALL students in Grades K-8 will be on a Full Remote Schedule each Wednesday, no matter what cohort they are assigned.

As an important reminder, the Red Bank Borough Board of Education approved a revised 2020-2021 School Calendar (click HERE). The starting date for ALL STUDENTS is Monday, September 14, 2020.

The health and safety of students and staff is our number one priority and has guided all decisions regarding the District’s plan. We realize that a tremendous amount of anxiety exists because of the current health situation. Please continue to take care of yourselves and know that we will get through this together. And, in the end, we hope to come out even stronger as we continue our #RBBisBIA journey.

For a complete version of the required NJ Department of Education Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen Schools, click HERE.

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW. 

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

• Dress Code/School Uniforms 
• • • A uniform dress code will continue to be required for ALL students (Preschool - Grade 8) in September. Students are to wear tan khaki colored bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, skort or jumper) with a solid color red, black, or white collared shirt, blouse, short or long sleeved polo shirt, turtlenecks and/or sweaters. Clothing may be purchased at any store. If you need assistance please contact the Main Office of your child’s school. (This does not apply to Acelero Learning or Monmouth Day Care Center.) 
• “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch - All Children 18 or Younger 
• • • Food Services are open Mondays and Thursday from 8:30-11:00 AM at RB Middle School - English/Spanish. 
• Summer Learning Opportunities 
• • • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for resources. 
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration 
• • • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with 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. 
• 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.

Dear Red Bank Families,

We hope this communication finds you healthy and enjoying summer. It is nearly August and with September around the corner we are certain you have many questions regarding the 2020-2021 school year. Our Leadership Team, Restart Committee, and Board of Education are collaborating to provide the safest possible environment for our students and staff while maximizing in person instructional time. Our overall plan reflects guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), Center for Disease Control (CDC), New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission (MCRHC) as well as feedback received from family and staff surveys. It currently includes 7 distinct stages so that we are capable of seamlessly responding to any changes regarding the health pandemic. Today, we are sharing the most likely scenario for September and the main elements we hope to implement assuming things remain unchanged.

Schedule Overview & Technology Devices

Calendar

As part of our plan, the Red Bank Borough Board of Education approved a revised 2020-2021 School Calendar (click HERE to review). The revised calendar includes 180 days of student instruction and we will continue to follow a trimester schedule. The starting date for ALL STUDENTS is now Monday, September 14, 2020. The delayed start provides several benefits:

Extra Curricular Activities & Athletics

We believe these experiences are critical, now more than ever to the social and emotional well-being of our children. While our desire is to reinstate a full array of extra curricular activities, before/after school programming and athletics, please note that all of these areas are currently on hold for September. Once we can ensure a safe return at Stage 3, we will revisit these areas and proceed.

Face Coverings

General Health & Safety Items

While our plans are subject to change, below are some points to consider. These small steps will help in the fall, regardless of the type of plan we implement. 

Future Surveys (Virtual Instruction & Transportation) 

September Packet Pickup Date

Once again, we will be guided by the advice of local health officials to determine the safest course of action based on local circumstances, which will change as the public health landscape evolves. The health and safety of students and staff is our number one priority and has guided all decisions regarding the District’s plan. It will be imperative for you to do your part to support a safe and healthy school environment. We expect behaviors that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 such as encouraging students to stay home when showing signs of illness; encouraging the practice of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; and requiring the use of face coverings. Each school day, students should be evaluated at home for symptoms and remain home if necessary. Additionally, students should be encouraged at home, as they will be in school, to wash hands with soap and water frequently. Finally, students should always wear a cloth mask when social distancing is not possible.

Please continue to practice social distancing, make good choices and enjoy the summer. You can expect our next Community Update on or about August 12 which will contain additional information regarding September, including meal distribution. In the meantime, continue to Dream BIG, stay safe and be well.

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

• As of today (Wednesday, July 29, 2020) our intent is to open schools for students at Stage 3. While this is our plan today, it could very easily change based on guidance from local health officials and directives from the Governor and/or Acting Commissioner of Education. 
• In Stage 3, students are divided into Cohort A and Cohort B. 
  • Cohort A attends school for in person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays and participates in Virtual Instruction on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday. 
  • Cohort B participates in Virtual Instruction on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and attends school for in person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
  • Our plan is to place families with multiple children throughout the District in the same cohort. This will allow you to plan for child care in advance.
  • As an example, a class that typically has 22 students would have 11 students for in person instruction. This will significantly reduce interaction and capacity in classrooms, hallways and buses while providing the in person instruction that we all know is so important.
• All in person instruction will be based on a Minimum School Day schedule for students. This schedule will provide additional time to sanitize all areas on a daily basis. It will also allow for a more intense cleaning schedule on Wednesdays which is a break between Cohort A and Cohort B. Preschool through Grade 3 student dismissal time will be 1:25 PM and Grades 4-8 student dismissal time will be 1:00 PM.
• On Virtual Instruction days, students will have assignments to complete under the direction of a teacher. 
  • All students from Preschool - Grade 8 will participate in Virtual Instruction on Wednesdays. This will include live content, pre-recorded content, whole class meetings, small group meetings, small group intervention and/or enrichment as well as independent practice. More information will be provided in late August.
  • On days students are assigned to Virtual Instruction, teachers will have the opportunity to check in with students at a designated time. Based on feedback, we feel it is important for every child to connect with their teacher(s) daily.
• Students enrolled in our self-contained Preschool Disability Program (PSD), Learning and Language Disability Program (LLD) or Multiply Disabled Program (MD) will attend school for in person instruction on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays. These classes will be fully virtual on Wednesdays.
• We plan to distribute Chromebooks with protective cases in early September to all students in Grades K-8. More information will be provided in future updates. If you are in need of WiFi, visit www.internetessentials.com.
• Six professional learning/preparation days for staff. These days are typically spread throughout the year.
• Time to distribute information and materials in lieu of our traditional September Packet Pickup.
• The opportunity to learn from the earlier start dates in other local districts.
• Cloth masks will be required for all students on buses and in school until further notice.
• Staff will be required to wear cloth masks and face shields.
• Exemptions will include staff/students with medical conditions, students with disabilities, and circumstances in which appropriate social distancing can be guaranteed.
• Students should provide their own school appropriate cloth face covering. If they forget their face covering, the district will provide a disposable version for the day.

1. In conjunction with our custodial and maintenance staff, we are developing plans and ensuring we have all necessary resources and equipment to implement an intense cleaning schedule on a daily basis, including evenings and weekends.
2. During times when access to soap and water is not available, students will utilize hand sanitizer. Students five and under will be monitored while using this product. We ask that children under five not carry their own personal bottle of hand sanitizer.
3. While we hope to provide hand sanitizer, we anticipate asking families to donate large bottles (8-12 ounces) for general use. Please be aware of the numerous product recalls listed HERE.
4. Please ensure you have a working thermometer. Parents will need to screen their children for fevers and other symptoms daily. Students will likely be screened upon entry to the school and during the day as needed. Students with a confirmed fever or any other COVID-19 related symptoms will be isolated with supervision until they are picked up by a family member. 
5. All Water Fountains will be turned off until further notice, however, the water bottle filling stations will remain accessible. Students should bring CLEAR PLASTIC bottles to school on a daily basis for water only.

• We anticipate sending out a family survey regarding transportation and virtual instruction.
  • Our transportation survey will ask families to indicate if they would like to opt out of bussing for the 2020-2021 school year. We realize some families do not participate and knowing this in advance will assist us in planning.
  • Our virtual instruction survey will only be required of those families choosing to participate in FULL virtual instruction, Mondays through Fridays. The Governor has now provided this option to families. Please note that if agreeing to participate in FULL virtual instruction, you may only opt back in at the end of each trimester (December 11, 2020 or March 19, 2021).
• Our desire was for families to be fully aware of our anticipated opening model (Stage 3) prior to survey distribution.
• Our annual September Packet Pickup has been cancelled. In future updates we will inform families when information such as Cohort/Teacher Assignments, Bus Information, etc. will be distributed. Thank you for your patience.
• “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch - All Children 18 or Younger
  • • Food Services are open Mondays and Thursday from 8:30-11:00 AM at RB Middle School - English/Spanish.
• Summer Learning Opportunities
  • • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for resources.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with 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.
• 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.

Dear Red Bank Families,

I hope this message finds you and your families well and enjoying the summer break. As promised, we are sharing this bi-weekly update to provide some general information regarding our reopening plan and provide some insight into September.

As previously communicated, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) released the Restart and Recovery Plan for Education on Friday, June 26. This document offered guidelines but also left many questions unanswered.  It did, however, communicate two points: 

Currently, we are developing an in-person, remote learning hybrid schedule that is focused on the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Our plans include recommendations from the CDC, the NJDOH, our local health commission, and other feedback we have received from the community and staff.

While our plans are subject to change, below are some points to consider. These small steps will help in the fall, regardless of the type of plan we implement. 

Again, all plans are subject to any changes to the guidelines provided by the NJDOE, directives from the Office of the Governor, and the recommendations of relevant health organizations. Further information regarding instructional programming will be forthcoming, but please know we have taken measures to provide a more structured virtual schedule for students and staff.

Please continue to practice social distancing and make good choices. You can expect our next Community Update on or about July 29. We anticipate this update will include more detailed information regarding September. In the meantime, continue to Dream BIG, stay safe and be well.

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D

1. Schools in New Jersey should reopen for some type of in-person instruction in the fall. 
2. All students will be required to wear a face covering when physical distancing of six feet is not possible (unless prohibited from doing so because of a medical condition). 
3. Items families will need for their children:
   1. Face Covering
   2. Hand Sanitizer
   3. Thermometer 
4. While we hope to provide face coverings and hand sanitizer, we anticipate asking families to donate large bottles (8-12 ounces) of hand sanitizer for general use.
5. Students will be required to wear face coverings on buses and in school when social distancing guidelines cannot be met. Accommodations will be made for students with certain conditions that preclude the use of face coverings.
6. Please ensure you have a working thermometer. Parents will need to screen their children for fevers and other symptoms daily. Students will be screened upon entry to the school and during the day as needed. 
7. We plan to distribute Chromebooks in late August/early September to all students in Grades K-8. If you are in need of WiFi, visit www.internetessentials.com. You may qualify for this special pricing if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as Free/Reduced Lunch, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others.
8. At a minimum we anticipate being fully virtual for all students in Grades Preschool - 8 every Wednesday.
9. We anticipate our Board of Education approving a revised calendar at their next meeting. Our projected start date for students will be later than planned as we need time for staff to prepare for in person and/or virtual instruction.
10. Any in person instruction will be based on a Minimum School Day schedule. This modified schedule will provide additional time to sanitize all areas on a daily basis.
    1. Preschool through Grade 3 dismissal time - 1:25 PM.
    2. Grades 4-8 dismissal time - 1:00 PM.
11. Due to social distancing guidelines and restrictions students will not eat breakfast or lunch in school. Students will be provided a daily snack and breakfast and lunch will be similar to “Grab and Go” that is currently offered.

• “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch - All Children 18 or Younger
  • Food Services are open Mondays and Thursday from 8:30-11:00 AM at RB Middle School - English/Spanish.
• Voter Registration & Eligibility
  • Applications - English | Spanish and  Voter Eligibility Guidelines.
• Summer Learning Opportunities
  • Summer Learning Info - English | Spanish. Visit our Virtual Learning Website for more resources.
  • Click HERE for a Summer Reading video tutorial from the Red Bank Public Library.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with 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.
• 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.

Dear Red Bank Families and Community Members,

I hope this letter finds you and your families safe, healthy, and enjoying the beginning of summer break. While it should be our priority to enjoy the summer and our families to the maximum, inevitably, questions about September 2020 will arise. Along with these questions will come speculation. Please know we will share updates every two weeks throughout the summer and more often if needed. We recommend you use these updates as your primary source of information.

Today, we are sharing our first summer update on the heels of the release of The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education by the New Jersey Department of Education on Friday, June 26. The Road Back is a 104-page document that delineates the anticipated minimum standards for creating a safe and healthy environment while providing school districts the autonomy to best meet the needs of their communities. The plan is designed in four categories: Conditions for Learning, Leadership and Planning, Policy and Funding and Continuity of Learning. Within each of these segments, the NJDOE covers topics such as face coverings, transportation, social distancing, scheduling and more. Additionally, the plan calls for the establishment of a District Restart Committee which we have already enlisted, as well as school-based Pandemic Response Teams which we are currently organizing. These teams will meet in July, in person and virtually, to assist with our reopening plan. The plan must be submitted to the NJDOE for approval by August 1, 2020.

At this time, as I am sure you realize, we still have very few answers. Our Leadership Team is working diligently to design a comprehensive reopening plan that covers multiple scenarios and offers the flexibility needed to navigate the dynamics of this situation. As we work in concert with our committees, feedback from our staff and community will play a critical role. We have already surveyed staff and expect to disseminate more staff surveys over the next few weeks. Additionally, we need feedback from our families and community. Please complete this brief survey (English | Spanish) by Monday, July 6. The information collected will provide the extra insight needed to create our plan.

No public school will create a perfect plan; however, the Red Bank Borough Public Schools will create a plan focused on safety and health while providing as much in-person instructional time as possible within those parameters. I am certain this will be a challenging process and ask for your continued support, patience, and flexibility.

Please continue to practice social distancing and make good choices. You can expect our next Community Update on or about July 15 and we are hopeful this update will include at least a skeleton reopening plan for your review. Stay safe and be well.

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT UPDATES BELOW.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• “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.
• Voter Registration & Eligibility
  • Visit us during “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch for paper forms.
  • Applications - English | Spanish and Voter Eligibility Guidelines.
• Summer Learning Opportunities
  • Summer Learning Info - English | Spanish
  • Click HERE for a Summer Reading video tutorial from the Red Bank Public Library.
  • Visit our Virtual Learning Website for additional educational experiences for ALL students.
• District Communication System Change
  • We are 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.
• Preschool and Grades K-8 Registration
  • Click HERE for registration information for NEW Preschool - Grade 8. Please share with 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.
• 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.

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• “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.

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• “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.

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• 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.

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• 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.

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:

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• 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.

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.

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

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

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:

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:

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

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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

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:

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:

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:

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.

• 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
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.

Dear Red Bank Families,

During the past five years, our leadership team, our Board of Education, our faculty and staff, and our students and families, collaborated to accomplish countless achievements which exemplify the BIA mentality and write the remarkable story of the Red Bank Borough Public Schools. We should all be tremendously proud of what we have accomplished together.

Recently, I was provided the opportunity to reflect on the past few years in order to help create a road map to define our future. In doing so, I was able to appreciate who we are and also visualize what we will become. As a result of this reflection, I am excited to announce the 19-20 school year will bring some changes to our leadership team. At the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 30 the following items were approved, effective July 1, 2019.

In addition to these changes, I am also excited to welcome a new member to our Board of Education. After many years of service, Ms. Marjorie Lowe has resigned from the position as a member of our Board. We are grateful for Ms. Lowe’s dedicated service to our school community. Last evening, the Board interviewed and appointed Ms. Jennifer Garcia to replace Ms. Lowe. Ms. Garcia has three daughters in our schools and is a constant voice of support for our school district throughout the community. I look forward to working with Ms. Garcia and the entire Board of Education to inspire our students to Dream BIGGER and help them get there!

Looking forward to closing out another extraordinary school year and the great things to come in 2019-20!

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.

1. That the Board approves the appointment of Luigi Laugelli as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
2. That the Board approves the voluntary transfer of Stacy Sherwood to Middle School Literacy Interventionist.
3. That the Board approves the transfer of Maria Iozzi to Primary School Principal.
4. That the Board approves the transfer of James T. Pierson to Middle School Principal.

Dear Parents/Guardians/Staff:

As we plan end-of-year activities, our staff and students will have the opportunity to enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend as an extended holiday.  Due to the fact that we did not use the three snow days reserved for inclement weather, our District will be closed for all staff and students on Friday, May 24, 2019.

The two remaining unused snow days will be applied to Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21, 2019 (this only applies to 10-month employee’s calendar) with Wednesday, June 19 being the last day of school for instructional staff and students.  Minimum school days will be Friday, June 14 through Wednesday, June 19.  The minimum school day schedule is as follows:

• Middle School, 1:00 p.m. Release Time
• Primary School, 1:10 p.m. Release Time
• Off-Site Preschools, 1:15 p.m. Release Time

Listed below are dates for promotion and moving up ceremonies.

• First Baptist Church PreK on June 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
• United Methodist Church PreK on June 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
• Primary School Kindergarten on June 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
• CYMCA PreK on June 12, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.
• Primary School Grade 3 on June 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
• Primary School PreK on June 17, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
• Middle School on June 17, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
• Acelero Head Start on June 18, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
• Monmouth Day Care Center PreK on June 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Additionally, our Family Fun Night 2019 will take place on Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m. at the Primary School with Friday, June 14 as the rain date.

Sincerely,

Jared J. Rumage, Ed.D.