2021-09-14-School Community Update

Dear Bridgewater-Raritan School Community, 

This week, we welcome everyone back for the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you to the teachers, support staff, students, and families for everything you have done to make this a great school opening.

The purpose of this correspondence is to share the challenges the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School district is facing with student transportation and to provide updates on our flood remediation efforts.  Both issues will require some level of patience and flexibility from a large portion of our community.  I appreciate the support demonstrated by the community as we navigate these issues.  

The major challenge facing the school district revolves around transportation.  Unfortunately, two of our  contractors informed the district just prior to Labor Day that multiple routes within our district would not be serviced due to a lack of bus drivers.  Specifically, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School district is short 37 different bus routes, affecting over 900 students.   Currently, there are two options being considered that could potentially impact students and families throughout our district.  

First, we will be sending out a survey to the community asking parents to report if their student(s) will not utilize transportation this year.  Families will have the option of requesting transportation if the need arises during the school year.  The goal is to figure out who will be present on our buses during the school year.  Second, the administration is taking a close look at bus routes as we may need to add an additional tier of bussing in order to provide transportation to everyone.  What this means is that start times and dismissal times in multiple schools may need to be adjusted beginning Monday, September 27th.  I will push out specific information regarding school start times by Monday, September 20th.   Please understand that our overall goal is to minimize changes to start and dismissal times throughout the district. 

As mentioned in prior correspondence, three of our buildings sustained damage due to floodwaters, thus pushing the beginning of the school year to Monday, September 13th for all students.  Thankfully, we were able to open ten of our buildings today, as Crim and Hamilton primary schools are welcoming students for the first time.  Unfortunately, the  Middle School will continue to utilize a virtual format for a minimum of the first two weeks of the school year, due to the extensive mitigation efforts needed to reopen.  Additional updates related to the opening of the Middle School for in-person instruction will be communicated by the end of the week. 

Sincerely, 

Robert Beers
Superintendent of Schools