Readington News - June 2021 by Town Media

June 2021 www.readingtonnews.com

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Readington News A Community Newspaper

Citizen Group Works Out Roundabout Alternatives, Springtown Road Closed

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Serving All of Readington Township, NJ

ship and the County Commissioners set up a six-month trial period to implement safety improvements at the intersection and then assess the results in 2021. Three changes were implemented in 2020: Neighbors agreed to cut back their foliage to improve line-of-sight at the intersection; A reduction in the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph on the approaches on 523 through the intersection; and Increased Police education and enforcement. Since the changes were implemented, there have been two accidents: A fender bender in slow moving traffic approaching the stop sign on Pleasant Run and a car running a stop sign on Stanton Road and hitting the steel barrier across the 523/629 intersection. As of April 15, there have been no accidents in 2021. Dialogue between the Township and the County has also resulted in reducing the speed limit through the Village of Stanton (Route 629) from 40 mph to 30 mph. In late 2020, after a survey of Springtown Road residents indicated support as a means of preventing a roundabout, the Township by resolution approved a planned closure of Springtown Road, which occurred in May. This will reduce the complexity of a five-way intersection to a four-way intersection and continue the plan of incremental improvements. Suitable signage will be installed on 523/629 and on Springtown and a safety barrier will be installed at the newly closed end of Springtown to allow access by first responder vehicles and cyclists. Readington Township plans to continue to work with Hunterdon County to improve traffic safety on the whole length of 523 in Readington and will identify additional traffic measures on all Township roads within Readington that make sense to residents and to the rural environment of this area.

Three Bridges Eagles Ready for Their Closeup (The following information was excerpted from a Conserve Wildlife Foundation NJ post on YouTube.) Eagles have nested on top of an electric transmission tower in Three Bridges since 2015 and have successfully raised 12 young. With the line of towers being replaced in 2020 by monopoles, PSE&G worked with wildlife groups to ensure that the Three Bridges eagles would have every opportunity to continue nesting here. PSE&G designed a platform on the new monopole and placed the original nest on the platform once it was erected.

Readington News A Community Newspaper

Intersection of County Route 523, County Route 629 and Springtown Road

By Readington Citizens for Roundabout Alternatives A Hunterdon County Engineering Department proposal in April 2019 to build a roundabout at the five-way intersection of county routes 523, 629 and Springtown Road met with strong opposition from Readington residents who argued that a roundabout would not fit the rural location. County roads are managed (speed limits and maintenance) by Hunterdon County, while Readington Township Police enforce speed limits on all roads within the township boundaries. Juergen Huelsebusch, as a member of the Township Committee, attended that controversial session and then worked to help organize a group of concerned citizens “Readington Citizens for Roundabout Alternatives (RCRA)” to explore alternatives to a roundabout. The RCRA worked to inform residents of roundabout alternatives, including a well-attended presentation at the Three Bridges Firehouse in October 2019, a Facebook page, email distributions, and an online petition signed by more than 300 individuals in opposition to a roundabout. RCRA members attended meetings and briefed the Hunterdon County Commissioners and Readington Township officials on findings.

Alternatives considered included various combinations of traffic lights, stop signs and no-left-turns, speed reduction, improvement of road-bed and street-side signage, improvement to line-of-sight at the intersection, and closure of Springtown Road (reducing the five-way intersection to a less complex fourway intersection). Major concerns about a roundabout included inability of tractor trailers to make right turns without circumnavigating the entire roundabout (stated by the engineers), impact on the Pleasant Run stream, impact to adjacent residents, and the 25 ft. high-intensity street lighting required. The RCRA Engineering review, led by Adam Mueller, discovered that the Federal Highway Administration states in a publication titled “Roundabouts - An Informational Guide (FHWARD-00-067),” that roundabouts should not be located where grades through the intersection are greater than 4%. The grades through the intersection on Route 523 are 6% (southbound) and 8% (northbound). Additionally, both of the approaches into the intersection are curved which reduces the line of sight for approaching drivers. Besides the unsafe gradient, this line-of-sight factor could independently make the proposed roundabout unsafe. In mid-2020, Readington Town-

A team including Meredith Goodwin, chair of the Readington Township Board of Adjustment, helped to band the two new Three Bridges eagles in mid-May.

The bald eagle pair eventually began visiting the platform nest and settled in mid-February. At the end of March two eaglets hatched. The two were banded on May 14, returned to the monopole and a “Three Bridges Eagle cam” began live streaming all nest action on YouTube at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=faqEAavMO40.

Serving All of Readington Township, NJ

The new eagles will likely leave the nest at the end of June.

The Readington News • June 2021

Kirkside Spring Garage Sale Editors/Publishers: Monita Casey Haduch, Bill Haduch Advertising Manager: Karen C. Muller Contributors: Lisa O’Donoghue & Susan Torsilieri Mailing Services: Mike Sanchez Art: Jacki Hasko, Megan Clewell Layout Services: Steve Skladany The Readington News is mailed monthly, free-of-charge to every mailing address in Readington Township. Free copies are also available for distribution in places of business, schools, and municipal offices. DEADLINES FOR NEXT ISSUE July/August 2021

June 10 For Ad Materials June 15 For News Materials

The Readington News is not liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical errors, or errors in publication, unless, in our judgment, the error materially affects the content and advertising value of the ad. Compensation will not exceed the cost of the space in which an error occurs. The Readington News has the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason, and is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We ask our readers to keep us informed of any misleading advertisements. Phone/Fax: 1-800-530-3046 Email: readingtonnews@gmail.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 5351, Branchburg, NJ 08876 Web: www.readingtonnews.com A Creative Resources/ Town Media Newspaper Publishers: Bill Haduch, Monita Casey Haduch

Kirkside Shared Home for Seniors will host a garage sale outside on Saturday, June 12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 199 Route 28, in Bridgewater. A rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 19. Masks and social distancing are requested and will be followed by workers. This will be a huge sale with a large inventory. Items are priced starting at a dollar. There is a new selection of jewelry, toys, linens, household items, small pieces of furniture, electronics, tools, a large selection of DVDs, CDs and books priced at $1 per bag. The boutique table with high quality collectibles will feature an antique baby carriage. Kirkside, an affordable shared home for seniors 62 years and up sponsored by the North Branch Reformed Church, is a beautifully restored colonial home for five. Each senior has a private bedroom and all residents share the common areas and park-like grounds. Room and Board is part of the low monthly fee. A main meal is provided for five days and food and utilities are included. Kirkside is non-sectarian and members of all faiths are welcome. There is currently a vacancy. For more information about Kirkside, call the church office at 908-725-2313.

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Tewksbury Historical Society Hosts Semi-Annual Garden Tour

The Tewksbury Historical Society will sponsor its semi-annual Garden Tour on Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Tewksbury Township, rain or shine. Six gardens located throughout the township will be welcoming visitors to enjoy their impressive displays. Included are private gardens of magnificent scale and small ones with historic interest or personal imprint. Of special interest is a prominent parcel with trails, a pond and unique features. Advance tickets are $40 until June 10 and $50 on the day of the tour. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online thru PayPal at www.tewksburyhistory.net. Click on the Garden Tour page.

Primary Election is June 8 Readington Township voters will choose their political party’s two candidates for Township Committee in the June 8 Primary Election. Running unopposed are incumbent R. Juergen Huelsebusch and Adam Mueller on the Republican ticket. Democratic candidates are Marvin Fields and Alan Harwick, also unopposed. The four candidates will compete for two three-year terms in the November General Election. Polls will be open for in-person voting between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots are available, in person, at the County Clerk’s Office located at 71 Main St., Flemington, Monday through Friday

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until the deadline of 3 p.m. on the Monday before the Primary Election Day. Special hours will be held on Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Sunday, June 6, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Voters may authorize a messenger to appear at the County Clerk’s Office with completed Applications for Vote by Mail Ballot. Call 908-788-1214 for more Mailin Ballot information. A sample ballot for the Readington Township 16th Legislative District is available at https:// co.hunterdon.nj.us/election/2021/ primary/municipalities.html.

Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market Now Open Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market kicked off a new season on May 16 with about 25 local farmers and vendors offering an array of organic produce; all-natural beef, chicken and pork; fresh-baked breads; cave-ripened cheeses; honey; pies; native plants; fresh-cut flowers; locally roasted coffee; and milk. The market will be open every Sunday through Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine St., Flemington. HLT’s safety protocols due to COVID-19 are evolving, and shoppers should check www.hunterdonlandtrust. org for the latest information. Seniors and at-risk persons are encouraged to visit the market between 9-9:30 a.m. HLT plans to welcome the return of music, yoga and programming during the market season.

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Readington Township School District $37.9M Budget Approved On April 27, the Board of Education approved the final budget for the 2021-2022 school year. The new budget reflects the following district goals: Present a fiscally responsible budget at or below the 2% state-imposed cap on the tax levy aligned to the district mission and vision; Balance class size guidelines with scheduling efficiencies; Enrich students’ academic experiences; Implement the district’s new Strategic Plan for the 2020-2025 school years which includes goals such as inquisitive learning, social awareness, and partnerships. Staff and program highlights in the 2021-2022 budget include: All educational programs and class sizes are maintained in accordance with district policies; A continuation of 1:1 chromebook/ tablet initiative for students in K through 8th grade; Savings through shared services and cooperative purchasing agreements

with Tewksbury, Branchburg, Hunterdon County E.S.C., and the Township of Readington; Additional full-time behaviorist to support students in the district’s behavioral disabilities program; Additional part-time English as a second language (ESL) teacher in response to the increase in enrolled students who speak languages other than English and to meet state requirements; Reallocation of two grade-level teachers from Holland Brook School to Whitehouse School to support increased enrollment from new housing developments; Student intervention services for learning acceleration due to the COVID-19 pandemic funded by federal grant programs; Additional mental health services, equity and inquiry learning consulting funded by federal grant programs; Continued development of strategic plan work. Further, the district plans for the following security, safety and capital projects having no impact on next year’s tax levy: Replacement of roofing at Holland

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Readington Township have come to expect. We are fortunate to provide our students with rich opportunities that prepare them for a strong high school experience. This school year has presented the district with significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope to maintain our budget initiatives and provide our children with an exemplary education despite the constraints of a global pandemic. If you would like to learn more about the approved budget and thewonderful activities occurring in our school district, please visit usat www.readington.k12.nj.us or call us at 908-534-2195. Brook School and gymnasium bleachers at Readington Middle School; Painting of hallway lockers at Readington Middle School; Installation of walkway from kindergarten wing to playground at Three Bridges School for enhanced safety; Replacement and installation of information technology equipment to better support the student learning environment; Enhancement of safety, health and wellness through multiple maintenance projects including but not limited to: painting, sidewalk repairs, and window repairs.

Readington Township School District’s total budget will be $37.9 million. This year, the district budgeted to receive $1.8 million in state revenue, and approximately $3.2 million from other sources such as tuition, interest, and grants which will reduce the impact to taxpayers. The remaining portion of our budget is funded locally and, as demonstrated in the chart above, represents a 1.451% increase in the school tax levy. The 2021-2022 budget maintains the high-quality programming that students and families in

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The Readington News • June 2021

By Laura Simon, Board President and Dr. Jonathan Hart, Superintendent of Schools

Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital Welcomes Dr. Dominic Gentile

The Readington News • June 2021

Dr. Dominic Gentile, DVM

Readington Township native Dr. Dominic Gentile, DVM, has joined the Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital practice, 274 Main St., Whitehouse Station. Dr. Gentile grew up and had a wonderful childhood in Whitehouse Station, alongside his parents, James

and Maureen Gentile, brother Nicholas, and sister Jamie. The family dog, Sammie, sparked Dr. Gentile’s love of animals and his quest to become a veterinarian. He attended township schools and Hunterdon Central Regional High School and played recreation and travel baseball, basketball, and soccer. When he was old enough, he worked for Readington Township Recreation (under Greta Kenney and Patti Marcine) for over a decade. A member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, he volunteered in church charities and for other local causes. He worked as a veterinary technician at Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital from 2014-2016. Dr. Gentile graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University in 2016, and Summa Cum Laude from Iowa State University College of Veteri-

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nary Medicine in 2021. In the midst of veterinary school, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in June 2019 and battled cancer through the pandemic, with multiple visits to his health care providers at University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a cancer survivor, he believes this experience has made him “a better veterinarian and person altogether. This experience has also fueled a special interest in palliative and end of life care for our beloved four-legged family members.” While not practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Gentile enjoys staying active through weight training, hiking, biking, and anything that can get his heart pumping. He says he is probably more food motivated than most animals, so he thoroughly enjoys cooking and eating all types of cuisine. Additionally, any time he gets together with family and friends is special to him, so surrounding himself with people he cares about is extremely important to him. Finally, he has to say there is nothing better than sitting “in the sand and watching the waves roll in.... bless the Jersey shore!”

Reflective House ID Signs Available from Readington Township CERT By Irene Novak, Secretary, Readington Township CERT

Take a moment to look at the signage for your property. How easy is it for your home to be identified? In uncertain times such as these, it may become necessary for residents to call 9-1-1. Every minute counts. Can your home be located quickly? Now is the perfect time to revitalize your mailbox and driveway area. First Responders rely on reflective home address numbers. The use of highly visible address panels provides the fastest possible response time for you and your neighbors. The Friends of Readington Township Citizens Corps Program (a 501(c)3 organization), in partnership with Readington Township CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), is pleased to offer all local homeowners a solution that’s effective and affordable. The House ID signs are visible from long distances, especially at night. The signs feature extra-

heavy 18” x 6” aluminum panels with green 3M Prismatic reflective sheeting and white 3M Prismatic numbers. The sign can be mounted vertically or horizontally on most mailbox posts. Two screws are included for mounting on many posts. The cost of the double-sided House ID sign is $15. Proceeds from the program go toward the operating budget of the all-volunteer Readington Township CERT. Visit www.readingtontwpnj.gov/ images/OEM/reflective-house-id. pdf to download an order form.

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Ryder Zalarick and his mom, Marisa, have been keeping our Bank Street garden looking tip top. Ryder is our youngest Beautification Committee of Whitehouse Station volunteer. His mom tells us he loves going to the garden and caring for the plants. He also painted the kindness rocks you see there. It’s a pleasure to go and sit and just enjoy. You can see our Adopt-A-Pot program is working well for the planters on Main Street. We appreciate the volunteers who joined the program, Aliya Assassah, Barbara Donohue, Barbara Merlini, Suzanne Poch, and Valerie Pitts, who will care for the flowers during the growing season. If you would like to help, contact bcwhitehousestation@ gmail.com.

JUNE 2021

News from the Municipal Building

FIND MORE MUNICIPAL INFO ON THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE: READINGTONTWPNJ.GOV

Municipal Re-Opening Plans

ATV’s in Readington Township

We are beginning to re-open public buildings following Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 328 issued on May 3rd. There will be specific protocols in place, and we will reopen on a modified basis. These protocols will change as conditions allow, so check the Township website for the most current information. MUNICIPAL BUILDING Our plan is to re-open on a limited basis, with restrictions on accessing the interior parts of the building. There will be a desk with a receptionist in the lobby of the building. The public will need to wear masks, have their temperature taken upon entry, and a log will be maintained of all who enter. If a resident wants or has a real need to see a staff member, the receptionist will phone that office and the staff member will come to the lobby. There will be several socially distanced seating areas, if needed, to conduct business. The exact date of re-opening will be posted on the Township website but we are anticipating on or about June 7th – sooner if possible. It will be helpful to make an appointment in advance with the person you wish to see. The use of the exterior drop-box is encouraged when possible. LIBRARIES Whitehouse Station and Three Bridges libraries will be open to patrons on a limited basis. To ensure social distancing, the doors will remain locked, and walk-ins will need to knock and be allowed entrance a few people at a time. Masks will be required. Appointments may be made to assure admittance. The libraries will continue to offer curbside service. Returns can only be made during operating hours, which will be, until further notice, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am-5pm, and Saturday, 9am-12pm. MUSEUMS Outdoor programs at the Museum will begin in September. Masks and social distancing will be required, and there will be a sign-in. Museum volunteers will be on hand to assure compliance. There may be some Art exhibits scheduled in the barn at Bouman-Stickney in the Fall. The museum buildings remain closed, but very small group tours may be scheduled by calling the Museum. GENERAL The Township Committee along with all Boards and Advisory Committees will continue to meet virtually at this time.

A Message from Police Chief Greco In recent months, the Police Department has seen an increase in complaints from residents, walkers, hikers, horseback riders and nature enthusiasts about ATV use on our trails. The Readington Township trails were established for walking, hiking and horseback riding. ATV use is prohibited on all Readington Township property, including the trails. Readington Township officers will start patrolling our trails and Township property and will take a zero-tolerance approach when violations of Township ordinance 168-22 and applicable motor vehicle violations are observed. Some consequences of riding on Township property are impoundment of your ATV (until the case is resolved) and license suspension or registration suspension. Fines for these violations can be in the thousands of dollars. These fines do NOT include any civil penalties that landowners can impose for damage to their property. Many people have approached me and said that ATV riding gets kids out of the house and is a great hobby. I agree with this statement whole heartedly BUT ATV riding must be done safely and on property that legally authorizes that use. Put yourself in the position of property owners or the Township Committee. Would you want this liability? If residents, walkers, hikers, or horseback riders encounter ATV riders they should contact the police IMMEDIATELY. Our officers are familiar with all trails and their locations. I would discourage anyone from confronting violators encountered on Township property. Take pictures if possible and provide them to responding officers. I encourage you to enjoy all that Readington has to offer, however, for the safety of all, trails and parks must be used the way they were intended.

Primary Election June 8, 2021 Polls Open 6 AM to 8 PM th

Verano Planning Board Application Update

The Planning Board, at its April 26 meeting, granted Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval to Branchburg Route 22 LLC, doing business as Verano. Verano is a cannabis growing and processing facility located in the former Laneco/Walmart site on Route 22. As has been reported in past Readington News updates, the applicant was before the Planning Board with a proposal that included the installation of additional mechanical equipment and generator pads around the building, construction of a loading dock, a berm in the southeastern corner of the property, a new fire aisle, plantings, a sound wall, and fencing. The applicant testified that they would screen air-handling equipment in the front of the building with an attractive fence and landscaping, remove some of the existing parking spaces and replace them with grass, remove the existing sign along Route 22 and utilize approved lighting for safety and security on the site. In response to questions and concerns voiced by members of the Planning Board, the applicant testified that they would be utilizing a stateof-the-art charcoal filtration system to prevent odors from escaping from the building, and that any problems would be addressed and remediated quickly.

The Readington News • June 2021

Township of Readington

The Readington News • June 2021

6 Victoria Komosinski of Whitehouse Station has had her poetry entry in the National High School Poetry Contest accepted for publication. The poem “Memento Mori” appeared in a recent edition of the American High School Poets “Of Love and Dedication” anthology. “Of Love and Dedication” is a meaningful study of love and loyalty based poetry written by teenagers from all over the country. It explores how today’s teens approach various types of love and loyalty issues. It is a quarterly publication and is published by the Live Poets Society of NJ in con-

Readington Newsmakers

junction with JUST POETRY!!!, the National High School Poetry Quarterly Magazine. Victoria is the daughter of Jill and Chris Komosinski and attends Hunterdon Central Regional High School under the tutelage of Mr. Jonathan DeLisle. After high school Victoria plans to continue studies in political science and history in college.

and college students to complete the year-long program, which provides a 360° view of New Jersey’s STEM economy through symposiums, lab tours, master classes and research. A public-private partnership among the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Governor’s Office, New Jersey Department of Education, Secretary of Higher Education, and public Diana Neste of Whitehouse Sta- and private research companies, the tion graduated May 15 from the Governor’s STEM Scholars, a program of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. Neste is one of 69 New Jersey high school

Governor’s STEM Scholars provides high-achieving high school, college, and graduate students with a comprehensive introduction to the state’s STEM economy. The scholars are a diverse and representative group of student leaders from all over the Garden State who excel in STEM and are interested in pursuing STEM-related majors and careers.

Target Practice

The Webelos den of Cub Scout Pack 1980 participated in archery at the Heritage Guild in Branchburg in April as part of the sports elective adventure. Pictured after their safety instruction, bows in hand and ready to shoot some targets, are (from left) Pack 1980 Assistant Cub Master Edwin Mendez (certified archery instructor who ran the event for the Cub Scouts), Den Chief Brian Armstrong of Boy Scout Troop 90 out of Branchburg, Webelos Scouts Robert Hindle, Aiden Myers, and Revan Farmiga, and Den Leader Jacqueline Hindle. Pack 1980 serves children in grades K-5 at Whitehouse School and Holland Brook School. See https://www.njpack1980.org for further info. - Submitted by Jacqueline Hindle

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Apply for H.S.A. Scholarship by June 11 The Readington Township Home School Association (H.S.A.) is accepting applications from college students for the Annual Scholarship Awards for the upcoming school year. A total of $2,000 in scholarships will be awarded to Readington Township students this year. Eligibility Requirements for the scholarships: The student must currently be attending an undergraduate program, leading to an associate or bachelor degree or pursuing a certified vocational, technical or trade certificate. The student must have been a student in the Readington Township School District (K-8) for at least two years. The student must have a permanent residence in Readington Township. Previous scholarship winners are ineligible to reapply. Guidelines for application: Applicants must have satisfactory grades. Applicants attending a four-year college must have completed a minimum of one year before applying. Applicants attending a two-year college, vocational, technical or trade school must have completed a minimum of one semester before applying. The application form is available at www.readington.k12.nj.us. Click on the H.S.A. tab. All completed applications must be received by June 11, 2021. In addition to the application, all applicants must write a one-page essay explaining, in their own words, why they should be awarded a scholarship from the H.S.A. and how the H.S.A. impacted their lives. Applications will be scored based on the essay, volunteer service, merit, and financial need, in that order. All submissions will be reviewed by the H.S.A. Executive Committee which will then award the scholarships to the successful applicants. Both the application and essay must be received prior to the deadline of June 11, 2021, and should be emailed to Readington Home School Association at readingtonHSAscholarship@gmail.com.

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Extraordinary Accomplishments in an Unusual School Year skills, and SmartSuite, which has provided much-needed interactive learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. The struggles we had with COVID were large but what we’ve learned was also great. Now, it’s time to review all of these practices for continued infusion into future classrooms. Beyond the instructional lessons learned, it’s critical to acknowledge how our Readington Ready Restart Plan provided for a safe, orderly return to in-person instruction. Overall our district kept students healthy with our internal protocols and thoughtful reopening procedures based on data and science. This is a celebrated accomplishment. Part of our strategic work is to create and establish an inquirybased framework to promote student interest-driven instruction. Our 3rd grade students at Three Bridges and Whitehouse Schools used part of their school day over the course of several months to design and develop a passion project. This project required students to ask a question of interest, identify sources to research, and present their learning to a larger audience. Students were even able to interview experts in their field of

interest. This pilot program will set future goals regarding how to infuse more student independent and autonomous learning in our schools. Related to student inquiry projects, COVID and social distancing provided an opportunity for virtual field trips and activities across all schools. Our district continues to establish local partnerships that foster meaningful educational experiences and opportunities. In fact, when our students engaged in their passion projects they were able to interview an expert in their field using Google Meet or Zoom. This was such a nice way to connect our local partners with students. Further, every school identified virtual field trips to enhance student learning. Some students attended a virtual field trip to the Watershed, a farm, a zoo, the firehouse, the State House, the Penn Museum, or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Students at Readington Middle School were visited by an author through a virtual assembly. Teachers tracked student experiences with each of these field trips in order to develop these into future enhancements to district curriculum. These learning

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experiences allowed students to experience an authentic visit to a place related to their course of studies remotely. The Readington Township School District continues its vision of wanting students to feel connected, valued, and secure in their learning environment. To this end, the district continued our social emotional learning (SEL) program with parent education in grades K-8 and the Child Assault and Prevention (CAP) program in grades 3-5. The parent programs allowed caregivers to hear about each of the five (5) SEL competencies from our school counselors and students. The events sought to enhance parent understanding of each competency, promote SEL work in the home, and share what SEL looks like in our classrooms. The CAP program is designed to augment student self-advocacy skills in an effort to protect against bullying, abuse, and assault. The program

not only empowered students but also educated staff members and parents. The highlights in this article are just that - highlights. There have been enormous contributions across the district that provided for a safe, productive, and positive year. The staff - teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, counselors, and many more - have all been instrumental members of the team as we moved through the uncertainty of COVID, trying to make it as meaningful and positive a year as possible. They have provided a consistent, stable environment for our students to learn and thrive. This year was a success due to the genuine collective effort of our staff, parents, and community partners. As we move into summer, let’s focus on the positives from this year and look toward September where we see distinct glimmers of our old normal.

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The Readington News • June 2021

By Jonathan Hart Superintendent of Schools The weather is growing warmer, the flowers are in bloom, and trees have turned a lush green. All of these signs point to spring and the fast-approaching end to the 2020-2021 school year. The Readington Township School District is proud to look back fondly on this year despite the immeasurable challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlights the prominent accomplishments of the district during this most difficult year as we look toward summer break and a more normal fall. While this public health crisis greatly impacted schools in ways we could never imagine, it also allowed us to think creatively and learn how to incorporate new and innovative practices to reach students. Now, more than ever, our teachers have incorporated technology as part of their instruction. The discovery of new digital tools has allowed teachers to provide learning opportunities to students anywhere and anytime. Two examples of these tools are Ready Classroom individualized learning path in math that has allowed students to independently brush-up on requisite

The Readington News • June 2021

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