The Weekly Update #4

In spring 2026, your student participated in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments-Adaptive (NJSLA-A) and/or the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment-Science (NJSLA-S).

Click to Read the Letter from Dr. Bragen, Jr.

Explore the links below for assessment results, helpful resources, and more information about your student’s academic progress.

• Genesis Parent Portal – Access your student’s Individual Student Report (ISR).

• New Jersey Family Portal – View your student’s test results.

• New Jersey Student Learning Standards – Learn about the state’s learning expectations.

• NJDOE Assessment Information – Learn more about the assessments.

• New Jersey Assessments: Students & Families – Explore additional resources for families.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your student’s learning and success.

The South Brunswick High School Small Ensemble Strings proudly represented South Brunswick School District at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Workshop 2026 on Tuesday, October 20, at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The talented six-member ensemble performed at noon for an audience of school board members, district administrators, educators, and education leaders from throughout New Jersey, showcasing the outstanding musical talent and dedication of our students.

All six musicians are juniors at South Brunswick High School: Nishant Vasanth, Lasindu Gunasekara, Justin Zhang, Raghav Gnanasabapathy Kiruthika, Korok Das, and Aditya Aras. Congratulations to our outstanding student musicians, their director, Mark Lalumia, SBHS Orchestra Director, and Robert Sears, K–12 Supervisor of Music, on this wonderful achievement! We are incredibly proud of these talented students for representing South Brunswick High School and our district with such exceptional musicianship, dedication, and Viking pride. Way to go, Vikings!

Congratulations to our South Brunswick High School boys’ and girls’ varsity cross country teams on an outstanding achievement! Both teams captured first-place finishes at the 2026 Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Cross Country Championships, held on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, at Thompson Park in Jamesburg, NJ.

The boys’ team claimed the championship in a competitive field of 20 teams, while the girls’ team secured first place among 17 teams. Congratulations to our incredible Viking runners, coaches, and everyone who supports these outstanding programs. Your hard work, dedication, teamwork, and determination continue to make South Brunswick proud. Go Vikings!

October Is National Dyslexia Awareness Month

Different ways of learning. Endless possibilities. Every student matters.

Dyslexia is not a limitation it’s a different way of processing language, and every learner deserves the opportunity to shine!

At South Brunswick School District, we are committed to celebrating individual strengths, raising awareness, and working toward becoming a dyslexia-friendly district where every student feels understood, supported, and empowered to succeed.

On October 15, our schools wore red to show their support and raise awareness, standing together to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.

Together, we’re creating a community where differences are embraced, strengths are celebrated, and every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive

We are excited to share that our South Brunswick Vikings Apparel Sale is now open for the next two weeks! Shop your favorite Viking gear and show your South Brunswick pride! Click Here to Shop

Thank you for your support, and Go Vikings!

During this designated week, the South Brunswick School District proudly joins schools across New Jersey in reaffirming our commitment to the principles outlined in the New Jersey Department of Education guidelines. Together, we emphasize the importance of violence prevention, conflict resolution, mental health awareness, and fostering safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for all. At the South Brunswick School District, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered. Together, we strive to build a strong school community where every student feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential.

The Education Foundation of South Brunswick's 15th annual A Taste for Education Fundraiser will take place on Thursday, October 22nd from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Pierre's of South Brunswick. Please click here for more information along with ticket information.

Congratulations to Dr. Jodi Mahoney, Principal of Greenbrook Elementary School, on publishing her new children’s picture book, Max Tried. The story is based on her son Max’s real experiences in youth sports. It follows a boy who tries soccer, basketball, T-ball, baseball, and wrestling, keeps showing up no matter what, and learns that it’s not about winning, it’s about trying.

Written for readers ages 4 to 9, Max Tried celebrates perseverance, effort, and a growth mindset, the same values our teachers build in classrooms every day. The 40-page hardcover is illustrated by Ally Toye and published by Inspired Girl Storybooks.

Dr. Mahoney has spent 22 years as an administrator in South Brunswick schools. This is her third book; she previously wrote two books for teachers published by Scholastic.

Max Tried is available on Amazon.

Over the summer, Dayton Preschool received a beautiful and colorful makeover, thanks to the creativity and leadership of our very talented paraprofessional, Fayrouz Atta, and an incredible team of our high school volunteers!

These amazing artists worked together to create and paint stunning murals that have brought new life, color, and joy to our preschool environment. Their beautiful work helps make Dayton an even more welcoming, vibrant, and inspiring place for our youngest learners to explore, grow, and thrive.

Dayton Preschool Mural Project

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Ms. Atta and all our dedicated SBHS student volunteers

Avni Deshpande · Seher Kaur · Kelly Zhong Chloe Chan · Sriya Challa · Elizabeth Yu Inithra Baburaj · Kailyn Conover · Akshaya Rajagopal Keerthi Sethu · Hamsha Sethu · Nihar Thakore · Serena Yau

for sharing their time, talent, and creativity with our school community. Your hard work and generosity have made a lasting difference, creating a space filled with color, warmth, and inspiration for our little learners.

Monmouth Junction Elementary School is keeping the fun and excitement going as the MJ Jaguars take on Mr. Scheese in a lively game of Candy Land! With plenty of smiles, friendly competition, and Jaguar spirit, this colorful challenge is bringing the school community together for a sweet and memorable time.

Do you have a musical instrument at home that's no longer being played? The South Brunswick School District Music Department invites families and community members to consider donating gently used instruments to support students and music programs across the district.

Band and orchestra instruments in usable or repairable condition can give another student the chance to begin or continue their musical journey. Examples of instruments families have donated include:

Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Baritone Horn, Trombone, Tuba
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass
Percussion: Percussion Instruments

Whether it's tucked away in a closet or no longer being played, your donation could make a lasting difference for a young musician.

How to Donate:

If you're interested in donating an instrument, please complete the Musical Instrument Donation Form linked here. Musical Instrument Donation Form

Thank you for supporting music education in South Brunswick and helping us create meaningful musical opportunities for our students!

South Brunswick is fortunate to have exceptional staff members who make a difference in the lives of our students each day. We invite students, parents/guardians, staff, administrators, and community members to help us recognize these outstanding individuals by submitting a nomination for the NJDOE Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, which honors both educators and educational services professionals, or the SBSD Educational Support Staff Member of the Year. Please take a few moments to nominate a deserving staff member whose dedication, contributions, and commitment to our students and school community exemplify the very best of South Brunswick!

NJDOE Governor's Educator of the Year/SBSD Educational Support Staff Member of the Year

We are currently seeking dedicated professionals to join our team in the following position:

• Nurses

As part of our commitment to supporting and serving the community, we offer:

• Competitive Salaries
• Comprehensive Health Benefits Package
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Mentorship Programs

For more information and to apply, please Click Here for all positions currently available.

September 16 through October 23, 2026 for grades 6-12.

Important Reminders: We are no longer collecting paper sports forms/documents

• All athletic sports forms are now completed and turned in electronically

• Please go to https://students.arbitersports.com/south-brunswick-athletics

• Create an account and follow the directions on website

• You are only required to upload select forms

• No submissions will be accepted after 10/23/26 for Winter sports registration

• Any questions can be directed to the Athletic Department- Ed Knapp edward.knapp@sbschools.org

South Brunswick has consistently implemented 'homework-free' nights throughout the year to provide students with a well-deserved respite from academic demands. These nights are designed to alleviate the pressure of homework and assignments, allowing students to pursue personal interests, spend quality time with loved ones, and engage in extracurricular activities. While meaningful homework assignments can be valuable for reinforcing learning and fostering critical thinking, we recognize the importance of balancing academic responsibilities with personal time and relaxation.

Please Click Here to view the "Homework Free" dates to span the 2026-2027 school year.

OPERATION TAKE BACK NJ

Safely Dispose of Unused and Expired Medications

The South Brunswick Police Department invites residents to participate in Operation Takeback NJ on Saturday, October 24, 2026. This initiative provides a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications and help protect our community.

DATE: Saturday, October 24, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
DROP-OFF LOCATION: South Brunswick Police Department
540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ

What Can You Bring?

Residents may drop off:

• Expired or unused prescription medications

• Pet medications

• Over-the-counter medications

Important Medication Preparation Guidelines

• Remove solid medications from their original containers and place them in paper or plastic bags.

• Keep liquid medications, such as cough syrup, in their original containers.

• Vape pens and e-cigarette devices with non-removable batteries will not be accepted. These devices pose a safety risk during the medication destruction process because their batteries may explode in an incinerator.

• Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices will be accepted by the DEA from individual consumers only after the batteries have been removed.

Help Keep Our Community Safe!

Proper medication disposal helps prevent misuse, protects families and pets, and supports a safer, healthier community.

For additional information, please contact:

Detective Ryan J. Bartunek
Community Policing Division
South Brunswick Police Department

Please be advised that there will be no school for students on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Additionally, schools will be closed on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, 2026, in observance of the NJEA Convention, as indicated on the 2026–2027 South Brunswick School District Calendar.

We’re looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to join our growing team in a variety of rewarding roles. If you’re committed to supporting students, empowering learners, and serving your community, we’d love to hear from you!

1. As part of our commitment to excellence and community, we offer:
   

   • Competitive Salaries
   • Comprehensive Health Benefits Package
   • Professional Development Opportunities
   • Mentorship and Growth Programs

   Current Opportunities:

   • School Business Administrator / Board Secretary
   • Director of Human Resources
   • Assistant to the Director of Human Resources
   • Night Foreman
   • Registered Nurse
   • Certified School Nurse
   • Replacement Behavior Specialist
   • School Counselor
   • Behavior Technician
   • Bus Driver
   • Supervisor – English/Language Arts
   • Secretary
   • Custodian Night Shift

   Paraprofessionals

   1. Safety
   2. Special Education
   3. Preschool

   Replacement Teachers

   1. Special Education
   2. Elementary
   3. Math

   Teachers

   1. Physical Education
   2. Preschool
   3. SPED/MD
   4. Business Education

For more information and to apply, please Click Here for all positions currently available.