The Central Connection
HCRHS District Newsletter - October 2025
Check out our website calendar to stay up to date on the latest events and important dates!
DATES TO NOTE:
October 2 - School Closed for Yom Kippur
October 6-10 - Week of Respect
October 7 - PSAT Test for 9th-11th Graders
October 8 - Strategic Planning Session #1, 6PM in The Commons
October 9 - Financial Aid Night (virtual), 6:30PM
October 13 - Early Dismissal for Students at 12PM, Staff In-Service
October 14 - School Picture Make-Ups and Retakes, 9th-11th Grades
October 17 - Homecoming Pep Rally, 12:45PM, Football Game 6PM, and Homecoming Dance 8PM in Commons
October 22 - Parent Engagement Committee Meeting, 6:30PM in IMC (open to any HC parent)
October 27 - Board of Education Meeting, 7PM in Little Theater
October 30 - Deadline for Winter Sports Registration Forms
National Merit Semi-Finalists
Congratulations to seniors Bronwyn Downey and Philip Kazantsev who earned Semifinalist status in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition!
National Merit Commended Students
Congratulations to these 9 students who were named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition!
Marching Red Devils
In their first competition this season on 9/27, MRD came in third place in Group IV and also won Best Percussion!
The first month of school has been full of energy and excitement, and we are proud of the way our students have begun the year. From classrooms to athletic fields to music and art rooms, our students are already showing curiosity and demonstrating their learning. As we move into October, I’d like to share this year’s District Goals, which will guide our work and ensure every student feels inspired, valued, and supported.
With goal areas of Instructional Practice and Student Achievement, Academic & Wellness Counseling, Communication and Student Voice, and Fiscal Responsibility and Facilities, our goal statements are designed to be broad so they can capture the forward thinking and student-centered priorities and work that we have always valued and aspired to. As you will see throughout this month’s newsletter, we have already begun our work in alignment with our district goals and our mission statement. I wanted to highlight a new project this year related to our goal of Communication and Student Voice – student surveys to better understand student wishes and challenges at Central. Mr. Brandt and I met with a group of student leaders to discuss the design of the short “pulse” surveys and look forward to collecting student responses and feedback throughout the year. Thank you to our student leaders for helping to lead this important project! Mr. Brandt and I will also continue to hold monthly lunches with different groups of students for additional feedback throughout the year.
As we move into our strategic planning process this Fall, I want to remind everyone of their opportunity to participate in shaping the future goals of Hunterdon Central. It is so important that we have all voices represented–students, staff, parents and families, community members, and business partners–as our strategic plan will set the vision and goals for the District for the next five years. We currently have over 100 people who have RSVP’ed, and we welcome more! You can find more information, along with the registration form, on our website. - Jessica Cangelosi-Hade, HCRHSD Superintendent
This month we highlight our Magnet Program!
Did you know that Hunterdon Central currently offers 6 academies in its Magnet Program? We do! Spanning across several departments, Central offers Architectural Design, Biomedical Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Media & Communications, and Robotics academies. Check out the presentation on the Magnet Program from our recent Board of Education meeting by Dr. Robert Hastings, click here to view.
Students have the opportunity to pursue specialized programs that empower them to focus on a particular passion or career area - all while staying at Central! Each academy consists of a cohesive series of three or four courses and includes opportunities for dual enrollment or articulated college credit with a college or university, an industry-valued credential, or both. Students who complete the series of academy courses and a capstone project will earn an academy pin and an endorsement on their diploma, which can help with college admissions or employment opportunities.
We are hosting a Magnet Program Showcase for current 7th and 8th graders and their parents on Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30PM in the Commons so they can learn more about our academies before entering Hunterdon Central and scheduling courses.
As we wrap up the first month of the 25-26 school year, I look back at the ways we worked together to create a welcoming community. Students and staff came together to welcome over 600 new students between the Class of 2029 and transferring upper classmen. We welcomed new staff members in all areas of our district. Many of our programs had Youth Nights, building connections and excitement about HC with our future Red Devils. And we had excellent crowds and positive vibes at our Back to School Night on September 18th. The last weekend of September was no different.
We had the Red Devil Cheerleaders, along with other programs, going out into the community, in this case the Raritan Township Committee Day, see photo above.
And we welcomed former Red Devils back, in this case members of the Class of 1975 as part of their 50 year reunion, see photo below.
I look forward to heading into October and the fall months with the positive momentum that was built for an effective, welcoming community where our students can learn and grow. - Edward C. Brandt, HCRHS Principal
Contact Us
Looking for the house office or a specific staff member? Access our staff directory on our website:
https://www.hcrhs.org/contact-information.
General Email: communications@hcrhs.org
Website: https://www.hcrhs.org/
Location: 84 Route 31, Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: (908) 782-5727