Superintendent Sentinel

I want to begin by expressing how incredibly proud I am of everything our students accomplished this school year! When I wrote to staff, students, and parents last September, I introduced our baseball theme of "taking a swing." This message was inspired by quotes often attributed to Babe Ruth, such as, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run" and "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." True to that spirit, our students swung for the fences in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in after-school activities. Their efforts were rewarded with academic honors, athletic recognitions, and fine and performing arts awards.

As baseball season is now in full swing, I encourage all parents and students to take a moment and reflect on the year. Ask yourselves: Did you take that swing? Did you try something new? Did you raise your hand when you weren’t quite sure of the answer? Each of these moments helps us grow into stronger, better versions of ourselves and sets the stage for an even more successful year ahead.

To our parents: thank you for making this year so special for your children. Your steadfast support of our schools was instrumental in everything we achieved together. To our dedicated staff: thank you for embracing innovative teaching and for inspiring our young learners every single day. And to our students: a heartfelt thank you for your hard work, enthusiasm, and perseverance. Your talents and skills truly shone this year.

Have a wonderful summer!

Dr. Jonathan Hart

Follow me on X @hartjonathanr

In Photo: Dr. Hart with JunHan Chen, NJ Assn. of Gifted Children Student of the Year

Thanks to the support of our community through the District Referendum, we are excited to announce that installation of updated Epson Interactive Whiteboards is underway for our elementary classrooms, grades K through 5. These dual-purpose display boards serve as both traditional dry-erase surfaces and advanced interactive platforms, providing a large (100”), engaging space for students and teachers to collaborate.

Building on the successful implementation of this technology at the middle school, these new boards offer enhanced interactive capabilities and seamless wireless connectivity. Teachers now have the freedom to project wirelessly from their laptops, allowing them to move throughout the classroom and interact directly with students at their seats. This flexibility provides a more dynamic learning environment where multiple students can participate in group sharing sessions simultaneously. With the teacher as a monitor, students also have the ability to project and collaborate directly from their Chromebooks to the Epson boards, further promoting classroom participation and engagement. Every classroom will also receive an amplified sound system as part of the installation package.

The rollout is already making excellent progress. Installation at our Holland Brook School is nearing completion, and the installation teams will soon transition to Whitehouse and Three Bridges Schools. We anticipate that all 100 designated K-5 classrooms across the district will be fully equipped and ready to welcome students for the start of the upcoming school year.

We look forward to sharing more information on this exciting new initiative as the project continues through this summer. This technology represents a significant investment in the future of teaching and learning across our elementary schools, and we are eager to update you on its successful implementation and the positive impact it is already having on student engagement and instructional flexibility.

See photo below:

HBS-Special Education Teacher, Ms. Maryann Reilly

HBS-Student, Alexa Wolf

Although many believe summer is a slow time for school districts with most staff departing until the fall, this is the period of time when the Readington Township Facilities Departments shines! Over the course of the coming months, the district is embarking on dramatic changes for the upcoming school year to help support learning and instruction in our buildings through a recent referendum passed by the community lowering taxes due to expiration of debt, as well as surplus funds in the current year:

Readington Middle School

● New rubberized 6 lane track for student and community use

● Bathroom alterations for students based on IEP needs

● Continued development of the Trees for Schools grant project for curriculum and sustainability

Holland Brook School

● Construction of a new Life Skills suite for students to learn real-world abilities

● SMARTBoard installation in all classrooms for enhanced student instruction

Three Bridges School

● New ADA-accessible playgrounds with rubberized surfacing

● Roof replacement due to aged infrastructure beyond warranty and repair

● SMARTBoard installation in all classrooms for enhanced student instruction

● Addition of two new bathrooms for preschool expansion through 40% state funded grant

● Modernization of a toilet room servicing an entire section of the building

● Carpet removal for air quality and well-being purposes

● Creation of new intervention and other instructional spaces for student learning

● Renovation of the music room for enhanced storage of equipment

● New preschool room increasing building capacity by 33% at no cost to parents via state funds

Whitehouse School

● New ADA-accessible playgrounds with rubberized surfacing

● Roof replacement due to aged infrastructure beyond warranty and repair

● SMARTBoard installation in all classrooms for enhanced student instruction

● New preschool room increasing building capacity by 33% at no cost to parents via state funds

Private Preschool Providers

● Creation of 1 additional free preschool room due to high community demand utilizing state funding, resulting in 17 free preschool classrooms district-wide serving 255 students

District-Wide

● Replacement of end-of-life fire alarm system for utmost safety and security

The district is thrilled to able to transform the school district without any additional costs to taxpayers through efficient budget and fiscal restraints spearheaded by the Board of Education. The goal of the Facilities Department is to help support and maintain the fundamental structures for student learning and staff wellbeing, and we look forward to showing the amazing results upon completion with the community.

The New Jersey Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals named Three Bridges School Principal, Dr. Kristen Higgins, as their Educator of the Year at their Spring Awards Ceremony. Join us in congratulating Dr. Higgins on this prestigious honor.

See photo below:

Dr. Higgins, Educator of the Year, and Mr. Bob Hoffman, Distinguished Alumni of the Year

Three Bridges Chick-a-Palooza 2026 Hatches Joy and Learning

This spring, Three Bridges School was filled with excitement, wonder, and plenty of cheerful chirping during our annual Chick-a-Palooza 2026 celebration. From classrooms to hallways, students and staff eagerly anticipated the arrival of our newest feathered friends as we welcomed chicks hatching across the building.

This year, TBS hosted an incredible 17 incubators, creating opportunities for students in every grade to observe the miracle of life up close. Students watched in amazement as eggs rocked, cracked, and eventually hatched into fluffy chicks before their eyes. The energy throughout the school was contagious as students checked on the incubators each day, hoping to be present for a hatch.

Our learning extended far beyond observation. Students participated in hands-on embryology lessons led by our partners from NJ 4-H, who brought expertise, enthusiasm, and meaningful learning experiences into our classrooms. Through these lessons, students explored the stages of chick development, learned about the life cycle of a chicken, and gained a deeper understanding of how living things grow and change.

A special part of this year’s Chick-a-Palooza was the variety of eggs incubated at TBS. We were fortunate to have both locally sourced farm eggs and hatchery eggs, allowing students to compare and learn about different egg sources while connecting our work to local agriculture and the broader community.

This year’s celebration was made even more meaningful as Dr. Kristen Higgins and Three Bridges School were honored with the New Jersey 4-H Educator of the Year Award. This recognition celebrates TBS’s ongoing commitment to hands-on agricultural education, experiential learning, and building meaningful partnerships that bring unforgettable learning experiences to students. We are incredibly grateful to NJ 4-H for this honor and proud to share it with our entire Three Bridges community.

Chick-a-Palooza 2026 was a joyful reminder that some of the best learning happens through curiosity, observation, and wonder. Whether students were peeking into incubators, journaling chick observations, learning about embryology, or listening for peeps in the hallway, the experience sparked excitement and discovery in every corner of our school.

Thank you to NJ 4-H, our local egg providers, our dedicated staff, and our enthusiastic students for making this year’s Chick-a-Palooza such a memorable success. TBS was absolutely chirping with excitement, and we already can’t wait for next year!

See photos below:

Gregory Tune and William Clark

Serena Krinis

Three Bridges Celebrates Traffic Garden Ribbon Cutting

Three Bridges School proudly celebrated the ribbon cutting of our new Traffic Garden, an outdoor learning space where students can practice bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic safety in a fun, hands-on way.

A traffic garden is a child-sized roadway system with painted streets, intersections, crosswalks, and traffic signs that allows students to safely learn and apply real-world traffic rules while riding bikes, scooters, or walking through the space. It provides students with meaningful opportunities to build confidence, independence, and lifelong safety habits.

This exciting project was made possible through a collaborative partnership with GoHunterdon and funded through a grant from NJEA and Sustainable Jersey. We are grateful for their support in helping bring this valuable learning experience to Three Bridges.

The Traffic Garden is a wonderful addition to our school grounds, and we look forward to seeing our students learn, grow, and safely navigate the road ahead.

See photos below at the opening of the Traffic Garden:

Dr. Higgins and Mr. Ryan Fisher from GoHunterdon cut the ribbon celebrating.

Will Cofoni, Harper Hebden, and Jack Hebden are demonstrating on their bicycles

how to use the traffic grid and navigate a city street.

Our preschool students have had a busy and engaging spring filled with hands-on learning experiences and meaningful family connections. Through the Ball Study, children explored motion, speed, direction, and force while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills through investigations and play. During the Garden Study, students learned about plants, life cycles, and the environment as they observed growth, cared for gardens, and discovered the important role nature plays in our daily lives. The Water Study provided opportunities for children to investigate the properties of water through experimentation, observation, and sensory exploration, fostering curiosity and scientific thinking.

In addition to these rich learning experiences, our preschool community enjoyed several special events. Our first annual Preschool Picnic brought students, families, and staff together from WHS and TBS to celebrate a successful school year filled with growth, learning, and friendship. We also welcomed family members and loved ones to our Someone Special Celebrations, where children shared classroom experiences and created lasting memories with the important people in their lives. These events strengthened the home-school connection and highlighted the supportive partnerships that contribute to student success.

As we approach the end of the school year, our preschool program is finishing strong by celebrating the incredible growth and accomplishments of our young learners. Students will participate in exciting Water Day activities, providing opportunities for fun, teamwork, and outdoor exploration as they celebrate a successful year of learning. We will also honor our students during Moving Up Ceremonies, recognizing their hard work, achievements, and readiness for the next step in their educational journey. These special end-of-year traditions allow us to celebrate each child's progress while creating lasting memories for students, families, and staff as we close another successful year in preschool.

See photos below:

Preschool Ball Study

Preschool Garden Study

Preschool Water Study

Preschool Pathfinders

We hope everyone has a wonderful and restful summer break! We can't wait to share our next technology update with you when school resumes in the fall!

For general technology tips and support resources, please visit our Tech@Home or email us at: techsupport@readington.k12.nj.us

The RMS B Softball Team accomplished something special this season, capturing the first championship in the history of the RMS B Softball program with an impressive 8–0 victory over previously undefeated Valley View on May 28.

What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that this RMS squad was made up entirely of 6th and 7th-graders, competing against teams that often featured experienced 8th-grade players. Throughout the season, the Lady Vikings consistently proved that determination, teamwork, and resilience can overcome any challenge.

The championship game was the perfect example of the growth this team showed all season. After suffering two regular-season losses to Valley View, the Vikings entered the championship game prepared, confident, and focused. They turned those earlier setbacks into motivation and delivered their best performance of the year when it mattered most.

RMS jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Offensive leaders included Riley Rutski with two hits, Ella Mykulak with a standout three-hit performance, and Abby Tenore, who delivered a clutch two-run triple in the fifth inning to help seal the victory. In the circle, Victoria Yanetta was dominant, throwing a complete-game three-hitter while allowing just one walk and striking out four batters. The defense was flawless, committing no errors. Molly Martin led the way with six defensive outs at second base, while Lucy Richards recorded five unassisted outs at first base.

The championship roster also included Mary Grace Clarke, Kendal Greda, Olivia Pirez, Jordan D’Antonuo, and the rest of a group that consistently put team success ahead of individual accomplishments. Their commitment to one another helped produce an outstanding 13–2 record and a championship season that will be remembered for years to come.

This historic achievement is a testament to the leadership of Head Coach Abigail Whalen and Assistant Coach Ryan Newcamp. Together, they built a culture centered on hard work, accountability, encouragement, and sportsmanship. Their dedication helped develop not only better softball players but also confident young athletes who learned the value of perseverance and teamwork.

The coaches would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the parents and families who supported the team throughout the season. From transportation and attendance at games to encouragement from the stands, the support of the RMS softball families played an important role in the team's success. This championship belongs to the entire RMS softball community.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this accomplishment is what it means for the future. With this championship team made up primarily of younger players, the RMS softball program is well-positioned for continued success in the years ahead. The experience gained this season and the confidence built through this championship run provide a strong foundation as these athletes move up to the A Team and continue representing RMS at the highest level.

The 2026 RMS B Softball Team did more than win a championship—they established a new standard for the program. Their historic season demonstrated what can be achieved through dedication, resilience, and belief in one another.

Congratulations to the RMS Lady Vikings on a championship season and the first B Team softball title in school history!

See photos below:

The following retirees featured in the photo below were recognized at our May 12, 2026 Board of Education meeting with appreciation for their years of service to the students of the Readington Township School District. Please join Dr. Hart in wishing our retirees all the best in this next chapter of life.

Readington Middle School

Jack Hasselbring, Music Teacher

Holland Brook School

Theresa Amster, Principal Secretary

Nancy Kelly, School Nurse

Michele Krayem, Grade 5 Teacher

Kelly Parks, Spanish Teacher

Three Bridges School

Patty Lamberta, Paraprofessional

Whitehouse School

Sara Grzenda, Psychologist (in honorarium)

Sharon Wilk, Grade 2 Teacher

District

Diane Frasco, Accounts Payable Specialist

Doreen Harris, Confidential Secretary to the Superintendent

Mark your calendars for September!

* Open House Day - Wednesday, September 2, 2026

* First Day for Students - Thursday, September 3, 2026

* Second Day for Students - Friday, September 4, 2026 (Early Dismissal Day)

* Schools Closed/Labor Day - Monday, September 7, 2026