The Central Connection
HCRHS District Newsletter - December 2025
Check out our website calendar to stay up to date on the latest events and important dates!
DATES TO NOTE:
December 3 - Early College Planning Night for 9th & 10th Grade Families, 6:30 PM in Little Theater
December 3 - HC Parent Engagement Committee Meeting (open to all HC parents/guardians), 5:45 PM in Room 700
December 5 - 3rd Annual STARS Showcase by AABLE/EKWIPS/PALS programs, 6:30 PM in Little Theater
December 15 - Board of Education Meeting with student & staff recognition, 6:30 PM in Auditorium
December 19 - Tri-M and Thespian Honor Societies Joint Holiday Showcase, 7:00 PM in Little Theater
December 23 - Early Dismissal at noon for winter recess
December 24 - January 2 - School Closed for winter recess (school reopens on Monday, January 5, 2026)
To Principal Edward Brandt
For being selected as a 2025 Exemplary Educator by the NJ Dept. of Education!
To Boys Soccer Team
For winning the Central Jersey, Group 4 Sectional Semifinal!
To Molly Domurat
For finishing in the top 10 at Northeast Regional XC Championship, which earned her a spot in the National Championship! Only 2 other HC runners have ever made it to the National Meet (Autumn Fogg in 95' and Chris Pannone in 02').
The month of December brings a unique energy to our schools. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break are filled with excitement, activity, and anticipation. As we move through this stretch of the school year, I encourage all of us to help students stay grounded in their routines and focused on their learning. Consistency is especially important amid the flurry of winter athletics, concerts, showcases, and the many holiday events that enrich our school community. We are also proud to host a number of community service initiatives during this giving season—opportunities for our students to model the spirit of giving and care. I hope to see many of you at these upcoming events!
In this month’s newsletter, you will find a range of announcements celebrating student accomplishments and sharing important district updates. We remain committed to highlighting achievements from all areas of our school, reflecting the diverse talents and interests of our students. Districtwide, we have been engaged in the development of the preliminary 2026–2027 budget. This planning includes accounting for any academic revisions to the 2026-2027 Program of Studies (more on scheduling to come in next month’s newsletter), as well as aligning our long-range facilities plan to ensure our spaces continue to meet the evolving needs of our programs.
Our long-range facilities plan is undergoing significant revision to position the district for future growth and innovation. Planned updates include enhancements to our Technology, Engineering, and Design (TED) labs; culinary facilities; fashion, sewing, and interior design classrooms; physical education and athletics spaces and fields; and the auditorium. These improvements will help us maintain, upgrade, and expand our facilities so they remain aligned with our educational goals and the high-quality experiences we want for our students.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed 2026–2027 school calendar. With approximately 75% of respondents expressing a preference for a student start date prior to Labor Day, we are moving forward with a calendar structured accordingly. I anticipate presenting the final calendar to the Board of Education for approval at the December 15th meeting.
As we head into this busy and festive month, thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students and our district.
- Jessica Cangelosi-Hade, HCRHSD Superintendent
This month we highlight our Family & Consumer Science Department!
The Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Department is dedicated to equipping students with essential, real-world skills for life, family, and career success. Our diverse, lab-based curriculum is split across two primary pathways: Culinary Arts and Design, and Child Development and Education. Students can explore everything from global cuisine, where they practice advanced culinary techniques, to the principles of interior and fashion design, where they apply creativity and critical thinking. Looking for a new creative outlet? Our fashion and design courses, including Fashion & Creative Design, Introduction to Sewing, and Interior Design, teach students everything from sketching and sewing a portfolio-ready collection to mastering floor plans and budgeting a dream dorm room. These courses satisfy the 21st-Century Life and Careers skills graduation requirement, focusing on practical skills like consumer responsibility and teamwork that are crucial for independent living and the modern workforce
Our Family and Consumer Science Department is led by a team of five highly skilled and enthusiastic educators who bring a unique wealth of professional experience to the classroom. Many of our teachers previously held rewarding careers in the very industries they now teach, from professional culinary settings to fashion and design firms and early childhood centers. This real-world expertise allows them to provide up-to-the-minute, industry-relevant instruction. They are passionate and creative mentors who strive to build a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to explore new ideas, confidently take risks, and truly enjoy the process of becoming innovative learners and future leaders
Learners to Leaders Education Academy
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the department's new "Learners to Leaders" Education Academy through the HC Magnet Program in 2026-2027, dedicated to cultivating the next generation of educators and child service professionals. This rigorous sequence features three core courses—Child Development, Early Childhood Education, and Introduction to Education—that provide both extensive theoretical knowledge and unparalleled practical teaching experience. Students engage in high-impact, hands-on learning by designing lessons for our on-site preschool lab and by participating in required classroom observation and internship hours. Furthermore, students in the academy have the chance to earn college credits through our dual enrollment partnerships, giving them a significant advantage before ever stepping onto a college campus.
(Photo below: The preschoolers in our Little Red Devils preschool program before they went trick or treating around the 11/12 building.)
As November has come to a close, I am thankful for the various ways the powerful learning that takes place in the classrooms gets displayed and celebrated such that it makes a positive impact in our school community. Here are a few examples I witnessed as principal:
Numerous educators….teachers, counselors, administrators…pushed into the AP Research classes to help serve as sounding boards to the students kicking off their research projects.
Student work from current art classes are displayed throughout the campus, setting a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere at our main entrances in the Commons and outside of the auditorium.
Our students and staff in the music department welcomed our sending district students in our annual Day of Music…a collaborative effort in learning and celebrating music together.
Our performing arts students put their talents, and behind the scenes preparations, on stage for the 11/12 Play in their rendition of Arsenic and Old Lace.
These were just some of the instances of good things happening at HC and more to come in December!
- Edward C. Brandt, HCRHS Principal
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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