RMS Express

Dear Readington Middle School families,

As we approach the end of 2025 and the holiday season begins, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to all of you. This time of year invites us to pause, celebrate, and enjoy meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

I am truly grateful for the partnership, energy, and heart that our students, families, and staff bring to Readington Middle School every day. Because of this collective spirit, our school continues to be a vibrant, caring, and inspiring place to learn and grow. We’ve accomplished so much together this year, and I couldn’t be more proud.

As we enter the winter break, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, reflect, and embrace the joy of the season. Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or other traditions, I hope the holidays bring you peace, happiness, and memorable moments.

Looking ahead to the new year, I am excited about the opportunities that await us and confident in the continued growth we will achieve as a community. Thank you for your unwavering support and partnership.

Whether you’re traveling or enjoying time close to home, I wish you rest, laughter, and connection. Thank you for taking care of yourselves and one another.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back in January as we continue our journey of learning, discovery, and growth. Until then—be well, stay warm, and as always, Go Vikings!

Here are a few important dates for you all to keep in mind:

- 12/2-12/4 HSA Holiday Shoppe

- 12/8 - Winter Instrumental Concert

- 12/11 - Winter Choral Concert

- 12/23 - Early Dismissal Day

- 1/5/2026 - Classes Resume

It is that time of the year in which we acknowledge the amazing individuals who work in our schools here in Readington and around the state of New Jersey. These individuals are people who embodies the spirit of RMS; they take care of themselves, take care of others, and most importantly, they take care of our school.

The 20245-2026 Governor's Educator of the Year Program honors the best of the best. Any educators nominated for this award must meet all of the following requirements:

Be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated licensed classroom teacher (PreK to grade12 in a public or charter school) where teaching is the primary responsibility rather than administrative or supervisory responsibilities or an educational services professional (ESP) who is listed as one of the eligible enrollment areas
Must have the latest summative rating of at least effective; if the teacher or the ESP has not received a summative rating at the time of application, then their most current practice rating should be at least effective or the equivalent
Be an expert in the field who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn
Actively collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a strong culture of respect and success
Demonstrate leadership and innovation in educational activities at the school, district and/or state and national levels that take place both within and outside the school setting
Have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues
Have not earned the title of school, county or state Teacher of the Year nor ESP of the Year for the past five (5) years

Governor Educator of the Year: Ms. Marybeth Schwarz

It is with great pride and admiration that we nominate Marybeth Schwarz for the Readington Middle School Governor’s Educator of the Year Award. Marybeth is an exceptional educator whose dedication, expertise, and compassion make her a true pillar of our school community.

As a special education teacher, Marybeth works closely with students on the autism spectrum, providing them with individualized support, structure, and encouragement. Her instructional approach is grounded in patience, skill, and a deep understanding of each learner’s unique needs. She creates a classroom environment where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Marybeth’s commitment to her students extends far beyond the classroom; she is a consistent advocate, collaborator, and champion for their success.

In addition to her teaching role, Marybeth enriches the school culture through her remarkable leadership and involvement. She leads the Sunshine Committee, fostering positivity and community among staff. She organizes and supervises field trips, ensuring meaningful experiences for students. As both a cheer and lacrosse coach, she teaches teamwork, resilience, and school spirit, helping students develop confidence and pride. Her prior service as a team leader demonstrates her strong organizational skills and ability to support colleagues.

What truly sets Marybeth apart is her character. She is a wonderful human being—compassionate, dependable, and endlessly supportive. Whether she is mentoring a colleague, uplifting a student, or bringing joy to the staff through her committee work, Marybeth embodies the very best of Readington Middle School.

Marybeth Schwarz’s impact is profound and far-reaching. Her commitment to excellence, her love for her students, and her unwavering dedication to our school community make her deeply deserving of this honor. We are proud to recognize her as the Readington Middle School Governor’s Educator of the Year.

Educational Services Professional of the Year: Robert Pycior

It is an honor to nominate Robert Pycior for the Readington Middle School Educational Services Professional of the Year Award. As our dedicated school social worker, Robert plays an essential role in supporting the emotional well-being, personal growth, and overall success of our students. His work is foundational to creating a safe, supportive, and responsive school community.

Robert leads social skills groups that offer students the tools they need to build confidence, strengthen peer relationships, and develop healthy coping strategies. His sessions are thoughtfully designed, responsive to student needs, and grounded in empathy and expertise. Whether he is guiding a group discussion or working one-on-one with a student, Robert’s calm, compassionate presence creates an environment where students feel seen, heard, and understood.

Robert’s leadership was instrumental in helping RMS become a Grief-Sensitive School, a designation that reflects his deep commitment to supporting students navigating profound loss. He works closely with children who have experienced childhood trauma, providing them with consistent care, guidance, and advocacy. His ability to build trust with students and families is remarkable, and his impact is felt not only by those he counsels directly but by the entire school community.

Always willing to support in any way needed, Robert is known for doing “everything and anything” for students and staff. Whether it’s collaborating with teachers, responding to a crisis, offering professional insight, or simply showing up with kindness at exactly the right moment, Robert embodies the values of service, dedication, and compassion. His work strengthens our school every single day.

Robert Pycior is an exceptional professional whose commitment, heart, and expertise make him deeply deserving of this honor. We are proud to nominate him as the Readington Middle School Educational Services Professional of the Year.

RMS Instagram

Congrats to the entire RMS student body for participating in our annual Red Ribbon Week Drug Awareness Campaign posters! A huge shout out to our counseling team and Ms. Cangiano for helping to organize it!

1st Place - Elijah Shoemaker

2nd Place - Emily Shoemaker

3rd Place - Maxwell Perper

RMS Gets Comfy for a Cause!

This week, the RMS Student Council, led by Mrs. Applegate, Mr. O'Neil, and our enthusiastic members, collected over 600 non-perishable food items (in a single day!) as part of our Thanksgiving drive.

A big thank you as well to Mrs. Mooney and Mrs. McFadden for their help in organizing and assisting with the collection in a tight window of time. The generosity of our students and staff will directly support the Open Cupboard food pantry (Washington location).

Thanks to Mr. Biancamano for the write up!

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, our classroom took a delicious trip to China without ever leaving RMS! Students explored Chinese cuisine with a special focus on the famous Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou La Mian)—a beloved dish known for its rich broth, tender beef, and chewy noodles.

We were incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Fei Chen join us as a guest speaker. He not only taught students about the cultural roots of this iconic dish, but also brought in freshly prepared bowls for everyone to try! The room was filled with excitement (and amazing smells) as students sampled the soup and asked thoughtful questions about ingredients, cooking techniques, and Chinese food traditions.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zones, try something new, and appreciate the flavors of another culture.

Thanks to Ms. Birmingham for the amazing write up!

The Nature and Garden Club has been busy making RMS greener, cleaner, and more beautiful than ever! This month, our students used their creativity to craft handmade ornaments for our tree in the Festival of Trees at the Red Mill in Clinton on display all December long! Our theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” shines through every ornament and shows just how thoughtful and eco-minded our club truly is.

But that’s not all! Club members rolled up their sleeves and got to work in our courtyard, removing invasive plants and replacing them with native species that help our local ecosystem thrive. They also gathered leaves and garden debris to create nutrient-rich compost for our school gardens.

And in one of our favorite projects, students built and installed bluebird houses for our resident bluebirds, giving these beautiful creatures a safe place to call home.

From crafting to conservation, the Nature and Garden Club is making a real difference, one leaf, one plant, and one bluebird at a time!

Readington Middle School is proud to highlight our students and their tremendous accomplishments over the course of the year. We highlight our students through multiple types of awards, which include:

Valuable Vikings: These are students who show that they go above and beyond.
Students of the Week: These are students who reflect our weekly affirmation the best. Two students in each grade, each week, are selected for this.
Students of the Month: These are students who best reflect the RMS mission that month. Two students in each grade, each month, are selected for this.

Please join me in celebrating the following students for the month of November!

John Lyons
Rosleen Tumber

Evelyn Hanley

Owen Mykulak

Cody Williamson

Victoria Annese

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Even as kids grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students access learning opportunities and understand why attendance is so important for success in school. Families can use these strategies to help kids build a habit of good attendance.

Did You Know?

• Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 2 days a month can make it harder for kids to learn to read.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1 or 2 days every few weeks.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student might drop out of high school.

The Readington Township Board of Education’s Attendance Policy #5200 reflects the district’s concern for the thorough and efficient education of each pupil. A pupil must be in attendance for 160 or more days. If a student misses more than 10% of the school year, they are considered chronically absent and a team will be assembled at the end of the year to ensure that your child has met the instructional program requirements for their grade level.

Please note that stated excused absences allowed by New Jersey Statute are not included for the purposes of calculating a students absentee rate.These include:

Religious observance (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3(h));
“Take Our Children to Work Day” or other rule issued by the Commissioner;
Participation in observance of Veterans Day (N.J.S.A. 18A: 36-13.2) or district board of election membership activities (N.J.S.A. 18A: 36-33); or
The closure of a busing district that prevents a student from having transportation to the receiving school.

Absences listed below are calculated when reviewing chronic absenteeism. These include:

The pupil's illness supported by notification to the school by student’s parent/guardian;
The pupil's required attendance in court;
Requirements of a pupil's individual health care plan;
Requirements of the pupil's Individual Education Program (IEP);
The pupil's suspension from school;
A death or critical illness in the pupil's immediate family supported by notification to the school by student’s parent/guardian;
Necessary and unavoidable medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled at a time other than the school day;
An absence considered excused by the Commissioner of Education and/or a New Jersey Department of Education Rule (e.g. religious holiday);
An absence for a reason not listed above, but deemed excused by the Principal upon a written request by the student’s parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence and requesting permission for the absence to be considered excused.

Absences listed below are calculated when reviewing chronic absenteeism. These absences may also be counted towards truancy from school in accordance with NJ Statutes Annotated (NJSA) 18:A and NJ Administrative Code (NJAC) 6A . These include:

Family travel unrelated to the instructional program
Performance of household or babysitting duties
Other daytime activities unrelated to the school program

RMS Student Handbook (MUST READ)

Students will enter the building at 7:25am and must report to their homerooms by 7:35am. The school day concludes at 2:25pm. We highly encourage and recommend bus ridership. Please be sure you are at your assigned bus stop in time. If you have any questions about bus stops or transportation, please call the Transportation Office: 908-534-3835.

If you are planning to drop off or pick up via the car line, please adhere to the following map. Please follow the signals from RMS staff who are wearing the brightly colored safety vests!

During our school day, cell phones and other non-school issued devices (included Smart Watches) are not to be used by students as per Board of Education policy on Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices including Cell Phones - Please click here to 5516.01.

Students excel academically and socially when not tied to cell phones and the distraction of texts and social media. Students should be focused on learning and not on phones. Cell phones should be kept in students' lockers. If you need to reach your student, please do not text them but rather call the main office and you will be put in touch with your child.

All students are issued district Chromebooks. Throughout the day, students will use SMART PASS to create hall passes for themselves to use the bathroom, go to their locker, or see another staff member/teacher.

RMS has before and after school homework rooms available for your student to participate in. Before school starts at 7:00am on the first day of school, 9/2/2025. After school help runs from 2:30-4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and will start on 9/8/2025.

Click here to view the most up to date RMS Viking Athletics Calendar. For more information, please connect directly with your student(s) coaches or Athletic Coordinator, Chris Kober.