Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Life topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Student representative reports phone‑free pilot, championship runs and Hello Project at Ridge High
Summary
Student representative Joseph updated the board on a week‑long phone‑free pilot, multiple recent athletic championships, a new inclusion spirit week, and the Hello Project to encourage face‑to‑face connection among students.
Joseph, the student representative to the Bernards Township Board of Education, told the board the high school is a week into a phone‑free pilot intended to encourage in‑person interactions.
“Today we began with Neon Day,” Joseph said, describing a unified spirit week intended to “celebrate more inclusion and community.” He also outlined the Hello Project, an initiative that provides laminated conversation starter cards in classrooms and cafeterias to encourage brief social interactions.
Joseph highlighted recent student achievements: the boys basketball team finished 22–7 and reached the North 2 Group 4 state semifinals; the unified basketball team was scheduled to play for the New Jersey state championship; boys and girls fencing teams posted strong seasons and the boys team won the state team title; the boys 4x800 relay won the state meet and will compete at New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston; and the forensic team won the Newark Tech Invitational and will compete in the NJSDL state tournament.
He closed by noting senior internship applications are open through April 21 for month‑long placements and by thanking the board for the opportunity to report.
Ending
Joseph’s remarks were followed by the board’s budget presentation. Administrators said student wellbeing programs such as the Hello Project and the district’s “restoring focus” initiative will be implemented using existing staff time and that no additional budget line for the comprehensive equity plan was included in the 2025–26 preliminary figures.
