Student representative reports athletic milestones; Bridge to pilot full-day phone-free environment

Joseph, the student representative to the Bernards Township Board of Education, updated trustees on recent student activities and extracurricular successes and on a forthcoming pilot to reduce phone use during the school day at Bridge.

Joseph reported that Ridge High School athletes set a 10-year school record in the 4-by-200 relay at a recent invitational, and outlined strong team records across several sports: the boys hockey team stood at 7-3-1; boys basketball opened with a seven-game winning streak and remained undefeated in conference play at the time of the report; wrestling had begun the year with a 6-0 start and stood at 7-2 after recent matches; both Ridge fencing teams were unbeaten in early competition; and girls swimming had a 2-0 start. Joseph also noted a dance team winter showcase scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17 at the Pack and a guidance presentation about post-secondary planning for sophomores on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.

On student-device policy, Joseph said administration is advancing a "restoring focus" initiative and that Bridge will pilot a full-day phone-free environment for the second semester, modeled on current practice at William Annan. Under the pilot, phones will remain off and away during the school day but students may keep devices in backpacks for emergency contact. Additional implementation details and rules were said to be forthcoming from administration and faculty before the end of the marking period.

Board members thanked Joseph for his report; the transcript records brief congratulatory remarks and a recognition that Joseph participated in the school record relay.