District Considers Relocating Special Ed Students

The move would not be made if IEPs say it is wrong for students.

With the decision to move the AI program from Adamsville Primary to Hamilton Primary, the district is continuing to look into options for redistricting if needed—and the next idea being explored is to move some special education students. Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder said during Tuesday’s board of education meeting that they are looking at the possibility of taking about six third-graders at Hamilton and moving them to Hillside Intermediate in fourth grade, a year early. But, Schilder emphasized throughout the evening, this idea would not have been considered had the idea of redistricting not already been on the table. “There are benefits of doing this, but would we be thinking along these lines without redistricting?” he …

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Give Back Snow Days Approved

The board of education approves a plan to account for non-used snow days.

Despite concerns from board of education member Jeffrey Brookner that it is too soon to give back all unused snow days, the board approved a resolution that provides vacation days to account for the lack of snow days needed since January. According to the plan, the board of education has decided to give back April 9, May 29 and May 30, which means students will not attend school on those days. Eisenhower Intermediate School, Van Holten Primary and Hamilton Primary will be on a slightly different schedule because they used extra snow days due to power outages around the October snowstorm. Those three schools only have the opportunity to have two give back days instead of three. Those three schools will still have to attend school on May 30—…

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DidUReallyJustSayThat

10:12 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012

Insanity is claiming I said anything about teachers being responsible for Climate Change. I said the district had to cancel school days because the teachers contract has a maximum number of days they can work. Most professionals work extra hours and days all the time and I'd go hoarse if I had to give you a shout every time I did. As for "Sad," wish I thought of it first . . . oh wait, I did!   more ›

Top Chef Competition Fun With Food

Hamilton Primary students make everything from muffins to marsala.

The families and staff of Hamilton Primary School gathered at the school Friday evening for some good food, good fun and a chance to raise money.  "This is the second annual Top Chef Competition," said organizer Sue Collins. "It involves all of our extended families of Hamilton, teachers, staff, kids, parents, grandparents. They just come and they cook."  "You walk around and taste, and if you like it you put money into their bucket," she added. "Whoever gets the most money wins." There were 18 selections at the competition, and the included everything from chili and tiny whoopie pies to kielbasa. Children and families walked from dish to dish, putting change in the buckets as they moved along. "This is based on a program that had success …

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Junior HELPers Saving the Environment

A student group is helping the Earth one step at a time.

The program began at Hillside Intermediate, and has since been recreated at Hamilton Primary—for the junior league. Hamilton fourth grade teacher Dawn Eisele is co-advisor for the Hamilton Junior H.E.L.P League, an organization that is all about helping the environment. And it began, Eisele said, at Hillside. “I worked at Hillside and was involved with the H.E.L.P Squad, and when the schools were reconfigured in 2007, I wanted to remain in fourth grade so I moved to Hamilton,” she said. “I enjoyed the program at Hillside and wanted to continue it.” “That is why I decided to start a recycling committee based on what we did at Hillside,” she added. And that was the start of the Junior H.E.L.P Squad, which does many of the same work as the …

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5 Things

5 Recipes to Make With Kids

Check out our list to help get your day started.

On Friday evening, students at Hamilton Primary School will participate in Top Chef, showing off their cooking skills as they bring in prepared items to give out to anyone in attendance. Students and staff will taste the food items and vote on their favorites to vote one Hamilton family as the top chef. So in advance of the event, if you're preparing to cook with your children for the Hamilton event, we present some great family recipes. All recipes are from Disney Family Fun Magazine.

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This Week on Patch

Board to Discuss Possible November Elections

Looking for a story this week? Check out this handy guide.

Every Monday, we will bring you a little look ahead at a few of the stories that are on tap for Bridgewater Patch over the next seven days.  We’ll provide the day a story is scheduled to post on the site so you can be sure to check back on that date to read about all the news you want to know. Don’t see the story you’re looking for? Ask about it in the comments below! Monday Wednesday Thursday Saturday

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JCP&L: Bright Light Was Tranformer Line Coming Down

The power outage Nov. 23 was a result of two lines hitting each other.

The bright light that sparked questions, concerns and massive power outages in the early morning hours of Nov. 23 was indeed the result of an electric line falling onto an adjacent one, according to a representative from JCP&L. John Anderson, area manager with JCP&L, said it was a transformer line coming down that caused the arcing. "It could have been caused by different reasons, like a tree limb coming down or animal contact," he said. "There are a number of different scenarios." Several thousand people in the Bridgewater area dealt with power outages after the line came down in the vicinity of Route 202/206, and Hamilton Primary School had to be closed for the day Wednesday because of the outage. "Everyone had power back by the morning…

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UPDATE: Hamilton Primary Has to Make Up Another Day

The plan will make up for schools being closed after the October snowstorm.

Update, 1:30 p.m.—Because Hamilton Primary School was closed Wednesday after losing power due to a power station transmition line coming down in the early morning hours, another day will have to be made up by students. To make up for two days off following the October snowstorm, and another day off Wednesday for power outages, students at Hamilton will have school Jan. 16, Feb. 17 and June 20, along with Eisenhower Intermediate and Van Holten Primary, while the rest of the district is closed. This change is based on a plan approved at Tuesday's board of education meeting. 5:00 a.m. After holding the decision until all members were present, the board of education voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a plan that brings students in to four of …

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Board to Pick Plan for Making Up Lost School Days

The members will choose from among six options.

The board of education will decide Nov. 22 how to make up for the school days lost because of power outages in the wake of the Oct. 29 snowstorm. Because of power outages, Eisenhower Intermediate and Van Holten Primary schools were closed for three days while Hamilton Primary and the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School were closed for two days. State law requires that schools be in session for 180 days. The district’s official calendar has already designated Feb. 17, April 2, April 3, April 4 and April 5 to be used as extra school days to make up for more than three emergency closings. If schools do not have more than three unanticipated closings, additional days off are added to the Memorial Day recess. Superintendent of Schools Michael …

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Mike

5:24 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Woulda been nice if the NJDOE gave a waiver or something. God forbid.   more ›

Smiles, Fun at Hamilton School Halloween Bash

Games, music, costumes and more highlighted the school's annual event.

Hamilton Primary School joined in on the Halloween fun on Friday night by hosting its own Halloween Bash, sponsored and funded by the Hamilton School PTO. According to event co-chair Sue Rogalsky, the event charges a $5 admission fee each year, with proceeds going to the PTO in the hopes of purchasing smartboard technology for the school. "Whatever money the PTO raises, we try to donate as much as we can to the school," Rogalsky said. The end result? From 7-9 p.m., students enjoyed games, music, costumes and fun. Check out our gallery above.

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