JANUARY 2026 RECAP
WHAT'S INSIDE?
STRATEGIC PLAN -
Update on progress districtwide
BBHS - Thespian Festival spotlight
CMS - CMS' Scripps Spelling Bee
SMALLEY - Clubs and extracurriculars
LAFAYETTE - Heart challenge recap
LAMONTE / ANNEX -
Coral reef gallery walk
DID YOU KNOW - Superintendent to Watch announcement
|
|
|
|
|
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Bound Brook School Community,
I hope you have settled nicely into the New Year as our students and staff continue to embark on new learning adventures inside and outside of the classroom. Despite the chilly temperatures and snowy days, we come to school each day with renewed vigor to learn and develop future-ready skills.
In this newsletter, I am happy to report a snapshot of the latest events taking place across the Bound Brook School District. This includes a brief progress update on the district’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, which was created through feedback from our entire community.
In addition to the wonderful initiatives taking place across our schools, January also signified School Board Recognition Month, a time to raise public awareness of the roles and responsibilities of local boards of education and to thank our school board members for their efforts.
Please join me in saying thank you to our Bound Brook Board of Education for making a difference and for their dedication to BBSD students, families and our local community!
-
President – Richard Jannuzzi
-
Vice President – Michael Bal
-
Member – Roger Zupko
-
Member – Lisa Guzzino
-
Member – Joanna Musson
-
Member – Gagandeep Minhas
-
Member – Sidney Dawson
-
Member – Therese Sue High
-
Member – Donald Vollmer
-
South Bound Brook Representative – Nicholas Incalcaterra
Truly,
Alvin L. Freeman, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
|
|
|
|
|
|
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
Together We Thrive: Turning Vision into Action
The Bound Brook School District and Board of Education completed the Strategic Planning process during the 2023 - 2024 academic year, focusing on the unifying theme of Together We Thrive, to cultivate a future where all students are equipped to lead, innovate, and contribute positively to their communities.
The roadmap, developed by feedback from students, staff, parents, and board members, provided a vision to lead through the years 2024 – 2029 in four goal areas.
Goal #1: Student Experience – To advance a student experience that ensures ALL students have access to opportunities for a rigorous curriculum, extracurricular activities, and individualized experiences that meet their needs. Goal #2: Facilities & Finance – To review current enrollment projections and district facilities to develop a plan for expansion and enhancement of programs for all students. Goal #3: Communications, Community Outreach and Engagement – To improve and streamline internal and external communications. Goal #4: Recruit and Retain Staff that Reflect Our Diverse Community – Produce an environment that attracts, supports, and retains a high-quality multicultural staff.
BBSD is pleased to share a progress update on the Strategic Plan and the steps taken by the district to accomplish these goals during the 2025-26 school year.
Progress Towards Goal # 1- Student Experience
- Hosted an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) meeting focused on protocols for analyzing student data, with the goal of improving instruction and student outcomes.
- Added Benchmark Adelante resources to the district's dual-language classrooms. This new resource provides research-based literacy instruction, dual-language support, digital assessments, and family engagement tools.
-
Assisted to enroll:
-
75 multilingual (ML) students in Honors classes.
-
9 ML students in AP courses.
- 39 ML students in dual enrollment classes.
- Provided opportunities for instructional support and growth through the WIN program.
- Coordinated events to help students consider their post-graduation options, including a college fair event in October and a college visit at Villanova University in November.
- Continued development of unit assessments in ELA and math for elementary students.
Progress Towards Goal # 2 - Facilities & Finance
- Piloted iPad deployment with high school ML students for translation services.
- Distributed a ParentSquare survey to staff and the wider school community in November to gather feedback on usage and accessibility.
- Started construction of modular classrooms at LaMonte Elementary School; estimated to be completed in Spring 2026.
Progress Towards Goal # 3 - Communications, Community Outreach and Engagement
- Continued building relationships with local Bound Brook Theater and Victory Home Remodeling related to Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) workforce learning opportunities.
Progress Towards Goal # 4 - Recruit and Retain Staff that Reflect Our Diverse Community
- Received Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners(FOCUS) grant for the 2026 Fiscal Year, which supportsK-3schools in implementing high-quality, universal literacy screeners.
- Expanded course offerings through partnership with RVCC Workforce Training Center to include Welding and 911 Call Center this 2025-26 school year.
- Attended Career Fairs in Fall 2025 at Rutgers University, Kean University, and Montclair University.
“Bound Brook School District continues to maintain high expectations with our Strategic Plan to ensure every program and service leads our students to success in the classroom and in life,” said Superintendent Dr. Alvin L. Freeman. “Strong educators and support staff are also the cornerstones of student success. We look forward to continuing investing in these areas to stay true to our motto, Together We Thrive.”
Assistant Superintendent Allyson Winter emphasizes the importance of the Strategic Plan and its relationship with the Bound Brook community.
“Our community is the heart of our district,” she said. “Through our Strategic Plan and its four goal areas, we will continue to support programs that help every member of our community feel connected in their school, because we know that a strong sense of belonging supports both academic success and life beyond the classroom.”
You can explore the full strategic plan on the dedicated page of the district’s website: https://www.bbrook.org/271917_2.
|
BOUND BROOK HIGH SCHOOL
Thespians learn, compete in events, and audition for scholarships while attending annual festival in NJ
Bound Brook High School theater students had a fantastic experience at the Thespian Festival, the largest annual theatre event in the state of New Jersey. The experience offers students the chance to participate in various workshops (in areas of performance and technical theatre), compete in a variety of Individual and Group Events, audition for scholarships from colleges and universities, and visit information booths and theatrical vendors.
“They delivered strong performances, represented our school with pride, and demonstrated impressive preparation, creativity, and professionalism throughout the day,” said BBHS Principal Edward Smith.
One student earned an “Excellent” rating, two students received scholarship offers from Drew University, and one student was accepted into Kean University’s Musical Theater Program through a scholarship entry. Students also received valuable feedback from adjudicators and participated in workshops that helped them refine their skills and deepen their understanding of theater.
The festival also provided meaningful professional learning opportunities, including director-only workshops and networking with educators from a wide range of theater programs.
“Seeing programs of varying sizes and structures offered helpful perspective and inspiration for future growth of our district’s theatre program,” added Mr. Smith.
COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Let's hear it for the "un-bee-lievable" champions |
 Community Middle School students put their "un-bee-lievable" spelling skills to the test during the school's annual Scripps Spelling Bee. Students practiced diligently leading up to the event using study materials and word lists through an online portal of resources. On the big day, participants were celebrated by their peers and teachers as they competed against the other to claim the beloved title.
The Bound Brook School District congratulates the top spellers who shined their talents and showcased their hard work, focus, and dedication in stepping up.
-
1st Place: Mouataz Belkadi - 7th grade
-
2nd Place: Zia Shariff - 8th grade
-
3rd Place: Ismary Rodriguez Azcona - 8th grade
As the top winner of this year's competition, Mouataz will move onto the Regionals this spring. If declared a winner, Mouataz will enter the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Outstanding work!
 SMALLEY SCHOOL
Learning beyond the classroom: clubs that spark curiosity
Learning looks a little different when the school day ends at Smalley School. From gardening to robotics, drama and student leadership, Smalley School clubs help students discover their passions, build skills, and connect with their peers.
All students can participate in the Outdoor Classroom/Gardening Club as well as Spanish Literacy Club. Students learn to collaborate through hands-on experiences in nature through the Outdoor Classroom/Gardening Club. Through reading books, students improve reading comprehension, fluency and vocabulary in the Spanish Literacy club.
Other clubs available to students include:
-
Theatre/Drama Club (Grades 5-6) - A creative outlet for students to grow as an artist through theater, dance and acting. Students participate in a performance and collaborate with the high school Drama Club.
-
Robotics Club (Grades 5-6) - A dynamic space for students to apply critical thinking skills and explore physics, science, technology, and engineering principles through hands-on weekly projects.
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
School community comes together for heart health
Lafayette School kicked off the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge in the New Year, lasting until the end of January. This initiative supported heart health education while encouraging students to build lifelong healthy habits through movement, goal-setting, and service to others.
The Kids Heart Challenge taught students the importance of physical activity, kindness, and giving back, while also raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association’s life-saving research and programs. Any student or family who signed up was automatically entered for a chance to win tickets to the 2027 Super Bowl, which generated a great deal of excitement among Lafayette’s students and families.
To date, the Lafayette school community has raised over $5,700. These funds will directly support heart health initiatives and also allow Lafayette to receive funding for new physical education equipment, benefiting all students during PE and wellness activities.
“We are proud of our students’ and families' enthusiasm and generosity, and we would love to support sharing this story to highlight the positive impact of the Kids Heart Challenge and the strong community engagement at Lafayette,” said Lafayette Principal Deirdre Kehayas.
LAMONTE/LAMONTE ANNEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A sea of creativity: Exploring ocean habitats through art project LaMonte Annex’s Pre-K students wrapped up their second unit of the year with a fun tradition, celebrating their learning about coral reefs with a special gallery walk. Families and friends were invited to view the students’ handmade projects, which showcased their understanding of coral reef animals, habitats, and ocean life.
The gallery walk gave students an opportunity to proudly share their work, practice speaking about what they learned, and reflect on their discoveries throughout the unit.
It was a joyful and meaningful way to conclude LaMonte's Coral Reef study!
|
