Bridgewater Schools 'No Place For Hate' Initiative Spurs Division

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An anti-bias, anti-bullying initiative by the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School has spurred division in the community prompting the district to address residents on Wednesday.

Superintendent Robert Beers sent out a letter to the community that said the Middle School shared on Tuesday that the district would be a part of the No Place for Hate initiative to further its anti-bias and anti-bullying education for students.

"However, the messaging resulted in community division rather than the unity we seek to foster," said Beers.

As a result, Beers said, "The district will engage in critical and essential conversations with stakeholders to identify and develop programming for our students while continuing to focus on the values most important in our school community."

Over the next few weeks, the district will contact community stakeholders to begin essential conversations.

"It is important that everyone has a voice and is heard," said Beers.

Beers reiterated that the district remains "committed to inclusivity, anti-racist and anti-bias programming, creating safe spaces for all students, and promoting upstanding citizens."

The district will continue to plan whole-school activities designed to engage students in critical conversations about using the power of positive peer influence to build inclusive and safe schools where all students can thrive.

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