Flood Damage Causes Virtual School Start For Bridgewater School

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Even after a pushed-back school start, Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School will still have to begin the school year virtually due to the extensive damage suffered by Tropical Storm Ida.

Three schools in the district — Crim Primary School, Hamilton Primary School, and the Middle School — sustained damage due to floodwaters and are in need of varying levels of remediation. As a result, the district pushed the first day of school back to Monday, Sept. 13 for all schools.

However, with continuing repairs needed at the middle school Superintendent of Schools Robert Beers announced on Tuesday night that the school now needs to open virtually.

"Unfortunately, the Middle School has shouldered the largest impact from the storm and will utilize a virtual format for a minimum of the first two weeks of the school year," said Beers.

A decision will be made related to the opening of Crim and Hamilton Schools no later than Thursday at 4 p.m. on whether they will open in-person or virtually as well, said Beers.

"Please be aware that remote learning to start the year at Crim and Hamilton Schools also remains a possibility," said Beers.

The Middle School Principal will send more information on the specifics of remote learning over the next 24 hours.

"I fully appreciate the impact this has on our school community as we were ready to begin in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. Please understand that the safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority," said Beers.

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