'Warm Hearted,' Beloved Bridgewater-Raritan School Employee Retires After 30 Years

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — After 30 years with the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, Sarah Berkovits will be retiring on March 1.

"It's bittersweet but it's time," said Raritan mother and grandmother Berkovits to Patch.

Berkovits began her career in the district in 1996 when she signed up as a substitute teacher at Hamilton School.

She moved to the high school then to Bradley Gardens school and then back to Hamilton School. It wasn't until 1999 when she made the jump to the Buildings and Grounds department working as the Secretary for the Manager.

She has had seven bosses in her 30 years and when she first started she was the only woman working with 20-plus men.

"We have become a family," said Berkovits.

Throughout the years, she has memories of the guys having children who are now off to college.

"They always treated me like the mom. I am the mother hen of the group. I have a very good relationship with them. We care about each other," said Berkovits.

Not only did she watch her coworkers' children grow up but they were also a part of her life. Berkovits has two children and now four grandchildren. Whenever she wasn't feeling well the guys would rally around her to lend her a hand. She even recalls having managers in the past who were more like father figures to her.

"It's hard nowadays to find a place you feel like you belong. No matter what in sickness and health - like a marriage. If I didn't feel good, the phone calls came, 'Can I help you? What can I bring you?'" said Berkovits.

Now Berkovits said it is time to say goodbye. With her retirement in March, Berkovits is excited to spend more time with her grandchildren and get back to reading.

"Sarah has been a real pleasure to work with. She’s a warm-hearted person who always greeted me with a smile and asked how my family is doing. She’s definitely going to be missed around here," said Pete Aragon, who works with the school district's Building & Grounds department.

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