Middle school changes discussed with public
Report regarding
distribution of students due in February
By dave goldberg
Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Three different committees reported expected changes for the South Brunswick middle schools transition next year.

"Our mission at Crossroads Middle School is to form a partnership between our school and the community that nurtures and inspires lifelong learners through a balanced program of academic excellence and social, emotional, cultural and physical development within a safe and caring environment," said Jim Warfel, Crossroads principal and member of the Middle School Planning Committee.

A Tuesday night meeting about the transition gave residents a chance to comment on plans to open a second middle school next year.

The new school is part of the school district’s $47 million building plan approved by voters in 1999.

That plan included a new 650-student elementary school, being built at the intersection of Deans Rhode Hall Road and Route 130, an 800-student addition to the high school on Ridge Road, and the creation of a second middle school.

Currently the Upper Elementary School on Georges Road is undergoing renovations to become that second middle school.

The schools will be known as Crossroads North and Crossroads South.

The committee wants the schools to have a positive relationship with the community, according to committee member Joanne Kerekes.

"Crossroads North and South will maintain an equal and collegial, sibling-like relationship," Kerekes said. "The traditions of Crossroads will be honored. The sixth-grade model will look different than the seventh- and eighth-grade model. The sixth-grade model will be a viable part of the middle school environment. A common curriculum will be shared. There will be ongoing communication between the schools on programs and policies."

Half of the township’s middle school students will attend each school, according to district officials.

The Feeder School Committee did not have an established plan ready at this point, according to Board of Education and committee member Dan Watts.

"Our intention was that we were better off to delay that, and we will present it to the public at a later date," Watts said.

Some of the preliminary plans of the feeder school criteria include having at least three schools in each building, a divisional east and west split, push for a diverse school community, comparable class sizes, and the two large schools should not be together in one school.

Community member Ricardo Lopez asked if it would be more feasible to have everything in one school, but Watts said it would be too much.

"It would be too great to have two big schools in one building," Watts said. "We want to have as many perspectives as possible. One section of the township could wind up dominating, and we don’t want to have that happen. This has to do with enrollment and capacity. Any concerns or questions about accommodations should be directed to the principal."

Lopez also said he was pleased that the committees would take the time to try to get feedback from the public.

The athletic committee recommended that every grade have an opportunity to participate in team sports.

"Each interscholastic sport is open to all seventh- and eighth-grade students," said committee member Rich Verasca. "Sixth-grade students may participate in intramural programs during each of the three seasons. All middle school interscholastic athletic teams, both A and B teams, will be composed of students from both middle schools. Each team will represent the school district."

Community member Gail Bonnie said she was happy with the athletic committee’s recommendations.

"This gives the students more of an opportunity," Bonnie said. "I like the idea that the schools are not competing against each other. I am happy it’s one team."

Community member Christine Mariano said that this plan would be best for the community.

The Encore Program also made a proposal for the middle schools. Committee representative Judith Black said that the purpose of Encore is to provide rich and comprehensive offerings that allow all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students at Crossroads North and South to develop skills through exploration and self-expression.

"The Encore Program is any course offered outside the unit and core curriculum," said Black. "Two periods a day will be utilized to make up the block schedule. One period will consist of physical education and health. The other period will work as an A/B schedule with world language taught on the opposite day of one other Encore course. This allows each middle school student to receive three exploratory courses per year."

The Middle School Planning Committee would like to have another forum with the community in February at a time and date to be announced later.