Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Bernards Township Schools Set 3 Goals For 2026-27

Coming up: A Garden Conservancy Open Garden Day! on the Basking Ridge Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
Thursday September 17th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Basking Ridge! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Bernards schools set ambitious goals without raising debt service
  • Why William Annin parents are rallying over a 15-minute lunch cut
  • Decades of quiet service earn a Basking Ridge neighbor major recognition

Also on today's calendar: A Garden Conservancy Open Garden Day! and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid with a shower in spots, with a high of 80 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Friday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 82, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Bernards Township Schools Set 3 Goals For 2026-27 (patch.com) — Families in Basking Ridge can expect Bernards Township schools to focus this year on community-driven updates to the district's mission, stronger academic and emotional support systems, and a 10-year capital plan. District leaders say they'll seek broad input through listening sessions, aiming to improve facilities and student services while keeping debt service at current levels.
   

• Concerns Raised Over Shortened Lunch Period At Bernards Twp. School, Petition Launched (patch.com) — Basking Ridge parents are pushing back after William Annin Middle School cut the lunch period from 40 to 25 minutes this September, launching a petition with hundreds of signatures. They're urging Bernards Township school leaders to study impacts on nutrition, stress, equity, and social time, and to share data behind the change while considering restoring the longer schedule if benefits aren't clear.
   

• Basking Ridge's John Orfan Honored For Decades Of Service (patch.com) — A longtime Basking Ridge resident, first responder, and 9/11 volunteer has been recognized among 24 "Seniors of Distinction" in Congressman Tom Kean Jr.'s district-wide honors. His decades of leadership with Bernardsville Fire Company No. 1 and the First Aid Squad, plus multiple EMT of the Year awards, highlight how local volunteers quietly shape safety and resilience across Somerset County.
   

📸 Around Basking Ridge

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Basking Ridge

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I saw this on Facebook and I live off Spring Valley Blvd.
    Is anyone missing this dog and if so, has he been reunited with his family? If not, I will keep an eye out for him tomorrow. (Nextdoor Stonehouse Rd)
  • Aramark posted a job opening for Cook - Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown. Apply here.
  • Burger King (Carrols) posted a job opening for Team Member in Madison. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Basking Ridge here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bernardsville

  • Wells Road vacant lot fetches $19.9M on near North End of Palm Beach (palmbeachpost.com)

Watchung

  • Watchung Hills Field Hockey Rallies From Two-Goal Deficit to Edge Gov. Livingston, 4-3 (tapinto.net)

Morristown

  • Woman Hit By Car While Helping Injured Deer In Morris County (patch.com)

Ok Basking Ridge! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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