Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Bridgewater-Raritan Adopts New Bell-to-Bell Student Cellphone Policy

Happening soon: ACEing Autism Tennis Clinic Begins on the Bridgewater Patch calendar

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Good morning Bridgewater! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Bridgewater-Raritan tightens student cellphone rules from first bell to dismissal
  • How did a Bridgewater-Raritan school board meeting spiral into chaos?
  • Will a massive Route 22 data center reshape this corner of Bridgewater?

Also on today's calendar: ACEing Autism Tennis Clinic Begins and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Sunday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-shower, temps: high: 85, low: 65.
  • Monday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 87 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Bridgewater-Raritan Adopts New Bell-to-Bell Student Cellphone Policy (patch.com) — Families in Bridgewater-Raritan will see a much stricter, bell-to-bell ban on student use of personal internet-enabled devices anywhere on school grounds, including lunch and hallway time. The Board of Education narrowly approved the policy to comply with a new state cellphone law, while carving out specific exceptions for health, special education, emergencies, and translation needs.
   

2. 'This Is An Embarrassment. This Is A Circus.' Bridgewater-Raritan School Meeting Erupts (patch.com) — Bridgewater-Raritan parents and residents saw a tense school board meeting this week, with shouting, accusations over library books, and a failed bid to tighten parental control over challenged materials. Superintendent Robert Beers and several board members condemned threats against staff and defended district librarians, while speakers from Bridgewater and other towns clashed over transgender policy and meeting conduct.
   

3. Bridgewater Continues to Discuss Data Centers, Hears From Developer Interested in Building One (tapinto.net) — Bridgewater officials are still weighing whether a data center belongs on the Graymark property at 1200 Route 22, as residents and a potential developer pressed their cases at the latest council meeting. One resident called the redevelopment plan "seriously flawed," while another voiced support and the interested developer promised modern noise-reduction technology and to be a "good neighbor" if allowed to proceed.
   

4. Sophomore QB Baxter shines as No. 6 Bridgewater-Raritan opens '26 with 28-7 win at No. 8 Woodbridge (cjsportsradio.com) — Bridgewater-Raritan football fans got a strong start to the season as sophomore quarterback J.B. Baxter led the Panthers to a 28-7 road win over Woodbridge. Baxter threw three touchdown passes and piled up over 250 passing yards, while the Panthers' size up front and a big night from senior running back Jahmier Black powered 448 yards of total offense.
   

5. Kean Hosts Roundtable on Preventing Nitrous Oxide Misuse (house.gov) — A Bridgewater family's loss is driving new federal action to curb nitrous oxide misuse, with their story highlighted at a Washington, D.C. roundtable. Congressman Tom Kean Jr. and bipartisan partners outlined the proposed MANNARINO Act, while Bridgewater Councilman and longtime EMT Timothy Ring stressed the need for early education and prevention to protect local residents.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Bridgewater-Based Student-Run Publication Launches Book Drive —Mahathi Karthik Read on Patch
  • JAG Physical Therapy Rises on Inc. 5000 List, Marking Seventh Year in a Row Among Fastest-Growing Companies —Cara Sutherlan Read on Patch
  • The Stepping Stones Group, LLC posted a job opening for Paraprofessional / Educator in Bridgewater. Apply here.
  • Michaels Stores, Inc. posted a job opening for Service Team Member in Bridgewater. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bridgewater here.

Ok Bridgewater! 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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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