Dear Families and Students,

After careful consideration, I am pleased to report that we will be moving forward with the implementation of a new master schedule/bell schedule for the 2024-25 school year.

This initiative was started in 2021 when a working group of teachers, counselors, and administrators undertook a comprehensive effort to explore alternatives to the current block schedule. The committee examined different master schedules, visited multiple schools, and engaged in numerous conversations on this important topic with the RBR school community. Ultimately, they concluded that a schedule based on the rotating/drop model would be the best option. I agree with that assessment.

There are several reasons that this change is right for Red Bank Regional. First, the new schedule will increase overall instructional time and allow teachers to use class time more efficiently. Second, classes will meet more frequently and for shorter periods (55 minutes vs. 82 minutes), avoiding prolonged gaps between lessons. 

The new schedule retains many of the positive features of the existing “block” model. Students in the VPA and other academy programs will continue to take the same number of classes supporting their major. Class meetings can be sequenced to create extended instructional periods for rehearsals and projects. In addition, the MOD structure with lunch periods and study halls will be retained. 

We will soon begin transitioning to the new schedule to ensure we are ready to go in September. Here are some highlights:

• Starting this spring, teachers will review the curriculum and adjust lessons and learning activities to ensure a smooth transition to the new schedule.

• Professional development days will be scheduled for teachers to meet with colleagues in districts that use the rotating/drop model to discuss student workload and curriculum.

• The Faculty Advisory Board and the Student Advisory Board will collaborate to examine student concerns about academic workload, testing schedule, and homework.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the master schedule working group and the Faculty Advisory Board for all their efforts to take on this difficult task. The implementation of the new bell schedule in 2024-25 will require continued efforts and present some challenges.  However, the reform will benefit everyone significantly and strengthen our academic program. More details about the new bell schedule can be found here and on the RBR website.

Sincerely,

Louis Moore
Superintendent