Parents and students from across the school district joined teachers and administrators Dec. 6 at Franklin High School for what was billed as a day of celebrating township schools. Punctuating the day, amid the student performances and curriculum demonstrations, were subtle and not-so-subtle messages in favor of the Dec. 9 construction referendum.

Words ruled the night at Franklin Park School Dec. 5 as students participated in the inaugural Spelling Bee and Night of Words. Organized by teachers Priya Kharawala and Stacey Young, the evening was both a competition and game night.

A 20-year-old township man suspected of severely injuring his one-month-old daughter remains in the Somerset County Jail, Somerville, on $75,000 bail, authorities said. William Figueroa of the Franklin Park section was arrested the morning of Dec. 5 after township police responded to a 9-1-1 call of an injured baby.

Nima Majidi, an 8th grader at Cedar Hill Preparatory School on Cedar Grove Lane, finished in 8th place at the recent Garden State Debate League tournament at Mater Dei Prep School. Majidi competed against 119 other students.

Township voters will decide Dec. 9 whether they’re willing to invest an average $166 a year in funding improvements to the school district’s buildings and realigning the elementary school grades. That’s the increase in yearly school-portion property tax bills estimated by school officials if the roughly $85 million referendum is approved. The figure is based on the average residential assessment …

The latest theatrical offering by Franklin Middle School students is one that is close to the director’s heart. That’s because the idea for “A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Carol” was conceived by director Ellen Beattie in 2000, when she was the artistic director for Metuchen Forum Theatre’s “A Kid’s Forum.”

Township police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 17-year-old resident who may have run away from home. Myriam Rodriguez was last seen on Nov. 5 when she left Franklin High School at the end of the school day, according to a release from township police. She is believed to be in the New Brunswick area.

The residents at the Center for Great Expectations on Dellwood Lane tok part in an exercise in giving and getting Dec. 2, the third annual national Giving Tuesday. The women and their children at the center received a home-cooked meal after they made holiday ornaments that will be donated to the seniors at the nearby McCarrick Care Center.

Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots will receive the Community Service Award from Alternatives Inc. for the team’s work in providing assistance and support to Alternatives, Inc. and their clientele.  

  The traditional holiday tree lighting ceremony will return to the township’s municipal complex on Dec. 12.