Somerset Hills Students Back to School Before Neighbors

Somerset Hills students returned to school a day before those public school kids in neighboring towns on Friday, but already were able kick back this weekend before diving into the school year in full force on Monday.

David Lopez, a senior who was walking home from Bernards High School on Friday afternoon, said his first day had gone fine, and he really loved his public speaking class.

Lopez said he prefers that the Somerset Hills school district opened its 2013-14 school year, even for a one-day first week, rather than waiting until starting a full week on Monday. 

"You have time over the weekend to get organized," he said.

Laura Dominguez, another Bernards High senior, added that the one-day week was a way to get back into the sleeping hours required for high school.

Dominguez added that she was pleased that Bernards High teachers all seemed so eager to be in their classrooms on Friday.

"They were very enthusiastic, and that's contagious," she added.

Both were walking home with junior Maria Lezme, who said she was happy to be back in school. "The teachers were really welcoming," she said, adding it was good to see her friends again.

Another student walking from Bernards High with a friend, sophomore Sean Sullivan, agreed that he preferred having a first day of school on Friday, and then being ready to head back on Monday.

He was accompanied by freshman Alec Wrana, who gave an opinion that is seldom disputed by students just entering high school. "It's definitely better than middle school." Wrana agreed he likes the freedom and food and other aspects of high school life.

Students in the neighboring school districts of Bernards Township and Bedminster Township have scheduled their first days of school for Monday. Since Bedminster has its own K-8 school district, sending that township's high schoolers to Bernards High on a tuition basis, that means families with children in the high school and lower grade levels were starting the school year on different days this September.