🌱 Patch AM: How will New Jersey’s new school phone ban affect Bloomfield students?

Hello Bloomfield! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will New Jersey’s new school phone ban affect Bloomfield students?
• Bloomfield community remembers longtime resident Caroline Mary Strand

Also on today's calendar: Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one pirate say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Cloudy with afternoon rain, with a high of 45 and low of 39 degrees.
• Sunday: Breezy; cloudy, then some sun, temps: high: 45, low: 31.
• Monday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 42 and low of 32 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Essex County Lawmakers Cheer For Statewide School Phone Ban (patch.com) — Bloomfield families should know that New Jersey has approved a statewide ban on non-academic cell phone use during the school day, with policies taking effect in 2026–2027. Local lawmakers representing Bloomfield and nearby towns strongly backed the measure, saying it will reduce distractions, support mental health, and give school boards clear guidance on how to limit phones while allowing educational and accessibility uses.
   

• Caroline Strand (townshipjournal.com subscription) — Bloomfield readers are mourning Caroline Mary Strand, a longtime township resident who later moved to Sussex County and passed away at age 92. Remembered for her kindness, church and volunteer work, and love of reading, knitting, and dog-sitting, she leaves behind a close-knit family and a legacy of community involvement.
   

📸 Around Bloomfield

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Bloomfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday January 11

• Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026
  Meadowbrook Country Day Camp, 73 E Valley Brook Rd, Washington Township
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday January 9

• The Sixties Rock & Roll Revue at Tierney's!
  Tierney's Tavern , 138 Valley Rd , Montclair
  7:45 pm

Saturday January 10

• Major Office Furniture Warehouse Liquidation Sale-Soft Seating too!
  Grand Avenue , Grand Ave , North Brunswick Township
  9:30 am
• 5 Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online)
  Online
  11:00 am

Sunday January 11

• Blood Drive
  Women's Club of Glen Ridge , 219 Ridgewood Avenue , Glen Ridge
• Second Sunday Concert - Frank Gulino
  Van Vleck House & Gardens , 21 Van Vleck Street , Montclair
  2:00 pm

Monday January 12

• Little Seeds Story Time
  Glen Ridge Free Public Library Glen Ridge - Meeting Room,
  9:30 am
• Monday Morning Yoga - Late Winter Session Hybrid Class
  Van Vleck House & Gardens , 21 Van Vleck Street , Montclair
  9:30 am
• BILINGUAL PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BIPAC) *Rescheduled*
  Charles H. Bullock School , 55 Washington St , Montclair
  6:30 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Golda Och Academy (Home)
  Nutley High School Main Gym
  4:00 pm

Wednesday January 14

• Labyrinth
  Brookdale Reformed Church , 16 Bellevue Ave , Bloomfield
  6:00 pm

Saturday January 17

• NYC Percussion Group
  Brookdale Reformed Church , 16 Bellevue Ave , Bloomfield
  3:00 pm

📣 Bloomfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bloomfield PatchAM possible:

• Empowered Connections — (301) 200-1884
  Group Counseling for Women & Teens
• HZY GOODS — (973) 200-3030
  HZY Goods Dispensary in East Orange Now Open!
• Dogtopia of West Orange — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• The Well Read Travel Planner
  Get free help planning your family vacations!
• Forward Motion Counseling Services — (862) 801-0974
  Finding Freedom Through Connection
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Online Auction of Quality Local Restaurant Furniture & Equipment
  Auction>Auction>Auction-Auction of Quality Local Restaurant Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment- Refrigeration, Ice Machines, Butcher Block and... (More info)
• Need a Lead-Safe Inspection? Same-Day Appointments Available ✅
  New Jersey law requires many rental properties built before 1978 to obtain a Lead-Safe Certificate before renting, re-renting, or renewing a lease.... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Albertsons Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Baker in Montclair. Apply here.
• Eisai, Inc. posted a job opening for Director, Clinical Quality Assurance in Nutley. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bloomfield here.

🗞 Nearby News

Glen Ridge

• Glen Ridge HS girls basketball team defeats Marlboro (essexnewsdaily.com)
• Crowded NJ-11 Race to Replace Sherrill Thins Weeks Before Special Primary Election (montclairlocal.news)
• Smith named medical director for Vanguard's Riverdale office (roi-nj.com)

Montclair

• From Grit to Graduation: One Student's Self-Funded Journey at Montclair State University (montclair.edu)
• 7 Cozy Winter Hobby Classes in Montclair (themontclairgirl.com)

Verona

Ok Bloomfield! 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: I sea you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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