The Dragon Review

May 2023

Hello Dragon Nation!

It has been a busy month in Dragon Nation as we are quickly approaching the end of the 2022-2023 school year. We kicked off the month of May by recognizing our wonderful BTHS staff for their daily contributions to our school community. Staff were honored and recognized during the first week of the month with Staff Appreciation Week. In support of this week, the staff were provided gestures of gratitude each day, which included Wawa coffee & pretzels, breakfast sandwiches, gift card raffles, and lunch donated by Jersey Mikes. The SGA and Key Club got in on the action by showing their appreciation through the distribution of snacks on a traveling snack cart. It should also be noted that all of our BTHS students had the opportunity to personally show their appreciation to our staff by participating in a reverse Dragon Scale ticket program, where students recognized staff for demonstrating our school’s core values. This was a unifying practice that brought students and staff together to recognize the Core Values of Tradition, Pride, Acceptance, Integrity, and Respect.

Although it was previously announced, this year’s Teacher of the Year Mr. Charles Pazmino and Educational Service Professional of the Year, Mrs. Faith Stapp were formally recognized at this past month's Board of Education Meeting for their accomplishments. Mr. Pazmino and Mrs. Stapp are staples for our school culture, daily supporting the varied needs of our students. Congratulations to Mr. Pazmino and Ms. Stapp for their achievements as you both are amazing educators, leaders, and advocates of our school’s success. Moreover, I would like to recognize BTHS Senior, Andrew Cali, for his contributions to our school community. Along with being our school’s NHS and SGA president, Andrew provided a monthly report to the Board of Education, highlighting the amazing aspects of our school culture on a monthly basis. Andrew, your student leadership has been recognized and valued, best of luck in the next step in your journey!

Attention Seniors! Please pay close attention to the following important information.

• Graduation is set for Tuesday, June 20 at 3:00 PM. Graduation will take place in the BTHS football stadium. Students will be expected to report at 1:30 PM. A Rain Date of Wednesday, June 21 at 10:00 AM has been set if there is inclement weather and the planned graduation ceremony needs to be postponed.

• The BTHS Senior Walk will take place on Monday, June 5 at Drum Point Elementary School, Emma Havens Young Elementary School, and Osbornville Elementary School. It is required that the necessary permission slip is submitted to attend.

• The Senior Picnic will take place on Tuesday, June 6 at Brick Beach 3. Seniors must submit the required paperwork in order to attend this event. It is also required that students take BTPS transportation and follow the presented guidelines. Yearbooks will be distributed to Seniors on Tuesday, June 6 at 12:45 in Cafe 1 following the conclusion of the Senior Picnic.

• The Senior Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, June 7 at 7:45 in Cafe 3.

• Cap & Gown Distribution and BTHS Device Collection will take place on Thursday, June 15. During Block 1 students will begin being called down to the auditorium alphabetically.

• Graduation Practice will take place on Friday, June 16 at 8:00 AM and Tuesday, June 20 at 7:30 AM. It is expected that all graduating seniors are present for these practices as it is essential that all Seniors are aware of the graduation procedures and expectations.

Graduation information will continue to be shared, as needed, through multiple platforms to ensure that all students, parents, and families are aware of the details of the event. Please make sure that your child is a member of the Class of 2023 Google Classroom as important information is regularly shared through this medium. If you have any questions regarding any of the information presented within this message, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s assistant principal and/or school guidance counselor.

Respectfully,

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Principal

Hello Dragons!

Here is an update about what has been happening and what we are looking forward to on campus here at BTHS. In sports, the Spring Season is coming to an end. All teams have put in great effort this season as we are very proud of some of the accomplishments that have been achieved. The Spring Musical, SpongeBob took place the weekend of April 27- April 29. Many BTHS staff, students, friends and family were in attendance. As always, the performances were outstanding as BTHS once again showed the many talented students who are in our Drama Club. The Junior Prom was held at Jumping Brook Country Club on May 5th and it was an amazing event for the students of Brick Township High School. The students had a lot of fun and all looked great in their dresses and suits. The Drama Club held the Senior Showcase on Thursday, May 18th. This was the last performance for seniors who were able to do a performance of their choice.

Looking forward to the Month of June, there will be many events in which we are heavily anticipating. Senior Awards night will take place on Thursday, June 1. This event will be followed by Senior Week: Monday, June 5th will be the Senior Walk, Tuesday, June 6th will be the Senior Picnic @ Brick Beach 3 from 9:30 am - 1:00 PM, Senior Breakfast will be Wednesday, June 7th in Cafeteria 3, and lastly Senior Ball will be held on Thursday June 8th @ Eagle Oaks Country Club from 5- 9 PM. Lastly, Final Exams will be held on June 13th & 14th and will be half days. Graduation for the 2023 Senior class will be on Tuesday, June 20th at 3pm.

Brick Township High School was recently recognized as a achieving Implementation Fidelity during the 2022-2023 School Year! Special recognition goes out to the BTHS students and staff for their support in implementing our school's Core Values. Additionally, it should be noted that the PBSIS committee, lead by Mrs. Biancella and Dr. Kasyan, have completed this year's Benchmarks of Quality assessment and achieved a high rate of success. The PBSIS committee includes: Mrs. Rahbari, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Gough-Robinson, Ms. Russell, Ms. Scipione, Mr. StJean, Mrs. Karu, Mr. Marvin, Mr. Stockhoff, Ms. Velez, and Mr. Hesnan

The BTHS Unified Sports Club visited the Field of Dreams in Toms River. It was an amazing day filled with teamwork exercises, positive peer interactions, and character development. Unified Sports athletes and partners celebrated inclusion, while practicing recreational and life skills. The laughter and smiles were in abundance. As you can see in the pictures a great time was had by ALL!

Be a part of Brick Schools Unified Sports history, as we play our FIRST Unified game, against another district! Please join us Tuesday, 5/30 @ The Field of Dreams in Toms River! Coin Toss 6:30 PM. BTHS Dragons and BMHS Mustangs will be teaming up to take on the Raiders of Toms River East in a Kickball Match that will NOT disappoint! #playUNIFIED

Attention Class of 2023 - PTSA Fundraiser.

Yard signs are available for pickup at the high school starting this week. You can come to the main office for pick up. If your child drives and you would like them to pick up on your behalf they may do so at the end of the day. If you are unable to pick up please contact me for other arrangements. Thank you for your support!

Celebrate your Class of 2023 Graduate by displaying a personalized yard sign on your front lawn! Signs are 18” x 24” and display the below graphic. Your senior’s FIRST name will be printed on the single sided sign. A wire stake is also included for easy installation. Click Here for Additional Information. The LAST day to order yard signs is Friday, June 2.

The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation recognizes Grace Rodenburge, Allison Buzinkai, and Tommy Tran for outstanding achievement. Brick Township High School students were identified as a Scholar with Honors by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) for their performance in a challenging online cybersecurity training program. In recognition of their achievement, Grace Rodenburge, Allison Buzinkai, and Tommy Tran earned an invitation to participate in the Cyber Foundations Academy - a multi-week online program based on the national recognized SANS Foundations training course and certification - valued at more than 3,000.

The Brick Township Public Schools is fortunate to have a strong partnership with the Ocean County Prosecutor's office. This past month the Prosecutor's Office visited multiple schools as well as presenting to the district at an evening event offered to parents and community members. The focus of their presentation was to educate and inform students and parents of the dangers associated with cyberbullying and social media. The community presentation was well attended and highly informative.

All minors under the age of 18 who work in New Jersey must have an employment certificate, also known as “working papers,” or a special permit (for agriculture, newspaper carrier, or theatrical employment). An employment certificate is required for each employer.

STARTING JUNE 1, 2023: All working papers applications will be completed online by the minor worker, caregiver (parent/guardian) and employer. To learn more, click here.

Spring sports are winding down and we only have a few more athletic events left. Softball finished on a high note winning three games this year! The team is very young and the future looks promising! The varsity Baseball season has come to a close. The team played hard and was able to record a couple of wins. The JV and Frosh Baseball teams played deep into their respective tournaments, with the JV still playing in the semi-final round. Boys and Girls Lacrosse seasons have come to an end. The teams played a tough schedule and both just missed out on the NJSIAA playoffs. Boys Tennis closed out their spring season with two wins. The team competed hard in every match. The JV Boys Tennis team played everyone tough and we will be much improved next year! Boys Golf had a successful season qualifying for the NJSIAA tournament and almost won the division championship!

Kaydence Fischer continues to shine in Track & Field. Kaydence recently won the Ocean County Discus Championship. She then followed up that effort taking 2nd place in the Shore Conference with a PR throw of 127-9, which was also a top 10 in NJ discus throw this year!

If you are interested in participating in a Fall Sport it is important that you have a physical. Physicals are accepted all summer, with a deadline of July 21. All forms (pre-participation physicals and health history) must be handed into the school. We are no longer uploading forms to the computer. Hard copies are required. Physicals are valid for 1 year. As a reminder no athlete may try out for an athletic team until they have a valid sports physical on file. Additionally, a student must maintain 15 credits to be academically eligible for the Spring and 30 credits for Winter and Fall. Click Here for More Information.

Congratulations to the BTHS Drama Club for their performance of the SpongeBob musical, which was an outstanding performance. The cast individually and holistically put on a memorable performance. The attendance of all three shows was record breaking. The talent was on full display from start to finish as cast members danced and sang with precision. It should be further noted that the live music pit offered an immersive night at the theater. The student / staff pit orchestra was unforgettable.

There is also a picture included from the Drama Club's Acting for A Cause that took place on May 18, where seniors had one last opportunity to perform on stage. This event is always so rewarding as each Senior has an opportunity to self-produce their own act on stage.

BTHS recognized the Special Education Week of Inclusion and Acceptance by decorating doors throughout the building. See below a sample of the doors one could find throughout the building. It was apparent that our students and staff embraced the mission and identity of an inclusive school culture.

In need of academic support? Looking for a tutor to help you achieve your academic goals? Look no further than to your BTHS National Honor Society. Join the NHS Google Classroom and fill out the tutoring request form to be matched with a tutor. Request tutoring in any subject and an NHS tutor will be happy to help. Google Classroom Code: RRSAFER

The Regaler staff is busy at work preparing this year's edition of the BTHS literary magazine, showcasing Dragon artwork, creative writing, and photography. Our theme this year is the 1980s! So hold onto your parachute pants and stay tuned for its release. Expect the release to be included in the June edition of the Dragon Review.

BTHS Students of the Month - May

Congratulations to our Students of the Month. Students are nominated by BTHS staff members for outstanding effort in the classroom and positive contributions to our community. Students will be honored with a certificate, gift, and their names will be displayed on the marquee.

Bianca Terrizzi, Grade 9

Bianca has really been a stand out student this year. She always does her work in class and is constantly participating. Not only is she worried about her work and how she is doing in class but she always worries about her friends/classmates doing well in class. If someone needs help after a lesson or while we are doing partner work she always explains to them how to do the problems. Which is something I love seeing in my students but she does it effortlessly. She is a wonderful student and leader for her peers. - Mrs. Partenope

Joseph Philhower, Grade 10

During a group presentation Joey noticed that one of his partners was very nervous to be standing up in front of the class. Joey turned to that student and told her to go sit down and not to worry that he and their other partner "had her" and she would still get the same grade as them. He showed great compassion for another student. - Mrs. Buell

Riley Rasmussen, Grade 11

I am nominating Riley Rasmussen as student of the month for her dedication and drive to excel on the AP Environmental Science Exam. Riley realized that she needed to work on her study skills and voluntarily stayed after school for many days to prepare for the exam. She is a team player during class and lab work, has an amiable personality towards her teachers and peers, and has shown great maturity this year. I have told her how proud I am of her, but it would be amazing to have her dedication and resolve celebrated by making a student like Riley student of the month. - Ms. Diamond

Riley is a hard worker who is a member of the girls lacrosse team, AP Student, and NHS. She does a great job managing her time between those activities and work all while being an A student. - Mr. Lindenbaum

Carter Brino, Grade 12

Carter is a bright selfless young man that enjoys volunteering for NHS community service events as well as being committed to his studies in the field of history. He works hard and seeks to better not only his own understanding of historical and geographical fields but helps his classmates grasp the material as well. He is an awesome student and is certainly deserving of being recognized as the Student of the Month. - Mr. Pazmino

Carter is Mr. History...He has been in just about every History class he can take at BTHS, he is a great student with a lot to offer to class. He helps students when he can and his extracurriculars are above and beyond of what a well rounded student can be. - Mr. St Jean

Stay connected and informed about BTHS happenings through SGA (Student Government Association). Join the SGA Google Classroom (q2hav5z) and follow SGA on Twitter and Instagram (@bths_sga). SGA General Membership meetings are open to everyone and take place once a month in Cafe 2. New members are always welcome.

Principal's Student-Leadership cabinet was a huge success this year. This valuable collaboration opportunity will pick back up in September of next school year. We welcome one representative from each BTHS organization to participate. These meetings are a great opportunity to connect with Dr. Kasyan and collaborate on school-wide initiatives.

This past month SGA enjoyed honoring our staff members during Teacher Appreciation Week by sponsoring the snack cart and assisting with the Reverse Dragon Scale event which recognized staff members for a job well done. SGA wrapped up the year with class elections. Congratulations to our student leaders for the 2023-2024 school year. See announced officers below.

The Class of 2023 is looking forward to Senior Week! Activities are listed on the Google Classroom, but they include: Monday, June 5th: Senior Walk; Tuesday, June 6th: Senior Picnic at Brick Beach III; Wednesday, June 7th: Senior Breakfast; Thursday, June 8th: Senior Ball at Eagle Oaks. All permission slips and information have been provided to the students. Any questions should be directed to Mrs. DeBonis (Room 306) or Ms. Scipione (Room 202).

The Class of 2024 had a beautiful night for our Junior Prom on May 5 at Jumping Brook Country Club. Memories were made by all and the students had so much fun at this successful event! Our class is now preparing for our final fundraiser of our Junior Year! Every year we have put together a snack tent at Graduation (June 20) where our students sell donated drinks and snacks. This year we will also sell flowers! Please sign up to donate to our snack tent using our Sign Up Genius. Donated items can be dropped off in the main office at BTHS. We will also need student volunteers to help run the Snack Tent! This is a great opportunity to help our class fundraise and wish our friends in the Class of 2023 farewell. Check out our Google Classroom (Code: ozvfp3p) for important updates! Please contact your class advisors with any questions. Mr. Lucchetti flucchetti@brickschools.org Mrs. Ianniello lianniello@brickschools.org

The Class of 2025 is wrapping up their year of special events and fundraisers. We are looking forward to bringing back both yard games and the student/faculty volleyball game next year. For the rest of this year our class is looking to end with an ice cream social in June and other than that preparing for a summer of planning with the Class of 2025 Executive Board so that next school year can be our best year yet. Contact the Class of 2025 advisors Ms. Velez (mvelez@brickschools.org) or Mr. Pazmino (cpazmino@brickschools.org) with any questions.

The Class of 2026 had a fundraiser at Bubbakoo’s in Brick this month. We are planning on selling class clothing in September. Make sure to check the Google Classroom, Twitter and Instagram for information and updates. Instagram @bths_classof2026 / Twitter @bthsclassof2026 / Google Classroom lf4subd

Updates from the School Counseling Department

Military Recognition Day will be held on Thursday, May 25th to recognize and honor our students from Brick Township High School and Brick Memorial High School who plan to enlist into the military to serve our country.

AP Testing Administration concluded on May 19th. Congratulations to all of our students who worked diligently to prepare for their AP exam(s).

Senior Scholarship/Award Night will be on Thursday, June 1st at 6pm in the auditorium. We look forward to celebrating our 12th grade students who will be receiving scholarships and awards.

Current Sophomores and Juniors; consider signing up to take the SAT on Saturday, August 26th at BTHS. Please register on collegeboard.org to reserve your seat.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the 2023 theme is "More Than Enough." The National Alliance on Mental Illness states this is an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold — no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability. Link to Resources

Yearbooks are still available for purchase, however, at this time quantities are limited. Yearbooks may only be purchased in person at this time. Please see the yearbook advisor, Ms. Piwowarczyk, in the guidance office to purchase a yearbook. High school only lasts a few years. With a Visiontech print yearbook, your memories live on forever.

The School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) provides our students year round intervention and supportive services that are promotive and protective of healthy adolescent development and well-being.

• School Based is in the process of interviewing recommended students for our Peer Leadership program. There were over 80 students recommended for the Peer Leadership program. This program continues to thrive as students support one another in navigating the potential pitfalls and challenges found within the high school setting.
• We recently updated the bulletin board for Mental Health Awareness month by the South Office. The theme is "Words that lift you up" and we had students write positive messages and affirmations to display on the bulletin board.
• On May 31st, Stuart and the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) will be partnering with other clubs in the school to run "Chalk Full of Pride" to write messages of acceptance and inclusion related to the LGBTQ+ community in and outside of the school in honor of Pride Month.

School based staff are valued members of our school community, advocating and developing for collaborative partnerships with all who share our passion to motivate and empower our youth. Together we strive to create a safe environment, as well as a place to seek guidance and mentorship.

Hello BTHS Community!

Summer is on the way, and with it bring many days of ‘Fun in the Sun!’ This month's School Health Office awareness will focus on the importance of skin care and sunburn prevention. While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much can be dangerous. Overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation from the sun can result in a painful sunburn. It can also lead to more serious health problems, including skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, cataracts and other eye damage, and immune system suppression, with children also being particularly at risk. It is important to protect children and young adults from overexposure to UV radiation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding sun exposure for babies under 6 months of age, and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats.

To help avoid predisposing oneself to long-term adverse effects from the sun, adherence to these basic ‘Sun Care’ tips when planning on being outside during peak hours can be extremely advantageous:

• Generously Apply Sunscreen. Generously apply about one ounce of sunscreen to cover all exposed skin 15 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 and provide broad-spectrum protection from both Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) Rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Sunburn Caution. Sunburns significantly increase one's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer, especially for children.
• Wear Protective Clothing. Long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, whenever possible.
• Seek Out The Shade. Remember that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 AM. and 4 PM.

Most people are not aware that skin cancer, while largely preventable, is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually. Perform routine body checks monthly and examine new moles or changes for the worse in existing moles--if these signs are noted, you should be evaluated by a Dermatologist as soon as possible. By following some of these simple steps described above, you can still enjoy your time in the sun and protect yourself from overexposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these action steps to help you and your family be Sun Safe. Early detection of Melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer - can save your life. Melanoma is now one of the most common cancers among adolescents and young adults ages 15-29. Please click on the 2 links provided for Factsheets on Sun Protection and Health Consequences From Overexposure: Action Steps for Sun Protection and Health Effects of Overexposure to the Sun

A few friendly reminders from the BTHS Health Office:

• Please do not hesitate to bring any important health-related information to the attention of the health office. Students should stay home when not feeling well or developing signs of illness.
• Notification: If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact Mrs. Carlsson or Mrs. Yarbrough in the health office.

Health Office Contact

West Nurse Office - Mary Carlsson Ext. 2037

East Nurse Office - Tammy Yarbrough Ext. 2009

The Brick Township High School Wall of Fame Committee accepts nominations throughout the year. Nominations for the 2023 class are closed, however, we will be accepting nominations throughout the school year for candidate consideration for future inductions. Click Here for the BTHS Wall of Fame Nomination Form.

The BTHS Parent Teacher Student Association is accepting membership for the 2022-2023 school year. Please consider joining the Brick Township High School PTSA.

LINK to Memberhub

Principal

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Assistant Principals

Erin Biancella - Grade 10 & Freshman P-Z

Ryan Hesnan - Grade 12 & Freshman H-O

James Marvin - Grade 11 & Freshman A-G

Athletic Director & Co-Curricular Supervisor

Jason Longo

Supervisor of Guidance

Angela Smith

Guidance Department

Lauren Ianniello - Students: A - Da

Jennie Piwowarczyk - Students: De - I

Kaitlyn Donahue - Students: J - Mo

Dawn Celona - Students: Mu - Sa

Marie Walling - Students: Sc - Z

Lori Roland - Student Assistance Counselor

Child Study Team

Janet Maciel

Antoinette Sirico

Christine Velardi

Mike Zuccaro

Website: www.brickschools.org
Location: 346 Chambersbridge Road, Brick Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-785-3000
Twitter: @BTHSDragons