The Dragon Review

September 2026

Hello Dragons!

Welcome to the September edition of The Dragon Review! It is a privilege to once again connect with our school community and reflect on the exciting start to another school year at Brick Township High School. We began the year by welcoming our students through grade-level assemblies focused on school procedures, protocols, expectations, and our BTHS Core Values. These conversations also emphasized the importance of student voice and positive behavior in building a strong school community. I was proud to see our students’ attentiveness and engagement as they demonstrated their commitment to being active participants in the BTHS community.

Our school spirit has also been on full display. The tradition of “We Wear Green on Fridays” continues to bring our community together, and our Homecoming Spirit Week and events provided additional opportunities for students to demonstrate their Dragon Pride while celebrating the traditions that make BTHS special.

As we move through the school year, I want to reinforce the importance of following our Bell-to-Bell expectations for internet-enabled devices. In accordance with state requirements and district procedures, cell phones and other internet-enabled devices must remain turned off and stored away from the start of the school day until the dismissal bell. Consistent adherence to this expectation allows students to remain focused, engaged, and connected to the learning taking place in our classrooms. Our collective commitment to this expectation is essential to creating the learning environment our students deserve.

I would also like to thank all of the families who attended Back-to-School Night. Your strong presence reflects the powerful partnership between home and school. Together, we can support every student in achieving both academic and personal success. As a reminder, the school day begins promptly at 7:10 a.m. Morning drop-offs should occur at the East Entrance, and all visitors must present valid photo identification and a clear purpose for entry. A traffic flow map is included in this edition for your convenience.

Looking ahead, underclassmen pictures are scheduled for September 30 through October 2, and seniors who have not yet completed their Senior Portraits will have a final opportunity on October 7 and October 8. I also encourage our students to take full advantage of the many opportunities available at BTHS, including athletics, co-curricular programs, clubs, and school events. These experiences are an important part of the high school experience and provide opportunities to build relationships, develop leadership skills, and create lasting memories. Please continue to check the BTHS website regularly for important announcements, updates, and upcoming events.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the entire BTHS learning community. It has been a true privilege to serve as the principal of this prestigious school. Over the past several years, I have been incredibly proud of what our students, staff, and families have accomplished together and grateful for the relationships that have made my time at BTHS so meaningful. As many of you are aware, I was recently named the Director of Operations for the Brick Township Public Schools and will begin transitioning into this new role in Central Office throughout the month of October. While my responsibilities will be changing, my commitment to the students, staff, families, and community of Brick Township remains strong. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to have served as principal and look forward to continuing to support the success of our district in my new role.

Thank you for your continued support of BTHS and, most importantly, for your continued commitment to our students. Together, we will continue to make this a successful and memorable year for all of our Dragons.

Respectfully,

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Principal

Hello Dragons,

The school year is off to a great start at Brick Township High School! Our newest Dragons were welcomed during Freshman Orientation on August 26, followed by Grade-Level Meetings on September 8, where students reviewed important expectations, policies, and procedures for a successful school year.

September has been filled with opportunities for students and families to connect and plan for the future. Seniors participated in the annual Ocean County College Pathways Presentation on September 14 and we welcomed parents and guardians to our Back to School Night on September 17. Our fall athletic season is also in full swing! We are proud of our student-athletes and encourage our community to support our Dragons throughout the season. The excitement continued with the Dragon Walk and Pep Rally on September 24, followed by the Homecoming Football Game against Toms River South, and the Homecoming Dance on September 25.

Looking ahead, students will enjoy the annual Italian Folkdancer Presentation on October 9, followed by Fall NJGPA Testing on October 15, 16, and 19. We are proud of the positive start to the school year and look forward to all that is ahead. Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for continuing to make BTHS a place where Dragons Soar!

Go Dragons!

Each month we ask students to candidly share their highlights from the past month. Here is a sample of some of the feedback we received from this past month:

"HoCo was super fun and I had a great time." ~ Ellena C.

"I loved the first day of freshman year." ~Teya W.

"Winning the HoCo football game in overtime was an amazing moment for us." ~ Vinny S.

"BTHS Cheerleading attended UCA camp over the summer... it was so much fun and a great time to bond with teammates." ~ Campbell M.

"Can't wait for our divisional game vs Lakewood to win the first division title

in BTHS history for girls field hockey." ~ Ana C.

Thank you to all of our parents and guardians who joined us for our recent Back to School Night. Your attendance and engagement demonstrate the importance of the partnership between home and school in supporting our students’ success.

A special thank you to our Guidance Department for hosting a valuable Post-Secondary Planning Workshop, providing families with important information and resources to help students prepare for life after high school. If you were unable to attend the workshop, we encourage you to take advantage of this valuable resource. The presentation and information are available by clicking the link provided. Class of 2027 Senior Parent Postsecondary Presentation

Brick Township High School will once again be recognized as a Sustainable School and will be honored at the 2026 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Awards Ceremony for achieving Bronze certification with an impressive 190 points. This is the third time BTHS has received the Bronze Sustainable School recognition Award.

This past summer, students from Brick Township High School and Brick Memorial High School participated in the LMTI Summer Leadership Retreat, an experience designed to develop student leadership, collaboration, and civic engagement. As a culmination of their participation, students from both schools shared their experiences with members of our community at the September meeting of the Brick Municipal Anti-Drug Coalition (BMAC).

The evening highlighted the power of collaboration as students from BTHS and BMHS came together as one team to reflect on their retreat experience and share their vision for making a positive impact in our community. During the retreat, students worked collaboratively to identify a community concern and develop an action plan to address it. Their resulting project focused on the safe and responsible disposal of vape devices, including opportunities to educate community members and explore ways to improve local disposal procedures. This year marks the fifth group of Brick Township students to participate in the LMTI Summer Leadership Retreat. This past summer, Brick Township students were recognized with the LMTI Change Award, honoring the positive strides they are making within our local community.

We are proud to continue providing our students with opportunities to lead, collaborate, and turn their ideas into meaningful action. Their commitment to making a difference is a wonderful reflection of the leadership and community spirit within our schools.

Underclass pictures will be in the Auditorium on September 30 - October 2:

9th grade- September 30th

10th grade- October 1st

11th grade- October 2nd

Students will not be called down, and will be responsible for reporting to the Auditorium at their designated time according to this schedule. Picture orders should be placed in advance at www.mylifetouch.com using order ID EVT69Z22R.

Every student should get their picture taken, even if they do not plan on purchasing pictures since they will be used for student ID cards.

Email jpiwowarczyk@brickschools.org with any questions.

Makeup Senior portraits will be October 7 & 8 in the IMC. Seniors who have not yet taken their photos should email or see Ms. Piwowarczyk in Guidance to schedule an appointment ASAP. Seniors who have already taken their photos should call 1-800-736-4775 to schedule. Email jpiwowarczyk@brickschools.org with any questions.

Communication associated with upcoming PTSA Meetings is pushed out to members through the Memberhub platform. Please consider joining the Brick Township High School PTSA. LINK to Memberhub

2027 Yearbooks Are On Sale Now Order your copy by December 1 to save $10! Order your yearbook here.

Celebrate Your Senior! The back of the yearbook has a special section for senior recognition ads. Families can write a personal message and add favorite photos to honor their graduate. Purchase & design your senior ad here.

BTHS Athletics: Dragons Making Their Mark. The fall athletic season is in full swing, and our Dragons are competing with energy, determination, and pride. Here’s a look at how our teams are doing as they continue to represent BTHS both on and off the field.

We are proud of all of our student-athletes for their hard work, commitment, and dedication. Whether they are celebrating victories, overcoming challenges, or continuing to grow as a team, our Dragons continue to represent BTHS with pride. Go Dragons!

Cross Country: The Girls Cross Country team is running strong and building momentum as the season progresses. At the Battle at Ocean County Park, Olivia Russell led the Dragons with an impressive 13th-place finish in the 5K with a time of 22:03. Caitlin McHugh and captain Rose Arroyo also turned in strong performances. In the freshmen 2-mile race, the Dragons made an exciting debut, with Eliza Luddy finishing 32nd in 14:29, followed by Amya Yerkes in 16:39. At the Holmdel Opener, held on one of the most challenging courses, Russell once again secured a top finish, placing 13th in 24:30, with McHugh crossing next in 27:44. In the freshmen 2-mile race, Luddy finished 11th overall in 16:04, with Arroyo and Yerkes close behind. The team will return to Holmdel Park for the Shore Coaches Invitational on October 3. Be sure to wish our runners luck as they continue to push the pace!

Boys Soccer: Boys Soccer currently sits at 2-6 as a young team continues to develop. After graduating most of last year's starters, the Dragons are gaining valuable experience and competing hard each game. Their continued effort and determination are helping the team grow throughout the season.

Girls Soccer: Girls Soccer is off to a challenging 2-7 start while competing against a difficult schedule. Despite the early results, the team continues to improve with each game and remains committed to getting better. We look forward to seeing that continued growth throughout the remainder of the season.

Girls Volleyball: Girls Volleyball has also faced the challenge of replacing a number of key players following graduation. The Dragons currently sit at 2-4, but the record doesn't tell the whole story. Many of the team's matches have gone three sets and come down to the wire. With continued hard work and a few breaks going their way, this young team has shown that they are capable of competing with anyone on their schedule.

Gymnastics: Brick Gymnastics has started the season in impressive fashion, opening the year with a perfect 5-0 record! The team has established strong momentum early in the season and will look to keep the winning streak going.

Field Hockey: It has been an outstanding start for our Field Hockey team, which remains undefeated at 8-0. The Dragons took a major step toward securing their first-ever division title with a victory over cross-town rival Brick Memorial. With just one more win needed to clinch the title, the team continues to build on an incredible season. Congratulations to the Dragons on their tremendous start!

Football: The Dragons football team is off to a 3-2 start. Coming off two strong wins against TR South HS and Central Regional HS, the team is looking to build momentum and stack wins in the weeks ahead. The Dragons will be away against Monmouth Regional HS in a key non-divisional matchup. Come out and support the team!

Winter sports are approaching quickly. Physicals are due in the athletic office by October 26. If your physical is going to be late, please contact the athletic office to be placed on the late list. All winter athletes must register in the genesis portal regardless of fall athletic participation.

The portal opens on Thursday, October 1. Please log into the Genesis Parent Portal to register and follow these steps:

• Select the 2026-2027 BT WINTER Sports Athletic Form (HS).
• Complete the Sports Participation questions.

If you have any questions, please see your coach or stop by the Athletic Office.

All students have an opportunity to receive extra help during Block 5 in the content areas of Math and English Language Arts. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to have support and guidance from our master teachers. Support is offered daily after school during Block 5 in Room 219.

The Class of 2027 is excited to kick off SENIOR YEAR! There are so many great events happening this final year at BTHS and it is really important to stay in the loop. Pay attention to announcements in the Google Classroom and reach out to your advisors with any questions. The first event was the first day of school, where we had a fun photo spot welcoming students. We're excited for the Homecoming Dance on September 25th where we announce our Homecoming Court! Keep an ear out for our first fundraiser this year, which will be Double Good popcorn. Let's Go Dragons! Any questions, see Mrs. DeBonis (306) or Ms. Scipione (304).

The Class of 2028 is settling into their junior year and off to a great start! We would like to thank everyone who supported our recent fundraiser at Burger 25. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated! Please keep an eye out for more exciting fundraisers and opportunities to support the Class of 2028 throughout the school year. See Ms. Freedley (Rm 217) or Mr. StJean (Rm 310) with any questions.

CLASS OF 2029 UPDATES! Sophomore class: Get involved and help support the Class of 2029! Next Student Meeting: Friday, October 9 @ 1:30 PM in Room 23 (All students welcome!) Mark Your Calendars: Saturday, October 17 – Fall Fest @ Windward Beach: Our class will run a skeeball station for kids! Student volunteers needed, sign up with class advisors or class officers!

The Brick Township High School PTSA, in partnership with the BTHS Class of 2029, will host a night of fun and games with Bingo with DJ Lunique, a Gift Auction, and 50/50 on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at the Brick PAL Building. Tickets are on sale now: BUY TICKETS HERE The doors open at 5:30 PM, and Bingo starts at 6PM! Families and local businesses are invited to contribute gift baskets, gift cards, products, services, or monetary donations by October 1, 2026.

Stay Connected: IG: @bths.classof2029 | FB: BTHS class of 2029

Advisors: Ms. Velez (mvelez@brickschools.org | Rm 23) & Mrs. Ianniello (lianniello@brickschools.org | Guidance)

The Class of 2030 just held their elections. Congratulations to President, Kevin Kohlman; Vice-President Lily Robinson; Secretary, Zamara Mendoza and Treasurer, Jocelynn Gill. We started our first fundraiser with Shore Tees selling 2030 Clothing. Our first official Class Meeting will be next week where we will be discussing fundraising, ideas for class socials, class colors (BOTC) and Fall Fest (10/17/26). See your Class Advisors with any questions Ms. Mount (Room 118) and Ms. Robinson (Room 110).

The School Counseling Department

Students enrolled in eligible DE or AP Courses who wish to earn college credit through Ocean County College MUST register by October 13, 2026. Please follow the OCC Early College Information Steps to complete the process, including the required parental consent form.

The Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week occur yearly every October. We will be celebrating Week of Respect October 5-9 and Red Ribbon Week October 23-31. Throughout the month, in schools across the United States, these 2 initiatives aim to create a culture of kindness while promoting character education, drug and alcohol prevention and awareness as to how the relationship between drugs and violence creates destruction for communities and families.

The School Counseling Department utilizes SCOIR as our College and Career resource. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to sign up for college visits through their SCOIR account. Admissions representatives from colleges and universities in the U.S. will be visiting BTHS during the next few months to meet with students. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about specific colleges; admission and application process, as well as student life and athletics.

Students can Register for the College Visit using SCOIR when viewing their student dashboard and clicking Upcoming Visits & Office Hours. After you register for the college visit, it will appear as a notification in your Message Center. All college visits will meet in Guidance with an admission counselor. Link to all upcoming college visits in SCOIR.

The College Night at the Jersey Shore is a college fair hosted by Ocean County School Counselor Association. This fair will host over 140 colleges, universities, technical schools and the Armed Forms on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. There will be a Financial Aid Presentation by HESAA at 5:30 PM and College Athletics at 7:00 PM.

The PSAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 8 with the Makeup date scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 at Brick Township High School from 7:30 AM to approximately 11:00 AM. Juniors who signed up will have their testing locations on google classroom and they will be posted outside of Guidance prior to test day.

We will be hosting the SAT Administration on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Please bring your admission ticket, form of ID (i.e. Driver’s license, student ID, passport), number 2 pencils, a calculator, and a snack. Good luck to our students! The next testing administration for the SAT will be on November 7. The registration deadline is October 23.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses will need to complete the registration form DUE no later than November 10th. Please contact Mrs. Marie Walling (mwalling@brickschools.org) if there are any questions or concerns.

If your 11th or 12th grade student is considering joining the military, we will plan to offer the ASVAB test at BTHS on October 8. Please sign-up in the Guidance office so we can plan accordingly. Please contact Mrs. Marie Walling if you have any questions.

Hello Dragons!

The health office would like to send a warm welcome to all parents, students, and staff. With the arrival of Fall, also brings respiratory viruses. As we head into cold and flu season, I encourage you to take precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy by taking precautions. Basic strategies to prevent the spread of viruses include staying up-to-date on your vaccinations, washing your hands often, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, and staying home if you are not feeling well.

In addition, I would like to focus on the importance of the NJ State Mandated Immunizations, which are required for school entry and daily attendance. We must continue to remain vigilant with maintaining overall state mandated vaccination compliance as per our school health guidelines to ensure these successes. In so doing, we implore all community members to please schedule your children’s yearly Physical Exams with your pediatrician’s office to remain up to date with our state and school mandated vaccination schedules.

Parents/guardians of those new students entering the district, please remember there is a short time frame to begin receiving the required vaccinations. Please note that a student may be excluded form attending school if the first dose of state mandated immunizations are not obtained within the designated time frame.

As always, remember to stay home when you are feeling sick and notify the school nurses with any new diagnosis of asthma, allergy, or seizures. The nurses at BTHS are committed to maintaining a healthy school environment. If you have any questions or need support, please do not hesitate to contact the nurses’ office. Working together, we can continue to support the health, safety, and well-being of all students.

Health Office Contact Information:

• Nurse Nicole Ottman - nottman@brickschools.org - Ext. 2009

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 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.

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Assistant Principals

Erin Biancella - Grade 11 & Freshman P-Z

Ryan Hesnan - Grade 10 & Freshman H-O

James Marvin - Grade 12 & 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

Lorraine Cooper

Antoinette Sirico

Christine Velardi

Mike Zuccaro

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