The Dragon Review

November 2024

As we approach the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I am filled with gratitude, reverence, and pride for all that our school community represents. This past month highlighted elements of our school tradition, offered students opportunities to be recognized, and demonstrated the connectedness of the school community. Our annual Halloween Costume and Pumpkin Painting contests were a resounding success, showcasing the talents of our students. It was heartwarming to witness the camaraderie and support among our students as they cheered for one another during the Costume contest sponsored by our Student Government Association. Students were overtly supportive of one another, recognizing each individual for their contributions to the positive school environment.

Moreover, this past month emphasized the importance of our communication and collaboration practices as Parent-Teacher Conferences took place. I want to express my appreciation to all of our parents and guardians for actively participating in your child’s education. The Parent-Teacher Conferences were a success as a direct result of the support offered throughout our educational community. BTHS faculty is grateful for the support received from our community and continue to look forward to future collaboration. Students are recognized for their hard work and dedication as we closed out the first marking period grading cycle for this current school year. Students achieving honor roll and distinguished honor roll have been recognized with the distribution of letters, posted to parent portal, signifying their achievement as well as the posting of their names outside of the guidance office. It is fulfilling to see students celebrate in front of the generated honor roll and distinguished honor roll posters to take a picture signifying their achievement.

Our BTHS students shared their talents and passion for the arts at our Fall Drama performance. The Drama Club performance of Clue was outstanding, seeing so many wonderful individual performances come together to put on a masterful performance was nothing short of amazing. Furthermore, selected BTHS students were further recognized for their individual achievements and contributions to our school community through induction into the National Honor Society. Seeing so many high achieving, well-rounded student-leaders inducted into our chapter of the National Honor Society was inspiring.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude toward our entire school community. I am thankful for our teaching staff and faculty, who work closely together to ensure a safe and engaging learning environment. Moreover, BTHS would not be successful without the help and support of our parents. During this season of reflection, I can not emphasize enough as to how thankful I am to be leading this wonderful school community.

“Gratitude bestows reverence, changing forever how we experience life and the world.” ~ John Milton

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. The annual BTHS SGA Halloween Costume Contest was held on Thursday, October 31st. Thank you to all that participated in this year’s event as it was great to see staff and students' creativity and enthusiasm for one of our great traditions here at BTHS. SAT testing took place on Saturday, November 2nd and the ASVAB test was administered on Monday, November 4th. Both assessments took place at BTHS and BMHS.

The BTHS Fall Drama Production of Clue took place on Friday, November 15 & Saturday, November 16. All shows were well attended as the students put on an outstanding performance that all ages enjoyed! The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 19 in the BTHS Auditorium. Marking Period 1 ended on November 12 and Parent - Teacher Conferences took place on November 20 - November 22. Parents were able to schedule evening conferences on Thursday, November 21. If you are in need of a conference and would like to schedule one please contact your child’s teacher.

The Police Cadet Explorer Program information table and Representative will be in Cafeteria 3 on Monday, November 25th during both A and C lunch. The Seal of Biliteracy Virtual Parents meeting will also take place on Monday, November 25th. The Thespian Honor Society Induction Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 26th in the BTHS Auditorium at 6pm. The BTHS Alumni Networking Event will be held on Wednesday, November 27th during Block 3 and 4 in the BTHS Auditorium. Thanksgiving Break will be Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29.

Looking ahead, OCVTS will be present at BTHS on Monday, December 2 to present to our Grade 10 students to review the opportunities that are available at our Ocean County vocational schools. The BTPS STEM Academy Open House will be on December 5 and the BTHS Band and Chorus Winter Concert will be held on December 17 at 6:00 pm.

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:

"One highlight for me was when all the band classes joined together to continue getting better and prepare for the winter concert on December 17th." - Aidan T.

"I am so excited to be a new member of NHS this month!" - Khloe C.

"I had a great experience at the OCC Leadership Conference.

I learned a lot about being mentally tough." - Ava A.

"On November 13th, the Mayor's Student Advisory Committee had a Friendsgiving which was my highlight of the month because it gave me time to connect with students from

both sides of town and have fun." - Jade H.

The Student Government Association’s annual Halloween Costume Contest had a high level of student excitement and participation! The contest featured several categories, and winners earned a gift card and trophy. Ms. Best and Mr Capone’s acting and choir classes presented a Beetlejuice inspired performance to kick off the contest.

SGA’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest promoted healthy competition among several co-curricular clubs and classrooms. The Class of 2026 won First Place with their pumpkin rendition of Violet from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Second place went to Mrs. Ryan’s class with their Witch pumpkin. Third place was awarded to Mrs. Gough-Robinson’s Teaching Teachers to Teach class with “Jersey Comfort Food” pumpkins.

The BTHS Drama Club delivered a truly captivating performance of Clue. The cast and crew brought the iconic mystery to life with their talent, dedication, and passion. From the intricate set design to the clever dialogue and suspenseful moments, every aspect of the production was top-notch. The actors' portrayal of their characters was both humorous and chilling, leaving the audience guessing until the very end. All members of the BTHS Drama Club should be recognized for the contributions to the success of this production. Your commitment to the arts enriches our school community.

This past month, we had the privilege of honoring a remarkable group of students at our National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. These young scholars exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence, character, leadership, and service. Their dedication to their studies, their commitment to making a positive impact on our community, and their willingness to step up and lead are truly inspiring. Congratulations to each and every inductee. Your hard work, perseverance, and integrity are a source of pride for our school.

Yearbooks are on sale now!

Order your Yearbook by Accessing this Link.

The back of the book is dedicated to senior recognition ads. You can include photos and a personalized message to congratulate your senior. Ads must be designed and purchased by 3/15/2025. Click here to purchase and design your Ad.

The purpose of the Brick Township High School Wall of Fame, created in 2004, is to promote pride in our school and honor graduates or those affiliated with the school for outstanding achievements or noteworthy service. The Wall of Fame will also preserve the contributions by exceptional individuals to our school’s legacy.

Nominate a deserving graduate for the BTHS Wall of Fame by 12/13/24, for consideration for the May 2025 Induction. Here is the Nomination Link. Choose the category (athletics / achievements / service) and provide supporting information. While we accept nominations all throughout the year, get yours in by 12/13/24 for our next induction. Follow us on Instagram @bths_walloffame to stay connected.

BRICK TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL WALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM

The BTHS Parent Teacher Student Association is accepting membership for the 2024-2025 school year. Please consider joining the Brick Township High School PTSA. LINK to Memberhub. Meeting dates/times along with other important information is shared directly with members through the PTSA Memberhub platform.

BTHS Students of the Month - November

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.

Jesse Forman, Grade 9

Jesse is a true asset to my class. He participates daily and always provides good insight. Jesse always completes all of his assignments and gives his best effort. He is kind and compassionate and always willing to help others. He makes every day brighter! - Ms. Fogler

Jesse is a pleasure to have in class. He always works hard on a daily basis. He works well with others and treats everyone with respect. He is the type of student I can depend on when it comes to group work as he gets along with everyone. - Mrs. Mount

Messiah Odunsi, Grade 10

Messiah is a member of both our varsity football team and the Mayor's Student Advisory. He demonstrates a strong work ethic and strives to do his best on a daily basis. - Ms. Karu

Brayden Acropolis, Grade 11

Brayden is one of the most polite students I have ever had in my class. He represents the core values of BTHS through his unbelievable integrity and respect. He is thoughtful and well-spoken. - Ms. Scipione

Santiago Valencia, Grade 12

Santiago is a kind, caring and hardworking student that always stays a little under the radar for recognition. He is a great athlete and someone that truly exemplifies all of the values of BTHS. Santiago is a good friend with a big heart. He challenges himself in school academically and tries to balance he many responsibilities each day. I am so proud of all he has accomplished in 4 years and know he will continue to be successful on his future path pursuing Nursing and also playing Soccer. - Mrs. Walling

On Saturday, November 2, Kiera McHugh and Aiden Rella represented BTHS in the State Sectional Cross Country Meet. Kiera delivered an outstanding performance finishing 10th overall with a course best time of 19:45. She will represent our school at the upcoming Group Championships on Saturday, November 9, at Holmdel Park. Congratulations to BTHS junior Kiera McHugh for her outstanding performance on Saturday, November 9, at the NJSIAA Group XC Championships! Kiera ran a personal best time of 20:07 (16th place) at Holmdel Park (improving her time by 42 seconds) and earned a spot at the Meet of Champions next Saturday, November 16. Kiera now holds the 7th fastest time recorded at Holmdel Park in Brick Township High School cross country history with her 20:07, and she also holds the 4th fastest time (18:47) at Ocean County Park.

On Saturday, November 16 Kiera McHugh represented Brick Township High School at the prestigious Meet of Champions cross-country race at Holmdel Park. Competing against the top female runners in New Jersey, Kiera delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with an impressive time of 20:26! Kiera's success at the Meet of Champions caps off an exceptional season, showcasing her passion for running. As she transitions to winter track, we look forward to seeing her continue to excel. Congratulations, Kiera, and best of luck in the upcoming season! Go Dragons!

The Cross Country team wrapped up a fantastic season with their annual banquet. Aden Rella and Kiera McHugh were awarded Most Valuable Runner honors for their exceptional performances and leadership throughout the season.

A special congratulations to our seniors Logan Nelson, James Savaryn, Vanessa Carrada-Ramirez, Nicole Cartagena, Gabriela Nazario-Sanchez , and Michelle Umana Sanchez. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors! Go Dragons!

Congratulations to Isabella Dautrich, Aubrey Van Arsdale, and Samaria Hall who, after an audition, were all selected for All Shore Chorus! All Shore Chorus brings together the best of the best high school choir singers from Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.

We are excited to announce the start of our winter sports season! Our dedicated student-athletes have been training hard, and we can't wait to see them compete. Tryouts begin the week of November 25th. Boys and Girls Basketball, Swimming, Ice Hockey, Bowling, Wrestling and Indoor Track. All students must have an up-to-date physical in order to participate/tryout. Please see your respective coach for specific details about tryouts.

As we cheer on our teams, it's important to remember that our support should always be positive and respectful. Let's create a positive and inclusive environment for all athletes, coaches, and fans.

Here are a few reminders about positive fan behavior:

• Respectful Language: Please use respectful language at all times. Avoid using profanity, insults, or personal attacks.
• Sportsmanship: Let's show good sportsmanship by cheering for our own team and respecting the opposing team.
• Positive Reinforcement: Encourage our athletes with positive cheers and applause.
• Safety First: Please follow all safety guidelines and regulations set forth by the school and athletic department.

By following these guidelines, we can ensure that our winter sports season is a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone. Let's come together to support our student-athletes and create a positive and inclusive atmosphere at all games and events.

#BENCHBADBEHAVIOR

Powder Puff - This year’s powder puff game will take place on December 2 at 6:00 pm. Good luck to the seniors and juniors as they battle for school bragging rights!

Girls Flag Football - Brick Township High School will have its first ever girls Flag Football team this spring! The team will compete in the Shore Conference flag football league. Be on the lookout for information regarding the upcoming season! An interest meeting will be held in December!

Members of the BTHS Computer Club and Computer Science Honor Society gave a workshop to senior citizens at the Brick Community Center on Wednesday 11/6. The students gave a presentation on some computer basics (internet safety, cell phones, Google Apps, and social media). The students then met individually with each senior citizen and answered all of their technology questions for their personal devices. The senior citizens loved it, in fact the director of the facility wanted to know if the students could come back once a month! All of the students had so much fun and can’t wait to go back again.

Gavin Maffei, one of our senior NHS members, has been selected as NHS member of the month for November! Gavin is an outstanding member, someone who truly exemplifies character. He is always willing to step up and help his peers. As Gavin is involved in sports, school activities, and other clubs, he still enduringly executes his role as a member of our organization, making sure to actively sign up for events and step up when it is needed. Gavin's commitment and efforts do not go unrecognized. We are so proud to have him as a member! Congratulations, Gavin!

Students in the Harry Potter, History, and Literary Criticism class played their annual Quidditch match. Students were able to learn the game and innovate strategy while immersing themselves in a unique experience from the fictional world. Congratulations to team Gryffindor-Hufflepuff on the win in a very close game!

Ms. Vetrini's culinary classes had their annual pumpkin carving contest at the end of October. Staff were encouraged to stop by the culinary classroom to cast their vote. First place went to the created Owl pumpkin. Second place went to the VW Bug. Third place went the Spider. Congratulations to all of the pumpkin creations as they were all very impressive.

The Regaler is looking for submissions of creative writing, photography, and artwork for this year’s issue to be published in May. Your school lit mag wants to share your talents! Be heard! Contact Mr. Doyle, Mrs. Stansbury, or our Editor-in-Chief, sophomore Inara Napolitano, with questions.

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.

The Classics with Kasyan Book Club will continue with the conclusion of the The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This will be our second meeting reviewing this book, which will take place after school on Tuesday, January 12 in the library. The meeting will conclude prior to late bus dismissal. All students are welcome to join. Any student looking to participate should grab a copy of The Secret Life of Bees and start reading. Please have the book finished by the scheduled meeting date of Tuesday, January 12 to ensure that you can contribute to the book discussion.

If you would like to borrow a copy of The Secret Life of Bees, please send an email to our district literacy coach, Ms. Monninger at jmonninger@brickschools.org, and one will be provided. I am looking forward to collaborating and connecting with our student body on Tuesday, January 12. Start Reading!

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. Additionally, the Principal's Cabinet meetings will take place on the last Wednesday of each month in Cafe 2. 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.

SGA, in conjunction with the Guidance Department, is hosting the Annual Alumni Networking Presentation on Wednesday, November 27h. On this day, BTHS graduates return to their alma mater to talk about their college, military, and job experiences with our current junior and senior students. Coming up, SGA will be sponsoring the annual holiday door decorating competition as well as the student and staff holiday card competition. We will also be supporting the Guidance Department in its efforts to collect gift cards for community members in need by displaying the Dragon Giving Tree.

SGA Spirit Week

Monday, November 25 - Country Music Monday

Tuesday, November 26 - Flannels

Wednesday, November 27 - College / Military / Post Secondary Shirts

The Class of 2025 is gearing up for its final Winter Sports Season full of holiday fun and class excitement. The class is looking forward to participating against the Junior Class in Powder Puff scheduled for Monday, December 2. We are also on our second round of the popcorn fundraiser and are looking forward to Senior year events coming this Spring. Some events to keep an eye on are: Battle of the Classes, the Prom, and Senior Week. If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact us; Mr. Pazmino at cpazmino@brickschools.org or Ms. Vélez at mvelez@brickschools.org

The class of 2026 won the SGA’s annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest with their Violet Beauregard pumpkin. Powderpuff has been moved to Monday, December 2. Our next fundraiser will be a dine to donate at Burger 25 in Brick on November 25th. The flyer will be in Google Classroom and on Instagram. If you have any questions, you can see Ms. DePoto in room 408, 415 & 411 or Mrs. Buell in 112, 306 & 310. All class updates and information will be in Google Classroom or Instagram. Google Classroom lf4subd / Instagram @bths_classof2026

The Class of 2027 is focusing on planning some fundraisers for the winter season. Any students with ideas should come see Ms. Scipione (Room 202) or Mrs. DeBonis (Room 306). Keep an eye on the Google Classroom for our next meeting in December. Good luck to everyone participating in winter sports!

The Class of 2028 is hitting their stride and making their mark in the halls! We're excited to kick off some fantastic fundraisers, starting with our Five Below event. From December 9 to December 15, you can shop for affordable holiday gifts while supporting your favorite Dragons! Just print out a flyer and bring it with you when you shop. Don’t miss this perfect opportunity to spread some holiday cheer and help the Class of 2028 soar! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the class advisors Ms. Freedly (Room 217) at jfreedley@brickschools.org or Mrs. Rahbari (Room 219) at jrahbari@brickschools.org.

Updates from the School Counseling Department

Alumni Networking Day was hosted on Wednesday, November 27th. BTHS Alumni were invited to attend this event and take part on a panel discussion to speak about post-secondary topics including 4 year colleges, 2 year colleges, military, majors, college life, collegiate athletes, college applications, high school classes that prepared them for college (Honors, AP, Dual Enrollment) and time management.

Ocean County Vocational Technical School will be presenting to all sophomore students on Monday, December 2nd about the shared time programs and application process. Application for September 2025 Shared Time Programs will open on Thursday, January 2nd.

The NJSLA Fall Block 2024 will be administered on December 10th-11th to all 9th grade students enrolled in a Fall semester math course (Algebra I Honors, Geometry and Geometry Honors) and any Semester 1 English I courses OR other grade levels enrolled in the above math courses that did not take the NJSLA assessment to date.

Financial Aid Night was hosted on Thursday, November 21st by HESAA. Please click HERE to view the 25-26 High School Financial Aid Presentation. The FAFSA is currently open.

The SAT will be offered at BTHS on Saturday, December 7th. Registration for all future testing administration dates can be found on https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlines

Hello BTHS Community!

November is Lung Cancer Awareness month, and we wanted to provide information not only pertaining to the dangers of secondhand smoke, but to also share important statistics relating specifically to High School aged populations within the state of New Jersey.

Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, e-cigarette, cigars or pipes, and the smoke exhaled by smokers. Inhaling all of these types of secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer among nonsmokers, and may increase your risk of developing lung cancer by 20-30%. Remember, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is classified by the EPA as a Group A carcinogen, containing more than 7,000 substances. Secondhand smoke exposure commonly occurs indoors, particularly in homes and cars, and can move between rooms of a home and between apartment units - opening windows or increasing ventilation in a home or car is not a protective means of avoiding the detrimental effects of secondhand smoke. Not only can breathing in secondhand smoke exacerbate pre-existing chronic conditions, non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing chronic conditions - such as heart disease - by 25-30%. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke may also cause new cases of Asthma to arise in children who have not previously shown symptoms.

With the increase in the amount of teens utilizing vapes and e-cigarettes, it is important to note that the American Lung Association is very troubled by the evolving evidence about the impact of e-cigarettes on the lungs. The inhalation of harmful chemicals can cause irreversible lung damage and lung disease. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine released a report reviewing over 800 studies, which made it clear that using e-cigarettes causes health risks. E-cigarettes contain and emit a number of potential toxic substances. These substances include things like, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (which are toxic to cells), acrolein- a herbicide (primarily used to kill weeds and can cause acute lung injury, COPD and may cause asthma and lung cancer). The 2016 Surgeon General’s Report also noted many of the flavorings include diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead. The Academies' Report also states there is moderate evidence that youth who use e-cigarettes are at increased risk for cough, wheezing and an increase in asthma exacerbations.

Resources are available to assist with making positive life choices. Please feel free to stop by the heath office or explore the following resources. EAP Second Hand Smoke Information. CDC Smoking and Tobacco Use.

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.

Respectfully,

Nurse Bridget Blunda - Ext. 2037

Nurse Amanda Cerracchio - 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 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. Please reach out to your child's counselor with any questions regarding this program or opportunities for support.

Principal

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Assistant Principals

Erin Biancella - Grade 12 & Freshman P-Z

Ryan Hesnan - Grade 11 & Freshman H-O

James Marvin - Grade 10 & 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

Dawn Eberhard

Lorraine Cooper

Christine Velardi

Mike Zuccaro

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