The Dragon Review

April 2026

Hello Dragons!

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Spring Break. This past month was highlighted by our Dragon Destinations: Roadmap to the Future event, vertical articulation within the Performing Arts department, and induction of new members into our International Thespian Honor Society. I am excited to share details and pictures from these events, along with additional events and curricular happenings within this edition of The Dragon Review.

It should be noted that the Third Marking Period Report Cards were released for access on Friday, April 24. We have now moved into the fourth and final marking period of the school year. I urge all students to continue to put forth their best effort and finish the year strong. Inclusive of these expectations of putting forth our best effort is the necessity to remain engaged, mindful of our cell phone procedures, and connected to classroom instruction.

Looking ahead, BTHS will administer the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) to students in Grade 9 and Grade 11. Students in Grade 9 will complete the NJSLA - ELA assessment on April 29 and April 30 and the NJSLA - Mathematics assessment on May 20. Students in Grade 11 will take the NJSLA - Science assessment on May 18 and May 19. On testing days, students participating in testing should report to school at their normal time and go directly to their assigned testing locations. Room assignments will be posted outside of the Guidance Office and shared through the Guidance Google Classroom. Students not participating in testing will follow their regular school schedule. Moreover, AP Testing begins on Monday, May 4 and will run through Friday, May 15. Students will receive information from their AP teacher and Guidance Counselor for schedule and room assignments. We encourage all testing students to arrive rested, prepared, and ready to do their best, as these assessments are an important opportunity to demonstrate their learning. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping ensure a smooth and successful testing experience.

Additionally, I would like to bring the following to the attention of our learning community:

• The Senior Ball will take place on Thursday, May 14 from 5 PM to 9 PM at South Gate Manor.

• Senior Scholarship & Awards Night, sponsored by our Guidance Department, is Thursday, May 21, 2026 held in the BTHS Auditorium beginning at 6:00 PM. Scholarships and awards will be given from local donors and staff members to recognize Senior achievements.

• The Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 18 at 2:30 PM.

I would like to conclude by expressing that Staff Appreciation Week begins on Monday, May 4. I believe Sidney Hook says it best, “Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.” I am extremely grateful for the dedicated staff at BTHS, who fully care and support our students each and every day.

With Dragon Pride,

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Principal

Hello Dragons,

Here is an exciting update on the many events and opportunities taking place at BTHS as we continue through a busy and successful spring season. On Tuesday, March 31, BTHS hosted Dragon Destinations: A Roadmap to Your Future from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This event provided Grade 11 students and their families with valuable information as they begin preparing for life after high school. On Tuesday, April 14, the senior class gathered for their class picture, capturing an important milestone in their final year. Our students have also had the opportunity to participate in enriching extracurricular experiences. On Tuesday, April 16, members of the BTHS Drama Club attended a Broadway Experience Trip with Mr. Capone, while the World Language Club is looking forward to attending Buena Vista Social Club in New York City with Mrs. Velez on Wednesday, April 22. Academic preparation remains a priority as students prepare for spring assessments. On Monday, April 20, students taking the NJSLA Science Exam participated in a Science Prep discussion in the IMC with Science Supervisor Ms. Huey. On Tuesday, April 21, students preparing for the NJSLA ELA and Math exams attended an additional prep session in the IMC.

The Junior Prom was held at Jumping Brook on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Ocean County College Express Enrollment Day with Mrs. Smith will take place on Tuesday, April 28, providing students with an excellent opportunity to register for courses and begin planning their college journey. NJSLA English Language Arts Testing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30, followed by an SAT Testing Session at BTHS on Saturday, May 2. Students will also have access to Teen Mental Health Training with Mrs. Smith from May 4 through May 6.

As we move further into May, we look forward to celebrating our students through special events, including the Senior Ball on Thursday, May 14, NJSLA Science Testing on May 18 and May 19, NJSLA Math Testing on May 20, and the Senior Awards Scholarship Night on Thursday, May 21.

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:

" The girls lacrosse team is on target to win our division, as our record is 8-1.

So far, my senior season has been so special!" ~ Reese

"Going to New York with my friends was so much fun! Watching the Buena Vista Club on Broadway

was an unforgettable experience." ~ Ana

"Spending the day with the teachers kids was an amazing experience!

Making slime with them was definitely the highlight of my day." ~ Stacy

"I love being a part of the unified sports program. It is such a great experience to see

everyone happy and having a great time." ~ Vincent

Members of Brick Township High School’s Key Club and National Honor Society proudly supported the Brick American Legion Post 348’s community Easter Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt on April 4. Through their volunteer efforts, students helped create a fun and memorable experience for local families while demonstrating their commitment to service, leadership, and community involvement.

BTHS juniors and their families attended Dragon Destinations: A Roadmap to Your Future on Tuesday, March 31, from 6:00–8:00 PM. The evening provided an informative and engaging overview to help students confidently prepare for life after high school. The program highlighted a range of post-secondary pathways, including 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges and universities, the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS), and military opportunities. Students and families also gained valuable insight into writing a strong college essay, using SCOIR for college searches and applications, and navigating scholarships and financial aid.

Dragon Destinations: Roadmap to the Future - Master Presentation Slides - Spring 2026

Brick Township High School proudly celebrated the Thespian Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Monday, April 20, recognizing students for their dedication, talent, and achievement in the dramatic arts. Newly inducted members were honored for their commitment to excellence in theater, both on and off the stage. This special event highlighted the hard work, creativity, and passion of our student performers, whose accomplishments continue to enrich our school community through the arts.

Brick Township Public Schools’ Visual and Performing Arts Department continues to showcase strong vertical articulation and collaboration across grade levels. On March 31, students from OES, DPES, EHYES, LRMS, and BTHS came together for South Side Band Day, performing alongside peers from across the district and strengthening connections within the band program. This spirit of collaboration continued on April 21 as district choral students united at BTHS for District Chorus Day, further demonstrating our shared commitment to excellence in music education.

Celebrate your Class of 2026 Graduate by displaying a personalized yard sign on your front lawn! Signs are 18” x 24”. Your senior’s FIRST name will be printed on the single sided sign. A wire stake is also included for easy installation. Turn in cash or check payment and order form to Ms. Velez in Room 23 or BTHS Main Office. Order forms must be received before June 1, 2026.

Last chance for yearbooks! Online yearbook sales will shut down next Friday, May 8. Order today to guarantee your book! Yearbooks can be ordered here.

After May 8, students can order in person by bringing $110 cash to Ms.P in Guidance or Mrs. Zeoli. Students will not be able to order yearbooks with nameplates after May 8.

We are proud to recognize Daniel Ijdo for his outstanding academic achievement on the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT. Daniel has been identified by the National Merit Scholarship Program as one of the 50,000 highest-scoring participants nationwide. This distinction places him among an elite group of students who will be honored in Fall 2026 as either a National Merit Semifinalist or Commended Student. Congratulations to Daniel on this impressive accomplishment and for representing our school with excellence!

Congratulations to BTHS Sophomore STEM students Dariel Rivera and Miguel Martinez Calpa, also known as Team Helio Charge, for their outstanding achievement in the New Jersey School Boards Association STEAM Tank Challenge! Competing against more than 600 teams from across New Jersey, Dariel and Miguel earned a place in the final round of this prestigious statewide competition. Their remarkable project placed them among the top 10 teams in the entire state!

BTHS proudly congratulates Alyssa Dorie on earning First Place in the High School Division (Grades 9-12) of the Ocean County Health Department’s 2026 Annual Public Health Awareness Competition. Alyssa’s award-winning submission, created under this year’s theme “Ready. Set. Action!,” showcased her creativity, hard work, and commitment to promoting mental health. We celebrate Alyssa’s outstanding achievement and commend her for representing our school community with excellence.

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.

Kaitlyn is a dedicated and accomplished student who shines both on the court and in the classroom. A varsity basketball athlete, she brings energy, teamwork, and leadership to every game.

Beyond athletics, Kaitlyn is highly involved in academics and school organizations. She is a proud member of the Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, and the Multicultural Club, while also taking on a challenging schedule filled with AP and Honors courses.

One of Kaitlyn’s greatest accomplishments this year is earning the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, a testament to her commitment, perseverance, and high level of achievement in language proficiency.

Looking ahead, Kaitlyn plans to attend the College of Charleston, where she will major in psychology.

Nana is a standout student-athlete who consistently excels in the classroom, in competition, and throughout the BTHS community. A multi-sport varsity athlete, he competes in soccer, winter track, and spring track.

Beyond athletics, Nana is highly involved in school activities. He is a member of Key Club, Yearbook Club, The Regaler, and the Multicultural Club, showing a commitment to both service and school spirit.

Academically, Nana challenges himself with a rigorous schedule of AP and Honors courses, all while maintaining excellent grades. He takes great pride in his ability to successfully balance the demands of academics, athletics, and extracurricular involvement.

Looking ahead, Nana plans to attend college and pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering, aiming high both academically and professionally.

TyShawn is a dedicated and driven student-athlete who continues to represent BTHS with pride. A varsity multi-sport athlete, he competes at a high level in both football and track, demonstrating commitment, discipline, and leadership on and off the field.

In addition to athletics, TyShawn is an active member of the Unified Sports program, where he is known as a supportive and positive teammate who helps build an inclusive and encouraging environment for all.

TyShawn also balances a rigorous academic schedule, taking on AP and Honors courses while maintaining his involvement across multiple commitments.

Looking ahead, his goal is to attend a four-year college, continuing his academic journey.

His advice to other students: “Work hard and persevere.”

Stacy is making her mark across academics, athletics, and service at BTHS as a freshmen. A multi-sport athlete, Stacy competes in track and has already made an impressive impact on the freshmen volleyball team, earning MVP honors this season.

Beyond athletics, Stacy is deeply involved in our school community. She serves as the Class of 2029 Vice President, is an active member of PALS, Unified Sports, and the Multicultural Club, and supports our wrestling program as a stat manager. Outside of school, she continues her commitment to service as a member of the Antlers through the Brick Elks.

Stacy aspires to attend college and become a pediatrician.

Her advice to fellow students is simple but powerful: “Don’t let others’ negativity ruin your day.”

The spring sports season has seen a mix of progress and success across teams. Baseball is off to a 2-7 start, showing effort but facing challenges with offense, defense, and consistency, while several players have stood out. The softball team is thriving at 6-2 overall and 6-1 in division play, building on last year’s success with strong teamwork. Girls track has already produced standout achievements, including school and freshman records and a championship 4x400 relay team. Golf is 2-5 against a tough schedule, with hopes of qualifying for the state tournament. Girls lacrosse has been dominant at 6-0, highlighted by key wins, strong leadership, and balanced play on both ends. Meanwhile, the girls flag football team, in its second year, is growing steadily at 2-3 while focusing on skill development, team culture, and future expansion.

On Monday, April 27 Brick Dragons hosted Manchester at the Brick Little League Complex. The Dragons hosted a meet and greet prior to the game with attending little league players. It was a great event where our athletes signed autographs, played catch, and were joined by Little Leaguers for the starting lineups and National Anthem. The Dragons proceeded to win the game 6-1. It was a great evening where BTHS continues to give back and strengthen our community connections.

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.

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.

Senior year is coming to an end. Below is a list of upcoming events. If you have any questions, please see Ms. DePoto or Mrs. Buell. All class updates and important information will be shared through Google Classroom. If you have any questions, please see Ms. DePoto or Mrs. Buell. All class updates and information will be in Google Classroom or Instagram. Google Classroom lf4subd / Instagram @bths_classof2026

The Class of 2027 enjoyed their Junior Prom on Thursday, April 23rd at Jumping Brook in Neptune, NJ. Thanks to all the staff members who donated their time to chaperone! Next up will be the Powder Puff against the Senior class, which will be held on Tuesday, May 26th at 3:45pm. Look out for announcements on Google Classroom and through the morning announcements for practices and more information. Any questions, please send an email to or go see Mrs. DeBonis (Rm306) or Ms. Scipione (Rm304).

Class of 2028 - Although this was a quieter month due to spring break, we are preparing for what’s ahead. Advisors have begun organizing ideas for junior and senior prom and look forward to collaborating with students soon. See Ms. Freedley (Rm 217) or Mrs. Rahbari (Rm 411) with any questions.

After school on June 9, the Class of 2029 will host a school-wide outdoor Spikeball Tournament! All students and staff are welcome! This event is for Spikeball bragging rights! Students and staff will compete in teams of two in a single-elimination format. The entry fee is $10 per team, and the winners will take home a Grand Prize Basket. Drinks and food will also be available for purchase. Come out, support the Class of 2029, and have some fun to close out the school year!

The Class of 2029 will also be collecting donations for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, which is our Graduation Snack Tent. The success of this event depends on the generosity of our freshmen families, so please consider helping out. We are asking for donations such as bottled water, soda, sports drinks, individual bags of chips, and coolers. We are also in need of parent and student volunteers to help run the snack tent.

If you have any questions or would like to contribute, please contact the Class of 2029 advisors, Mrs. Ianniello or Ms. Velez. For updates, follow us on Instagram @bths.classof2029 or join the BTHS Class of 2029 Parents Facebook page

The School Counseling Department

Ocean County College Express Enrollment Day will take place on Tuesday, April 28 from 9am-1pm. Students planning to attend OCC in the Fall 2026 will be able to register for this field trip through Guidance. Students will be given a tour and meet with advisors to select courses.

BTHS School Counselors administered the Accuplacer assessment to juniors as an additional pathway toward meeting New Jersey graduation requirements. The Accuplacer serves as an alternative cut score option, allowing students another opportunity to demonstrate college readiness in English and mathematics. We will plan another Accuplacer Testing Administration in the Fall 2026.

Brick Township High School will administer the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) this spring. Grade 9 students will take the ELA Reading and Writing assessments on April 29–30, followed by the Mathematics assessment on May 20, all during Blocks 1 and 2. Grade 11 students will complete the NJSLA Science assessment on May 18 and May 19, also during Blocks 1 and 2. On testing administration days, all freshmen and juniors should report to school at their normal arrival time and proceed directly to their assigned testing locations. Testing room assignments will be posted outside of Guidance and shared in Google Classrooms. It will be a normal school day schedule for students not participating in testing. It is imperative that students take these assessments seriously. We encourage all testing students to arrive well-rested, prepared, and ready to do their very best. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in ensuring a smooth and successful testing experience.

AP testing administration will take place from May 4 - May 15. AP Exam Date Calendar. Room assignments and details will be posted in the AP Google Classroom and shared with the AP teachers/students. All students must confirm they have read the policies and guidelines for AP testing in their CollegeBoard account prior to testing. Please contact Marie Walling in Guidance at mwalling@brickschools.org with any questions or concerns.

Our Military Recognition Ceremony, honoring our seniors from BTHS and BMHS enlisting in the military after graduation, will be held on May 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM in the BTHS Auditorium. All Brick Township and Brick Memorial Military Alumni and their families and any Veterans are welcome to attend the ceremony. Please email Marie Walling at mwalling@brickschools.org for more information.

Hello Dragons!

April is an important month for health awareness, and this month we are placing special emphasis on Alcohol Awareness and Prevention. Prevention begins with open, honest conversations. Talking with children and teens about alcohol early and continuing those conversations as they grow is one of the most effective ways to help them make healthy, informed choices. While these discussions may not always be easy, creating an environment of trust, clear family expectations, and supportive communication can make a significant difference.

Children are often exposed to alcohol through everyday life, television, and social media, which is why it is never too early to begin age-appropriate conversations about the risks associated with underage drinking. Listening without judgment, reinforcing family values, discussing peer pressure, and helping children develop a plan for difficult situations are all important steps in prevention. Understanding the facts is essential. Alcohol can negatively impact the brain, body, decision-making, reaction time, academic performance, athletic ability, and long-term health. Educating children about these risks can reduce the likelihood of unsafe behaviors and support healthier decision-making.

Our shared goal is to ensure students feel supported, informed, and safe. Maintaining open communication helps children know they can always reach out to a trusted adult when facing challenging situations.

As always, student health and wellness remain a priority. If your child is sick, beginning to feel ill, or has a fever over 100.6°F, please keep them home to help prevent the spread of illness. Additionally, all asthma, seizure, and allergy action plans must be completed, signed by both a parent/guardian and physician, and submitted to the nurse’s office. Our nursing staff continues to complete important health screenings, including height, weight, blood pressure, vision, hearing, and scoliosis screenings.

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 Amanda Cerracchio - acerracchio@brickschools.org - Ext. 2009
• Nurse Jessica Kopenhafer - jkopenhafer@brickschools.org - Ext. 2037

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.

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

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

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