The Dragon Review

September 2025

Hello Dragons!

Welcome to the September edition of The Dragon Review! It is a privilege to once again connect with our school community and highlight the exciting start to our year.

To set the tone for a successful school year, our students came together in grade-level assemblies where we reviewed school procedures, protocols, and expectations. Each assembly included a principal’s welcome, a handbook review, and a reminder of our core values. We also emphasized how student voice and positive behavior are central to our school’s success. It was inspiring to see students’ attentiveness and engagement, reflecting their commitment to being active participants in our community.

School spirit is already shining through with the tradition of “We Wear Green on Fridays.” We are also looking ahead to our annual Homecoming Dance, which will take place on Thursday, October 23, in the East Gym. Bid sales begin Thursday, October 16, and will close on Wednesday, October 22. More details about Homecoming Spirit Week, the game, and the dance are included in this issue.

Underclassmen pictures were taken this week, with a make-up session scheduled for Tuesday, October 28. All students are expected to have updated photos for identification purposes. Seniors who have not had their Senior Portraits will have a final opportunity to take their Senior Portrait on November 3 and November 4.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, our School-Based Youth Services Program hosted Erin Pompa, a motivational speaker, who engaged our sophomores in a meaningful and empowering assembly on making healthy life choices.

I would also like to thank all families who attended Back-to-School Night. Your strong presence reflects the powerful partnership between home and school. Together, we can ensure each child thrives academically and personally. 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 copy of our traffic flow map is included in this edition for your convenience.

As the year continues, please check our school website and Twitter feed for regular updates and announcements. Most importantly, I encourage every student to take full advantage of the many opportunities available at BTHS, this includes our co-curricular programs, school events, and athletic teams. Each of these experiences have the ability to enrich your high school experience.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will make this year a successful one for all of our students.

With Dragon Pride,

David Kasyan, Ed.D.

Principal

Hello Dragons! It’s been an exciting start to the school year at BTHS, and we’re looking forward to even more great events ahead. On August 26, we welcomed the Class of 2029 at Freshmen Orientation, where students toured the building, met staff, and explored co-curricular opportunities. Back to School Night followed on September 11, giving families the chance to connect with teachers and prepare for the year ahead. Fall sports are in full swing, so be sure to come out and show your Dragon pride at upcoming games. Our 29th annual MusicFest took place on Saturday, September 20, hosted by our award-winning band. We are also celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, this event began with a Spirit Week. On September 25, guest speaker Erin Pompa joined us to speak with students about mental health and resilience. Looking ahead, students can look forward to an Italian Folkdancer Presentation on October 9, showcasing culture through dance, music, and performance. It’s a busy and exciting season at BTHS, thank you for being part of it!

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:

I really liked the Dragon Walk and the Fall Sports assembly meeting

with the performance by the Band and Cheerleaders. ~ James

The first month of high school was very good. From getting into the play, to running for vice president. I'm so excited to unravel more and more to my high school journey. I've made so many new friends. I've also joined new clubs that I enjoy. ~ Lilah

A good part about BTHS is when I go to the football games and hang out with my friends. ~ Kaitlin

My experience at BTHS has been amazing so far. I love the busy schedule of marching band and the thrill of performing in front of people at games and competitions every weekend. ~ April

The Counseling Department hosted an informative session prior to Back to School Night for our Grade 11 and Grade 12 families. The session focused on postsecondary planning and the college application process. The presentation covered SCOIR, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and provided an overview of the college application process. This session offered families valuable resources and guidance to support students as they prepare for their next stage in their educational journey. The presentation from this event is included here for your reference.

Class of 2026 Parent Workshop Presentation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers both exciting benefits and important challenges in the classroom. On one hand, AI can support learning by helping students generate ideas, practice problem-solving, and access information in new and engaging ways. On the other hand, it also raises concerns about overreliance, originality, and ensuring students develop critical thinking and authentic learning skills. To balance these opportunities and challenges, our school has adopted a clear framework for AI utilization: students may use AI only under teacher direction and guidance. Each classroom will display a stoplight system to establish clear expectations. Red means AI use is not permitted, Yellow indicates AI may be used with teacher guidance, and Green allows students to responsibly explore AI resources. This consistent framework across the school and district helps students understand when and how AI can appropriately support their academic work, while maintaining fairness, integrity, and meaningful learning.

We are excited to announce that Nicholas Esteves, BTHS Senior, has been named a "Commended Student" in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students are recognized for their exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying exams.

We have recently been notified that Brick Township High School will once again be recognized as a Sustainable School and will be honored at the 2025 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Awards Ceremony for achieving Bronze certification with an impressive 195 points. This is the second time BTHS has received the Bronze Sustainable School recognition Award.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the School Based Youth Services Program organized a special assembly for our sophomore class. We were honored to welcome guest speaker Erin Pompa, who led an interactive session designed to empower students to make healthy life choices. The assembly encouraged active participation, with students engaging in small-group discussions and activities that promoted connection, reflection, and peer support. This important event underscores our commitment to fostering the well-being of all students at BTHS.

BTHS kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a spirited week of activities and celebrations. Students and staff joined together in themed days that highlighted culture, unity, and school pride. This week provided our community with an opportunity to honor the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities while showcasing the Dragon spirit throughout our halls.

We are excited to announce that Aldo Perez (Grade 11) is the recipient of the Share the Honor varsity jacket for BTHS. Share the Honor is a project run and founded by Sgt. Taryn Ritacco Schwartz of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. This program aims to ensure that there is an equal opportunity for students to display their school pride and athletic achievement by wearing their varsity letter on a jacket. In order to take part in Share the Honor, students must be in good standing with regard to their scholastic and disciplinary record. They must represent hard work, discipline, and perseverance, and have earned a varsity letter.

Brick Township High School is designated as a Title I Targeted Assistance School. This designation provides additional federal funding and resources to support eligible students in meeting academic standards. Through targeted programs, interventions, and enrichment opportunities, we are committed to ensuring that all students have the tools and support they need to succeed. Brick Township Public Schools ESSA Parent Right to Know

The BTHS Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is a volunteer organization that aims to increase parental participation through collaboration between parents, teachers, and staff. Joining this organization connects you to the school community, while providing you an opportunity to directly supports the students at BTHS. Communication associated with upcoming PTSA Meetings is pushed out to members through the Memberhub platform. The BTHS Parent Teacher Student Association is accepting membership for the 2025-2026 school year. Please consider joining the Brick Township High School PTSA. LINK to Memberhub

The next PTSA meeting will be held on Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 PM in the IMC Library. We will be nominating and electing new officers at this meeting. The BTHS PTSA currently has vacancies in the Vice President and Secretary seats on the executive board. We look forward to seeing you there!

BTHS gear and apparel are now available for order. From spirit wear to everyday essentials, there are plenty of options to show your school pride. Don’t miss the chance to represent the Dragons—place your order today!

Cheerleading

Art & Poetry Club

PTSA School Gear

The Recreation Department will once again hold a town Trunk-or-Treat event. The event will take place on Thursday, October 23. BTHS will be a donation site for candy to be distributed to those children attending the Trunk-or-Treat event. Donations for the event will be accepted in the main office.

BTHS Students of the Month - September

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.

BTHS Students of the Month - September

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.

Shelby Murano, Grade 9

Shelby is a member of the BTHS Freshman Volleyball Team and also play volleyball for Ocean County Volleyball Club. She is also a member of the Bible Club.

Her advice to other students: “Stay confident because confidence will get you far.”

“Shelby had a great start to the school year. She is an excellent listener and follows directions in class. Thank you, Shelby, and keep up the good work!” - Mrs. Farnsworth

Brody Douma, Grade 10

Brody is a member of the Brick Ice Hockey Team and plays for Brick Hockey Club.

His favorite thing about BTHS is seeing all of his friends.

“Brody is a respectful young man. who is willing to help and go the extra mile.” - Mr. Lynch

Matthew Allocca, Grade 11

Matt is a member of the Interact Club, Multicultural Club, and serves as the Secretary for Key Club. He is also a member of the Brick Antlers through the Brick Elks.

He is most passionate about helping others in the community.

“Matt is a kind and dedicated student. Matt works hard everyday to be the best practitioner of the arts he can be. He is kind, helpful and open to learning new artistic techniques. I truly enjoy having him in my class.” - Mrs. Gruber

Reese Achille, Grade 12

Reese is Captain of the Girls Soccer and Lacrosse teams. She is an active member of SGA and is VP for the Class of 2026. She is a Peer Leader and on the Mayor’s Advisory Board. Reese is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Reese just committed to Hofstra to play lacrosse! Way to go Reese.

“Reese is always prepared for HPE activities and participates with enthusiasm and effort.” - Mr. Groschel

The Fall Sports are off to a hot start. The Football team is off to a solid start this season. The team is 3-1 and looking to pick up more momentum during this upcoming stretch of games. Boys Soccer is off to a great start. The boys are 5-2 and 4-0 in the Shore C South division. Girls Soccer is working hard towards winning the division. The girls are 3-4-1 overall, but 2-0- in the Shore C South division. The Field Hockey team is having a blast this fall! The team is 3-2 and 2-1 in the Shore C South Division! Volleyball is off to an amazing start!! The team is 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Shore C South!

Cross Country is off and running! Aden Rella leads the dragons to a top time of 17:49 in the opening meet of the XC season at ocean county park. The Girls’ Cross Country team is starting the fall season with impressive performances. On September 12, the team competed at Ocean County Park in the Battle at OCP, where senior Kiera McHugh placed 11th in the senior girls’ 5K with a time of 19:31. Freshman Olivia Russell also stood out, finishing 22nd in the freshman 2-mile race at 14:30. Teammates Roselyn Romero-Hernandez (senior), Rose Arroyo (junior), Caitlin McHugh (sophomore), and Emily Demott (sophomore) delivered strong runs as well.

The team continued their success on September 19 at Stockton University’s Osprey Invite 5K. Kiera placed 24th overall in the varsity race with a time of 20:24, followed by Olivia, who completed her first high school varsity 5k in 23:01! The girls now look ahead to their next big challenge at the Shore Coaches Invite at Holmdel Park on October 4.

Mayor Lisa Crate and the Town Council recognized the BTHS Baseball Team for their successful 2025 baseball season at the September Town Council meeting. The team was recognized for capturing the Shore Conference C Class South division title. The team was awarded proclamations announcing that Wednesday, September 10, 2025 will forever be known as Brick Township Dragons Baseball Day!

On August 28, the School Based Peer Leadership program hosted its yearly Summer Training for new and returning Peer Leaders to learn about the program and engage in leadership and team-building activities. The Peer Leaders are all 10th - 12th grade students nominated by a staff member and then selected through an application process. This year, we took the students to Oak Tree Lodge in Wall for the day. The students engaged in a variety of fun activities and games, had lunch, and built connections across town with Peer Leaders from Brick Memorial.

Want to be featured in our school literary magazine?

Join our Regaler Google Classroom to send your poems, artwork, and cool photos to us. (Code: shgtudl) Even better, join our staff to be a part of it, where we believe in the power of words and pictures to inspire. We are especially seeking interested freshmen this year. Be heard!

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.

Welcome Back Dragons! 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.

Currently, SGA is working with the BTHS cheerleaders and the four classes to put together BTHS Homecoming 2025. Students and staff are encouraged to participate in our homecoming spirit week. Be sure to share your spirited photos with us @bths_sga.The homecoming dance will be held at BTHS on Thursday, October 23, from 6-9 pm. SGA is also organizing freshman class elections this month. Good luck to the Class of 2029 candidates!

Coming up, SGA will be hosting a game booth at Brick Recreation's Fallfest on Saturday, October 18, at Windward Beach. Our next project will be planning Fall festivities such as our Pumpkin Decorating Contest and Annual BTHS Halloween Costume Contest.

The class of 2026 is finally in its senior year and the countdown to graduation has begun. They kicked off the year with a Senior Sunrise. More events and fundraisers will be coming up so don’t forget to check the Google Classroom and Instagram. Seniors are currently nominating for Homecoming Court. The Homecoming Dance will be on Thursday, October 23 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. 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 is excited to start their first year as upperclassmen! There are so many fun things happening this year, including Junior Prom. We will have our first meeting on Monday, September 22 to discuss important fundraisers this year and planning for events. Anyone interested in attending can come to room 304. See Mrs. DeBonis (306) or Ms. Scipione (304) if you have any questions, or if you can't attend the meeting.

The Class of 2028 is excited to be back after a great summer! This month, we are kicking off the new school year with fresh energy, planning upcoming fundraisers, and looking ahead to all the opportunities this year will bring. We’re especially excited to start preparing for the homecoming dance next month and can’t wait to celebrate together.

The Class of 2029 Class Advisors, Mrs. Ianniello and Ms. Velez, held their first meeting after school on September 16! During the meeting, students voted for our class color for Battle of the Classes (RED), signed up to volunteer at Fall Fest on October 18 at Windward Beach (where we will host a booth), and received information about the Homecoming Dance on October 23. We will also create a class banner for the Homecoming Dance. In addition, students shared ideas for the Spring Gift Auction and discussed September clothing sales. Class officer elections will be held through the SGA for students who wish to run for President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer. Follow us on Instagram @bths.classof2029 and join the Parents Facebook Page BTHS class of 2029!

The Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week occur yearly every October. We will be celebrating Week of Respect October 6 through October 10 and Red Ribbon Week October 23 through October 31. Throughout the month, schools across the United States will focus on these two initiatives that promote kindness, character education, and drug and alcohol prevention, while also raising awareness about how the link between drugs and violence impacts families and communities.

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 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. There will be a Financial Aid Presentation by HESAA at 5:30pm and College Athletics at 7:00pm.

The PSAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 8 with the Makeup date scheduled for Wednesday, October 22 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 4, 2025. 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! BTHS will host the November SAT on Saturday, November 8th, 2025. Register at www.collegeboard.org by the October 24th deadline.

Ocean County College has partnered with Brick Township Public Schools for the College Pathway Program. Representatives from the Enrollment Office of OCC will be presenting to our 12th grade students on post-secondary planning, college applications, financial aid, and scholarships.

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. Please sign-up in the Guidance office so we can plan accordingly. Please contact Mrs. Marie Walling if you have any questions.

By this time, you should have received your child’s NJGPA scores in the mail. Additional information about the NJGPA, including practice tests, can be found on the New Jersey Assessments Resource Center under NJGPA Parent Resources.

There will be an option to retake the NJGPA in October 2025. There will also be an opportunity to be enrolled in an NJPGA Portfolio class during the first semester to meet the graduation assessment requirement.

In the beginning of the school year, your child’s School Counselor will be conducting Senior meetings and they will review the graduation requirements, test scores and post secondary plans. At that time, we will ensure that your child is placed appropriately in order to meet all graduation requirements for the Class of 2026.

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. Best Wishes for a happy, healthy & safe school year ahead!

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.

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. Here is an update on recent events from SBYSP:

School Based recently supplied all staff in the building with pamphlets from Robbie's Hope on how adults can talk to teens about mental health. The pamphlets break down how to recognize warning signs of mental health concerns, how to initiate conversations effectively and appropriately, and how to have ongoing communication about mental health. Pamphlets for how to talk to teens about technology use and how to talk to athletes about mental health were also made available.

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