The Dragon Review
February 2022
Principal's Announcement
February 2022
Dear Parents and Students,
It was great seeing staff, students, and parents at our recent Brick & Beyond event held at Brick Memorial High School. The event highlighted current and future opportunities available to our student body. Students were afforded an opportunity to explore post secondary institutions inclusive of two and four year colleges and universities along with vocational and technical schools. The guidance department from both high schools were on hand to assist current and future high school students/families with their academic programming needs. The event was well attended, however, if you have any follow up questions or items of inquiry please do not hesitate to reach out to your school counselor.
With that in mind, I hope all of our students have begun the second semester with a renewed vigor, taking advantage of the opportunity to reset and focus on personal goals. Your dreams can become a reality with planning and perseverance. Supportive of this notion, congratulations to Jade Huerta who recently placed second in her weight class in the NJSIAA state wrestling tournament. Congratulations on a fantastic season! I urge all students to take advantage of our school’s available resources. The partnership between BTHS staff, parents, and students is essential to our continued success. The BTHS teaching staff is readily available to support academic needs while our school counselors are always willing to support students through the process of navigating academic/social challenges. Collaboration is key, do not hesitate to connect with BTHS staff.
The upgrade to our school’s West Parking lot is almost complete. The addition of the carports will offer our school a renewable source of energy, improved parking lot lighting, and protection from inclement weather. Additionally, I would like to remind all students that parking on campus is a Senior privilege. Parking passes must be clearly visible in all registered vehicles. Parking passes can be purchased in the South office. Moreover, students should be aware of the town ordinances present within the neighborhoods surrounding BTHS prohibiting street parking.
Looking ahead, all juniors (except those eligible for the DLM assessment) are required to take the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA). Information regarding assessment specifics, the district testing schedule, and logistical information will be forthcoming from both the director of curriculum, Dr. Anderson, and myself in future communications.
Lastly, I want to remind all members of the BTHS community of the importance to attend school daily, arrive on time, and remain focused. It continues to be our commitment to deliver the most effective instruction in a safe and supportive learning environment. Supporting students in their journey towards achieving success in a safe learning environment remains our number one priority. To that end, attendance matters and being at school every day makes a difference! Thank you to all parents and students for supporting our school goals and being an integral part of the Dragon Family!
Respectfully,
David Kasyan, Ed.D.
Principal
Colleges & Universities at Brick & Beyond
BTHS Clubs Present at Brick & Beyond
Counselor Workshops at Brick & Beyond
School News
Classics with Kasyan - Book Club
In an effort to promote a love and appreciation of reading and literature throughout the school community, a school-wide Book Club entitled Classics with Kasyan has been initiated. The Book Club will meet at the end of each month to review and discuss a selected text. The next two months will be spent reading The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury. We will break the book up into two sessions.
The meeting to discuss the first half of the book, which entails the first nine stories of The Illustrated Man will take place after school on Wednesday, March 30. 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 Illustrated Man and start reading. There will be an open dialogue and discussion of the first half of the book at our scheduled meeting, reading the book ahead of the meeting will allow you a better opportunity to add to the conversation.
If you would like to borrow a copy of The Illustrated Man, 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 Wednesday, March 30. Start Reading!
Thank You,
Dr. Kasyan
Campus Life
BTHS Campus Life
Hello Dragons!
Here is an update about what’s happening on campus here at BTHS. The winter sports season has started to wind down and come to an end. The Ice Hockey team will begin the state tournament this Monday night against Bernards High School. The Girl’s Wrestling team finished 3rd in this year’s Shore Conference Tournament with Jade Huerta winning her weight and Chelsea Bautista and Jeyah Tawfik finishing in 2nd place in their weight classes. Congratulations also goes out to the Girl’s Bowling team as they won their Central Jersey Group II State Sectional Title.
Last month, approximately 50 students completed their Seal of Biliteracy Testing, and if successful these students will be recognized as officially being bilingual. This upcoming Thursday, February 24th will be Battle of the Classes. This will take place from 6pm – 8pm, please come out and support the school and your class. This is a great event for our students at BTHS, which will display tremendous school spirit and a competitive edge amongst the classes. Family Game Night, which is sponsored by the National Honors Society will be held on Monday, February 28th, from 5pm – 8pm at BTHS. We are encouraging all of our Dragons families to come out and have fun while supporting the NHS.
March 31, 2022, will be the American Red Cross sponsored Blood Drive from 6:30 am – 12:00 pm in the Auxiliary Gym. You can sign-up on Tuesdays during A & C Lunches or see Mr. Pazmino in room 300 until March 30th. Please remember to eat before donating blood.
Yearbook Information Update
- A limited number of 2022 Yearbooks are still available. Order yours here. Parents are invited to submit pictures that may be included in the 2022 BTHS Yearbook by 3/18 using this form.
- Attention Senior Parents: We invite you to submit an optional baby picture of your senior using this form by 3/18. Also Senior Recognition Ads are still available for purchase until 4/1. Create yours here.
Family Game Night - Sponsored by NHS
Come join the BTHS National Honor Society as they host our annual Family Game Night on Monday, February 28, 2022. The time of the event will be from 5-8pm and it will take place on the East Side of the Building. Games and activities will include: board games, card games, karaoke machine, table tennis, lawn games, arts and crafts and so much more. Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!
Ravenclaw Wins the Hogwarts House Cup!
The Harry Potter, History, and Literary Criticisms class finished the semester with the Ravenclaws winning the Hogwarts House Cup! Sorted into houses, students accrue house points throughout the semester for excellence in projects, quiz competitions, class discussion contributions, wearing green on Fridays, extra efforts, and the like. It was a photo finish between the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, with Ravenclaw ultimately edging them out. It was a noble effort by all houses and students! Hogwarts opens its doors again in Fall of 2022.The Dragon Spotlight
Mrs. Maria Velez
Athletics Update
Girls Bowling brought home another 1st place trophy in the Central Jersey Group 2 Sectional Bowling on Saturday, 2/12 and then competed on Monday (2/14) in the overall NJSIAA Team Championship. We have a couple of girls who will also compete in the Overall Individual Championships on Friday, 2/18.
Boys Bowling took 2nd place in South Jersey Group 2 Sectional Bowling and will compete on Wednesday (2/16) in the overall NJSIAA Team Championship. They too will be sending boys to the Overall Individual Championships.
Both teams will have individuals also compete this Friday in the State Singles tournament.
In Wrestling, Jade Huerta placed 1st in her Weight Class at the Shore Conference Tournament and this past Saturday (2/13) she continued her dominance and placed 2nd in the Regions. Jade will be advancing to the overall NJSIAA Individual tournament next weekend (2/20). As a Team, the Dragon advanced to the Central Jersey Group 3 semi-finals in Robbinsville last Monday (2/7). They will now begin the Individual portion of competition in the District 23 Tournament at Brick Memorial on Saturday, 2/19.
The Boys Basketball team has qualified for the NJSIAA tournament and will begin their post-season play on 3/1/22. They will be traveling to Hamilton West for the first round game.
The Ice Hockey team lost in the 1st round of Shore Conference and has also qualified for the NJSIAA tournament. They will play their first round game on 2/21/22 vs. Bernards HS at Mennen Arena.
There is still time to sign up for the spring sports season. All paperwork needs to be turned into the Athletic Office by Friday, 2/25/22.
Schedules can be found at: shoreconferencenj.org -.click on Brick Township!
LET’S GO DRAGONS!
February Students of the Month
BTHS Students of the Month - February
Students are nominated by BTHS staff members for outstanding effort in the classroom and positive contributions to our community. Congratulations to our Students of the Month. Students will be honored with a certificate, gift, and their names will be displayed on the marquee.
Caitlyn Chandler, Grade 9
Caitlyn is a smart, conscientious, hard-working student and athlete. She is also kind, funny, and generous. I think Caitlyn should be the student of the month because she exemplifies what is means to be a Brick Dragon! - Ms. Russell
Thomas D’Elia, Grade 10
A very enthusiastic student with great grades. - Mr. Burns
Andrew Cali, Grade 11
Andrew invests himself into learning and uses what he learns to better his knowledge base, himself, his understanding of the world, and his community. He is accepting of everybody, is a pillar of service, and is beloved by all! - Mrs. Stansbury
Ryan Gellner, Grade 12
This student is engaged in everything! I catch him teaching other kids what he learned in my forensics class EVERY day. He has passion for knowledge and I love it. - Ms. Diamond
Ryan was such an asset to our ASL class. He is so eager to learn and he is always ready to get in front of the class and demonstrate the signs we are learning. He has a positive energy and makes sure everyone in the class feels included. - Ms. DePoto
Student Government
BTHS Student Government
Class of 2022
Hello Class of 2022! The seniors celebrated the halfway mark of their LAST year at BTHS! We can't wait to show everyone our school spirit and pride at Battle of the Classes and throughout the rest of the year.
Attention Class of 2022 - Come Bowl with us! March 6th at Ocean Lanes, 6pm. $10 in advance $15 at the door gets you 2 games and shoes. Thank you to everyone who supported our popcorn pop-up! It was a huge success.
We are hoping to squeeze in just a few more fundraisers before the end of the year, especially ones that bring the whole school together like our volleyball tournament, which will be held after school on Friday, March 4. If you have any questions about bowling or other senior class activities please reach out to one of the advisors jfreedley@brickschools.org or mmustacchio@brickschools.org
Class of 2023
This month the Class of 2023 has been busy! We had our Pie A Teacher/Administrator fundraiser on February 10th at the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Game. A big thanks to all of the teachers who were willing to participate and an especially big thank you to Mr. Pazmino, Mr. Hesnan, and Mr. Prato for getting a pie in the face!
On February 14th, the class sold flowers for Valentine’s Day. We are looking forward to the Battle of the Classes on February 24th. Looking ahead to March, keep an ear out for some more fundraisers! Thank you to everyone who participates and if you are interested in helping out some more, please feel free to see Ms. Scipione in room 202, Mrs. Rahbari in room 219, or Mrs. DeBonis in room 306. In addition, we can be reached by email: dscipione@brickschools.org arahbari@brickschools.org or cdebonis@brickschools.org
Class of 2024
The Class of 2024 is prepared for Battle of the Classes and cannot wait to take on the other classes! Our dance is amazing and the Sophomores are ready to get competitive! The Class of 2024 should wear PINK on Thursday, February 24th and come out to support our class at this fun event from 6-8pm in the East Gym!
Members of the Class of 2024 should join our Google Classroom with code ozvfp3p . Our Google Classroom is where we post all relevant information about our class and any upcoming event at BTHS! Currently we are planning for our Junior Prom and a Spring Fundraiser. If a member of the Class of 2024 would like to be involved, see Mr. Lucchetti in room 205 or Mrs. Ianniello in Guidance!
Class of 2025
As the end of February is quickly approaching, students from all grade levels have enthusiastically participated in our Cupid Dragon hunt. Make sure you are keeping an eye out as Dragons can still be found hanging around the building and you could win an awesome prize!
Stay In the Know
Guidance Department
Hello BTHS,
Brick Township Public Schools Postsecondary Fair was a huge success. The counseling departments at both high schools were instrumental in planning and organizing this event. This evening provided our Brick families with the opportunity to discover many options after their journey at Brick Township Public Schools. There were more than 150 representatives at this event, including Colleges/Universities, Vocational and Trade programs, US Military branches, along with local businesses. Our School Counselors presented on many pertinent topics related to post-secondary success. Many clubs and organizations from both high schools were also present. Thank you to all who contributed to this wonderful event
Scheduling is currently open on the Parent Portal for students and families to input next year requests. February 25th will be the last day to request courses through the parent portal. Counselors are meeting with the students in the months of February and March to help facilitate this process and to ensure every student is requesting courses to fulfill graduation requirements, as well as enroll in courses that compliment a student's goals and interests.
The SAT will be hosted at BTHS on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Please be sure to bring your admission ticket, a valid photo ID, #2 pencils, a calculator, and a snack. Good luck!
Attention Seniors! Please continue to apply for Scholarships. New scholarships are regularly posted, therefore it would be beneficial to regularly access the attached link. We hope that all of our seniors take full advantage of these opportunities. Click HERE to view the available Scholarship opportunities.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your counselor for support. Our department is readily available to assist in any of your academic, social, or emotional needs.
Thank You,
Angela Smith
BTHS Guidance Coordinator
School Counselor Google Classroom Codes
Class of 2025 cpgycc4
Class of 2024 bbnv4vs
Class of 2023 vzgx2iq
Class of 2022 qgqsw3mSCOIR
Create a SCOIR Account with this QR code.
Health Office Message
Hello BTHS Students and Parents!
Every year the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) marks February as “American Heart Month” to raise awareness about the importance of heart health, while urging all Americans to reduce their risk for developing heart disease through a myriad of public service announcements. Taking care of your heart health has never been more important, especially during the turbulent times we have all faced and endured over the course of the last few years - please know there’s a lot that can be done to prevent heart disease, and this month's BTHS Health Office focus will highlight how these measures can aid as a first step in lowering one’s blood pressure.
In light of how we have begun our Health Screenings on all of our students, which includes height (Grades 9-12), weight (Grades 9-12), vision (Grade 10), hearing (Grade 11), and scoliosis (Grades 9 and 11), but also encompasses Blood Pressure readings on all students with follow up referrals sent home when recordings are obtained which are considered to be outside of the normal parameters.
AHA Blood Pressure Chart - ENGLISH / AHA Blood Pressure Chart - SPANISH.
The following link is an excellent, user-friendly tracker sheet for recording your blood pressure numbers. Healthy Blood Pressure for Healthy Hearts: Tracking Your Numbers | NHLBI, NIH
Please remember these categories when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart:
Eat Healthy Foods ~ DASH Diet = ‘Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension’, this includes a diet limiting sodium, sugars, and saturated fat, yet rich in fish, beans, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Get the Proper Amount of Sleep ~ Studies have shown that not obtaining the proper amount of sleep can be detrimental to your heart health and cause high blood pressure - Aim for 7 to 8 hours per night, with highschoolers needing 8 to 10 hours.
Decrease Your Stress ~ Many of us have experienced the ill effects that stress can cause on our bodies and minds. Your heart rate increases, your blood vessels narrow—this can lead to coronary artery disease over the long term, along with increasing the risk of heart attack. Ongoing stress acts on more than just your heart, it affects everything from your nervous system and hormones to your lungs and gut. You may not see the connection but it is important to listen to your body.
Be Physically Active ~ As little as 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking briskly helps your heart. For major health benefits, aim for at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) a week. Or go for 75 minutes a week of more vigorous activity such as playing basketball, running, or jumping rope, which gives the same benefits. The bottom line: More activity means a bigger boost to your health. Remember, All adults and school age children should avoid inactivity. Start gradually and increase slowly…. If you’re inactive, you’re nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease than if you’re active (below is an excellent guideline provided by the CDC for target heart rates while exercising).
Target Heart Rate and Estimated Maximum Heart Rate | Physical Activity | CDC
Heart Disease overall is the leading cause of death in the United States. But there’s a lot you can do to live a heart-healthy life—and connecting with others can make your efforts even more successful. Studies show that if you join forces with people at home or online, you have a better chance of staying motivated…. Even small steps can get you started in the right direction, so gather your friends and family and make a commitment to your heart health together!
Respectfully,
Nurse Mary Carlsson & Nurse Tammy Yarbrough
A few friendly reminders from the BTHS Health Office:
- Please do not hesitate to bring any important health-related information to the attention of the health office. Students should stay home when not feeling well or developing signs of illness.
- Notification: If you suspect that your child has been exposed to COVID-19, please contact Ms. Carlsson in the health office as soon as possible.
Health Office Contact
West Nurse Office - Mary Carlsson Ext. 2037
East Nurse Office - Tammy Yarbrough Ext. 2009
COVID Protocols and Procedures
The Brick Township School District is committed to providing our staff and students a safe and healthy learning environment. The district plan addressing COVID protocols and procedures is posted on our district website. You may also click here for quick access. This plan was developed in support of the guidance provided by the NJ DOE Road Forward: Health and Safety Guidance for the 2021-2022 School Year. Students will be expected to follow the district issued COVID guidelines and procedures throughout the duration of their implementation.
Join the BTHS - Parent Teacher Student Association
Please direct any questions to our PTSA President Mrs. Maria Velez at mvelez@brickschools.org
The PTSA is looking forward to the next opportunity to collaborate with our school community. A meeting link will be sent out to all parents and PTSA members the week prior to our next PTSA meeting.
Brick Township High School
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
Guidance Department
Lauren Ianniello - Grade 9 A-L
Angela Smith - Grade 9 M-Z
Jennie Piwowarczyk - Grade 10-12 A-De
Jenna Domingo - Grade 10-12 Di-K
Dawn Celona - Grade 10-12 L-Ri
Marie Walling - Grade 10-12 Ro-Z
Student Assistance Counselor
Child Study Team
Website: www.brickschools.org
Location: 346 Chambersbridge Road, Brick Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-785-3000
Twitter: @BTHSDragons