Friday, May 3, 2013
Students, parents, coaches, boosters are all welcome on Brick Patch.
Are you a regular at Brick sports events? Do you follow the Mustangs or the Dragons and keep track of results? Whether you're a high school student, a coach, a parent or just an enthusiastic sports fan who would like to share your local sports knowledge with the community, we'd love to have you as a blogger. If you're interested in blogging about high school sports on Brick Patch, we'd love to hear from you! Send me an email at adam.hochron@patch.com and tell me a little about yourself. And if you're already blogging on your own, send a link and we'll take a look. Blogging is easy on Brick Patch. Just click here to learn more.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
New superintendent working to improve college readiness; district fell short of state goals last year
Some of the data on Brick Township's high schools in a new report out from the state Department of Education could be seen as troubling, but new superintendent Dr. Walter Uszenski said this week that he has already put reforms and programs in place to improve student achievement. The state's new School Performance Report, which replaces the long-used School Report Cards as part of national common core standards, places extra emphasis on student achievement in college and beyond secondary school. The new reports also do away with district factor groups – large groupings of school districts that were supposed to have had similar socioeconomic traits – for comparison purposes and instead use "peer schools," which are said to be specific …
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Brick teacher/coach Vernon Hankins remembered for ability to inspire those around him
Vernon Hankins was the kind of person who never hesitated to help those around him. Whether it was helping his students find their artistic voices or helping in his community, he was always there for others, with a kind word to lift them up just when life had pushed them way down. “He had a way of looking at things just a little bit differently and changing the way you thought about them,” said Kristina Haffey Weaver, a 1995 graduate of Brick High School, where Hankins taught for more than 20 years. “He could always lift your spirits.” “He truly cared about everyone,” said Rebecca Turner, a 2006 graduate of Brick who played field hockey for Hankins. “He made high school even more special.” “I just wish I could thank him,” Turner said. “He …
Sunday, November 18, 2012
What do we do now to deal with unintended consequences of post-hurricane generosity?
You’ve probably been asked by out-of-state friends where to send Hurricane Sandy donations and what kind? It’s a daunting task to advise people when you’re in the midst of a crisis, but as the Associated Press reported, unwanted donations can become a “disaster after the disaster.” “Ad hoc relief groups need to make sure they are taking in only items that are requested and can be distributed. Money is the best because organizations don't have to pay to move it and can tailor spending to changing needs,” James McGowan, a representative from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster reportedly told AP. I saw this problem firsthand after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks when I volunteered with the Salvation Army. I was assigned …
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Anthony Starego has autism, but is playing a vital part of the Dragons' football team
When Anthony Starego was 12 years old, he watched as Jeremy Ito lined up to kick a 28-yard field goal for Rutgers, then watched as the ball sailed through the uprights, giving the Scarlet Knights a 28-25 upset victory over the Louisville Cardinals, then ranked No. 3 in the nation. "He watched it and watched it and watched it," says Ray Starego, Anthony's father, who's been a Rutgers season ticket-holder since 1988. A few days later, Anthony went to his dad and told him he wanted to be a kicker, too. So his parents, Ray and Reylene, sought out the Brick Pop Warner program and enrolled him. The first practice didn't go smoothly. When a coach placed his hands on Anthony to move him to the right position, Anthony balked, Ray said. "He told the…
Friday, September 21, 2012
Superintendent, principals spearheading effort
Brick Township's two high schools have the potential to be great, and school officials say a new plan which will use data-driven assessments and a team outlook on teaching and learning will help it reach that potential. "We want to make sure that all our students are learning at the highest possible level," said Dr. Richard Caldes, principal of Brick Memorial High School. He and Brick Township High School Principal Dennis Filippone announced an ambitious plan at Thursday night's Brick Board of Education meeting which they say will improve test scores, get the two high schools in sync in terms of curriculum and create a professional learning community. "We want teachers to build shared knowledge and be collegial about testing and pacing," …
Board may consider conduct policy
Board members and at least one member of the public called for better behavior at high school football games at a Board of Education meeting Thursday, after what was described as a plethora of foul language and overall poor conduct at the recent rivalry game between the Dragons and Mustangs. "The language, the activities of some of the students and even parents, was deplorable," said board vice president John Talty, calling the display "a disgrace." "I hope the administrators make sure that they take every action to make sure that this never happens again," he said. After the Sept. 7 football game, hosted this year by Brick Memorial, township residents on Patch and elsewhere discussed the behavior of fans at the game, including some …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Bands Slated to Premiere Shows At First Football Game Friday
When the Brick Township High School football team plays its first game at Brick Memorial High School on Friday, fans in attendance will get more for their money than football -- they will be the first to see the high school marching bands' new shows. The 80 members of the Brick Memorial Marching Mustangs will premiere their tribute to the Apollo 13 mission, complete with audio from the original BBC broadcast about the aborted 1970 space mission and the movie starring Tom Hanks, according to Director of Bands Andrew Penrod. "We try to pick a theme or concept and try to get music to portray it," said Penrod. "We start in January talking about concepts, listen to tons of music and settle on a show." Penrod said they unveiled the show at an …
Monday, July 2, 2012
Neighboring districts participation rate is higher, too
Both Brick Township High School and Brick Memorial High School lag behind the state's average when it comes to the number of students who take advanced placement courses. At BTHS, 8.3 percent of students completed at least one advanced placement test by the end of the 2010-11 school year, according to recently-released state data. At BMHS, 10.3 percent of students took at least one AP test. The percentages at both schools significantly lagged the state average of 22.9 percent of students who completed the tests. Advanced Placement, or AP, courses are designed to mirror college courses and can be used for college credit at many schools nationwide. Students must complete a test to receive college credit for the course. The state calculated …
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
BTHS graduates at 4 p.m., Memorial at 6:15 p.m.
Seniors at both of the township's high schools will walk down the aisle today and celebrate their accomplishments. Commencement ceremonies at both Brick Township High School and Brick Memorial High School will take place today. BTHS will hold its ceremony at 4 p.m., while BMHS students will graduate at 6:15 p.m. Motorists should expect traffic delays in the areas of both schools as cars funnel in and out of the parking lots at the beginning and end of each ceremony. Brick Patch will be at both ceremonies to take photos, which can be viewed here on the site afterwards. There will also be a space for readers to post their own photos and give "shout outs" and well wishes to loved ones, friends and neighbors.
Resident
2:08 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013
It amazes me that former players are suing for head injuries. No one made them play the game. it reminds me of the people that sue the cigarette companies for getting lung cancer even though they knew the risks. more ›