Thursday, May 23, 2013
Ocean County prosecutor told High School North students he will not allow drugs in schools
On his 60th day in office as Ocean County's prosecutor, Joseph Coronato made a pledge to high school students: if they're involved with drugs, he will find out. "I'm telling you up front, I'm coming," he told Toms River High School North students during an assembly at in the school's auditorium Wednesday. Since he took office, each day someone has died in Ocean County from a drug overdose, Coronato said. Of those, 60 percent are between the ages of 20 and 24. To stop the problem, the prosecutor said that he will take action in Ocean County schools so teenagers don't get involved with drugs in the first place. "I'm not going to allow any drugs in school," Coronato said to applause from some students. A spike in overdoses prompted …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Man is charged with impersonating and officer and committing a sex crime at Intermediate East in January
Concerned parents said that Toms River school officials should have alerted the public immediately about a January incident where a township man allegedly impersonated a police officer and committed a sex crime on a teacher inside a school. "I do not like the way the incident at Toms River Intermediate East was handled," parent Jennifer Hoffman told the Board of Education during a regular meeting Tuesday night, her remarks met with applause from some in the audience at High School East. "I would like you to consider putting a policy in place that parents would be notified sooner than four months," she said. Bruce A. Figular, 50, allegedly entered Intermediate East during a regular school day through an open door in January, claiming to be…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Parents concerned that they weren't immediately notified after alleged incidents in January
Toms River school officials did not immediately notify parents about the alleged unauthorized entry of a man identifying himself as a police officer and subsequent sexual contact on a teacher at the request of law enforcement authorities, Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli said in a letter addressed to parents. Bruce A. Figular, 50, allegedly entered Intermediate East during a regular school day through an open door, claiming he was a police officer, on or about Jan. 13, and proceeded to the classroom where the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said he committed a sex crime on a teacher. "At the time of the incident, law enforcement officials directed the district to not make public comments about the incident, particularly because …
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Students from High School North honored by Congressman Jon Runyan
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Saturday, May 11
Toms River High School North students were recently honored by Congressman Jon Runyan for their achievement in art. The 2013 Congressional Art Competition Best in Show winner, Carli Grace of Toms River, will have her work entitled "A Walk in My Shoes" displayed in the tunnel leading to the U.S. Capital Building in Washington D.C. for one year "This year’s Art Competition entries were truly amazing," Runyan said in a statement. "I was very impressed with the talent from all of the students. I can only imagine how difficult the decision was for the judge. I am looking forward to hosting Carli in Washington D.C. and showing off her work to my colleagues and the millions of people who walk the halls of the Capitol Building." First place …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Tell us about Toms River's standout educators
If you can read this, thank a teacher. May 7 is Teacher Appreciation Day, the day when we can express our thanks to educators who have helped their students excell. We'd like to know — which teachers in Toms River, past or present, have made a lasting impact? Has a particular teacher gone above and beyond to ensure that you or your child had the opportunity to succeed? Tell us all about them in the comments section below! So, if you're planning to thank a teacher with a gift, below is some advice. Historically, teachers tend to get fake apples and such, and apparently, they appreciate the sentiment, but... According to the Rev. Dr. Suzi Robertson of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Washington, even teachers can have their fill of …
Friday, May 3, 2013
Bruce A. Figular, 50, entered a Toms River school unlawfully in January, authorities said
A Toms River man impersonated a police officer to enter a township school where he committed aggravated sexual contact on a teacher, an indictment charges. Bruce A. Figular, 50, allegedly unlawfully entered a Toms River school during a regular school day through an open door, claiming he was a police officer, on or about Jan. 13, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. "He was challenged by a school employee and presented himself as an active duty New Jersey State Trooper," Della Fave said in a statement. "Once inside one of the classroom areas, he committed an act of aggravated sexual contact upon one of the teachers." Children were present in the building at the time of the incident, but not in the classroom where the alleged…
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Student Advisory Committee expanded from small beginnings at High School East to other Toms River schools
Some students have trouble connecting with their school. When they aren't invested, they can lack the motivation to succeed. So Pat Thomas, assistant principal at High School East, spearheaded a program designed to help those students. The Student Advisory Committee created four years ago has helped children at his school improve and is growing, helping others throughout the district. "This program is all about saving kids," said Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli during a presentation of the program to Board of Education members Tuesday night. The committee formed at High School East four years ago with about 20 students paired with a mentor teacher. Now, that number has grown to about 85 there, and as of two years ago all of Toms…
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Awards were presented to teachers by Plymouth Rock Assurance
Toms River teachers received more than $11,000 in 14 grants presented by Plymouth Rock Assurance – Teachers’ Insurance Plan of New Jersey. Rather than spend money advertising, representatives for the insurance company catering to educators said that they would rather put funds toward programs for students. "Teachers’ Insurance has always been an active partner of educators throughout New Jersey," said Erin Collinson, marketing and media relations manager. "To date, the company has donated over $168,000 in grants, scholarships, and incentives across 21 school districts." The grants presented this week ranged from the high school to elementary school level. A list of award recipients is below:
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Annette Ruch has been an educational support professional in Toms River for 18 years
Toms River educators honored one of their own Tuesday night, as Intermediate South paraprofessional Annette Ruch was recognized for receiving county and state recognitions for her dedication to education. Ruch, who has worked as a paraprofessional for 18 years, was recently chosen as both the Ocean County and New Jersey Educational Support Professional of the year. Toms River's Board of Education honored her for the distinctions. "That is a huge accomplishment," said Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli, who has known Ruch during her entire tenure in Toms River. "Annette, this is your night." Among other positions, Ruch has served on the Ocean County Council of Education Association Executive Committee, and as the Toms River Education …
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Frank Roselli will retire at the end of the school year after suffering a heart attack
With the district's superintendent scheduled to retire at the end of June, Toms River Board of Education members have begun to consider how to go about finding the school system's next leader. Members heard from a New Jersey School Boards Association representative Monday about how they could move forward through the organization's fee-based search to replace outgoing superintendent Frank Roselli, 61, who submit his letter of retirement last month after suffering a heart attack. "Everything that we do begins and ends with the board," said Field Service Representative Kathy Winecoff. The NJSBA plan, which has several tiers of search involvement ranging in price from $3,500 to $15,00, is not the only option for the board. They can seek out…
SANDY PARISI
9:28 am on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Totally, totally agree with JD. more ›