Prosecutor: 'I'm Coming' for Drugs in Schools

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 …

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SAT Participation Rate Below State Average Due to OCC Enrollment, Super Says

School district's relationship with the county college makes attendance an attractive option, according to Toms River superintendent

Participation in the SAT college admission test among Toms River high school students is below the state average, according to a recently released report. None of Toms River's three high schools met the statewide 80 percent SAT participation target set by the state Department of Education. Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli said that is because many students choose to enroll in Ocean County College, an economical educational option that does not require SAT scores for admission. "If, because of the economy, our kids can't afford to go to four-year schools, they're saving their time and money by going to OCC. I don't think that's something people should look down on," Roselli said.  At High School South, 60 percent of students took the…

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Karen Nisivoccia-Campbell

11:36 am on Friday, April 19, 2013

Entertainment program? Where do you kids go to school? Mine have done the same boring field trip to the "Ritacco Center" year after year after year. Nothing else. You get what you take from your education. Some students excel and some are slackers it happens in every school district.   more ›

Alzheimer's Research Earns High School North Student Top Honor

Senior Jacob Kupferberg will travel to a national science symposium in May

Not only is Jacob Kupferberg going to represent High School North at a national science symposium next month, he's the first student from Ocean County to do so.  A senior, Kupferberg is one of 30 enrolled in the school's Authentic Science Research class, a program that allows students to focus on a specific topic over three years. Kupferberg's Alzheimer's research was recognized last month at the Monmouth Junior Science Symposium, which means he will travel to Ohio in May for the national gathering. "This is really, truly, original research that no one has done," said Pamela Dixon, the director of the Authentic Science Research program at High School North who has taught Kupferberg in the class for the past three years.  "It's exciting …

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Hurricane Sandy

VOTE: High School North Vying for 'Dream Prom'

Three other schools affected by Superstorm Sandy in the running for a "dream prom"

Toms River High School North is among four schools affected by Superstorm Sandy in the running for a "dream prom" courtesy of Rent the Runway.  "Everyone was, and is still, personally affected by Sandy’s devastation," reads a posting accompanying a video submitted by High School North at the voting website. "People lost homes, businesses, and all their personal belongings. Slowly, but surely, we are recovering. The saying is true: nothing unites people like a tragedy, and Toms River, as a whole, is working together to Restore the Shore, for we are Jersey Strong." The winning school will receive a prom designed by celebrity party planner David Tutera, a surprise music performance, complimentary prom dresses, tuxedo rentals, a photographer …

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Tent City at Racetrack Now Housing Evacuees from Toms River

Hundreds were moved to Monmouth Park as temporary shelters around the area begin to shut down.

As local shelters set up to house those displaced by the ravages of Hurricane Sandy begin to close, hundreds of evacuees were moved to the giant tents erected at Monmouth Park for shelter on Wednesday, according to the Wall Street Journal. Toms River Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Daley told Toms River Patch that the shelter at Toms River High School North's Pine Belt Arena began to break down Wednesday night. Toms River Regional Schools have been closed throughout the storm response as two of their buildings are operating as shelters. But the district plans to reopen for school Monday, Nov. 12.  ”Owners of the original shelters told us the needed to go back to normal business,” said Red Cross spokeswoman Anne Marie …

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Family: Whiz Kid (Student Spotlight)

Toms River North Students to Trick or Treat for Charity Items on Monday

Noon- 3 p.m., Thespian Society students going door-to-door for donations

It's not a trick. Toms River High School North's thespian society students decided to use the rescheduled trick or treating day, Monday, to solicit donations door-to-door for local Hurricane Sandy relief. The trick-or-treaters will be ringing doorbells and hoping for bottles of shampoo instead of bars of chocolate. The thespians will be out in their neighborhoods Monday, Nov. 5 from noon to 3 p.m. From parent Danielle Musicant: "The Toms River High School North Thespians are trick or treating on Monday November 5th from noon to 3:00pm and are asking for items needed for local shelters to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The International Thespian Society is a group of Honor High School students who are involved in theatre and community…

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Family: Whiz Kid (Student Spotlight)

Singing Yard Sale Aids Mariners' Theater

Saturday event on Mapletree Road

Why go to any old yard sale when you can go to one that comes with its own entertainment, in the form of Toms River High School North students singing show tunes and other ditties. A "Singing Yard Sale" will serve as a fundraiser for the Toms River North Nautical Star Theatre Company acting students, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Sept. 22 at 127 Mapletree Road. Students will be entertaining shoppers providing impromptu and scheduled performances. And, of course there will be garage sale items for purchase. The event is a fundraiser for the students, as they save up for a June trip to a Nebraska acting festival, said Toms River North Nautical Star Theatre Company adviser Carolyn Little. "This is a singing yard sale. So come out, buy some …

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Brothers Charged with Drug Offenses at Home Near High School North

Police allegedly seize heroin, cocaine

Two brothers were charged with drug offenses after a county raid of their home, located near Toms River High School North, Thursday evening. Authorities descended on the Dallas Drive home, located across the street from the high school and vocational school, around 7 p.m. June 14. Police allegedly found approximately 100 bags of heroin, a quantity of cocaine under one half ounce as well as approximately $800 dollars in cash, police said. Police also seized assorted drug paraphernalia including hypodermic syringes. Ocean County Capt. Jack Sramaty would not say whether the home impacted the high school, however the close proximity of the home to the school led to additional charges for the two brothers. Robert J. Dello, 27,  was charged with…

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Kudos

Hirtes Hike Raises $32K for Local Families in Need

Annual event at High School North helps four families with $8,000

The third annual "Hirtes Hike," a charity event to raise money for Toms River families in need, raised approximately $32,000. This year's Hirtes Hike was held on May 12. The event, held at Toms River High School North, included a 5k to help raise money for the charity, as well as vendors, games, blow up carnival rides, a dunk tank and a huge 200+ person zumba session.  Four families each received $8,000 to help defray the cost of medical bills and other expenses, said Brett Smith, a lacrosse coach at High School North who helps organize the event, in an announcment this weekend. "Each year the Hike continues to flourish and grow because of overwhelming support from the community," Smith said.

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Two Toms River High Schools Add Police In Response to Online Bullying

Website saw "flood of abusive posts" and superintendent asks for additional officer, patrol car at North and East

An increased police presence at Toms River High Schools North and East this week comes after concerns of online bullying and harassment of students at the two schools. Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Frank Roselli said website hsmemes.com had "a flood of negative and abusive postings" between students, but posted anonymously, and this prompted the superintendent to ask for additional police presence at the two high schools yesterday. Roselli said the Toms River Police have been monitoring the site and made the decision Monday night to add police presence at the two schools. Tuesday an additional office and police car patroled high schools North and East but the day otherwise proceeded without interruption. "The nature of several…

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