GOLDEN EAGLE
GAZETTE!
Hello Eagles, and welcome to the 2024-25 school year and our first issue of the Golden Eagle Gazette. As we embark on another exciting journey filled with learning, growth, and opportunities, we have decided to introduce this newsletter to improve communication between the school district, staff and students, and their families.
The Golden Eagle Gazette will celebrate our achievements, share important updates, and foster a sense of community within our school district. Whether you’re a returning student, a new addition to our school family, a dedicated teacher, or a supportive parent, we’re delighted to have you as part of our vibrant community.
Throughout the year, we’ll keep you informed about upcoming events, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and much more. It’s our goal to provide you with valuable insights, resources, and news. We encourage you to stay engaged, participate actively, and take advantage of the many opportunities available to you. Together, we will make this school year memorable, fulfilling, and enriching for everyone involved. So, keep reading!
CALENDAR & UPCOMING EVENTS:
• September 26
CRMS Door Decorating Contest
• September 26
CRMS Back to School Night
• October 14 Columbus Day (School Closed)
• October 16
Board of Education meeting (7pm in the HS Auditorium)
• October 18
Teacher In-Service (Half Day for Students)
WANT TO CELEBRATE AN AWESOME STAFFULTY MEMBER?
Central
Staffulty of the Month
Click here to nominate a staffulty member for CRSD’s Staffulty of the Month!
Click here to nominate a staffulty member for the National Jostens Renaissance Staffulty of the Month Award!
Newsletter Submissions
If you would like to share some information or a story for the Golden Eagle Gazette such as a newsworthy event, an innovative lesson in your classroom, club news, etc., please email Allison Freeman at afreeman@laura-bishop.com.
Central Regional Staff Jump for Joy
Just like in the Wizard of Oz, the Central Regional Middle School Staff clicked their heels and turned up at Central Regional just in time for the 2024-25 school year. They were so excited about it, that the staff literally jumped in the air.
“There’s no place like Central....there’s no place like Central...”
Check out the CRMS staff jumping (almost) in unison. Impressive staffulty! This replaces the usual staff photo taken at the beginning of the school year with something more fun.
BackCRMStoSchool
Kickoff
CRMS students and staff enjoyed a back-toschool kickoff celebration on the first day of school this year.
Staff and students competed in fun games including a tug-of-war, a basketball shootout and scooter race. The Golden Eagle spirit was everywhere.
“We wanted to get our students and staff excited about the new school year with all of the opportunities available to them,” CRMS Principal Joe Firetto said. “It was fun and exciting, and it gave us an opportunity to use our Central theme around the Wizard of Oz.” Students competed in their four different Wizard of Oz themed teams and each team represents a different character trait: Dorothy-Family and Citizenship; Tinman-Compassion; ScarecrowKnowledge and the Lion-Courage.
The teams earn points which they can use to qualify for prizes during the school year.
Q: How long have you served on the Board of Education?
A: First, I served on the Island Heights Elementary School Board for three years beginning in 2003. Then I ran for the Central Regional Board of Education in 2006 and still hold a seat on that Board. I have been a school board member for 21 years.
Q: What do you do professionally?
A: I have been the Director and owner of Ring Around The Rosie Preschool for 26 years.
Q: Do you have children and what are their names and grades?
A: My husband Pete and I have been married for 42 years and we have one daughter who is 31. Pete and I both graduated from Central Regional in 1977. Our daughter Gina graduated in 2012.
Q: Why did you run for the Board of Education?
A: I had no desire to run for the Board of Education in 2003. I had learned that the residents
Board of Education Member Profile
September Spotlight: Board of Education President Susan Cowdrick
of Island Heights wanted to try and dissolve the Central Regional School District and send our children to the Toms River School District. Even though the Toms River School District was closer to Island Heights, we would never have ownership, a seat on the Board of Education with voting power. Our children in Island Heights would attend the Toms River School District as a sendreceive with no guarantee of being able to finish their high school career in the same District.
With my daughter in fifth grade, this major move was important to me. I then learned that the local school board would make all the decisions on this dissolution process. I wanted to learn more about the steps the town would have to take to make this major change.
Being a school board member would give me what I was looking for. Unfortunately, I was too late to file a petition to get my name on the ballot, so I had to run as a write-in candidate. There were four candidates for two seats, but I was lucky enough in the election to win and obtain one of the seats as a write-in candidate.
As I was learning the role of a board member, I had come to realize that I truly enjoyed making decisions and implementing
EaglEs TakE FlighT EvEnT
Before the first home football game on August 30, all incoming students, their families and students from the elementary school sending districts came to the Central Regional campus to enjoy a fun-filled tailgating party.
Students enjoyed face painting, a dunk tank, games, and food. Principals and staff attended to welcome students and their families.
policies for the school district. I especially like to see the student achievements throughout the school year.
Q: What committees do you serve on?
A: Over the past 21 years, I have been involved and served on all of them. Since I am currently the President of the Board, I have a seat on all of them: Education, Policy, Student Activities, School Choice/International, Finance/ Special Initiative’s, Building and Grounds, Personnel, Safety/ Transportation, CR Foundation/ Athletics and Negotiations.
Q: What top priorities do you have for the 2024/2025 school year?
A: I would like our board to implement a few more Academies. I would like to see a culinary and medical academy.
The Board needs to make sure we serve our students with as many opportunities as possible to grow academically, mentally and personally. I would like to see our students have a greater sense of belonging and improve selfesteem. It is reported that even small acts of kindness heighten our sense of wellbeing.
Pre-Schoolers Can Enjoy Free CRHS Program
Parents of preschoolers who live in one of CRSD’s sending districts of Berkeley, Ocean Gate, Island Heights, Seaside Park or Seaside Heights, can register their preschool child for a free program offered at Central Regional High School.
The Child Development Program offers a drop-in program on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for children ages 3-5 from 9:15-11:45 a.m. (children must be potty trained) and for children ages 2-4 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
The Fall Session begins at the end of September and runs through January. Spring Session kicks off at the end of February and runs through early June. There is also a program offered for the Winter Break, from the end of January through the end of February class. The classes are “nut-free.” High School students enrolled in the child development class lead the planned activities and help pre-school students develop social skills, with circle-time activities, lesson time and playtime.
For more information and an enrollment form, please contact Child Development Teacher Ellen Giles at egiles@centralreg.k12.nj.us.
CRSD Applies for T-Mobile Grant for Stadium
Central Regional has recently applied for a T-Mobile grant to fund Friday night stadium lights, new turf, and a new digital scoreboard for our football stadium. These improvements would boost our game experience for our team and opposing teams, cheerleaders, marching band, and fans.
Central Regional Renaissance Committee Makes CRSD a Better Place
The Central Regional Renaissance Committee is all about building a culture where teachers love their jobs and students thrive in school. This summer, the Renaissance Executive Board attended the Global Renaissance Conference in Orlando, Florida, and brought back some amazing ideas for Central Regional.
The Renaissance Commitee focuses on glowing and growing relationships at CR. On the first few days of school, the committee focused on getting-to-know-you activities and ice breakers. Each month, we will focus on a different initiative. We are looking forward to a great year.
Football and winter and spring track coach
Bill Kvalheim, also a physical education teacher, has dealt with mental health concerns. In 2019, he and his wife Ciara Kvalheim, who is also the Central Regional head lacrosse coach, founded Tackle Depression to help others with mental health issues.
Kvalheim shared everything about his mental health issues with his wife and they decided they could work together to help other people - especially students - deal with mental health issues. “I wanted to share my story and give student athletes the opportunity to get some help and share their feelings with somebody. It definitely helps.”
The foundation also raises money for scholarships for multi-sport athletes who study the mental health field in college.
Kvalheim said he is pleased that Central Regional has partnered with InSite Health. “This will help students get the help that they need,” he said.
Tackle Depression also plans 5K races, a fundraiser with the Lakewood Blue Claws and other events throughout the year.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder said she loves how so many of her staff enjoy helping others in their spare time. “That is the culture of Central Regional,” she said. “Our staffulty are always making an effort to help
Central Regional
Seventh grade special education math teacher Holly Nitto, who also teaches the selfcontained students their electives, volunteers her time with her fiancé’s veteran-founded nonprofit, The Redondo Foundation, which helps veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and suicidal ideations.
Nitto’s fiancé, Don Redondo, an Army infantry combat medic who served in Iraq, started the nonprofit in 2022 to help his fellow veterans in NJ. Nitto helps The Redondo Foundation by fundraising in various ways for trips they take veterans on to remote locations to focus on post-traumatic growth where they work on mindfulness, meditation, equine therapy and more. They also offer a home-based program.
To learn more about these nonprofits and what they do, click on the foundation name to be taken to their website.
Staff Donate Time Helping Others
After Central Regional High School teacher Mark Haug lost his home to Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, he looked at natural disasters a bit differently. His experience made him better understand what survivors of other national disasters such as floods, earthquakes and hurricanes must go through and inspired him to do something to create his nonprofit Hold On, I’m Coming to try to make their recovery a bit easier. Haug takes a trailer full of supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo and hand sanitizer to national disaster sites, distributes them and feeds victims hotdogs and potato chips, cookies, granola bars as well as other non-perishables. He offers hot coffee and cold water.
“I lost my house in Sandy, and I had a lot of people help me get back on my feet,” Haug said. “One day, I decided that now is the time to try to do something (to help others), so I came up with the idea of helping.”
He recalls how a man dropped by his house after the hurricane which Haug was cleaning up and he offered Haug
a cup of hot coffee. That cup inspired Haug, who got a trailer together, loaded it up with what people might need and has helped 4,500 people so far.
“A lot of people do not realize that cold water and Gatorade go a long way with people cleaning up their house,” he said. Many do not have running water or electricity, so he sets himself up near an emergency relief center and usually gets there a few days before FEMA and the Red Cross.
Haug said he cannot believe how many friends he has made all over the country.
CRHS teacher Dan Torsiello was traveling in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa in 2021 where he visited a rural village and a school in one of the poorest regions of the world. He offered to help and so he got involved with the construction of a new school and created the Kivu Foundation. Unfortunately, the country is plagued by civil unrest and some rebels have taken over the school as the group’s headquarters.
Most of the families whose children attended the school fled to a large refugee camp, which Torsiello said was very unsafe. He worked with others to create a smaller refugee camp for the school’s families and now raises money to feed, clothe and educate them. Hopefully, once the conflict is resolved, the families will be able to return to their community and the school will be reopened.
“This experience has taught me that one person can make a difference as long as they apply themselves,” he said. “I feel that there is a sense of reward, a sense of community. At this point, I spend so much time with them (the families in Kivu), that they call me ‘father’ like I am an elder in the community and this is an extension of my family.”
Central Regional Students Enjoy Tour of London
This past summer, 16 Central Regional students enjoyed an educational tour of London with Mrs. Rafferty from August 1-9.
The nine-day educational trip included a visit to the British Museum and multiple West End shows including “Wicked,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and “Sister Act.” Students also had the opportunity to participate in theater workshops, visit Oxford, and Shakespeare's birthplace.
Upcoming tours include the following:
Spring Break 2025: France with Mrs. Kamienski
Please contact skamienski@centralreg.k12.nj.us for more information.
Summer 2025: Italy with Ms. Rafferty
Info Meeting on October 10 at 6 pm in the Presentation Room.
Please contact Ms. Rafferty at mrafferty@centralreg.k12.nj.us
Summer 2026: Greece with Mrs. Desaro and Mr. Torsiello
Info Meeting on October 3 at 6pm in the Presentation Room.
Please contact Mrs. Desaro at ddesaro@centralreg.k12.nj.us.
They even had some free time and could customize what they wanted to see in small groups. These groups checked out Taylor Swift Era's Tour Costume Walk in the Victoria and Albert's Museum, enjoyed a meal at an Indian restaurant, visited Abbey Road and Abbey Road Studios, and even gained special access to the original Hard Rock Cafe Vault to see rare memorabilia.
Fall 2026 - Iceland with Ms. Rafferty
Info Meeting on October 24 at 6pm in the Presentation Room.
Please contact Ms. Rafferty at mrafferty@centralreg.k12.nj.us
Inspirational Speaker Welcomes Students to New School Year
Central Regional Middle School students learned how to overcome obstacles and define themselves when Carlos Ojeda, an inspirational speaker, addressed students on the first day of school.
Mr. Ojeda, an inspirational speaker from CoolSpeak, a youth engagement company, told students to “create their own story” and “don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your goals.”
The speaker reinforced the middle school’s focus on relationship building, noted Middle School Principal Joe Firetto.
Staff
Shout-Out
Congrats to Mr. Aschenbach, whose ears must have been ringing when senior Aidan Miller praised his teaching to Alexandra Petris, Guidance Secretary, when he asked her to read over his college essay.
“Aidan mentioned that out of all the AP classes he’s taken here at Central, Mr. Aschenbach prepared him the most for his AP testing in which he received a 5 (highest score possible),” Ms. Petris said. “He stated that regardless of how difficult and vigorous the class was, Mr. Aschenbach offered amazing lessons that resonated and were pivotal in truly understanding Biology on a completely different level.
“I thought that it would be nice to hear about a teacher who has made an exceptional difference in someone’s educational career, especially as it came out so earnestly,” Ms. Petris said.
Marching Band Update
The CRHS Marching Eagles recently won the award for best music in its group 1A at the Brick Township High School’s Musicfest as part of the TOB Region 7 Concert. The 31-member Eagles band played “Revision” featuring the music of Beethoven. The Eagles also came in third place, according to Central Regional Director of Bands Austin Barney. Way to go Eagles!
Suicide Prevention Program Implemented
The Central Regional School District and the sending Ocean Gate District will be offering Lifelines, a comprehensive, schoolwide suicide prevention program for middle and high school students during the 2024-25 school year.
The goal of Lifelines is to promote a caring, competent school community in which seeking help is encouraged and modeled and suicidal behavior is recognized as an issue that cannot be kept secret. Lifelines will help train school staff members and students on how they can identify at-risk youth, provide an appropriate initial response, and get them the help they need.
CRHS Freshens Up Gymnasium, Foyer & Auditorium
Central Regional High School students went back to school this fall to some improvements to its gymnasium as well as its auditorium.
High School Principal Angelo Mazzuca said both projects were completed over the summer and will benefit all students. “The auditorium and gymnasium foyer are more than just big spaces; they are the heartbeat of our school’s spirit and pride,” he said.
As part of the work, the gymnasium received new flooring; the auditorium, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling.
Mr. Mazzucca said he was pleased with all of the work which will benefit students for years to come. “The auditorium is a central hub for creativity, expression, and community in our school,” he said.
“It’s where students showcase their talents, whether through performances, assemblies, or presentations, and where we come together to celebrate achievements and learn from one another. This space plays a vital role in fostering a sense of unity and pride, highlighting the diverse voices and skills that make our school unique.”
Central Regional High School senior Juliana Rindos paints her senior parking sport with her parents, Christina and Robert Rindos, the day before school started in September. "I grew up watching Spongebob and it was my favorite show, so I decided to paint my spot with a scene from my favorite episode."
CRhs ChoiR PERFoRms aT PhilliEs gamEs
Fifteen members of the Central Regional High School Choir performed the Star-Spangled Banner at the Philadelphia Phillies game on Sept. 9.
Students were excited to perform for such an enthusiastic crowd, and even more excited to sing with Superintendent Michelle CarneyRayYoder, who was a voice minor in college while also singing with The Accidentials, a William & Mary A Cappella Group.
The CRHS Choir has performed many times for the Blue Claws, but this was the first time that the students performed at a Phillies game, said Choral Director Beth Moore. “We love singing with the Blue Claws,” she said. “This was our first time singing at a Phillies game. It was just so exciting to be on the field.”
“Singing at the Phillies game with the CRHS chorus and Dr. Cry was an experience I’m so grateful for and will always cherish,” said senior Bri McName.
“Being able to sing at the Phillies game was such a fun and rewarding experience,” said senior Megan Gallas. “I’m so glad that the chorus was offered this exciting opportunity.”
This excitement follows the choir’s July 23 performance at a Foreigner Concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center. The group had asked the choir to perform with them seven years ago as Foreigner likes to invite local high school choirs to perform with them on stage.
New Partnership Announced
The Central Regional School District is partnering with the Tigger Stavola Foundation to offer motivational speakers to speak to our students about the dangers or drugs and alcohol.
In addition, the foundation is offering our students a new mobile, text-based, engagement program strategically designed to educate and support students and parents/caregivers about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, marijuana and tobacco/vaping.
New CRHS Club
Get ready for a brand-new club at Central Regional High School this year!
MOSS (Make Our School Safe) was created by officers who head other clubs to bring awareness of potential safety concerns to the students, boost our school security and cultivate a safe and comfortable learning environment.
The group had its first meeting with their volunteer advisers and Principal Mazzuca, to discuss these matters. Members also proposed a jeans day and asked staff to wear white to promote peace, help raise funds and bring awareness of the newly created club to the staff and students!
CRSD Staff Discuss Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environment
CRSD staff will meet on October 3 at 3 p.m. in the Board Office Conference Room to discuss Educational Equity and Social Justice Education to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all Central Regional students.
Staff will discuss strategies and best practices for promoting equity in their classrooms and school community. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students by breaking systemic barriers that hinder our students in marginalized groups,” said Christina Trengrove, who organized the meeting.
“We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all of our students here at Central Regional,” Trengrove said. “We recognize and value students of different identities and backgrounds, therefore meeting students where they are is essential to their growth and learning. To support students better, we must understand our own bias and how it informs our teaching as we address the specific needs of students in historically marginalized groups.”
The goal of Educational Equity and Social Justice Education is to provide equal access to quality education and resources, regardless of a student’s background or circumstances, she said. “This meeting was designed to ensure our students can see themselves in our curricula so we can foster development and education for all.”