BRICK – The school year is already underway, but some back-to-school shopping was still taking place.
At the most recent Board of Education meeting, Cheryl Dyer, president of the Women’s Club of Brick, spoke of a gift she had for the student representatives for the evening.
“I came bearing gifts,” said Dyer. “The Women’s Club, in collaboration with (Superintendent Thomas) Farrell and the principals, designed one of our Cubs for Causes, which is a fundraiser that we have this year.”
The Cubs for Causes bears were given to student representatives Kelly Murtha from Brick Memorial and Andy Lorenzo from Brick Township High School. Each bear, created with the school’s colors and design, supports a special cause. This year, the cause is student scholarships, Dyer said. “We gave out $6,000 in scholarships last year,” said Dyer. “Every 30 bears sold will generate $1,000 in scholarships.”
“We do a lot of things to support the schools, one of which was the school supply drive that we had, and we donated supplies for about 165 students at the elementary schools,” Dyer later told The Brick Times.
“This year we started a new initiative. We designed a bear cub that is stuffed like a cuddly stuffed animal. One for Brick Township High School and one for Brick Memorial. We’ve had the fabric specially made and we’re hoping to sell a lot,” said Dyer, who said the club has been in Brick for 90 years and donates frequently to Brick Schools.
To learn more about the Cubs for Causes program, visit: womensclubofbrick.org
According to the agenda minutes, donations came from many different organizations. 92.7 WOBM’s Shawn & Sue’s Stuff the Bus campaign donated school supplies valued at approximately $1,000. Broadway Bar & Grill, along with the Brick Republican Club, donated school supplies valued at approximately $1,500.
A donation of furniture, materials, supplies, and other items for the Veterans Memorial Middle School “Middle Ground” Grief Center, valued at approximately $2,268.44, was donated by the VMMS PTA, National PTA, and New York Life Insurance Foundation, according to the agenda minutes. Another donation of playground equipment, valued at approximately $24,000, was donated by the Lanes Mill Elementary School PTA.
Brick Township schools, along with a host of other shore school systems, have been plagued by school budget cuts from Trenton over the past few years.
During the meeting, board members were adamant about how positive the start of the school year has been. With a bell-to-bell ban on internet-enabled devices in place, several board members said students will notice an academic difference.
The state law was “signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2026” and “the mandate officially takes effect for the 2026–2027 school year,” according to the New Jersey School Board Association. All New Jersey district K-12 schools must abide by this state law, which is designed to keep students off their cell phones, smartwatches, laptops, and other internet-enabled devices during school hours.
The student representatives also got an opportunity to fill in the public on what is happening in their respective schools.
Kelly Murtha is from Brick Memorial and is president of the Student Government Association, as well as a 4 -year varsity cheerleader and cross-country runner, according to Dr. Farrell, who announced her credentials before she addressed the panel.
Murtha spoke about academics at Brick Memorial, specifically the school’s AP scholars. Murtha also discussed the activities expo and the students who participated. She also discussed the Mustangs football season and the boys’ cross-country team’s performance.
“Students have responded positively to the expectation that cell phones and other personal internet-enabled devices remain secured throughout the school day,” she said. “We are already seeing encouraging results. Our cafeterias are louder with conversation, students are interacting more in the hallways, and we are seeing more faces instead of students looking down at the screens.”
Andy Lorenzo, president of the senior class at Brick Township High School, discussed a recent award Brick Township High School received. “We are excited to announce that Brick Township High School has once again been recognized as a sustainable school and will be honored at the 2026 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Award ceremony for achieving bronze certification with an impressive 190 points,” he said. “This is the third time BTHS has received the Bronze Sustainable School recognition award.”
Lorenzo also spoke next about athletics at the school. The girls’ field hockey team has an impressive 8-0 record.
Reports were also given. Maria Roberts, Business Administrator and Board Secretary, presented items such as the facilities and finance reports. Alyce Anderson, Director of Curriculum, then offered comments.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for October 29 at 6 p.m. at the Brick Professional Development Center.
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