AdministrationCentral Administration

District Mission Statement

Toms River Regional Schools is a community of dedicated students, professional staff, and supportive community members. Together we are committed to providing an innovative and rigorous educational experience that

• aligns with and exceeds New Jersey Student Learning Standards
• respects the dignity and safety of every person in the school community
• recognizes and nurtures the unique talents, interests, and experiences of each individual
• develops students into lifelong learners who are socially responsible, confident, value diversity, and are able to adapt to the present and future challenges of a complex world.

District Goals 2021-2022

Each year, district leaders craft challenging goals based on the progress of the previous years’ goals, achievement data, feedback from stakeholders, and a consideration of government mandates, local and societal needs, and relevant research. Our goals must be general enough to encompass and guide all other curricular and building goals, yet specific enough to be measurable and achievable. The district goals then form the basis for building goals, which in turn inform department, administrator, and teacher goals and professional development plans. Progress on these goals is reported mid-year and at the end of the school year.

1. Student Achievement: Maximize learning acceleration while addressing both the academic and mental health needs of all students. This goal will be achieved through rigorous core instruction and the implementation of individualized and targeted supports and enrichment opportunities, by way of a systematic multi-tiered approach to intervention and culturally responsive classroom instruction. Through the implementation of a high quality professional development plan, the administration and analysis of common assessments and the development of a K-12 mental health support structure for students and staff, we will aim to provide a data-driven, thorough and efficient education for all students.

2. Budget: Develop positive legislative, legal and advocacy efforts to address the ongoing loss of state aid, while revising financial plans, including any potential revenue shortfalls that need to be addressed on an emergent basis, as we reduce staff through attrition, maximize staffing through efficient scheduling systems, and consolidate administrative positions to the greatest extent possible so we can provide a thorough and efficient education for all students.

3. Facilities: Monitor and assess classroom and office spaces to ensure alignment with NJDOE & DOH guidelines. Continue working with project managers to complete referendum projects within timetables of the project contract and allocate facilities staff to address other deficiencies and complete preventative maintenance within our buildings as needed to provide a thorough and efficient education for all students.

4. Technology: Implement a targeted approach to college and career readiness skills for both staff and students by (1) providing equitable access to digital learning opportunities both in school and at home; (2) maximizing the efficiency of our one-to-one initiative; (3) enhancing cross curricular teaching and learning through an integrated approach to technology instruction; (4) leveraging technology tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning in order to provide a thorough and efficient education for all students.

5. Community and Communications: Continue to foster and expand partnerships with local, county and state organizations, focusing on culturally responsive recruitment efforts and ensuring equity and inclusiveness, while addressing mental health and integrated learning opportunities for staff and students. Increase consistency in collecting feedback from and utilizing multiple modes of communication for all stakeholders. Continue to seek out opportunities to broaden communication efforts, inviting partners and families to learn and grow as the district recovers from the pandemic while providing a thorough and efficient education for all students.

Approved at the August 2021 BOE meeting

District Vision

Toms River Regional Schools are, above all, student centered. We recognize the classroom as a place where all students

1. feel safe to learn, work together, and express themselves respectfully;
2. are encouraged to discover and develop their interests and abilities, no matter what their present level of performance;
3. are offered experiences in new and wider fields of knowledge that can make life richer and more satisfying. 
   

We understand that all of a person's experiences influence that person's development. The curriculum of Toms River Regional Schools, therefore, embraces pupil opportunities-- classroom instruction, extracurricular activities, field experiences, social functions, and community projects-- that embrace the whole child. Recognizing and encouraging student choice and voice are fundamentally to achieving this vision.

Being a lifelong learner means not only developing habits of mind that include analysis, introspection, critical thinking, and problem solving, but also applying a mindset that ensures personal future readiness and becoming a socially responsible citizen: adaptability, flexibility, mindfulness, empathy, tolerance, open-mindedness, and grit. The district is committed to helping students strengthen these traits through authentic learning opportunities that connect them with their community and the larger world.

Many closely interrelated factors determine the degree to which we can create a positive  learning environment. We acknowledge the importance of physical surroundings, but even more important are human relationships. Supportive, caring, and professionally bounded connections between students and staff help promote growth and a sense of belonging.

We believe that no educational philosophy can be static. The aims and policies of the Toms River Regional Schools are being continually reexamined in light of changing pupil and community needs. We encourage continuous feedback and revision.