NEA Big Read | Toms River Regional School District

This Year's Selection: An American Sunrise

We'll be exploring the collection of Native American-themed poetry by author and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. See below for more details and resources.

press release

Links & Info

Ocean County Library NEA Big Read: Toms River 2021 Programming Calendar Flyer

See what's in store!

OCL Calendar With Links

A full slate of fun, interactive, and virtual events centered around An American Sunrise with links to register.

NEA Big Read: Toms River 2021 Official Poster

Share it, print it, display it.

An American Sunrise Read-A-Likes

For Middle Schoolers

An American Sunrise Read-A-Likes

For Tweens

An American Sunrise Read-A-Likes

For Teens

High School Unit Plan

What, exactly, will students be exploring about An American Sunrise? It's all here ...

NEA Big Read: Toms River News

Students Join U.S. Poet Laureate for Emotional, Impactful Event

NEA Big Read: Toms River's 2021 Keynote Event witnessed students gathering together for the first time in more than a year. That alone made it memorable. But performances from students and a keynote presentation from author, artist, and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo made it resonate even more.
Jun 11, 2021
Join Cliff Matias and OCL for a May 19 NEA Big Read Event

Ocean County Library is hosting an exploration of Native American music May 19 with Cliff Matias, a world-renowned performer, artist, photographer, and educator.
May 11, 2021
OCL to Host Jasilyn Charger May 5

A renowned youth advocate, environmental activist, and Sioux Tribe member who, as a teen, started the infamous Standing Rock protest and encampment, Jasilyn Charger is awaiting a high profile trial for "trespassing" charges on what the Sioux consider their tribal land. She will appear at Ocean County Library as part of NEA Big Read May 5. See flyer for details.
May 03, 2021
Joy Harjo To Visit District May 27

The An American Sunrise author and U.S. Poet Laureate will give a keynote presentation from the High School North field May 27, to be live-streamed and broadcast to other schools.
Apr 26, 2021
Rachel Ignotofsky to Meet With Students March 25

As planned, New York Times best-selling author Rachel Ignotofsky will kick off NEA Big Read and cap off Women's History Month with a special guest appearance for Toms River Regional Schools students March 25 at 1 p.m.
Mar 18, 2021
NEA Big Read Will Kick Off With Talk by NYT Best-Selling Author

NJ native Rachel Ignotofsky will speak virtually as part of Women’s History Month.
Feb 23, 2021
Joy Harjo will serve a rare third term as U.S. poet laureate

From PBS News Hour
Jan 28, 2021
U.S. Poet Laureate Will Visit Toms River for NEA Big Read

Joy Harjo will provide a keynote presentation May 27.
Jan 27, 2021

NEA Big Read: Toms River Photo Gallery

Intermediate-level Poetry Slam winners Dante Kanterezhi-Gatto (second from left); Nina DeBellis, and Terrence Thomas (far right) stand with their teacher Tina Sroczynski. Each student earned a Visa gift card for their efforts, and Nina performed her poem during the NEA Big Read Keynote Event May 27. (6/11/21)

Curriculum writing is underway. (4/16/21)

Ahhhh ... books! (4/15/21)

The district's Tech Department-- specifically Matt Lametta-- helped arrange the live stream of Rachel Ignotofsky's Kickoff Event March 25, and juggled multiple screens to ensure it went off without a hitch ... which it did! (3/25/21)

The district unveiled its annual official poster for NEA Big Read: Toms River. View the poster it full and download it here. (1/28/21)

In preparation for NEA Big Read: Toms River and An American Sunrise, the district’s culturally responsive teaching cohort of educators and high school volunteers gets together virtually to discuss implementing the read-a-like Fry Bread into curriculum for Title I students. (1/6/21)

An American Sunrise author Joy Harjo, who will visit Toms River May 27, 2021, earned a rare third consecutive term as the United States Poet Laureate. (11/19/20)

The Music of Appalachia program at Ocean County Library was a hit!

Students in Ms. Plewik’s class at High School North proudly show off their copies of Burning Bright during a virtual lesson about the book as part of NEA Big Read.

High School North Assistant Principal and Arts Academy Principal Chris Madigan is caught in the act of enjoying the district's 2019 NEA Big Read selection, Burning Bright.

A High School North student reflects at the Protectors of Freedom monument during a March 26 site visit.

Vietnam veteran Jeff Shapiro poses with an Intermediate South student during his guest appearance at the school to discuss his experiences during the war.

“Cross Curricular Big Read Instruction at the Intermediate Level” was an intimate workshop held Feb. 18 as part of the district's 2019 Professional Development Day. Intermediate educators who are teaching The Things They Carried for NEA Big Read discussed student-centered topics of discussion and how to best incorporate cross-curricular instruction. A gallery of Vietnam-era photos—like the one here—include questions for both introspection and classroom discussion.

Ocean County Library is ready for NEA Big Read! In fact, the program is barely underway, and half of the stock of The Things They Carried is already checked out. (2/15/19)

Outside the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum

The traveling trunk of Vietnam War memorabilia was picked up from the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum in Holmdel on Feb. 15. It will travel throughout all secondary schools during February and March.