See what's in store!
A full slate of fun, interactive, and virtual events centered around An American Sunrise with links to register.
About the book
Share it, print it, display it.
For Middle Schoolers
For Tweens
For Teens
... and here.
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.
Kickoff event crew
Multiple kickoff event book discussions included parents, school and district administrators, and military personnel.
This High School South student is ready for NEA Big Read!
2018-2019 selected novel
2018-2019 official poster
Station Eleven-inspired, Traveling Symphony-themed Halloween parade float (NEA Big Read: Toms River 2017)
A panel discussion at Ocean County College featuring Station Eleven author Emily St. John Mandel (NEA Big Read: Toms River 2017)
TRSTV interviewed the Station Eleven author.
Downtown mural
Working on the mural (NEA Big Read: Toms River 2017)