The BERKELEY Times Vol. 28 - No. 37
In This Week’s Edition
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Government Page 8
Community News Pages 9-20
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
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February 25, 2023
CENTRAL REGIONAL MEETINGS ADDRESS CULTURE OF BULLYING By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – A school official outlined a plan to address the bullying at Central Regional during a press conference, but it was not presented to residents at a public meeting filled with conflict hours later. These prospective initiatives include: • Organization of a steering committee, including parents, to evaluate and update their approach to bullying and other issues; • Retaining an outside party to examine their policies and their responses to this crisis; • Reviewing the District’s cell phone policy; • Scheduling a student assembly to discuss bullying, social media risks and related contemporary issues; • Establishing a toll-free hotline operated by an outside party, for students to call (anonymously if they wish) if they feel threatened physically or online; • Arranging guest speakers for student assemblies focused on avoiding and (Bullying - See Page 4)
- Photo by Chris Lundy A student talks about how she misses Adriana Kuch.
Several Shopping Centers Purchased
─Photo by Chris Lundy City strip malls were part of the sale.
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Holiday City is usually thought of as acres of senior housing, but the company that built them also built several strip malls for the residents to shop at. They were sold in a large transaction recently. “Holid ay Cit y has
changed hands,” Berkeley Councilwoman Sophia Gingrich notified the public at a recent Township Council meeting. A resident of a senior community herself, she mentioned that some of her residents have (Shopping - See Page 19)
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Teen’s Suicide Sparks Other Districts To Look Closer At Bullying
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – The tragedy hit entirely too close to home – at most, a few exits north on the Garden State Parkway. Adriana Kuch took her own life earlier this month. The fourteen-year-old Central Regional High School freshman’s suicide has ignited every family’s worst fear. Bullying can be deadly – whether it involves physical contact or not. In a national news interview last week, Michael Kuch related his final conversation
with his daughter. Adriana was upset that her attackers took to social media to bully her further. A video circulated showing a group of girls physically attacking her in a school hallway. She was dead by her own hands the following morning. People who never met Adriana remain heartbroken by her shortened life. Adriana’s death has also sparked the spotlight on bullying and the way schools address it. Toms River Superintendent Michael Citta told parents they are
also heartbroken over what happened and explained how the district is responding. “Our building administrators, counselors, teachers and support staff have been traveling from classroom to classroom to offer an ear, have a discussion, and talk about resources in our schools, district, and community that can provide support for any traumatic or everyday situation. It is extremely important that our students and families know we are here to listen and support them. In fact, (Districts - See Page 5)
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