Students With Multiple Disabilities Shine In The Spotlight Prescribed Burns Helped Contain Recent Wild res

By Stephanie Faughnan STAFFORD

– The Stafford Township Arts Center lit up with a remarkable show presented by local students with multiple disabilities. Their performance included a heartwarming showcase of inclusivity and support – a resounding success in every way.

The stars of the show were students in grades 3-6 who regularly attend Stafford Schools in self-contained classroom settings. However, supporting roles for the “In the Spotlight” appearances featured another group of special kids. A selection of sixthgrade students from Stafford Intermediate School attended as many as ten rehearsals to assist their peers. They worked diligently behind the scenes, practicing routines and dressing in black attire to serve as “stagehands” during the actual show. The audience included the performers’ families

(Shine - See Page 4)

Teen Entrepreneurs Impress Judges In ‘Sink or Swim’ Competition

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – Local teens took a deep dive into showcasing their entrepreneurial skills at Ocean County College’s third annual “Sink or Swim” competition. Hosted by the college’s Entrepreneur Club, participants presented and sold their innovative ideas to a panel of judges inspired by the hit TV show “Shark Tank.”

As the event’s master of ceremonies, Professor Chris D. Bottomley introduced the aspiring business moguls as they hit the center stage to demonstrate their design skills and creativity. The competitors also presented business plans as they advocated for funding and support of their projects.

A total of nine teams participated in the competition, which included students from Jackson Memorial High School, Manchester Township High School, Point Pleasant High School, and Toms River High School North. Each brought their own unique ideas and approaches to the table.

Several projects focused on using mobile apps or online platforms to support products related to health, (Competition - See Page 18)

By Stephanie Faughnan

OCEAN COUNTY – Authorities believe prescribed burns helped limit the damage caused by wildfires that tore through the area last month. In at least one instance, proactive measures saved residents from reliving an old nightmare.

“The Log Swamp Wildfi re in Little Egg Harbor occurred on April 15,” shared Trevor Raynor, Assistant Division Fire Warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. “It burned 1,607 acres and was contained by the following day.”

Raynor credited the quick containment of the fi re to prescribed burns conducted in the area on February 26 and February 27. The wildfi re was burning with a south wind and ran into the prescribed burn block, which stopped it in its tracks.

(Wildfires - See Page 5)

25 Homeless Permanently Housed is Winter

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – Just

Believe Inc. shared their statistics for the 2022-2023 season when they care for the homeless during the winter months, including helping 25 of them fi nd permanent housing.

Just Believe is a nonprofit that runs the Code Blue shelter in Riverwood Park, which opens its doors on nights when temperatures approach freezing. They were open 81 nights, according to CEO Paul Hulse. Although the park is in Toms River, the unhoused population comes from all over Ocean County. They had 147 different people stay for a total of 1,620 nights. But it’s not just about shelter for one night, it’s about fi nding out what issues they are having so that they can be referred to organizations that help. For example, there were 75 referrals for various services. There were 35 people who applied for Section 8 vouchers. Eleven people found temporary housing. A rental car was secured for one guest.

(Homeless - See Page 4)

Shine:

Continued From Page 1 and third and fourth-grade students from McKinley School. All sat quietly as one of the show’s directors delivered some brief instructions.

“You may notice the houselights are going to go down a little bit, but they’re not going to go out completely,” shared Caitlin Giore, a Social Emotional Learning and Drama teacher. “And, the stage lights may not be as bright as normal.”

Giore explained that some of the performers were a bit more sensitive to light and sound. Therefore, the emphasis was on making sure those on stage were able to focus on their performance.

“We’re also going to ask that instead of regular applause,” Giore said. “We are going to use our sign language so that whenever you want to show your appreciation, you will do that for your fellow students.”

Applause took the form of silent jazz hands as the audience was first asked to acknowledge the sixth-grade students situated on stage to help the performers. The show’s stars were costumed in blue t-shirts to ensure everyone knew the spotlight was on them.

Those outfitted in blue shirts headed to the colorful hula-hoops placed on the stage to mark their spots. A sense of routine and familiarity helped the students with multiple disabilities feel comfortable and confident.

“We typically use the hula-hoops, so if they step forward for one song, they can step back and stay contained in their zone,” shared Giore. “We have a few runners and are al- ways concerned about safety and what could happen with anyone running off the stage.”

As the performers began by swaying in perfect unison, the audience showed their enthusiasm by cheering and clapping in silent sign language. Big screens showcased some of the stars acting in skits as students narrated a few favorite stories. Again, jazz hands shot up from every seat as a mark of appreciation for the morning entertainment.

“We’re going to teach you a bunch of silly ways to say goodbye to each other,” Giore told the audience when it was time for the last number. “We’d like you to stand up, and we’re going to ask you to repeat the movements after us. We’ve learned so much, and now it’s time to say goodbye.”

The experience was one that could not be taught as a simple classroom lesson. Audience members watched in awe as the students in blue shirts performed and were able to see the world through the eyes of others who faced unique challenges. The powerful message was not just about accepting differences or the ability to understand and feel for others.

In addition to empathy, the performance highlighted how much perseverance and determination matter in life. Families who attended the “In the Spotlight” show weren’t the only ones who left with a feeling of joy.

Sixth graders Lauralee “Lulu” Gundersen and James Vidaurre were two of the students who donned black attire to assist the stars in following their cues on stage. Both reveled in their roles as supporting actors.

“We were there to help the kids if they forgot something,” explained Lulu. “We also tried to make them feel better if they got upset.”

According to Lulu, she didn’t need to calm down any of the students assigned to her group. However, some of the other stars of the show appeared angry when they were frustrated. The cast worked together to create a less stressful performance environment.

Lulu and James said they were recruited as show assistants because they demonstrated leadership ability as part of Project AWARE. This program advances wellness and resiliency in education by increasing school mental health awareness. Both admitted they would have happily volunteered as they genuinely enjoyed the experience.

“We got to make new friends,” James shared. “We see some of these kids every day in the halls. They’re just like other students, but we don’t really get to talk to them at recess.”

James noted that one of his new friends was a bit nervous at the show’s beginning. However, he was pleased to see the same student smiling from ear to ear when the performance ended.

Madeline Myers teaches music at the McKinley School and has worked for the district for eight years. Meanwhile, this was the first time she had the opportunity to help direct the “In the Spotlight” performance.

“Music brings out a different side to these kids,” Myers said. “I absolutely loved working with them.”

No doubt that music was a powerful force that brought together everyone involved in the show, both on and off stage. It allowed them to express themselves and connect with each other, regardless of their differences.

Homeless:

Continued From Page 1

Ten people entered a facility for substance abuse or mental health. Three went to a sober living home. Five people relocated out of state. Six found gainful employment. Nine people were denied access due to behavior or needing a higher level of care; they were instead provided emergency housing elsewhere.

Hulse thanked Fulfill, A Need We Feed, and a number of local restaurants for providing meals. In addition to the big stuff like food and housing, there were also smaller things that helped people feel good, like getting haircuts or going bowling. Showers were provided by the YMCA.

About 2,500 hours were spent by volunteers, he said.

This marks “six years of Code Blue success in Ocean County,” Hulse said. These figures represent only five months of the year. “Imagine what we could do if we were open all year long?”

Nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups house the homeless because Ocean County leaders don’t want to run a shelter.

Fundraiser For Housing

Just Believe’s first annual 5K and 1K fun run will be held at Winding River Park, 147 Oak Ridge Parkway, Toms River, on May 13 at 8 a.m.

Proceeds will go to raise funds for a transitional housing project called Larry’s’ Home which will help veterans transition back into society. Call Linda for registration and sponsorship information at 732-569-0643.

For more information, visit JustBelieveInc.org.

Wildfires: Continued From Page 1

“If that wildfi re had crossed the road, it would have been a big deal,” Raynor said. “It could have posed a significant threat to Warren Grove.”

The area, located in the heart of the Pine Barrens, has a history of forest fi res that still haunt the memories of many locals. In addition, Warren Grove is recognized for its military bombing range, which has been linked to previous wildfi res, including a 2007 inferno. That wildfi re ravaged 18,000 acres of the Pinelands, prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate.

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are carefully planned and executed fi res set by fi refighters to remove fuel and grasses from specified areas. This helps to create a fi rebreak that can stop a wildfi re from spreading out of control.

Pine needles and dead and dry vegetation are among the things that can fuel a forest fi re. Controlled burns are conducted before the spring fi re season from March 15 to May 15.

“We do the prescribed burns when the leaves are off the trees, and it’s the cooler months,” explained Raynor. “It’s when the weather is working in our favor, which means taking into account humidity and other factors.”

On an annual basis, fi refighters strategically conduct approximately 2,000-3,000 acres of controlled burns from Barnegat to Bass River. Statewide, prescribed burns cover more than 20,000 acres of land. Fire- fighters typically return to an area every five to seven years to set up designated blocks. Controlled burns are generally scheduled between October 15 through March 15.

“We get extended on a case-by-case basis based on fi re danger,” shared Raynor. “The extension is day by day, typically until April 1. After that, we’re well into fi re season, and our primary objection at that point is wildfi re suppression.”

A prescribed burn turned out to be advantageous in controlling the Spring Hill Wildfi re in Woodland Township on March 31, 2019. As the wildfi re swept through 9,021 acres of the Pinelands, embers were carried by strong winds into other areas. As a result, some fortunately landed in the region that had undergone controlled burns just a few days prior.

“The prescribed burns are done around ignition sources,” Raynor said. “That way any future wildfi res that might want to come out can’t get out of there.”

One example would be setting up a controlled burn around a campground, where people might light campfi res. Prescribed burns are also initiated near communities where lives and property could be at risk.

As the days get warmer and the wind picks up, it becomes more dangerous to conduct controlled burns. The fact that leaves have not yet fully grown back on trees and other plants can accentuate the problem.

According to Raynor, the sun’s rays penetrating the bare tree canopy cause the forest floor to be preheated. As a result, any form of ignition, including a controlled burn, could potentially ignite a ferocious blaze.

Additionally, winds can exacerbate the fi re, causing it to spread rapidly.

The concept of backfiring in fighting wildfi res is something entirely different. Firefighters use this tactic to burn out fuels between the main body of the fi re and a control line. This has nothing to do with the supposition that a prescribed burn has somehow failed.

“We use torches to light the fi re when the fi re is too intense for us to put it out with water,” Raynor said. “We burn out the fuels ahead of the main fi re, which prevents its spread and should contain the wildfi re.”

The investigation into the Jimmy’s Waterhole Fire, which burned 3,809 acres in Manchester on April 11, is ongoing. Howev- er, authorities have indicated that backfi res helped bring the fi re under control.

A prescribed burn in the area four years ago also contributed to stopping the further spread of the fi re in Manchester. The Jimmy’s Waterhole Fire forced the evacuation of some area residents, but no one was injured.

Raynor suggested preparation is critical for people who may one day receive alerts to leave their homes because of wildfi res.

“Get ready, set, go,” reminded Raynor. “Have your bags packed and know that the ‘set’ means there’s a wildfi re nearby. Listen to your local officials, warnings or advice on evacuation. And once the ‘go’ comes, know we don’t take that lightly. When we say ‘go’ that means to evacuate.”