Carnival Held By Central Regional, Brick Students A Success

BERKELEY, NJ — A joint effort carnival between Central Regional and Brick Township schools was a success for the two, but officials are already planning to make next year's even better.

The Brick Central Summertime Carnival, BCC, was held in August at Central Regional. It was started by Central Board of Education member Michael Graichen and Brick Board of Education member Michael Blandina, who are "polar opposites," according to Central Superintendent Dr. Tom Parlapanides.

The two work together on the Columbus Day Parade in Seaside Heights and thought a carnival would be a great way to raise money for students, Parlapanides said.

And it did - but Parlapanides thought it could be better.

Participants included the Brick Foundation and the CR Foundation, and eight games of chance run by sending districts: Island Heights Foundation, Ocean Gate PTA, Bayville PTA, CBW PTA, Potter PTA, BTES PTA, Central Regional PTA and Brick PTA. Revenue was combined and split evenly for each.

Parlapanides said he was hoping to give each PTA/Foundation a $3,000 check, but due to fees was only able to give each a bit more than $1,500.

He said he's currently working on a booklet to give to Brick Township schools, "so they won't make the same mistakes we made."

Parlapanides added that he knows ways to increase revenue for next year and will share them with Brick schools.

Next year, the carnival will be held in Brick, and it will alternate each year.