The Barnegat Township Board of Education recognized districtwide "Upstander" award winners and therapy-dog volunteers and then heard remarks from outgoing student representative Daniel Hoffman, who outlined several student-led initiatives that will continue into the 2025-26 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Latwes and Board President Joseph Sarno participated in presentations honoring students chosen for the district's character-recognition program, which this month highlighted "determination." Recipients included Nicholas Fisher, Christopher Amato, Aubrey Smith, Isabella Melber, Matthew Legravinis, Amaya Jefferson, Evelyn Olizewski and Ariana Malandano. Award presentations included plaques and gift certificates donated by local business Mama Rosa and the Barnegat Administrators Association.

The board also recognized volunteer therapy-dog teams that visit schools across the district. The program, which the transcript records as having begun in 2016, includes dogs that visit the high school and various elementary schools; board members and staff thanked handlers and noted the program's value for student support.

Student representative Daniel (Danny) Hoffman delivered a year-end report on student government activity. Hoffman said the student advisory committee he helped form last year has focused on expanding student voice, creating a peer-to-peer mentorship program that pairs upperclassmen with incoming freshmen, reviving philanthropic activities including blood drives and the Claire Closet expansion, and proposing a repurposing of an unused courtyard at Barnegat High School into an agricultural green space called "Benny's Den." He reported that the high school earned accreditation from the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA) after a multi-year review and highlighted that 48 students earned college credit through Stockton University courses this year (11 credits in African American history; 37 credits in genocide and Holocaust studies).

Hoffman said his priorities included increasing transparency, expanding student voice in curriculum and course offerings, and improving access to advanced courses; he noted AP Calculus BC and AP Human Geography will both run next year after prior enrollment shortfalls. Hoffman announced he graduated and will attend Penn State University next year; he introduced Kaylee Janssen as the next student representative.

The board thanked Hoffman for his service. No formal board action was required for the recognitions or the student report.