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Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Middletown, NJ - Finally Feel Your Feet Again
That burning sensation that won't let you sleep. The numb toes you can't feel on the carpet in the morning. The tingling that runs from your calves down into your heels with no warning. If any of that sounds like your evenings, you already know what you're dealing with - even if no one's put a proper name on it yet.
You're not imagining it, and you're not stuck with it.
Peripheral neuropathy affects more than 20 million Americans, and far too many of them have been told to just "live with it" or manage it with another prescription. At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness in Middletown, NJ, we've helped patients who'd all but given up on feeling normal again - and we've done it without surgery, without long-term pain medication, and without the endless runaround.
If you're tired of the nerve pain, the numbness, and the nighttime burning in your feet, let's talk about what might actually be driving it - and what we can do about it.
- Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Middletown, NJ | NJ Sports Spine and Wellness
- Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Middletown, NJ - Finally Feel Your Feet Again
- What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
- Neuropathy Symptoms We See Every Day in Middletown, NJ
- What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
- Our Approach to Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
- Related Conditions We Treat
- Why Patients Choose NJ Sports Spine and Wellness
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is what happens when the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord - your peripheral nerves - stop communicating properly with the rest of your body. Picture those nerves as a network of wires running out from your central nervous system to your hands, feet, arms, and legs. When one of those wires is compressed, inflamed, starved of nutrients, or damaged by disease, the signals it sends get scrambled on the way to the brain.
That's the reason neuropathy symptoms can feel so contradictory. Your foot might feel like it's on fire while you simultaneously can't feel the floor underneath it. Your fingers might tingle for hours and then go suddenly numb. The nerves are sending mixed messages, and your brain is doing its best to translate the static.
Here's the most important thing to understand: neuropathy is almost never a standalone disease. It's a symptom of something else - a compressed spinal nerve, uncontrolled blood sugar, a vitamin deficiency, an autoimmune reaction, or repetitive strain. Real treatment starts with figuring out what's actually causing the damage. Anything short of that is just masking the problem.
Neuropathy Symptoms We See Every Day in Middletown, NJ
Every patient describes their nerve pain a little differently. But almost everyone who walks into our Middletown, NJ office describes some combination of the following:
- Burning feet at night - the kind that has you kicking the covers off and regretting it a minute later
- Tingling in the hands and feet - persistent pins and needles that never fully goes away
- Numb toes or loss of sensation - you stub your toe on furniture you didn't feel
- Sharp, electric-shock- like nerve pain that comes and goes with no obvious trigger
- Muscle weakness in the legs or hands that's starting to affect your balance or grip
- Sensitivity to light touch - a bedsheet or sock suddenly feels painful
- Cramping or twitching in the calves or feet, especially late at night
- The "invisible sock" feeling - pressure or tightness on your feet that isn't actually there
- Loss of sensation that's slowly creeping upward from your toes toward your ankles
If you've been dealing with any of these for more than a few weeks, it's worth getting looked at. Nerve damage tends to progress, and the earlier we intervene, the more we can typically do.
What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
There isn't one cause, which is a big part of what makes neuropathy so maddening to deal with. Some of the most common contributors we see at our Middletown, NJ clinic:
- Diabetes - the leading cause, and the one responsible for diabetic neuropathy
- Spinal nerve compression from herniated discs, stenosis, or misalignment
- Vitamin deficiencies, particularly B12, B1, and B6
- Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren's syndrome
- Chemotherapy and certain medications that have nerve toxicity as a side effect
- Repetitive use injuries that compress nerves over time (think carpal tunnel, tarsal tunnel)
- Chronic alcohol use or exposure to environmental toxins
- Thyroid and kidney dysfunction
- Idiopathic neuropathy - when testing doesn't turn up a clear cause
One cause a lot of practices overlook? Your spine. A substantial number of peripheral neuropathy cases trace back to nerve root compression in the lower back or neck. When those nerve roots get irritated, the symptoms can show up far from the actual source - in your feet, calves, fingers, or hands. Because we're a sports, spine, and wellness practice, the spinal connection is always part of how we evaluate your case. It's often the piece other providers have missed.
Our Approach to Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
Most clinics treat neuropathy with medication and a wait-and-see attitude. If that doesn't work, you get a referral to a surgeon. That's a short menu for a complicated problem.
At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness, we take a different route. We're a conservative care practice by design, which means we start with non-surgical options and build a treatment plan around the specific picture your body is showing us. Our team evaluates your nerve function, your spinal health, your muscle strength, your gait and balance, your medical history, and yes - what's already been tried. Then we put together a plan that goes after the cause, not just the surface symptoms.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
DRX9000 Spinal Decompression.
When nerve compression in the spine is part of the picture - and it often is - our DRX9000 decompression system gently relieves pressure on the affected nerve roots without any incisions or injections. For patients whose neuropathy stems from a herniated disc or stenosis, this can be a turning point.
Chiropractic Care.
Targeted adjustments restore proper motion to the spine and joints, reducing mechanical stress on irritated nerves. For the right patient, this is one of the most direct ways to calm nerve symptoms in the feet and hands.
Physical Therapy and Neuromuscular Reeducation.
We use guided exercise progressions to rebuild strength, retrain balance, and help your nervous system relearn how to talk to your muscles. This matters enormously if neuropathy has started to affect how you walk, stand, or grip.
LiteCure Laser Therapy.
Our class IV LiteCure laser delivers deep therapeutic light into damaged tissue to reduce inflammation around irritated nerves and support the body's natural repair process. It's non-invasive, drug-free, and well-tolerated.
Electrical Stimulation Therapy.
Low-level electrical currents help calm overactive pain signals and encourage nerve healing. It's one of the more effective tools for patients who haven't responded well to medication alone.
Acupuncture.
Acupuncture has a surprisingly strong evidence base for nerve pain and neuropathy symptoms. Our licensed practitioners use it as a standalone option or as part of a broader plan.
Functional Medicine and Nutritional Support.
Nerve health depends heavily on what you're putting into your body. If deficiencies, blood sugar swings, or chronic inflammation are slowing your recovery, we identify it and address it - with practical, livable changes.
Manual Therapy and Soft Tissue Work.
Tight muscles around irritated nerves make everything worse. Hands-on therapy relieves that tension, improves circulation to the nerves, and creates a better environment for healing.
When More Is Needed
If conservative care isn't moving the needle far enough - and we'll tell you honestly if it isn't - we coordinate with surgical partners who specialize in minimally invasive techniques. That means smaller incisions, less disruption to surrounding tissue, and a lower risk of infection compared with traditional open surgery.
But here's what matters: the majority of our neuropathy patients never reach that step. Our goal is always to exhaust effective non-surgical options first. The best surgery is often the one you end up not needing.
Related Conditions We Treat
Our Middletown, NJ team also treats a range of nerve and musculoskeletal conditions that overlap with or mimic peripheral neuropathy:
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Sciatica
- Cervical and lumbar radiculopathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Herniated and bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Post-surgical nerve pain
- Restless legs syndrome
- Chronic foot and lower leg pain
- Neurological impairments associated with spinal injury
Why Patients Choose NJ Sports Spine and Wellness
Same-Day Appointments
Nerve pain doesn't politely wait six weeks for an opening, and we don't think your care should either. We offer same-day appointments for new and existing patients whenever our schedule allows, because nobody dealing with burning feet at midnight wants to hear "we can squeeze you in next month."
A Conservative-Care Philosophy
We don't reach for injections, prescriptions, or surgical referrals as the first move. We believe in working with your body's capacity to heal - and we've seen how far that approach can go when it's applied consistently by clinicians who actually know what they're doing.
A Multi-Disciplinary Team Under One Roof
You won't be bounced between three different offices with three conflicting opinions. Our chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pain management specialists, acupuncturists, and podiatrist/foot and ankle surgeon all work together - same building, same chart, same plan for you.
Minimally Invasive Referrals When Surgery Is Warranted
In the smaller subset of cases where surgery is truly the right call, we refer to specialists who use minimally invasive techniques. Smaller incisions. Less tissue disruption.
Advanced In-House Technology
We invest in the equipment that actually moves the needle: the DRX9000 spinal decompression table, LiteCure class IV therapeutic laser, AlterG anti-gravity treadmill for gait retraining, shockwave therapy, NormaTec compression, and on-site X-ray and ultrasound for same-visit diagnostics.
A Treatment Plan With an Actual Finish Line
Our plans have a destination. We track your progress, adjust what isn't working, and don't keep you coming back indefinitely. The point is getting you better - and getting you back to the things you've been avoiding.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment at our Middletown, NJ office is really a conversation, not an assembly line. We'll sit down and talk about when your symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and what you've already tried. From there, we'll do a thorough physical and neurological exam - testing reflexes, sensation, strength, range of motion, and balance. We may take on-site imaging if it adds clarity to what we're seeing.
Then we'll walk you through, in plain English, what we think is going on and what the options look like. You'll leave the visit knowing exactly what the next step is, what treatment would involve, and what realistic improvement could look like for someone with your history.
No pressure. No upselling. Just a straightforward plan.
Ready to Stop Just Coping? Call Today.
If you've been dealing with burning, numbness, tingling, or nerve pain, and you're done waiting for it to get better on its own - we'd like to help. Peripheral neuropathy rarely improves without intervention, but with the right approach, most patients see real, measurable change in how they feel day to day.
Call our Middletown, NJ office at (908) 866-7246 to schedule. Same-day appointments available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
It depends on what's causing it and how long it's been going on. Nerve irritation from spinal compression, nutritional deficiency, or early-stage diabetes often responds well to treatment, and many patients see meaningful symptom improvement. More advanced or long-standing nerve damage may not fully reverse, but we can usually reduce pain significantly, improve function and balance, and slow or stop further progression. The earlier you start, the more we can typically do.
There's no single "best" treatment - it depends on what's causing the nerve damage. For most of our Middletown, NJ patients, the strongest results come from a combination approach: spinal decompression (when compression is part of the picture), targeted physical therapy, LiteCure laser therapy, electrical stimulation, and nutritional support tailored to nerve health. We don't use a one-size-fits-all protocol, because no two neuropathy cases are really the same.
If you've had numbness, tingling, burning, or nerve pain for more than a few weeks - or if your symptoms are spreading or getting worse - it's worth getting evaluated. You don't need a formal neuropathy diagnosis to come in. If you've noticed changes in how your feet feel, a loss of grip strength, or balance issues you didn't have a year ago, that's reason enough for an exam.
No referral needed. You can schedule directly with our office. If you've already seen another provider, bringing along any recent imaging, bloodwork, or test results makes your first visit more efficient - but it's not required.
Every patient's timeline is different, and your provider will give you a more specific estimate once they understand your case. Some patients notice a meaningful shift in the first few weeks; others are working with a longer treatment arc because of how long the issue has been developing. We check in on progress regularly and adjust the plan based on how you're responding - so you're never in the dark about whether something's working.
Latest News in Middletown, NJ
This NJ station has $6 gas that you can never buy — here’s why
Mike Branthttps://nj1015.com/six-dollar-gas-station-middletown-nj/
When I saw this, I had to do a double-take. Did the price per gallon really shoot past the $6 mark?I know gas prices are going up all throughout the state, but $6 gas is just ridiculous. In fact, it's probably the highest unleaded price any of us will see in New Jersey (as of Mar. 19, 2026, that is).Look, if gas prices everywhere got to this point, I think it's safe to say most of us will stick to walking and only drive when necessary. There's just no way any of us in the right mind will stop at this station displaying such an ...
When I saw this, I had to do a double-take. Did the price per gallon really shoot past the $6 mark?
I know gas prices are going up all throughout the state, but $6 gas is just ridiculous. In fact, it's probably the highest unleaded price any of us will see in New Jersey (as of Mar. 19, 2026, that is).
Look, if gas prices everywhere got to this point, I think it's safe to say most of us will stick to walking and only drive when necessary. There's just no way any of us in the right mind will stop at this station displaying such an astronomical price.
Fortunately for us, you can't fill your tank here (not that you'd want to anyway). Even if you wanted to pay those prices or stop into the convenience stores, you'll never be able to.
That's because this brand new gas station isn't functional. Instead, it was built as a set for a movie shoot that just so happens to be taking place at the old Circle Liquor Store location off of Route 35 in Middletown.
Or, as I refer to it as, the famous evil clown parking lot.
If you don't remember seeing this gas station in Middletown, you're not alone. This movie set was built incredibly fast, and, quite honestly, it looks very impressive considering how fast it went up. I almost wish it would open to the public as I think it would do well here (well, maybe not with those gas prices).
According to Patch, Middletown "cannot reveal any details about who is in the movie, including actors. The production companies are MRC and Truck Stop Productions."
Crews are expected to continue filming through late June. Once filming is complete, it'll go back to the empty evil clown parking lot we're all familiar with.
So for now, it's a mystery. What's this movie going to be about? And more importantly, is it a lens into what our gas prices are eventually going to be? I sure hope not.
If you have a chance, take a ride and check it out for yourself. But please keep in mind that it is an active movie set and filming may be taking place. That's why the lot is closed off... don't trespass.
But the fact that it's right by the evil clown makes it that much more interesting. It legit looks like a fully functional gas station in person. You have to love it when filming like this happens in New Jersey.
The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host & content contributor Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.
Parents Chant “Put Children First” As NJ School Board Votes To Close 3 Schools
Matt Ryanhttps://943thepoint.com/middletown-nj-school-closures/
Big decisions about schools always hit close to home. Recently, a very populated and divided town ended a long and emotional night with a vote that will reshape the local school system for years to come.After hours of debate, public comment, and some very tense moments in the meeting room, the local board of education voted to close three school buildings as part of a plan to shrink the district's overall size.The meeting stretched for more than five hours. Dozens of parents showed up, many pleading with the board to reconsider...
Big decisions about schools always hit close to home. Recently, a very populated and divided town ended a long and emotional night with a vote that will reshape the local school system for years to come.
After hours of debate, public comment, and some very tense moments in the meeting room, the local board of education voted to close three school buildings as part of a plan to shrink the district's overall size.
The meeting stretched for more than five hours. Dozens of parents showed up, many pleading with the board to reconsider. At one point, the room erupted into chants of “Put children first” as board members prepared to take the final roll-call vote.
It was the kind of scene that shows just how personal these decisions are for families.
It usually comes down to money (of course) and enrollment. In many cases, school districts see student numbers decline, while costs continue to climb.
In this New Jersey school district, officials say the financial outlook is getting worse quickly. A projected deficit of about $3.2 million is expected for the 2026 to 2027 school year. They claim that the number could grow to nearly $14 million within a few years if major changes are not made.
Administrators in this town believe shrinking the district footprint will help manage staffing levels, which make up the largest portion of the budget.
The plan also continues a trend already underway in the district. One elementary school closed back in 2020 after enrollment dropped.
The district at the center of this decision is the Middletown Township Public School District, one of the largest districts in Monmouth County.
Three schools will close as part of the new plan. Leonardo Elementary School, Navesink Elementary School, and Bayshore Middle School will all be affected.
Students from Leonardo and Navesink will move into the current Bayshore building, which will be converted into Bayshore Elementary School.
Middle school students who currently attend Bayshore will be reassigned to Thorne and Thompson Middle Schools.
Once the changes are complete, the district will operate 10 elementary schools feeding into two middle schools.
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According to The Patch, the final vote was extremely close.
Five board members voted in favor of closing the schools, while four voted against the plan. Several members who opposed the closures warned that the changes could lead to overcrowding and questioned whether enough financial analysis had been done.
Others argued the district had no choice.
One board member became emotional while explaining her vote, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many families but saying delaying tough decisions could make the situation even worse later.
If anything was clear by the end of the night, it was this. For many families in Middletown, the conversation about the future of their schools is far from over.
March Programs For Adults At Middletown Public Library
Carly Baldwinhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/march-programs-adults-middletown-public-library
Here is everything planned, all free and open to the public:MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) announced its line-up of adult events for March.Additional information and registration can be found at mtpl.org. Any questions, please contact the reference desk at 732-671-3700, ext. 320.Virtual Talk: Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories with Author Michael PerryOn Wednesday, March 4 at 2 pm, humorist Michael Perry will share humor, heart, and reflective rural stories fr...
Here is everything planned, all free and open to the public:
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) announced its line-up of adult events for March.
Additional information and registration can be found at mtpl.org. Any questions, please contact the reference desk at 732-671-3700, ext. 320.
Virtual Talk: Humor, Heart, and Reflective Rural Stories with Author Michael Perry
On Wednesday, March 4 at 2 pm, humorist Michael Perry will share humor, heart, and reflective rural stories from his books. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to the virtual presentation.
Virtual Seminar: Cracking the Code — Affordable College Solutions
On Thursday, March 5 at 7 pm, Carl Barling and Jodi Simon of Cornerstone College & Wealth Solutions will explore ways to pay for college, including financial aid, scholarships, college savings strategies, recent legislation impacting affordability, and ways families at all income levels can reduce costs and preserve their financial future. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to the virtual presentation.
NJ Author Talk: Paging New Jersey: A Literary Guide to the Garden State
Join the New Jersey Book Club on Friday, March 6 at 1 pm as author James F. Broderick discusses the Garden State's numerous contributions to American literature and shares his own personal experiences writing about New Jersey history. This lecture is part of the library's Community History Project and was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
New Jersey Book Club: The Barrens: A Novel of Suspense
Join us on Monday, March 9 at 12 pm to discuss this startling and complex tale by Rosamond Smith (aka Joyce Carol Oates), following a serial killer and the people his crimes touch and transform. Participants may attend in person in the History Room or register at mtpl.org to receive a Zoom link.
Tech Tuesdays: Design with Canva Basics & Internet Basics and Online Safety
Perfect your design and internet safety skills with a Tech Tuesday session in March at MTPL. Join us on Tuesday, March 10 at 2:30 pm to learn the basics of Canva, a free online design platform that makes it easy to create professional-looking graphics. New computer users are invited to the Internet Basics session on Tuesday, March 31 at 2:30 pm to learn how to navigate the internet, use search engines, and explore websites safely.
Virtual Talk: Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn
On Thursday, March 12 at 7 pm, acclaimed author Kate Quinn will discuss her latest work, The Astral Library, a fantastical novel that poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to the virtual presentation.
Emo Music Bingo
Grab your eyeliner and skinny jeans and join us on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm for a night of music bingo dedicated to all your favorite emo hits. This program is for adults 18+.
America 250 Lecture: The Continental Soldier — How He Lived, Dressed, and Fought
Part of MTPL’s continuing celebration leading up to the United State’s 250th birthday, Dr. Bill Anania will lead a presentation on Friday, March 13 at 2 pm to discuss and demonstrate the clothing and equipment of the average Patriot soldier during the American Revolution.
Genealogy Club: Researching Your Irish Ancestors
Join fellow researchers on Wednesday, March 18 at 2 pm as Maureen Winski Maloney presents this month's topic, "Researching Your Irish Ancestors."
America 250 Community Read: 1776 by David McCullough
Join us by the fireside at the Grover House, located at 930 West Front Street, on Thursday, March 19 at 2 pm to discuss chapters 5 and 6 of David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize winning account of the events of 1776, the American Revolution, and its effect on communities, soldiers, people of color, Native Americans, African Americans, and women.
Researching Revolutionary War Patriots, Part 3 with the Middletown DAR
Join the Middletown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Friday, March 20 at 11 am for one-on-one help with a Middletown DAR genealogist as you use FamilySearch public trees and the National Society DAR database to identify potential Revolutionary War ancestors. Please bring a laptop — Chromebooks are available to borrow at the Reference Desk with a Middletown Library card (please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the workshop).
Makers Day: Technology Through the Ages
Celebrate America's 250th anniversary on Saturday, March 21 from 11 am to 2 pm with a special themed Maker Day event featuring demonstrations, games, crafts, and an exploration of how STEM has evolved over the past 250 years.
Virtual Author Talk: America's Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis with Shoshana Walter & Barbara Kingsolver
On Tuesday, March 24 at 2 pm, author Shoshana Walter and special guest host Barbara Kingsolver will discuss Walter's book Rehab: An American Scandal, in which the Pulitzer finalist exposes the country's failed response to the opioid crisis and the corruption plaguing the drug rehabilitation industry. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to the virtual presentation.
Adult Zining Workshop
Embrace your creativity at MTPL’s Zining group for adults with resident archivist Laura Poll on Wednesday, March 25 at 1 pm in the Makerspace. No artistic skills are needed, and all supplies will be provided.
Demystifying Artificial Intelligence
Join presenter Eddi Khaytman on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 pm for an engaging and informative introduction to the world of Artificial Intelligence and its real-world applications. The presentation will explore why AI excites and concerns so many people, its implications for society, and will feature demonstrations of some of today's most powerful AI tools, including ChatGPT, Midjourney, Sora, Perplexity, ElevenLabs, and Adobe Firefly.
Visit mtpl.org to read more or to sign up for upcoming programs. Please contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mtpl.org for additional information.
Middletown Library's March Programs For Kids, Tweens And Teens
Carly Baldwinhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/middletown-librarys-march-programs-kids-tweens-teens
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – As spring blooms and Maker March arrives, the Middletown Township Public Library invites children and teens to explore a season of fun, hands-on, and educational activities.What's planned for kids:The Brainy Bunch – Wednesdays at 4:30 pm: Join a weekly STEM-based program for Grade K–5 combining education, experimentation and fun.Duplo Free Play – Fridays at 11 am: Bring your little builders for open-ended Duplo playtime! Ages 2+ are invited to get creative, build big, and have fun...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – As spring blooms and Maker March arrives, the Middletown Township Public Library invites children and teens to explore a season of fun, hands-on, and educational activities.
What's planned for kids:
The Brainy Bunch – Wednesdays at 4:30 pm: Join a weekly STEM-based program for Grade K–5 combining education, experimentation and fun.
Duplo Free Play – Fridays at 11 am: Bring your little builders for open-ended Duplo playtime! Ages 2+ are invited to get creative, build big, and have fun together—no registration needed.
Tween Game Night – Tuesday, March 3 at 7 pm: Bring a friend or make a friend while playing games like Trivia, Bingo, Pictionary, HeadsUp and more. For ages 9-12.
Cards for a Cause – Wednesday, March 4, 3–5 pm: Drop in to make St. Patrick’s Day greeting cards for Middletown seniors. Volunteer Hours will be offered for each card with a limit of 5 cards for 5 hours. For ages 13-18.
Gymboree for Walkers & Crawlers – Thursday, March 5 at 10 am and 11 am: Gymboree of Red Bank will offer gym classes for toddlers and babies.
Dinosaur Storytime and Craft – Friday, March 6 at 10 am: Join Monmouth Museum volunteer Denise Hibell for a story time and craft inspired by the museum’s dinosaur exhibit.
Family Storytime and Craft Spinning Wooden Tops – Saturday, March 7 at 10 am: Join us for a special America 250 themed storytime & craft to learn about wooden tops, one of the oldest toys in history, and a favorite pastime for children during the colonial era, over 250 years ago.
Gymboree for Infants – Tuesday, March 10 at 12:30 pm: Join a special gym class with Gymboree of Red Bank for newborns up to seven months with music, a parachute, bubbles and more!
Tween Book Club – Tuesday, March 10 at 4:15 pm: Tween ages 9–12 will meet to discuss their monthly book selection, enjoy a related activity, and socialize during the second half of the program.
Stuffed Animal Storytime and Sleepover – Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm: Children ages 3 and up are invited to bring stuffed animal friends for a special library sleepover! Enjoy a bedtime story before tucking your plushie companion in for the night, then come back the next day to discover what adventures they got up to.
Teen Catapult Competition – Wednesday, March 11 at 7 pm: Learn how to make catapults out of popsicle sticks and compete against your friends for prizes. For ages 13–18.
Read to a Dog – Thursday, March 12 at 4 pm and Monday, March 16 at 6 pm: Improve the literacy skills of children by reading ten minutes to a certified therapy dog. Four sessions are available on each date. For independent readers in Grades K–5.
Leprechaun Storytime – Tuesday, March 17 at 10 am: Join us on St. Patrick’s Day for a special story time and craft with a leprechaun, co-sponsored by Middletown Parks and Recreation.
St. Patrick’s Day Craft – Tuesday, March 17 at 3:30 pm: Create a craft with Bayshore Family Success Center.
Bookworms Book Club – Thursday, March 19 at 4:15 pm: Join the Bookworms Book Club for grades K–3 to share your love of reading and join the Bookworms Reading Challenge!
Sensory Family Storytime – Friday, March 20 at 10 am: Read, sing, dance, and play, then explore our interactive sensory stations! Designed for ages 0–3.
NJ Makers Day, “Technology Through the Ages” – Saturday, March 21 at 11 am: Celebrate America's 250th birthday with a special Makers Day event! Enjoy demonstrations, games, crafts and learn how STEM evolved over 250 years. All ages welcome.
Teen Anime Club – Monday, March 23 at 4 pm: Join the Anime Club create trading cards featuring your own manga characters! For ages 10+.
Tween Craft Night – Tuesday, March 24 at 6:45 pm: Join a special craft night for tweens to create Yarn Art Masterpieces. For ages 9–12.
Pokémon Trading Night – Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 pm: Join fellow Pokémon fans to trade cards, chat about Pokémon books and movies, and play the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Bring your own deck; best for ages 5+ / Grades K–4.
Community Leader Storytime – Friday, March 27 at 10 am: Celebrate Women's History Month in March with Middletown Committeewoman Kimberly Kratz, who will share stories and talk about what a committeewoman does!
Drop-In Tiny Art Show – Saturday, March 28 at 10 am: Create a tiny art project with The 4-H Kindness Club to add to a month-long display in the Children’s Program Room.
Eyes of the Wild – Monday, March 30 at 2 pm: Meet and learn about another fascinating and entertaining group of animals with handler Travis Gale.
Snapology – Tuesday, March 31 at 2 pm: Join Snapology’s STEAM lab for For ages 5-8 and actively experiment with the principles of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
Visit mtpl.org to read more or to sign up for upcoming programs. Please contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mtpl.org for additional information.
Middletown to close 2 schools a year after raising taxes to save them
Amanda Oglesbyhttps://www.app.com/story/news/education/2026/02/27/middletown-school-district-says-it-will-close-2-schools-parents-tax-hike-10-million/88893928007/
Feb. 27, 2026Updated March 2, 2026, 12:32 p.m. ETMIDDLETOWN ― The Board of Education has crafted a plan to close two elementary schools by September, a decision that drew screams and shouts from parents during a school board meeting on Feb. 26.That evening, a majority of the Board of Education voted to direct school administrators to draft the 2026-27 school budget assuming that Leonardo and Navesink elementary schools are closed.The district is facing an estimated $3 million budget gap for the 2026-27 school year. All...
Feb. 27, 2026Updated March 2, 2026, 12:32 p.m. ET
MIDDLETOWN ― The Board of Education has crafted a plan to close two elementary schools by September, a decision that drew screams and shouts from parents during a school board meeting on Feb. 26.
That evening, a majority of the Board of Education voted to direct school administrators to draft the 2026-27 school budget assuming that Leonardo and Navesink elementary schools are closed.
The district is facing an estimated $3 million budget gap for the 2026-27 school year. All New Jersey public schools must have a tentative, balanced budget prepared by spring.
More than 100 parents protested the move to close schools during the board meeting, which was held at Middletown High School North and lasted through midnight. At times, the crowed yelled and shouted at school board members. Some yelled profanities. Others raised their voices into the microphone during a public comment period. Students lined up to plead for board members to leave their schools open.
Last year, the board raised school taxes 10.1% to eliminate a $10 million budget hole and prevent closing schools. This year, the school is reconsidering that earlier proposal.
A higher "student-teacher ratio is really just gonna create chaos," said Maggie Weikel, a mom with children in River Plaza Elementary who attended the meeting.
Logan D'Alessio, a sixth grader at Bayshore Elementary, worried about how the changes would impact him and his friends. He worried about being pushed into a more crowded school next year.
"I just got to the (Bayshore) school, and I think it's very fun, and I don't want to switch schools in the middle of my middle school career," he said.
In a district restructuring plan shared by NJ.com, students at the Leonardo and Navesink schools would be moved to Bayshore Elementary beginning in September. Bayshore Middle School would be closed in the future and its students moved Thorne and Thompson middle schools.
The Board of Education did not include any mention of closing Bayshore Middle School in its recent resolution on the budget.
Middletown currently has 11 elementary schools in a district that serves less than 8,700 students. For comparison, Toms River Regional School District has 12 elementary schools, but has more than 14,100 students.
However, Middletown school officials are anticipating overcrowding within some of the schools in the southern section of the township. Last month, the school board heard plans to redistrict students at Harmony, Lincroft and River Plaza schools and shift them to Middletown Village and Ocean Avenue in order to reduce future crowding.
Under the most recent plan, district officials are looking to sell or lease Leonardo Elementary and Bayshore Middle School. The district does not own the Navesink school building.
Officials also plan to also hold a bond referendum that would help pay for construction and build classrooms on the remaining schools. Construction could begin sometime in 2028, according to the plan.
By laying off the schools' staffs and eliminating spending on maintenance and repairs of the buildings, the district would save between $3.5 million and $4 million every year, according to the restructuring proposal.
Board President Chris Aveta said that maintaining the status quo and only raising taxes 2% annually ― the maximum allowed under state law without voter approval ― would leave the school district with an ever widening budget gap.
"We'll still face budget deficits of $6.6 million in (school year) '27-'28, $10.2 million in '28-'29, and $13.9 million in '29-'30," he told the school board during the meeting.
That was little consolation for the parents and students who believed the changes would upend their educational experience.
"I am pretty upset about this," said Benjamin Hecht, a Bayshore Elementary sixth grader. "It's hard for me to get adjusted and connected in a school's environment."
The 11-year-old said he felt safe with classmates and staff at Bayshore.
"All the other schools in Middletown are already overcrowded," he said.
Elizabeth Hamill also worried about the future school closures, and said she worried her child's education at River Plaza Elementary would be impacted by the changes under discussion.
"It seems like every year we kind of get a runaround and the same plan… regurgitated to us," she said.
"I think that people move into this community because of our small schools, because of the low student-to-teacher ratio, because when you walk into the school, you can almost recognize everybody by name," Hamill said. "I'm worried about what a closure would do to our community, what it would do to ― most importantly ― our children."
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.
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