September 2008 - riverhead.net

Working Together in Our Schools . . .
Vol. 25/No.1
September 2008
Working Together in a New School Year
RCSD Mission
A
s we begin a
new school year,
we remember our
mission together:
“The mission of
the Riverhead Central
School District is
to inspire and
academically
empower all
students to become
tomorrow’s
leaders by:
developing their
unique gifts and
potential; providing
an environment
that fosters
integrity,
creativity, and
respect; and, ensuring that our students
become successful,
contributing
citizens in a global
community.”
THANK YOU FOR
ATTENDING YOUR
CHILD’S “MEET
THE TEACHER
NIGHT.”
Aquebogue Principal Phil Kent welcomed back his students during an assembly on the opening day of school that included an introduction
to the concepts of Fundations as he read Maya Angelou’s book Life Doesn’t Frighten Me to the students.
On the Web
Ms. Haverty at Pulaski
“Meet the Teacher
Night” is the first step
in working together
to help our students
achieve success.
Due to the limitations
of space in our
printed publications,
our website www.
riverhead.net
becomes an ideal
way to share what’s
happening in Our
Schools. Most of the
articles in this edition
of Our Schools can
also be found online
in more detail.
Catch the Wave
Sup’t. Update
Looking ahead to
a new school year.
Student Government
RHS Student Government
Officers
Riverhead CSD
700 Osborne Avenue
Riverhead, NY 11901-2996
***ECRWSS***
Postal Patron
the news inside 8
Over the Summer
Summer programs reinforce
skills.
RHS Homecoming
Homecoming - Saturday,
October 18 Parade & Game
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 4
Riverhead,
N.Y. 11901
board/admin
About Education
2
www.riverhead.net
Working Together for Our Schools
(September, 2008)
RCSD Board of Education
Board President
Dear Parent and Guardians,
Dr. Diane B. Scricca
Superintendent of Schools
Welcome to the 2008-09 school year! As I visited the schools on
opening day, I was impressed by the positive sense of community
that was apparent at each school. The floors were gleaming and the
bulletin boards and classrooms were welcoming. I loved seeing
our students in the elementary schools in their new uniforms. They
looked great!
As we begin a new school year, we will continue addressing two
major goals for our district. Our first goal is to improve student
achievement. We are excited to have new curriculum directors
working side by side with our teachers to examine district data,
develop objectives based on this data, and create strategies that will
elevate our students’ academic performance. The research is very
clear; student achievement is directly related to what is taught and
the methods and strategies used to teach it. Engaging our students
as learning partners in a variety of diversified, challenging learning
experiences that utilize new technologies, like Smart Boards, and
incorporating tested and researched methodologies, will affect
achievement. We have already made strides in this regard, but there
is still much work to be done.
Our second goal is to continue to improve the image of our district
and our schools. It’s important that we maintain a positive tenor in
all that we say and do in our schools. Our students will echo this tone
as they play on our teams and learn in our classrooms. Our energy
needs to be focused on making a positive difference in the lives of
our students. Too often rumors abound and cloud the work we are
accomplishing. I urge you to check the “Rumor Blaster” on our
website, contact your children’s teachers and Principals with your
questions and concerns, and stay focused on the great things that are
happening in our district.
I encourage you to attend our PTO meetings and support our schools.
Together, we will build a team that will, ultimately, improve our
educational programs and enhance our co-curricular activities. I look
forward to seeing you at upcoming meetings, games, and events.
Sincerely,
Dr. Diane B. Scricca
Superintendent of Schools
“I want to
commend all
the staff for
their work
over the
summer.”
Kathy Berezny, President Board of Education
The custodians & Buildings & Grounds crew added offices, reconstructed
portables, cleaned every
possible surface, worked
on fields and made the
floors shine like mirrors!
Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Diane B. Scricca greets the teachers
and staff at the Opening Ceremony
of the 2008-09 school year on
September 2nd.
Kathleen V. Berezny, Master of Boardsmanship
K
athleen V. Berezny,
President of the Riverhead Central School District’s Board of Education,
has received the New York
State School Boards Association Master of Boardsmanship Award.
Fred Langstaff, Area 12 Director for Suffolk County, presents
Kathy Berezny with her certificate
at the NYSSBA’s Commendations
Ceremony in Albany, NY.
The award is currently the
highest honor bestowed by
the Association’s Leadership Development Recognition Program and recognizes
the extensive time, effort,
and commitment required
of exemplary board members who strive continually
to expand their knowledge
of education and skill in
school district governance.
To qualify for this distinctive
achievement, Mrs. Berezny
participated in Association
training events totaling at least
200 credits including completion of the School Board Institute. This series of eight intensive courses developed by
the National School Boards
Association examines the key
work of school boards in enhancing student achievement.
Mrs. Berezny is
an Ambassador
of Good Will for
Our Schools!
Mrs. Berezny was first
elected to the School Board
in July of 2002. In May of
2005, Mr. Timothy Kremer, Executive Director of
the New York State School
Boards Association attended
a Board of Education meet-
ing to present a “Leadership
in Governance” certificate
and pin to Mrs. Berezny,
recognizing her completion
of all eight NYSSBA series of intensive courses for
board members that he stated
“demonstrates her commitment to excellence in service
as a school board member.”
Mrs. Berezny has a long history of dedication to both the
school district and the Riverhead community. In January
of 2005, Mrs. Berezny was
recognized by the News Review as “Person of the Year.”
In 2006, Mrs. Berezny was
instrumental in having the
Roanoke Avenue School
named as a “historical land-
Board Meetings
T
he RCSD Board of
Education has divided their monthly Board
meetings into one Work
Session and one Public
Session per month. During the Work Session
on the 2nd Tuesday, the
public is invited to attend
but there is no public
input. During the Public
Session on the 4th Tuesday, the Board welcomes
input from the public.
The Board’s first Work
Session in September
focused on setting goals
for the 2008-09 school
year. One of those goals
is to formulate a plan to
bring to fruition a local
committee’s ten-year
quest to bring a YMCA to
the Riverhead Community. The Board is exploring
the possibility of selling
10 acres of land (a plot
too small for a school)
to the YMCA in exchange
for services that would
include school access
to the swimming pool;
teen and pre-teen nights;
several classrooms that
would house and teach
Pre-K students and
much, much more.
“I am very excited about
this,” stated Board of
Education member
Christine Prete. “This is
a win-win solution to our
efforts to increase Pre-K
education in our community and give our students a place to gather,
swim and play.”
mark building.” Prior to becoming the Board of Education President, she was Vice
President and has been an
officer of several of the district’s PTOs during her 20+
years of dedicated service
to the district’s children.
Mrs. Berezny is an ambassador of good will for the
Riverhead Central School
District. She is a champion of the district’s administrators, teachers and
children--applauding their
efforts not only at school
board meetings, but, more
often than not, in person
at those events. Congratulations, Mrs. Berezny!
rcsd/planning
3
www.riverhead.net - news and events
Summer Seminars, Institutes & Celebrations . . .
Setting the Focus for the 2008-2009 School Year
D
uring the Summer
over 200 teachers
participated in InService course offerings on
subjects like “Adobe Photoshop,” “The Writing Teacher,”
“Smart Board,” “Video Assessment,” as well as a number
of other summer seminars.
In addition, 90 K-6 teachers
and their principals attended
Columbia Teachers College’s
Advanced Reading Workshop.
The Reading/Writing Workshop is part of a continuing collaboration that provides onsite
training to District teachers.
The teachers who attended
the summer workshop have
already been trained in and are
using the Columbia Teachers
College’s Reading/Writing
Workshop model as part of a
Balanced Literacy program
to teach reading and writing
skills.
The Opening Ceremony
on September 2nd set a tone
of collegiality, mission, and
celebration by gathering all
the employees of the District
together in one place. Dr.
Scricca lamented the loss of
T
Pictured: (Top L-R): Collene
R i c h a rd s o n , D e b o r a h K u l k a MacLellan, Diane Janos, Catherine
Kent, Dr. Ilene Chafetz, Robert
Brenton; (Middle): Marilyn Voss;
(Right): Ellen Schnabel and Bob
Jester; (Bottom Picture) L-R: Ann
Cotten-DeGrasse, Angela DeVito,
Christine Prete, Janet Van Brunt,
Jenny Corbin, Kim Skinner, Kathy
Smith, Kathy Berezny, Dr. Scricca.
“Let us inspire and
Teacher/Staff of the Year with Board of Ed. Members and Dr. Scricca
motivate each of
our students,
as Vinny did . . .
Let this be
his legacy.”
Dr. Diane B. Scricca
art teacher Vinny Nasta and
encouraged every employee
in the district to honor Vinny’s
memory in our work with our
children... “Let us make each
child feel special, as Vinny
did ...” she encouraged. “Let
us inspire and motivate each
of our students, as Vinny did...
This is his legacy. It is now
up to us to live it each and
every day in the profession
that we love,” she concluded.
Assistant Superintendent
Joe Ogeka introduced new
employees and celebrated
employees who had served the
District’s children for 25 years
or more and the Teachers/
Staff Members of the Year:
Janet Van Brunt (Elementary
Teacher), Kim Skinner
(Secondary Teacher); Jenny
Corbin (Elementary Staff)
and Kathy Smith (Secondary
Staff). (Pictured above)
The literacy coaches and
reading teachers shared with
the assembly an overview of the
reading program. (See below).
Receiving a standing
ovation from the District’s
faculty and staff, STAR
A c a d e m y Te a c h e r /
Facilitators, Michelle Gode
and Peter Huszagh, inspired
the assembly with their message
concerning the transformation
of the high school’s alternative
program into the STAR
Academy. “STAR,” they
shared, “stands for ‘Start
Today, Achieve Results.’
(See STAR Academy page 5.)
Looking Back at the 2007-08 School Year and Ahead to 2008-09
he 2007-08 school
year was a year of accomplishments, steady
progress and change. Three
of the District’s schools received recognition for being
High Achieving / Gap Closing Schools: Riley Avenue,
Pulaski Street and the High
School. In addition, English Language Arts scores
improved in grades 3-7 during the 2007-08 school year.
“We’re excited about
the direction in which we’re
heading as a district as we
continue to focus on student
achievement,” states Deputy
Superintendent Nancy Carney.
The 2008-09 school year
will be marked by a districtwide reorganization that
will provide staff with support and ongoing professional development. New
programs and initiatives have
been added in all the buildings The National Reading Program, Read 180 and our
to strengthen curriculum and Panel states that a child who Reading Recovery Program,”
instruction. K-12 curriculum is not reading by the age of she promised. “We need to
directors in English Language seven has a much higher reach every child, and it
Arts, Math, Science and Social chance of being a struggling will take a number of apStudies have also been added. reader from then on. Our K-2 proaches to accomplish that.”
“The
Last year
most imfour teachers
portant
were trained in
person in
Reading Recovthe educaery--a program
tional hithat was begun
erarchy,”
in New Zealand
noted Dr.
and has a 100%
Scricca in
success rate. This
her disyear two more
cussions
teachers are bewith the
ing trained so that
principals
the program will
Fundations via a new Smart Board in Linda Condon’s 1st grade class.
and direcbe implementtors at the beginning of the reading program is very e d i n f i r s t g r a d e i n a l l
2007-08 school year, “is important! We are going to four elementary schools.
the classroom teacher.” continue our work in Read- FROM 0 TO 16: During
Our job as administrators and ing/Writing Workshop, our the Opening Ceremony, readcurriculum directors is to sup- Developmental Reading As- ing teacher Lauren Hamilton
port our classroom teachers.” sessments, Balanced Literacy told the story of a little girl
who started the Reading Recovery Program with her at
a level of 0, unable to either
read or write and with minimal verbal skills. “By the end
of the year this little girl had
achieved a 16 on the reading and writing scale and is
now one of the most capable
students in her age group,”
noted Ms. Hamilton.
Another new effort to
engage the district’s youngest
learners in this very important
stage of their learning is the
introduction of the Fundations Program. Fundations
helps students with phonics,
spelling and other essentials of
a Balanced Literacy program.
It engages them in a learning
process that uses owl puppets,
Echo and Little Echo and
simple learning methods, such
as echoing and tapping out the
sounds to reinforce skill sets.
rhsnews
4
www.riverhead.net - news and events
RHS Student Government Getting It Together
New at RHS
Dali Rastello
2008 Student Government Officers
Dali Rastello is the
new Assistant Principal at the high school.
She was
born
in Puerto Rico and
moved to New York
at the age of 7. Ms. Rastello received her B.A., M.A. and Administrator’s Degree at Stony Brook
University. She lives in Manorville
with her husband and children.
Ms. Rastello began her career
as a Spanish teacher at RHS. She
served as chairperson of the language department and was an interim assistant principal at RHS in
2003-2004.
“I returned to administration because of the commitment I see from
the current district administration.
I want to be an integral part in the
continued improvement of our district.”
Student Gov’t: PRESIDENT Jordan Lobiak; VP Natasha Brown;
SEC. Kate Murphy;
TREAS. John Verderber
CLASS OF 2009: PRES. Stephanie
Carrera; VP Kelly Savage;
SEC. Kyle Zilnicki;
TREAS. Tom Dayton
CLASS OF 2010 - PRES. Nicholas
Renck; VP Joey Szot;
SEC. Kelly Rambo;
TREA. Yvonne McKay
CLASS OF 2011 - PRES. Justin
Harris; VP Meghan Davis; SEC.
Macey Reichel; TREAS. Sean Harkin
Class of 2012 - Have not held
elections yet.
Advisor: Mrs. Theresa Drozd
Michael Hugelmeyer
M r. H u g e l m e y e r
is the new Dean of
Students and Student Activities Advisor at RHS. He was
born and raised in
Ronkonkoma and has
recently moved from Valley Stream
to Baiting Hollow where he resides
with his wife and young daughter.
He is a graduate of Villanova University where he earned his B.S.,
M.A. and Administrative Degree.
Mr. Hugelmeyer started his career
in education as a Global Studies
teacher and track coach at Glen
Cove High School. He is very excited to be named the Dean at RHS.
“I feel very fortunate to be a
part of the team of professionals
here at Riverhead High School. I
look forward to helping students
be successful in any endeavor they
choose.”
Charles Gassar
Mr. Gassar is the new
HS/MS Guidance
Director. His offices
are in the Guidance
Department at the High
School. Mr. Gassar
received his undergrad degree from
Marist College with a major in
communications and a minor in
psychology. He received his M.S. in
School Counseling from LIU/CW
Post. He also has a Masters in School
Administration from Touro College.
He has been both a guidance counselor
and an assistant principal. Mr. Gassar and his wife had their
first child last January and states,
“We love this area and this town.”
He also states, “In my position as
Guidance Director, it is my goal to
impart an understanding to every
student we serve, that Riverhead
Schools have a high expectation for
them to achieve in school and in life.
Last year’s theme
was Disney Movies.
HOMECOMING
The Homecoming theme
RHS’s Student Government’s
first BIG task will
be to help organize HOMECOMING 2008. Spirit week will precede
Homecoming with a series of special events concluding with Spirit
Day. Homecoming Day is October 18. Before school began, student
government members spoke at the assembly and helped lead tours
through the building as part of the 9th grade orientation.
Pictured above Back Row Justin Harris, Natasha Harris, Joey Szot, Samantha
Messina, Kate Murphy; Middle Row: Sean Harkin, John Verderber, Kyle
Zilnicki, Jordan Lobiak; Front Row: Meghan Davis (standing) Nicholas Renck,
Kelly Rambo, Tim Dayton
for 2008 is
“Hamlets of Riverhead.”
HOMECOMING will begin
with SPIRIT WEEK (week of
Oct. 14-17). On SATURDAY,
OCT. 18, the PARADE
will step off at 12:30 PM
down Main Street, and the
FOOTBALL GAME will follow
at 2:00 PM.
Remembering Together a Colleague and Friend
O
Colleagues Memorialize Mr. Nasta
n Sunday, August 17, 2008, the
Riverhead High School Family
and District lost a beloved faculty
member. As many of you know,
Vinny Nasta had a passion for flying.
Unfortunately, Vinny Nasta lost his life
during a plane crash near Rhinebeck,
NY. Vinny was part of an air show at
the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The
plane that Vinny was flying was part
of an aerial demonstration when the
accident occurred.
“The students, faculty, and staff of
this district admired and respected
Vinny Nasta. He was truly one in
a million. Everything he did was
for the benefit of the students of this
school. He loved his job and worked
every day to see the students of this
school succeed. He was also a true
humanitarian based on his volunteer
work, specifically with Angel Flight.
He will be missed by us all,” stated
RHS Principal David Zimbler.
A message from Mr. Nasta’s best
friend, Dave, to “Vinny’s kids”: “If Mr.
Art teacher Vinnie Nasta last year with RHS senior Lisa Mariotti in the Mac lab.
Nasta inspired you, then aspire to be
like him. If he inspired you to be an
artist, be the next Vincent van Gogh;
if he inspired you to play music, be
the next Led Zeppelin; if he inspired
you to be a pilot, be the next Vinny
Nasta, who was one of the two best
pilots I know. Vin Nasta was larger
than life, even though he didn’t want to be. He can
be a companion to you as you seek to succeed in
life.”
The 2008 opening day at Riverhead High
School was an extraordinary one for Riverhead
High School as art teacher Vinny Nasta was
memorialized by five fly overs executed in cloudy
skies by his pilot friends and colleagues. (p.8)
rhsnews
Outstanding Achievement Over the Summer
STAR Academy Summer Youth Building Program
W
hat type of
learner
are
you--visual,
auditory,
kinesthetic?
According to a definition
posted on the University
of Pennsylvania’s school
of education’s website,
“Kinesthetic learners are
defined as learners who
learn best by moving
their bodies, activating
their large or small muscles as they learn. These
are the ‘hands-on learners’ or the ‘doers’ who
actually concentrate better and learn more easily when movement is
involved . . . Kinesthetic L-R: Students who worked on the facilities over the summer as part of the Summer Youth Build Program
learners often work well (L-R: Scott Evans, Kiaera Morning, Gabriela Seymore, Carlito Torres and in the front is Bianca
with their hands. They Roberson) with teacher/facilitator Peter Huszagh (left), guidance counselor Christine Angermaire (far
may be good at repair right), teacher/facilitator Michelle Gode (second from right) and school board member Angela DeVito.
work, sculpting, art, or
the building trades council and a member what I had done, but I ended last year with
working with various
of the redesign committee, for her assis- a 93 and now I’m hopeful that I can do
tools.”
better. I want to learn more about photog
Fifteen members of Riverhead High tance over the summer.
raphy and take a course at BOCES,” she
“All
the
participating
students
had
to
School’s new STAR Academy were kinadded.
be
interviewed
and
had
to
take
courses
to
esthetic learners over the summer as
The STAR Academy is dedicated to
be
certified
in
first
aid
and
CPR,”
stated
they scraped, spackled, repaired, painted,
small
class sizes and differentiated inMs.
DeVito.
“They
also
had
to
pass
fedmeasured, designed, chose paint colors
struction
with a renewed focus on indieral
Occupational
Safety
and
Health
Adand carpeting, moved furniture, laid patio
vidual
student
needs and learning styles.
ministration
safety
courses.
In
doing
so
bricks and shared a summer work project
A
number
of additional opportunities
they
earned
a
certificate
and
their
OSHA
of which they can be proud. Their hard
requested
by
the
students were also incard,
which
is
good
for
life,”
she
said.
work in refurbishing the high school’s
cluded
by
the
committee
in the redesign of
“They
really
did
all
the
work
in
the
north portables provided them with a
the
school.
The
new
program
will include:
renovation,”
stated
Ms.
Carney.
“The
new home on campus and won them the
both
a
morning
and
afternoon
program,
students
were
also
in
on
all
the
decision
respect of their teammates, their teachers
teacher
facilitators,
an
application/intermaking
concerning
the
renovation.
The
and the whole Riverhead school commuonly thing they didn’t do was the elec- view process for admission, a student/parnity.
The students also successfully com- trical work and the laying of the carpet. ent contract, and integration with the high
pleted 100 hours of Community Service In addition, students chose the name, school for lunch, specials and electives in
for the RSCD Summer Youth Build ‘STAR,’ which stands for ‘Start Today, the morning program. In addition, builtProgram in association with the Building Achieve Results,’ and were part of the in incentives to achieve, more academic
Construction Trades Council of Nassau committee that formulated the behavior and professional support and a new onand Suffolk Counties, who set up the pro- and educational format that will be used site guidance counselor will help students
gram as a partnership between the coun- to help ensure their success as students in meet both behavior and academic requirements and assist them in finding “school
cil and the school district, and guaranteed the 2008-09 school year.
to work” and internship opportunities.
One
young
woman,
who
was
a
memthe students 100 hours of work at $15 per
ber
of
the
summer
building
team
and
“I’m very proud of what the
hour.
During the August 21st open house, one of the tour guides at the open house, committee, teachers and students
Deputy Superintendent Nancy Carney shared that she is now looking forward to have done,” stated Superintendent
congratulated the students, lead teachers, returning to school. “I slacked off during of Schools Dr. Diane B. Scricca, “but
Peter Huszagh and Michelle Gode, and my freshman year and then just gave up,” the work is not over; it is just beginthanked Board of Education member An- she stated. “I had lots of things going on
ning.”
gela DeVito, the work-force director for in my life and I didn’t think I could fix
O
ROTC Area Four Summer Leadership Academy
n July 25th 2008 Riverhead
NJROTC had 8 cadets graduate
from The AREA FOUR Leadership
Academy at the Naval Base in
Newport, Rhode Island. 144 Cadets
from 52 High Schools were selected
to attend this intensive training event
designed to prepare cadets to be
unit leaders. All cadets earned the
prestigious Silver Cord. This is the
largest number of cadets Riverhead
NJROTC has had graduate from the
Leadership Academy.
Scholarship
RHS Senior Tom Houghton
T
om Houghton, a senior
at RHS, is one of those
students who is reaching
higher and working harder.
Tom participated in an engineering camp at the Uni-
versity of Norwich over the
summer. While there, he was
asked to fill out a college application. Before school even
started this fall, he was accepted into their engineering
program with a scholarship!
Last year as a junior, Tom
took two AP Social Studies
classes. This year, as a senior, he is taking AP Physics
B, AP Physics C/Mechanics,
which is a calculus-based
physics, and AP Calculus. He
is also participating in CORE
Cadets with West Point. Way
to go, Tom!
Author/Teacher
Mary Cholodenko
Pictured L-R: Josiah Tyte-11th grade (won the Iron Man award for top physical fitness test score);
Peter Rodriguez-11th grade; William Torres II-12th grade; Jason Gevinski-11th grade; Kelly
Savage-12th grade; Connor Keupp-11th grade; Ryan Budd-11th grade; Joseph Szot-11th grade
with LtCol Peter McCarthy-ROTC Instructor.
RHS teacher Mary Cholodenko
authored a book entitled,
Survival Guide for Math. It is
published by Kids In Between
for teachers of MS and HS students who struggle with math.
5
districtnews
6
www.riverhead.net - news and events
New Teachers in Our Schools
D
Introducing the new middle and high school teachers and professionals
in LaRochelle, France.
It was a wonderful
experience. I love
animals. I love to read
and spend time with
family and can often be
heard chanting, ‘Let’s go
Mets!’”
eputy Superintendent Nancy
Carney led nine new
teachers and RHS
psychologist, Katherine Fitzpatrick,
through a day-long
New Teachers Institute
that concluded with a
story about teaching
in a way that keeps
students from “falling
through the cracks.”
Denise Stevenson:
High School ESL
- Attended Walt
Whitman High School,
SUNY Oneonta
(English degree) and
SUNY Stony Brook
(M.A. TESOL). “I
am very excited about
this opportunity to
work at Riverhead.
I had a wonderful
experience as a student
teacher at Roanoke
Avenue and Riverhead
Middle School, and I
am looking forward
to working at the high
school.
Jennifer Chlystun:
High School Art Attended Newfield High
School and received her
degree in Visual Arts
from Dowling College.
“I have been dancing
for 22 years and have
been teaching dance
for ten years. I became
an art teacher because
I love to work with
children and watch
them grow and succeed
in all areas of their
life.”
Naomi Warner: High School
ESL - Graduated from RHS,
undergrad at SUNY Oswego
and Masters at SUNY Stony
Brook. “Since finishing my
Masters two years ago, I’ve
been travelling, doing mission
work and volunteer teaching in
Guatemala, Uganda, Indonesia,
Thailand, Laos, Australia,
New Zealand and other places.
Since the faculty at RHS
has provided me with such a
quality education and many
opportunities as a student, I
am very honored and excited
to now have such dedicated
colleagues!”
Alison Laino: Middle School
Social Studies - Attended Islip
High School and received her
R
Katherine Fitzpatrick:
RHS Psychologist Attended Sayville HS,
was an undergraduate
at Pennsylvania State
University and received her
Masters from St. John’s University.
“When I’m not at work you can
find me cycling and teaching indoor
cycling classes. My motto is to live
life to the fullest, make time to laugh
and strive to make a difference no
matter how small or great it is.”
Left to Right: Denise Stevenson, Naomi Warner, Alison Laino, Christine Angermaier, Rebecca Brinkman, Kristine
O’Donnell, Kerri-Ann Westfall, Jennifer Chlystun, Katherine Fitzpatrick and Caitlin Jablow
Social Science / Education
degree from Dowling College.
“I previously worked for
Microsoft. My teaching
philosophy is to be fair. Being
fair does not mean treating
each student the same, but
giving each student what he or
she needs to succeed.”
Christine Angermaier:
Guidance Counselor/School
to Work Coordinator at
Riverhead STAR Academy
- Attended Northport High
School, got her undergraduate
degree from the University
of Delaware and her graduate
degree at C.W. Post. Her
graduate emphasis was in
School Counseling / Mental
Health Counseling. “My
motto in life is ‘Everything
happens for a reason,’ and
‘Live in the Moment. Never
take anything for granted.’
I am in this field to make
a difference in the lives of
students. I want to give them
the tools they need to succeed
in life.”
Rebecca Brinkman:
Riverhead Middle School
Special Education - Attended
Watkinson High School in
Hartford, CT; received her
Bachelors in Science Education
from Boston University
and her Masters in Special
Education from Farmingham
State College. “I just moved
here from Boston last August
and bought a house in Baiting
Hollow this past March.”
Kristine O’Donnell:
High School French Attended Ward Melville HS
in Setauket, NY; received her
BA in Communications, Public
Relations from SUNY Oswego,
and her MA in Secondary
Education from Dowling. “After
college I worked in Public
Relations in New York for
several years before realizing
I wanted the chance to work
with kids and make a difference
every day! I love running,
canoeing, biking and being
outside.”
Kerri-Ann Westfall: High
School French - Attended
high school in West Babylon;
received her BA from SUNY
Cortland and is pursuing her
M.A. at Dowling College.
“My motto: ‘One language
sets you in the corridor of life.
Two languages open every
door along the way.’ As an
undergrad, I spent seven months
Caitlin Jablow: High School
Art - Attended high school in
Southampton and received her BFA
in Art Education and her M.A. in
Mixed Media from LIU/C.W. Post.
“I consider myself an artist just as
much as an educator. I have always
valued the field of art and what it
has brought to my life. The passions
that I focus on throughout my daily
life have inspired what I bring to
my classroom. I am very excited to
be working in the Riverhead School
District and to have the opportunity
to share what drives my life with my
students.”
“Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today”
HS principal David Zimbler
noted in the 2008-09 Course
Guide under the subtitle, Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges- “As the new millennium unfolds it brings with it increased
standards, more rigorous graduation requirements and the need
for enhanced parent-school
partnerships. To receive a diploma from high school today,
students must challenge themselves to pursue the most exacting program of study. The
workplace of the future will
demand that individuals are
highly skilled, especially in
areas such as computer technology and communications.
Research clearly indicates
that success in college is directly impacted by the rigor
of high school course work...
RHS is prepared to assist all
of our students in acquiring
what they will need for success
throughout their lifetime....”
During the Ninth Grade Orientation, administrators emphasized the need for students
to stay focused on achievement
as they enter the high school.
“You need to realize that it’s
necessary for you to treat high
school like it’s a pre-college
experience,” noted Associate Principal David Wicks.
“Our expectations for you are
high and we’re going to do
everything we can to help
you meet those expectations.”
Student government president
Jordan
Lobiak’s message, which was
read to the students in absen-
tia, stated, “Welcome graduating
class of 2012! High school is
where many of you will discover
your gifts and talents. . . Challenge yourself, students, and
surround yourself with adults
and peers who will exert a positive influence on you and will
help you attain your goals. . . .
I am pleased to welcome you to
a school with some of the best
faculty and students around, and
I know you’ll learn a lot from
them. Take the chance to get to
know your teachers. . . As your
student body president, I want
to let you all know that my office,
which doesn’t really exist, is always open to you.
Let me share a few common
sayings with you, which, as cliched as they sound, ring true . . .
Knowledge is power, so learn
all you can.
Be cool, stay in school; it will
change your life.
Don’t do drugs or drink and
drive; first it’s against the law
and secondly, I am sure you will
regret it.
Honesty is the best policy, so
be honest in all you do.”
districtnews
www.riverhead.net - news and events
District Adopts K-4 Uniform Policy
First Day of
School
K-4 Elementary Students Embrace New Uniform Code of Dress Policy
T
he first days of school
revealed that the families
of students in the district and the
students themselves have wholeheartedly embraced the new
uniform policy. A committee that included:
Board of Education members
Angela DeVito, Christine Prete
and Brian Stark; Principals Phil
Kent, Tom Payton and David
Wicks; teachers Kevin Hewkin
and Alice McKillop; parents
Carmecha Langhorne, Jane
Sherman, Kristy Wilkerson,
Lisa Moore, Molly O’Connor
and Thelma White; students
Amanda Fields, Anna and Lisa
Mariotti and Craig Hallock
introduced the new uniform
code of dress policy to the
Pictured is Kathleen Horn’s class in the library at the Roanoke Avenue School.
Board of Education last year.
The Board of Education
unanimously adopted it.
As outlined in a letter to the
parents, the objectives of the
Uniform Code of Dress Policy
include:
- Promoting a more effective
learning environment
and improving academic
performance; - Improving
student conduct and discipline;
- Fostering student self-esteem,
school unity and pride;
- Promoting safety and security.
Summer Programs for Students
The new Riley Avenue Assistant
Principal Jeanne Grim,
who was a 7-12 Curriculum
Supervisor in the District
last year, and Riley Avenue
Principal Dave Enos were in
matching uniforms with their
light blue dress shirts and
navy blue trousers on the first
day of school. Brothers, Luke
and Caleb Zuhoski, sported
matching backpacks with
khaki shorts and navy blue
polo shirts.
Summer programs Give Students an Opportunity to Keep Learning
S u m m e r pr ogr a m s
for students helped keep
students learning and active over
the summer.
The Summer Special
Education program used
themes involving animals and
sea life to keep students learning
over the summer. Kindergartners
participated in Reading/Writing
Workshop. They read about farm
animals and wrote stories, which
they shared in Writing Circles.
Older students used a modified
Read 180 program to study sea life.
Juan Moreno wrote in his
research paper on sharks,
“Sharks live in seas and oceans
all over the world. Reef sharks
live near coral reefs. They live
in warm, shallow water. Other
sharks live in deep oceans...”
He also noted, “Sharks can
smell under water. They use
their noses to find food.”
With the guidance of a
Maryhaven counselor and their
teachers, the older students
earned points that they tallied
in their bank books to pay for
prizes at the school store. One of
the students is pictured peering
through his bug finder, one of
the prizes he purchased with his
points.
The Riley Avenue School
hosted the Long Island Science
Museum’s Camp Invention,
wherein students learned about
space, finger-printing, inventions
and more.
Fourth graders once again had
the opportunity to take music
lessons over the summer.
Kristina DeRaveniere models
her ruffled navy blue skirt
with striped accent tie belt
and button up white blouse.
Animals were a central theme of study for many of the classes. The class pictured at the top made an
edible ocean scene for snack using blue jello, white cake and brightly colored gold fish crackers. Students
researched sea life and wrote reports. Juan Moreno (center) displays his report on sharks. Younger students
studied farm animals--one young man shows off the door knob decoration he made. Students also earned
points that could be used for currency in the school store for items like bug finders and books.
Phillips Avenue School has a
new Assistant Principal this
year, Ms. Patty Nugent. She
paused here to read with Evin
Alfaro in the Pre-K room.
7
districtevents
O
n September 11th, at
9:37 AM, the students
at the high school hung
the patchwork quilt that
was made after 9/11 on
the wall in the cafeteria
and remembered that terrible event with a reading
of “One” (by Cheryl Sawyer). Below is an excerpt
...
www.riverhead.net - today’s news and events
District Happenings
First Day of School 2008
HOMECOMING
Parade: Saturday,
October 18, 12:30 PM,
Main Street.
The theme is
Riverhead Hamlets!
Come to the PARADE!
As the soot and dirt and
ash rained down,
We became one color...
... As we retell with pride
of the sacrifice of heroes
We become one people...
HOMECOMING
We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One family
One soul
One people
We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.
Go Blue
Waves!
As a Memorial to RHS Art Teacher Vinny Nasta, his pilot friends and colleagues
staged five fly overs. (See top picture for explanation of fly overs.)
First Day of School 2008
Homecoming
Football Game
Saturday, October 18,
2:00 PM,
McKillop Field
Riverhead vs.
West Islip
GO BLUE WAVES!
Students and their families whole-heartedly embraced the District’s new uniform
dress code policy with a high percentage of families participating district wide.
Pictured above left are Brayan Aquilar with Mathaly and Jackalyn Medina;
Bottom Right: Kevin and Kristy Troyan with Riley Avenue Principal David Enos.
REMINDER
Columbus Day - School Closed
October 13, 2008
BOARD OF EDUCATION - RCSD
700 Osborne Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901
website: http://www.riverhead.net
Kathleen V. Berezny, President
Angela DeVito
Christine A. Prete, Vice President
Timothy Griffing
Ann Cotten-DeGrasse
Mary Ellen Harkin
Gregory M. Meyer
Diane B. Scricca, Superintendent of Schools
8