The district’s Board of Education was proud to congratulate the achievements of students and staff members during its December board meeting. 

Junior-Senior High School Principal Richard Schaffer kicked off the night and presented all Advance Placement Scholars and SuperMaster students with certificates, where 19 students were in attendance to receive the honor. SuperMaster students are those who scared 95 or higher on one or more Regents exam, while Advance Placement Scholars are students who were recognized for their successful performance on the 2019 AP exams.

The celebrations continued, with Director of Athletics David Barth recognizing the fall scholar-athletes and teams that earned the distinction as New York State Scholar-Athlete Team. The prestigious state award is presented to teams who cumulatively achieved a 90% grade point average or better during the competing season.

During the fall season, the district had seven varsity teams, which is 88% achieve this distinction, including varsity volleyball, boys cross country, girls cross country, cheerleading, girls varsity soccer, boys varsity soccer, girls varsity tennis. With that, the Individual student athletes who were able to achieve excellence in both the classroom and on the field or the court were Mairead Connor for girls cross country, Hunter Vertuccio for girls varsity soccer, and Adrianna Polizzi for varsity volleyball. 

Mr. Barth also highlighted the achievements of Junior-Senior High School varsity football coaches Russell Pajer and Dan Vito for earning their 100th victory in a 26-12 win over Island Trees. They have been coaching football together since 1995. They are just the five other varsity coaches in East Rockaway history to reach this milestone. Coach Vito also achieved this accomplishment in 2012 as varsity baseball coach.