January 21, 2026

Dear East Rockaway Families,

I want to reach out directly as we navigate important conversations about the future of our elementary schools. I know uncertainty can be unsettling, so let me be clear: no decisions have been made about elementary school realignment. What you may have heard represents early planning discussions and preliminary ideas, not final plans. We're in the exploration phase, asking questions and considering possibilities. Our priority is straightforward: doing what's best for our students while carefully weighing educational quality, family needs, and the long-term health of our district.

I know questions and concerns are circulating, and that's completely understandable. To help clarify what we know, what we're considering, and what's simply not accurate, I've put together a "Rumor vs. Reality" guide below. My hope is that this brings clarity and peace of mind as we continue this important work together. There is a link to a form at the end of this posting where you can share your questions and concerns. We invite your feedback!

Thank you for your patience, your trust, and your partnership. Your voices matter in this process.

Sincerely,

James DeTommaso

Superintendent

Rumor: The district is realigning elementary schools to cut staff, reduce classes per grade level, and save money.

Reality: The district is exploring a K-3 and Grade 4-6 elementary school structure to better serve our students and community. Here's how this change would benefit families:

• More Balanced Classrooms
  Each grade level would have more evenly distributed class sizes and a better balance of student needs across sections.
• Enhanced Academic Support
  Specialized services like literacy instruction and math intervention would be centralized by grade level, allowing us to group students more effectively based on their learning needs.
• Improved Special Education
  Services Both buildings would offer the full range of special education programs, creating more cohesive learning environments where students can connect with peers who have similar needs.
• Stronger Teacher Collaboration
  With all teachers for each grade level working in the same building, our educators would have greater opportunities to collaborate, share best practices, and focus on the specific developmental needs of their students.
• Better English Language Support
  English as a New Language (ENL) service would be available in both buildings, giving students more opportunities to learn alongside their peers and ensuring that students receiving both ENL and special education services get the full benefit of both programs.

Important to Note: This proposal does not involve reducing current staff positions or reducing the number of classes per grade level. Instead, it's designed to manage future growth more sustainably while improving educational outcomes for all students.

Rumor: The district hasn't considered how multiple school drop-offs and pick-ups will disrupt families' routines.

Reality: We understand that transportation logistics are a top concern for parents, and this has been central to our planning from the very beginning. We're developing practical solutions to make this transition as smooth as possible for families.

• Shuttle Bus Service
  We're working to establish a supervised shuttle bus service between both elementary schools. This would allow parents to drop their child at whichever school is most convenient for them, and a full-sized school bus with staff supervision would transport students to their assigned school. We would put clear attendance procedures in place to ensure every child is accounted for throughout the process.
• Adjusted School Start Times
  We're also exploring staggered start times between the two schools to give parents with children at both buildings enough time for drop-off. These adjusted times would be modest—similar to our current schedule—so families won't experience a dramatic change to their morning or afternoon routines.

Our Commitment: We understand that this proposed realignment will change how some of our elementary students get to and from school each day. Your child's safety is our top priority, and we are committed to working closely with local authorities throughout this transition. Our district administrators will partner with the Village of East Rockaway and Nassau County police to identify any safety concerns at intersections near our school buildings and put the necessary protections in place to keep our students safe.

We recognize that any change affects family schedules, and we're committed to listening to parent feedback as we finalize these plans. Your input is essential in helping us create solutions that work for our community.

Rumor: The district is going to make this change without asking for parent input.

Reality: We want to be clear that no decision has been made. I have shared this information at Board of Education meetings, that we're still in the early planning stages, and community input is essential to this process.

Our Collaborative Approach

We've designed a thoughtful, step-by-step process to ensure all voices are heard:

Step 1: Board of Education Review

We've presented the potential benefits and challenges to the Board of Education to determine whether they support further exploration of this idea. The board agreed to allow us to move to the next step of the process.

Step 2: Teacher and Staff Input

We're meeting with our educators and staff to discuss how this change would impact student learning, identify potential challenges, and work together to address concerns. We'll only move forward if the benefits clearly outweigh the challenges. We have six meetings scheduled and four left.

Step 3: Community Engagement

We will be seeking input from families and community members to understand your concerns, answer your questions, and refine the plan based on your feedback. Implementation would only happen if the benefits are clear, challenges are addressed, and the Board of Education approves moving forward.

We understand this proposal has created uncertainty for many families, and we recognize the importance of addressing your questions now, rather than later. While we've asked for patience as we work through the early planning stages, we want you to know that your voice matters.

Share Your Thoughts

Please click HERE to complete our feedback form to share your concerns, ask questions, and help shape this decision. We're committed to making this a truly collaborative process.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. 

View this post on ParentSquare HERE.