Rock Report – March 2026

A Monthly Recap from Superintendent James DeTommaso

ACHIEVEMENT

Writing Celebration at Centre Avenue 

Grade 4 students capped off their writing unit with a celebration anchored in a truly imaginative project: designing their own mythical creatures. Students researched the adaptations of real animals, then invented original creatures complete with unique characteristics and adaptations – and composed detailed writing pieces to bring them to life.

Young Writers Shine at Rhame Avenue 

Rhame Avenue first graders performed live readings of their original writing pieces, while second graders explored the importance of human differences through a thinking map activity tied to Rock the Socks for Down Syndrome Awareness Day. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Miolan and Mrs. Hughes for designing such a rigorous and meaningful project.

Charlotte Webster Earns STANYS Award 

Charlotte Webster has been named the recipient of the 2026 Nassau STANYS Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Sciences, presented by the Science Teachers Association of New York State. Each year, STANYS honors one nominated senior per school at a countywide dinner, which is a well-deserved recognition for Charlotte's dedication and excellence.

Athletic Honors and Semifinal Runs 

Four out of five varsity teams earned NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team recognition, and 30 individual student athletes were named Scholar-Athletes. Capping an outstanding winter season, both Girls Varsity Basketball and Boys Varsity Basketball advanced to the Nassau County Semifinals.
 

Innovation

Board Game Design in STEAM 

In Mrs. Healy's STEAM classes at both Centre Avenue and Rhame Avenue, students worked collaboratively to design and build their own fully functioning board games, which was a challenge that required problem-solving, creativity and teamwork in equal measure.

Digital Literacy with Canva 

Rhame fifth graders brought their literary thinking to life using Canva, creating polished one-page digital reflections on the book “Rebound.”

Mag-Lev Cars and Video Production 

Students in Ms. Miah's 8th grade technology class are exploring the science of circuits and magnetism by engineering their own Magnetic Levitation cars. Her video production students are honing their craft in Adobe Premiere, editing and producing original advertising videos.

 

Opportunity

Spanish 5 Attends Don Quijote in NYC 

Spanish 5 students traveled to New York City on Mar. 10 to attend a Spanish-language production of “Don Quijote” at Repertorio Español – an immersive experience connecting language learning to one of literature's most celebrated works.

Student Council Advocates for Lunch Program Improvements 

Centre Avenue Student Council and K-Kids designed and administered a school-wide survey on the breakfast and lunch program, analyzed the results, and presented their findings directly to Ms. Pinga from Aramark, advocating for meaningful improvements.

Virtual Enterprise Doubles Sales Goal 

Our Virtual Enterprise students brought their entrepreneurial energy to a trade show at Lynbrook High School on March 19  where the Dear Dorm crew more than doubled their sales goal. Official results are still pending, but the performance speaks for itself.

 

Connection

Weather School Wows Centre Avenue 

Centre Avenue students were treated to a PTA-sponsored assembly with Samantha Augeri's Weather School, where they explored weather phenomena  including a tornado, clouds and a volcano made from elephant toothpaste – and had the chance to anchor their own live forecast on a green screen.

Celebrations and Overnight Adventures at Rhame Avenue 

Kindergarteners strutted their stuff in a Foundation Fashion Show, fourth graders celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Mr. Beyrer playing the bagpipes and sharing Irish culture, and sixth graders headed off on the Ashokan overnight trip for team-building and outdoor learning.

National World Language Month

East Rockaway students celebrated National World Language Month during the week of Mar. 16 with movies, trivia and spirit days honoring the languages and cultures that connect us to the wider world.

Army Combat Medics Visit Health and EMT Classes

Ms. Robbins partnered with Health and EMT classes to host US Army Combat Medics and Nurses, who gave students a firsthand look at medical care on the battlefield.

4th Annual Career Day at ERHS 

ERHS held its 4th annual Career Day on Mar. 6 in partnership with Career Day, Inc., giving students the opportunity to connect with professionals across a wide range of fields. One member of the Class of 2026 will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the organization at senior awards night.

Watch the full recording of the March board of education meeting here, which included this report.