The school buildings came alive today as East Rockaway students returned to class for the start of the 2026-27 school year. The doors of East Rockaway Junior/Senior High School, Rhame Avenue Elementary School and Centre Avenue Elementary School opened bright and early, with administrators and staff on hand to welcome students back.

First-day traditions were on full display across the district. Elementary students arrived carrying bags filled with fresh school supplies, kindergartners proudly held signs commemorating their first day of school, and seniors celebrated the start of their final year in East Rockaway wearing Class of 2027 shirts and carrying backpacks featuring favorite childhood characters and cartoons.

Inside the classrooms, teachers returned refreshed after two days of professional development and ready to welcome their new students. Friends reunited, new classes began and everyone quickly fell back into the familiar rhythms of the school day.

It was a great start to what will undoubtedly be a great year.