Monday, February 3rd

6:30 PM @ ERHS

Kick off your college exploration journey with us! This event is the perfect opportunity for students and families to learn about the college admissions process and how to begin planning for life after high school.

We’re excited to welcome representatives from Adelphi University, Binghamton University, Ithaca College, Penn State University, and SUNY Oswego. Whether or not you’re interested in these specific schools, this event will provide valuable insights to guide your post-secondary planning.

We strongly encourage juniors, sophomores, and their families to attend, but all East Rockaway students and families are welcome.

RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/QFYQpZBPcdMGVqiA6

Date Added: 1/27/2025

The Rhame Avenue Literacy Enrichment Committee recently hosted officers from the 4th Precinct POP Unit for a special reading event with first and second grade students. Officers Ruff, Rofrano, and Kondak each delighted their respective classes by reading the beloved story “Officer Buckle and Gloria.”

Following the readings, the officers engaged with the students in a lively Q&A session, answering questions about their roles as police officers and sharing insights about how they help the community.

This fun and interactive event not only supported the students’ current unit on community helpers but also reinforced the important connection between literacy and real-world learning. The visit left students inspired and excited about the vital work community helpers do every day.

Date Added: 1/24/2025

At Rhame Avenue School, the new year began with an inspiring initiative designed to foster critical thinking, collaboration and goal-setting among students. Each class participated in a Thinking Map activity titled “New Year, New Goals, Best Self,” which encouraged students to reflect on their personal aspirations and explore the concept of their “best self.”

Ms. Beyrer and Mr. Cohen’s fourth-grade classes took this activity to the next level by partnering up for a collaborative exercise. Each student created an individual Thinking Map about their own best self. Then, in pairs consisting of one student from each class, they compared their maps and worked together to create a new map that highlighted their shared traits and goals. This engaging activity not only allowed students to get to know one another better but also provided a fun and meaningful way to practice teamwork and communication skills.

Thinking Maps, a set of eight visual patterns tied to specific cognitive processes, are a cornerstone of teaching and learning at Rhame Avenue School. Used across all grades and content areas, these maps help students build essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, comprehension and communication. By providing a shared visual “language for learning,” Thinking Maps create a consistent framework that supports academic success in every domain.

Rhame Avenue is fortunate to have a dedicated “Thinking Map Team” comprised of teachers and administrators who have received specialized training in this innovative approach. This team plays a vital role in supporting their colleagues by offering guidance in planning and designing classroom activities that incorporate Thinking Maps effectively.

The “New Year, New Goals, Best Self” activity exemplifies how Rhame Avenue School uses Thinking Maps to create engaging, thought-provoking experiences for students. By blending individual reflection with collaborative learning, the school continues to cultivate a supportive and dynamic learning environment that sets the stage for student success.

Click here to view the Rhame Avenue School kicks off the new year with a motivational Thinking Map activity slideshow.

Date Added: 1/23/2025

On Jan. 17, the Centre Avenue School library buzzed with creativity and innovation as fifth graders showcased their Government on Mars projects. Under the guidance of teachers Ms. ToniAnn Donald and Ms. Kirsten Scalercio, the students delved into this engaging project-based learning experience, a cornerstone of the East Rockaway School District's educational approach.

The Government on Mars project is part of the fifth-grade social studies curriculum, designed to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills. Project-based learning enables students to actively engage with complex challenges by developing solutions through research and teamwork. Instead of rote memorization, PBL emphasizes learning by doing, allowing students to build a deeper understanding and transferable skills like communication and critical analysis.

In preparation for their projects, East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox visited the fifth graders earlier in the week to share his own experiences in government. He discussed the intricacies of elections and the practical day-to-day responsibilities of running a government, providing valuable insights to help the students as they developed their own projects.

In this imaginative assignment, students were tasked with envisioning a new society on Mars. Each student created a unique world, complete with its own name and governmental structure. The governments ranged from dictatorships and monarchies to democracies, reflecting the diversity of their ideas. To bring their visions to life, the students designed brochures detailing the features of their Martian domains, which they presented to their classmates.

The event drew enthusiastic attendance from Principal Ms. Calia Kelly, Superintendent James DeTommaso and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Mr. Sean Murray, who were all impressed by the students' creativity and understanding of governance concepts.

The Government on Mars project not only deepened students' understanding of social studies but also allowed them to develop practical skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom. It was a testament to the power of project-based learning to inspire curiosity and engagement in young learners.

Click here to view the Fifth graders present Government on Mars projects at Centre Avenue School slideshow.

Date Added: 1/21/2025