The Junior-Senior High School’s auditorium was filled with cheer, as members of the board of education and administration revered its students and staff during the district’s June 15 board of education meeting. A variety of recognitions were given out to close the 2020-2021 school year.

Junior-Senior High School Principal Richard Schaffer presented the Class of 2021’s valedictorian and salutatorian. Valedictorian Lucy Temple and salutatorian Emma Pollackov were both applauded for their hard work and dedication they have demonstrated throughout their high school career.

Mr. Schaffer also presented a farewell speech to two retirees from the school, Nicholas Cimorelli and Donna Smith. With a combined 67 years of service, both Cimorelli and Smith were honored for their devotion and commitment to the East Rockaway community. They also received an engraved clock in recognition of their years of service.

Centre Avenue school Principal Calia Kelly also stepped to the podium to present the amazing actions of fifth grader Frederick Devine and fourth grader Christopher Devine. In honor of Memorial Day, Frederick and Christopher celebrated the life and sacrifice of East Rockaway resident and Lieutenant Vincent Higgins, who died in World War I. The students visited his gravesite at The Lawrence Cemetery, left a stone and posted an American flag and then took a small bag of soil from his gravesite. With the small bag of soil, they proceeded to ruck five miles to Memorial Park in East Rockaway and placed the soil collected in the memorial bearing his name.

District Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics David Barth celebrated 12 students who earned the distinction of New York State Scholar-Athlete. This prestigious state award is presented to students who cumulatively achieved a 90% grade point average or better during the competing season.

Bus driver Jimmy Lores was also recognized during the board meeting for his efforts and tremendous dedication he demonstrated every day to the district throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This was part of the Town of Hempstead’s promotion to recognize frontline workers who went above and beyond for their community during the pandemic. Mr. Lores received a citation from Town of Hempstead Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. and Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, and a citation from Village of East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano. In addition, the Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz also expressed her appreciation to the Town of Hempstead for having provided the district the Town of Hempstead COVID-19 grant of $120,000. These funds helped cover COVID-19 related expenses.

The night ended with the district’s annual PTA installation ceremony for the new officers of each of the school’s PTA units.

The district came together to honor the Rhame Avenue Elementary School individuals who bravely protected students when an alleged drunk driver crashed into the school fence during recess on June 2. Board members and administrators expressed their gratitude for the heroic actions carried out by staff during the district’s board of education meeting on June 15.

Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz said these individuals, along with members of the Nassau County Police Department Fourth Precinct, have her deepest respect, admiration and appreciation for keeping East Rockaway students safe. “Due to the amazing and extraordinarily quick thinking and outstanding actions of our recess monitors, teacher aides, teachers and security guards, our students were immediately brought into the building and no one was harmed,” she said. “These actions speak to the building leadership of our principal Dr. Ayesha McArthur and the intense focus on security that the district has been and continues to be committed to. This resulted in the safest outcome that we could’ve possibly hoped for. Although this was a horrific tragedy, we need to focus on the bravery, courage and quick thinking and actions of our extraordinary staff.”

In addition to the district honoring these individuals, New York State Sen. Todd Kaminsky also presented each staff member with a proclamation for their bravery and outstanding actions. Town of Hempstead Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr., and Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and Village of East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano joined Sen. Kaminsky in celebrating the heroes of Rhame Avenue School.

Rhame Avenue Elementary School second grade students recently went to the farm — virtually. They took a virtual field trip to Cornell University to participate in the New York Agriculture in the Classroom Program.

For the lesson, students gained an understanding of how food and fiber are produced, and the necessary items needed to help all living things grow.

The program celebrates June Dairy Month and is a partnership with Cornell University, the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, the NYS Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the New York Farm Bureau.

The Concert Bands of the Centre Avenue and Rhame Avenue schools put a virtual spin on their annual tradition of performing "America the Beautiful" to honor our heroes for Memorial Day. For the parade, the district provided each musician with a band mask and bell cover. This was an exciting day, as the students were able to meet as an ensemble for the first time in fourteen months to prepare and shoot the video.

Click Here to view the performance, or watch the video down below. 

The Junior-Senior High School was proud to participate in Red Nose Day on May 27 for the fifth consecutive year. Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run by the nonprofit organization Comic Relief Inc., a registered U.S. public charity.

The fundraising campaign is dedicated to ending child poverty in the United States, Puerto Rico, and communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The money raised by Red Nose Day has benefited nearly 25 million children in America as well as children in over 30 countries. Donations provide children with meals, educational supports, access to basic health services, life-saving vaccines and shelter.

Red Nose Day brings East Rockaway students together to raise money and change the lives of children in need. The day helps students understand the issue of child poverty, develop empathy and realize their power to help others. Students feel empowered as they learn that they can make positive change in the world, even amidst the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19.

The Key Club and school social worker Ms. Amy Weissman held a fundraiser during lunch periods to raise awareness and collect money to support organizations that help combat child poverty. For a donation of $1, students and staff could purchase a sanitary, individually wrapped red nose and take a selfie with a selfie frame titled #NOSESON. A total of $300 was raised at the Junior/Senior High School. Throughout the week, facts and statistics about child poverty were announced on the morning announcements and shared on the TV monitors throughout the hallways.

In addition, the district’s Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue elementary schools also participated in fundraising efforts, with Rhame raising $400 and Centre raising $300. A total of $1,000 was raised districtwide.