The celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6, also featured the school’s annual wreath sale, the lighting of its giant wreath and hot cocoa.

“It’s the start of the holiday season,” said principal Thomas Payton. “This is a magical time of year, particularly for elementary kids, and this kicks it off.”

The annual wreath sale has been a staple for the school since 2011, a year after Mr. Payton became principal. The sale acts as a fundraiser for the school’s PTO, with all of the money going back toward helping the students. 

The school’s fourth-grade singers showed off their voices, belting out three holiday tunes, led by Lily Kutner, the school’s music teacher. Following the special concert, parents joined their kids and looked up to the window above the main entrance, counting down from 10. At the end of the countdown, the window was illuminated by the school’s giant wreath, lit up with multicolored lights.

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Karla and Carlos Vasquez were all smiles at their school’s holiday celebration. (Credit: Brendan Carpenter) Madison Grigg and Amethyst Marshall braved the cold weather to celebrate with their friends. (Credit: Brendan Carpenter) Principal Thomas Payton thanked families for coming out to continue the annual tradition. (Credit: Brendan Carpenter) Music teacher Lily Kutner led the fourth-grade singers. (Credit: Brendan Carpenter) For the first time, the Riverhead Fire Department helped light up a Christmas tree for the school. (Credit: Brendan Carpenter) PTO members Cleydi Amaya, Melissa Mapes, Lindsay Raynor and Karma Marshall helped put together the festive event. (Credit: Brendan Carpenter

Mr. Payton said the wreath was originally donated by a former student’s parent. They asked if they could hang it up, and it turned into a beloved holiday tradition. 

This year’s celebration featured for the first time the help of Riverhead Fire Department, which is located directly across the street. Students, parents and administrators were happy with the surprise addition, taking pictures in front of the tree.

Families also took photos next to a blow-up Frosty the Snowman. 

After the festivities were over, everyone lined up for hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies from the PTO, warming up holiday-style on a chilly winter night.

“We have the wreath that will be lit through the holiday season. Now, a tree, for the first time, is going to be lit through the holiday season,” said Mr. Payton. “I think that this signifies the holiday season for our students.”

The post Roanoke Avenue Elementary School lights up for the holidays appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Emergency room doctors taught more than 60 students key skills like splinting, stitching, intubation and CPR during the workshop.

“It is really important to build relationships when pursuing medicine, and these students will have started to build those relationships,” SBU Division of Health, Equity and Advocacy senior administrative assistant Lauren Rozmus said in a press release.

The medical personnel work with the hospital’s Division of Health, Equity and Advocacy with the goal of improving care in the emergency room for all patients. The division’s outreach to school districts like Shoreham-Wading River builds community partnerships and provides opportunities for students of various economic standing to take advantage of being able to build relationships with medical personnel in the field.

The hospitals and ambulatory health services industries accounted for a combined 175,500 jobs in the Long Island Region in 2023, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Median wages in those fields ranged from $38,629 for home and personal care aides to $165,722 for medical and health services managers in 2023.

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“I always loved school,” said Mr. Karlson, who became principal of Riley Avenue Elementary School this year. “I was very fortunate to have great teachers, great administrators, right through high school. And so it was always a place that I felt very, very comfortable.”

Mr. Karlson has spent every one of his 25 years with the Riverhead school district in its elementary schools, first as a teacher at Phillips Avenue Elementary, then at Roanoke Avenue before moving up to Aquebogue Elementary School as an administrator. After a brief stint as an assistant principal at Roanoke, Mr. Karlson landed at Riley Avenue.

It didn’t take him long to settle in and get started helping everyone address their needs.

“Things occur in different proportionality at the schools, but the issues are the same. And the mission is the same,” he said. “It’s not necessarily about learning how to be a solid administrator at Riley Avenue. It’s about helping people with what they need help with.”

It’s important to Mr. Karlson that he models transparency and directness to both staff and parents. It’s this authenticity that allows parents and staff to put their trust in the school.

“We get to have really frank conversations. All the relationships are about as direct as they get and they’re about as real as it gets,” said Mr. Karlson. “I believe in high agency paired with high accountability. I do think people do well when they are in the driver’s seat, as long as we have a culture that matches that, that we’re going to talk about how it’s going, like almost all the time, and not be afraid to change it.”

One of the ongoing problems in schools across the country is chronic absenteeism, which can be a difficult and sensitive issue to address. To combat attendance issues at his schools, Mr. Karlson reframed the approach as promoting attendance rather than dealing with absences. 

“Those felt like different things with different strategies. When I came here, one of the first things we did is form an attendance team. The parent-facing communication and the ways that we engage teachers are some things I’m really proud of,” Mr. Karlson said.

When Karlson began his career, it was Bryan Miltenberg, now principal of Aquebogue Elementary School, who made him his first official hire as a teacher at Phillips Avenue in 2001.

No matter which building he is in or in which position, Mr. Karlson brings his brand of gentle listening and kindness to bear on the administration at Riverhead schools. He hopes to leave Riley Avenue better than he found it, and that his time there makes him better, too.

For anyone considering a leap into educational administration, Mr. Karlson believes there is a litmus test for success in the field.

“There’s only one ingredient that you need, and it’s kind of like the go, no-go on being administrator, and that’s can you approach situations with benevolence?” he said.

“Can you, the harder the situation with the family, can you keep in mind that they’ve got a real problem, that they are trying to get a real solution to it? You might approach it differently than them, but they are just trying to be everything they can be for their kid,” he continued.

“With the staff member, when they come in and they have a need, the reason they’re discussing it with you is real. If you can’t do that, you’re just going to be very unhappy.”

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The school’s buddy bench — a designated spot where students can sit when they’re feeling lonely or want to make new friends — was unveiled Tuesday, Oct. 28, courtesy of Kait’s Angels, a Riverhead-based nonprofit.

The entire fifth- and sixth-grade student body filled the football field bleachers for the ceremony, with members of the newly formed student council wearing pink in support. Student Taya Fusco cut the ribbon.

“This bench is to encourage you to be kind and make friends,” said director Lisa Garcia. “If you’re having a bad day, feeling sad or lonely, take a seat on the bench and someone will join you, make you smile and brighten your day. The Kaitlyn Doorhy way.”

Kait’s Angels was founded by Darla Doorhy a decade ago after her 20-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, was struck by a car and killed on Aug. 22, 2014, while attending Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. The foundation supports community members facing medical challenges, financial struggles and unexpected hardships through fundraising events and direct assistance.

A former Mattituck Strawberry Queen known for her caring heart, Kaitlyn inspired the bench’s mission to encourage children to be good friends, stand up against bullying and share kindness.

“It’s a little hard for us to talk about our daughter in heaven, but we’re so happy that 800-plus students are here today to enjoy Kaitlyn Doorhy’s buddy bench,” said Darla Doorhy, with her husband, Joe, beside her. “This is the biggest buddy bench dedication we have done in 10 years.”

At the Pulaski Street School, counselor Jen Boese said she and fellow counselor Michelle Chiarulli noticed students didn’t have anywhere to sit during recess at the beginning of the school year. They connected with Kait’s Angels to change that.

“I really want to thank this amazing organization, Kait’s Angels, for giving back to our community,” Ms. Boese said. “We are Riverhead strong. We have so much to offer, and we really appreciate you guys being here today.”

The school’s chorus performed “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars — a fitting anthem for the bench’s mission of friendship and kindness.

The new bench now sits beneath a brown-and-orange-tipped tree near the playground — a quiet place to rest, reflect or find a friend.

“That’s where you can find it when you’re having a good day, when you’re having a bad day, or you see someone that needs a friend,” said principal Stacy Woodhull.

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Then the results came back: She had scored in the top 3 to 4% nationally out of the millions nationwide, earning recognition as a commended student by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

“I’ve always enjoyed all of my AP classes,” said Brooke, now a senior taking her fifth AP course, language and composition. “My experience with the AP program as a whole has been good.”

Riverhead High School’s Advanced Placement program has grown dramatically over the past two decades, more than doubling its offerings from fewer than 10 to more than 20 courses today. Nearly 600 students take at least one AP course during high school, with 51 graduates earning AP Scholar designation last year by scoring 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

For students like Brooke, the rigorous program does more than bolster college applications. It teaches them they can handle challenges and succeed under pressure.

Ollie Earl, a senior, is among those who have benefited. He got his start with AP World History as a freshman. Now, nine AP courses later, he’s heading to college to study political science, confident that he can handle whatever comes next.

“I was ready for a new wave of learning,” he said. “Even that first AP World History had more work in it than any other classes. But I did great with it, and I really enjoyed it. It met my expectations, it made me happy.”

Ollie has taken his fair share of difficult courses. One that stands out from the rest is AP Chemistry. He wondered, at times, whether he would make it through. He did — and now knows he can tackle college-level work.

“I’ll meet the challenge even better, because not only do I have the experience of working hard behind me, but I’ll also have the kind of excitement that you get from learning something that you really genuinely want to learn,” he said. “I am very proud of myself, and I feel confident in my ability to get through hard classes.”

Fellow senior Aidan Foss remembers the jolt of his first AP course. World History as a freshman was unlike anything he’d faced, and Chemistry tested him even further.

Twelve AP courses later, he has developed the study skills and resilience he’ll need as he pursues political science and history in college, with hopes of becoming a lawyer.

“I actually know what I’m getting into when I go to college,” Aidan said. “It’s still going to be a shock, but not as much, because I’ve taken AP classes.”

Senior Saara Hossain chose AP courses to challenge herself. Of the seven she’s taken, AP Seminar stands out for its college-style research papers — work that will help as she pursues international relations and foreign languages in college.

“I’ve really enjoyed my AP classes,” Saara said. “The ones offered here have been really helpful.”

To Principal Sean O’Hara, the students’ success reflects collaboration across the entire school.

“One of the things I like about Riverhead High School is that there’s something for everybody here,” he said. “I’m proud of the programs we offer and of the students who take advantage and thrive.”

Charles Gassar, director of school counseling, has watched the AP program expand during his 17 years with the district. New courses are added regularly, and the district continues to look for ways to broaden opportunities.

Beyond AP, Riverhead offers dual-enrollment courses for college credit through Stony Brook, Adelphi or Long Island University, all taught by Riverhead faculty. Seniors also participate in an Early College program at Suffolk County Community College, taking classes alongside college students.

“The district has always fully supported these programs,” Mr. Gassar said. “There are so many opportunities for students to find their niche and go in different directions.”

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Ms. Gilmore, who died after a medical incident at soccer practice in April, coached the Wildcats for 14 seasons and led the team to six Suffolk County titles, three Long Island championships and a state title while winning 165 games.

She turned the girls’ soccer squad into a powerhouse, guiding the student-athletes to a state semifinal after their second consecutive Long Island title last fall. 

Before the Sept. 27 game, members of the girls’ soccer team held a “Gilmore Game” banner and walked onto the field alongside members of the Gilmore family and the William Floyd team. 

Daughter Kayla Gilmore, who is currently in her sophomore year playing for the University of Maryland women’s lacrosse team, spoke about her mother and the coach she knew her to be. 

“Somehow she knew how to bring out the very best in me, and she did the same thing for her players,” Kayla said. “She wanted her players to be strong, confident women and she showed them how to do that. That’s the culture she built here [at Shoreham-Wading River].” 

Head coach Lydia Kessel spoke about Ms. Gilmore’s legacy and the way her team continues to play in her memory. 

“What is comforting to know is that her legacy lives on in the players she coached, in the lessons she taught and in the love she had for this program,” Ms. Kessel said. “Even though she is no longer here, she is still guiding us.” 

The Wildcats girls’ soccer squad secured a 5-1 victory over William Floyd in the non-league game. The boys’ soccer team followed with a 1-0 victory over Garden City later that afternoon. 

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“I always want to be a giver at the end of the day. I want to be able to give back, and be able to give to the community that I’m from,” Mr. Greenidge said. “For me, I have some pillars in my life: faith, giving and being a family man.”

Mr. Greenidge and Brian Stark, the CAP board president, have been donating school supplies to the school since 2021, which is where Mr. Greenidge attended as a child. The initial donation that year was $2,000, an idea conceived by Mr. Greenidge. Since then, the annual donation has grown, and this year, the two are donating a combined $5,000 toward the supplies.

Though Mr. Greenidge has been giving back this way since 2021, this was actually the first time he returned to the school in a long time. In the past, he’d be in other cities — like New Orleans or Atlanta — because of the NFL season, and his parents would go as his representation. This time around, having the chance to not only see his old school again but also meet some of the students whose lives his donations help was special to him. 

“For me to be able to come back to an old school where I was, and just remembering the steps I took over here, just remembering the opportunities that I was able to have, I want to be able to make sure these kids have the same thing,” he said. “And just de-stressing some of the little things that I know that life can bring. If I can be a help to that, I always want to do that, and giving that faith is just so important to me. It’s just so cool to see this and see the kids again.”

Mr. Greenidge was coached by CAP Board President Brian Stark in basketball when he was in high school. Felicia Scocozza, the executive director of CAP, said the two remained close over the years following high school. In 2020, during the pandemic, she said the two got together and donated gift cards to families in Riverhead who needed food. Following that, they wanted to expand and help students, and it’s been growing every year. 

The students were somewhat in awe meeting Mr. Greenidge and had big smiles on their faces while taking pictures. Phillips Avenue Elementary School principal Stephen Hudson said the school had put out some information beforehand about Mr. Greenidge so the students would know more about him. They found some old photos of him back when he played football for Riverhead and hung them up as posters. Some of Mr. Greenidge’s old teachers still work there, and they got to catch up with him as well.

“We truly feel blessed to have this type of community where people like Ethan remember Phillips Avenue and are still proud of Phillips Avenue and very much a part of Phillips Avenue,” Mr. Hudson said. “With CAP, we continue to work with our students, with all the types of support that they provide. Any district, any students, just having that community to provide, whether it’s monetary or just social-emotional support, it’s the whole gamut, and it’s really just an amazing thing. One of the greatest things about Riverhead is our community — how we stick together.”

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Abigail Robillard (Credit: Courtesy photo) Max Odell (age 4) on his first day of Kindergarten at Riley Ave Elementary School (Credit: Courtesy photo) Taya Ann, first day at Pulaski Street Schoo, 5th grade (Credit: Courtesy photo) Riley Avenue 2025, 4th grade (Credit: Courtesy photo) Lila, Quinn and Elsie Corwin going into 8th, 6th and 4th grades (Credit: Courtesy photo) First day at Roanoke Ave. Elementary School (Credit: George Faella) First day at Roanoke Ave. Elementary School (Credit: George Faella) First day at Roanoke Ave. Elementary School (Credit: George Faella) Nola of Aquebogue (Credit: Courtesy photo)

Here are some recent Education headlines; scroll to the bottom for links to district calendars.

SWR District 2026 lunch program directives

Shoreham-Wading River cafeterias will be required to provide a complete meal to any student who asks for one under the state’s universal free meals program starting this year. The state program follows the National School Lunch Program as a criteria for nutrition at meal time. READ MORE

SWR High School gym fire shifts athletics, phys ed activities

Superintendent Gerard Poole said water damages to the gym floor — a result of efforts to extinguish the fire — will require “major renovation,” but all other areas will be open for the start of the year. Work to replace the floor has already begun, with the floor already ripped up as of Aug. 26. READ MORE

Community advisory committee formed by Riverhead school board

Effective in October, the Riverhead Central School District board of education will create its new Community Involvement and Language Access Advisory Committee to bridge gaps in communication and alert leadership of community concerns. READ MORE

Area districts lay out state-mandated cell ban plans

Gov. Hochul’s policy, which was approved as part of the 2026 fiscal year budget, prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on K-12 school grounds for the entire day, including classroom time, lunch and study hall periods. READ MORE

New athletic director Ferry to lead SWR wildcat pack 

Deb Ferry was appointed Shoreham-Wading River’s new director of health, physical education and athletics and plans to have a “boots on the ground approach.” She will replace former athletics director Eric Bramoff, who joined the district in July 2024. READ MORE

Wishing students, staff, teachers, administrators and parents an enriching 2025-26 year!

The post Back-to-school: Reader photos and education headlines appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Shoreham-Wading River Central School District cafeterias will be required to provide a complete meal to any student who asks for one under the state’s universal free school meals program starting this year. The state program follows the National School Lunch Program as a criteria for nutrition at meal time in schools. 

The national program has an established list of dietary specifications for calories, sodium and saturated fat, and meal pattern requirements for the program’s five meal components. The list details the minimum daily intake for fruits, vegetables, grains, meats or meat alternatives, and milk for K-12 age groups. 

A complete meal, at a minimum, consists of three components or items based on federal regulations. Students who take just an item or two at the cafeteria would not meet the quota for reimbursement under the NSLP and would have to be charged at an individual cost for those items, assistant superintendent of finance and operations Glen Arcuri said. 

“So, the food service staff is going to be a little pushy for students to take a complete meal because if they don’t get them to take a complete meal, we are unable to file a claim for reimbursement for that meal,” Mr. Arcuri said. “It is important to note your student might actually come home and say ‘I’m taking stuff that I’m not eating.’”

Sara Paolino, director of food service for the district, added that cafeteria staff will help direct students to a complete meal so they avoid the charge for a la carte items.

In years past, the district has allowed families’ Nutrikids accounts to go negative because the district wanted to feed kids if they didn’t have lunch, but would not allow a la carte items to be purchased to the point of a negative balance. This year, the ability to go into the negative has been disabled, as all students are entitled to a free complete meal. 

Since this is the district’s first year participating in the program, Mr. Arcuri said it will be audited for its compliance with the national program’s criteria. “We are [making] certain that they see we are cognizant that we are not going to be in the National School Lunch Program, but still deliver our original program which exceeded a lot of the national school lunch requirements,” he said. 

Families who feel they are eligible to receive free and reduced meals should complete an application to help the district define its ratio for federal reimbursement of free and reduced meals supplied, Mr. Arcuri said. As of Aug. 26, more than 190 families have applied. 

Parents can access the application at swrschools.org/school-lunch-program. Once completed, that application can be returned to the district at 250B Route 25A, Shoreham. For help with the application, call 631-821-8120.

The district will be reimbursed at the state-reimbursement level for the remaining number of students who grab a reduced or free meal at school. 

“It’s important as a base year to have our free and reduced count as high as it possibly can be,” Mr. Arcuri said. “If you’re unsure [whether you are eligible], complete the free and reduced application for us.”

Parents throughout the district have been sent letters regarding the lunch changes this year, Mr. Arcuri said. 

He added that parents have been confused why they’re being asked to fill out the application, but he said it is important for the district to establish its base rate for reimbursement for the program. Oct. 1 would be an “ideal” deadline for families to submit their application, Mr. Arcuri said. However, families will be able to fill out an application at any time during the year.

Fundraising efforts during school hours should also be compliant with the NSLP guidelines, Mr. Arcuri said. After school fundraisers would not have to follow the same stringent guidelines.

For more information on the district’s lunch program, contact the district at 631-821-8100.

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Superintendent Gerard Poole said water damages to the gym floor — a result of efforts to extinguish the fire — will require “major renovation,” but all other areas of the high school will be open for the start of the school year. Work to replace the floor has already begun, with the floor already ripped up as of Aug. 26. 

Girls’ and boys’ junior varsity and varsity volleyball practices and games will be held at the district’s Albert G. Prodell Middle School this year. Physical education classes will be held outside, in the high school’s wrestling center or fitness center. 

The high school cheerleading team will practice at the middle school as they have in years past. Mr. Poole said the district has also ordered a second set of mats for cheerleaders to have a second space at Miller Avenue School this year.

All other rooms and hallways at the high school will be accessible and available as usual. Locker rooms remain accessible for the start of the school year as well.

No specific date was given for when repairs will be completed at the high school gym, but Mr. Poole said the information will be shared publicly as soon as it is available.

“Unfortunately, it was not a possibility to partially replace the floor at this time. It was a full job,” Mr. Poole said. 

The district has submitted the repair costs to its insurance company, Mr. Poole told the Riverhead News-Review, and there is not a current need to use the district’s reserve fund.

Mr. Poole and Board of Education president Thomas Sheridan extended their gratitude to the Wading River, Rocky Point and other area fire departments that responded to the fire on Aug. 16. An extra thanks was extended to the high school’s staff and others who were involved in the clean up and restoration of the gym. 

“Ultimately, we obviously look forward to the renovations and restoring the gym back to its better state at this point,” Mr. Sheridan said. 

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