Riverhead School District Archives - Riverhead News Review https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/tag/riverhead-school-district/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:32:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/11192642/cropped-NR_favicon-32x32.jpg Riverhead School District Archives - Riverhead News Review https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/tag/riverhead-school-district/ 32 32 177459635 Kait’s Angels brings kindness to Riverhead with new buddy bench https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/10/129658/kaits-angels-brings-kindness-message-to-riverhead-with-new-buddy-bench/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=129658 A new bench at Pulaski Street School in Riverhead is more than just a place to sit. 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...

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A new bench at Pulaski Street School in Riverhead is more than just a place to sit.

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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Riverhead’s school resource officers help ‘bridge the gap’ between community and police https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2024/11/123193/riverheads-school-resource-officers-help-bridge-the-gap-between-residents-and-police/ Wed, 27 Nov 2024 11:01:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=123193 Many Riverhead parents are likely familiar with officers Eric Cohen and Kaley Castantine — friendly, approachable school resource officers from the Riverhead Police Department who walk the halls of the district’s schools. They were welcomed to the district in July as school safety concerns across the country continue to mount. Their presence offers a deterrent...

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Many Riverhead parents are likely familiar with officers Eric Cohen and Kaley Castantine — friendly, approachable school resource officers from the Riverhead Police Department who walk the halls of the district’s schools. They were welcomed to the district in July as school safety concerns across the country continue to mount.

Their presence offers a deterrent to any possible transgressors at the schools and aims to foster a safe environment for students to learn, Central School Director of Safety and Security Terry Culhane said. He feels that the recently assigned officers have quickly become, “an invaluable asset to the school district.”

Students have grown familiar with Ms. Castantine and Mr. Cohen throughout the past five months — creating secret handshakes, getting tips about what to do during a traffic stop and developing a better understanding of police officers role in the community. 

Ms. Castantine said students were a “bit standoffish” with uniformed police officers in the buildings at the start of the school year. Now, she and Mr. Cohen have built a familiar rapport with the school community. 

“We’re here to bridge that gap, to make everyone feel comfortable and safe,” Ms. Castantine said. She is typically stationed at the middle school, but visits other schools in the district as well. Mr. Cohen is assigned to the high school, but also visits the district’s other buildings. 

The school resource officers were approved by the Riverhead Central School District Board of Education for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years as part of an agreement between the district and Riverhead Town in July. The school board pays 50% of the cost to employ one of the two SROs through June 30, 2025. The Town Board will pay 50% of the cost to employ both SROs for the 2025-26 academic year and beyond, according to the agreement. 

This is not the first time the district has implemented school resource officers on its campuses. School officials allocated funds in the 2018-19 budget to hire school resource officer Byron Perez of the Riverhead Police Department.

Mr. Culhane advocated for the implementation of SROs in the district not only as a safety precaution, but also a way to build trust between the community and the police department. Friendly fist bumps between students and the officers are a “refreshing” sight in the halls of the middle and high schools, he said. 

“The kids in the elementary schools absolutely fawn over the officers when they come into the classroom,” Mr. Cullhane said. “They just love them. I couldn’t have picked two better officers.”

Riverhead Middle School principal Kellyann Parlato said the implementation of the SROs has gone, “very smoothly” so far this year. They greet students at morning drop off and wave goodbye during dismissal. The officers will also go outside at recess with the kids on certain days. 

Parents have been “warm and welcoming” of the SROs stationed in the schools, Ms. Parlato said. Riverhead High School principal Sean O’Hara said the implementation of the prorram has received “overwhelming support and appreciation” from the community. 

“I think that we as a district have done amazing work strengthening our security protocols,” Mr. O’Hara said. “And I think that this is just kind of another aspect. You know, they’re not functioning as security guards so to speak, they’re functioning as resource officers. 

“But God forbid something necessitated their involvement, they certainly are here,” he said. “And I think people do take comfort in knowing that we do have police officers present and on site.”

Stephanie Kaimis, a seventh-grade Social Studies teacher at the middle school, invited Ms. Castantine and Mr. Cohen to her classes to explain their role in the district. 

“The kids really enjoyed listening to all that they had to say,” Ms. Kaimis said,  “and I think the officers got to know the kids on a bit of a deeper level.”

The visibility and presence of SROs in the schools is something that Ms. Parlato believes helps students focus more on learning. 

“Their presence really just plays a vital role in fostering a safe and secure environment — not just for parents, but [also for] the students, staff and community,” she said. 

The Riverhead Police Department has long collaborated with the high school as part of its “Council For Unity” program which empowers students as leaders. Deborah Nigrel, a faculty member for the course, said students are encouraged to ask the officers questions — whether it be advice on a traffic ticket they received or information about what to do if they have to go to court. 

“I think that it’s really worked nicely,” Ms. Nigrel said. “And I think it’s a real positive to have them here in the building.”

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Year in Review 2023: Drama in Riverhead School District https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/12/118523/year-in-review-2023-drama-in-riverhead-school-district/ Tue, 26 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=118523 There’s been no shortage of drama at Riverhead Central School District this year. Superintendent Augustine Tornatore stepped down from his position in October. Mr. Tornatore previously requested a leave of absence from Oct. 6 to Oct. 23, which the Board of Education approved at a hastily called special meeting on Oct. 5. A source close...

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There’s been no shortage of drama at Riverhead Central School District this year. Superintendent Augustine Tornatore stepped down from his position in October.

Mr. Tornatore previously requested a leave of absence from Oct. 6 to Oct. 23, which the Board of Education approved at a hastily called special meeting on Oct. 5. A source close to district administration confirmed that Mr. Tornatore’s leave request followed an incident in which he “verbally berated” a Riverhead Central Faculty Association official that same day, resulting in that person being rushed to the hospital.

William Galati, the district’s executive director for secondary education, grants and student outcomes, served as interim superintendent until Oct. 29. Cheryl Pedisich took over as interim superintendent Oct. 30 and will serve through June 30, 2024.

Marianne Cartisano assumed a new role as acting assistant superintendent for business, replacing Rodney Asse. Christine Peters was appointed to succeed Mr. Asse as assistant purchasing agent for the district.

A previous shake-up in the district involved Lori Koerner, assistant su-

perintendent for human resources and elementary education. She was put on home assignment following an incident involving Rodney Parrish, secretary to the superintendent, who reported her to the Riverhead Town Police Department for harassment.

According to a police report, Mr. Parrish was with Ms. Koerner on Sept. 22 at the district office when Mr. Parrish stated that Ms. Koerner “got out of her seat, charged around her desk, then grabbed him on his shoulders with both of her hands, turning him and pushed him backwards.” Shortly afterward, Mr. Parrish texted Mr. Tornatore about the incident.

Mr. Parrish did not press charges. Ms. Koerner now is working on school grounds again at a location “away from central administrative offices.”

Incidents involving students have also been prevalent. On March 28, a Riverhead High School student was assaulted, robbed and stabbed on his way home by five individuals wearing ski masks. Three days later, a 14-year-old student was arrested after bringing more than a dozen bullets to school, prompting a lockdown.

The first incident of the 2023-24 school year occurred just three days in, on Sept. 8, when a student sprayed another with pepper spray. Multiple people needed medical treatment.

At a Sept. 9 football game, four cousins between the ages of 5 and 7 were called a racial slur by a high school and a middle school student, as well as a third out-of-district student. Their great-grandfather, Robert Brown, brought the incident before the Board of Education.

Drawings of swastikas at both the middle and high school in November.

ORIGINAL REPORTING BY THE NEWS-REVIEW STAFF

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Riverhead student wins big at New York Long Island Film Festival https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/12/118424/riverhead-student-wins-big-at-new-york-long-island-film-festival/ Mon, 11 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=118424 A Riverhead High School student clinched a trio of awards at the New York Long Island Film Festival on Saturday. Riverhead junior Emma Acritelli’s featured short film, “Cons of Collecting Dust,” won the awards for Best Animation, Best Micro Short and the Spirit of NYLIFF Award at the three-day film festival, which held its fifth...

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A Riverhead High School student clinched a trio of awards at the New York Long Island Film Festival on Saturday.

Riverhead junior Emma Acritelli’s featured short film, “Cons of Collecting Dust,” won the awards for Best Animation, Best Micro Short and the Spirit of NYLIFF Award at the three-day film festival, which held its fifth incarnation in Lindenhurst last week.

Emma was one of the Riverhead High School students enrolled in a digital filmmaking course who submitted works for this year’s film festival, an island-wide event that featured nearly 100 films made by both students and professional filmmakers. Emma’s film features a stop-motion animated stuffed dog trekking up stairs, across floors and through doors to find its distant companion, a young woman trying to sleep in her bed, with intercut still images showing how she once held the stuffed pup tight in her sleep.

“As I was making the credits I didn’t know what I was going to call it,” Emma said in a red carpet interview with Gerry Ferretti, the film festival’s director. “The whole idea, I thought back to myself, is how it’s about being away from others, and while you are collecting dust, other people are growing and changing.”

Caitlin Sheridan, Emma’s digital filmmaking teacher, praised the junior’s animation skills.

“Emma undoubtedly deserves all of the accolades that she is receiving for this film,” Ms. Sheridan said in a press release. “She was given a vague prompt for the project and went above and beyond the expectations. The film did not need to incorporate stop-motion animation, but she based her whole film on these challenging techniques, which came out phenomenally.”

In digital filmmaking, students like Emma, who hopes to pursue filmmaking in college, can build portfolios to be used for film school applications.

“We are excited about the district’s ability to provide this impactful course and truly hope that more Riverhead students take advantage of the amazing resources we have available,” Ms. Sheridan said. “Our class has become a family, and the support the students provide to one another is exactly what I hope for as an educator.”

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Local wrestling squads expect big things this season https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/12/118407/local-wrestling-squads-expect-big-things-this-season/ Fri, 08 Dec 2023 19:12:34 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=118407 Two local wrestling teams held a scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Shoreham-Wading River high school in an effort to grapple with some different opponents and prepare for the upcoming league season.  Riverhead is coming off a tough year in League I with a record of 0-6. But with most of their starters returning, there’s some optimism...

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Two local wrestling teams held a scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Shoreham-Wading River high school in an effort to grapple with some different opponents and prepare for the upcoming league season. 

Riverhead is coming off a tough year in League I with a record of 0-6. But with most of their starters returning, there’s some optimism coming into the season.

“We only graduated two seniors last year,” Riverhead head coach Jake Benedetto said. “So everyone’s back and they’re all pretty much juniors now.”

Though the Blue Waves roster numbers may be low compared to the other teams around League I, the talent level they have in house should allow them to compete with anyone. 

Zachary Gevinski, a freshman, comes into varsity as a very polished competitor. “He’s wrestled his whole life,” Benedetto said. “He’s a very accomplished wrestler and has won many tournaments over the years. He’s a freshman but it’s not a real freshman experience level.” Gevinski will wrestle at 101 pounds for the Blue Waves.

Benedetto expects a handful of his wrestlers to not only compete in the Suffolk County individual tournament after the league season but also place high. Some of those wrestlers are Christopher Ramos (116 pounds), Jared Knight (131), Macklin Jordan (131), John LaCorte (138), Brody Reister (138), Axel Lopez (145), William Stackevicius (152), Colby Baran (170), Kyle Cuevas (190), Everett Foster (215) and David Castillo (285.)

Many of the returning wrestlers attended Army Ranger Intensive Camp in West Point during the summer. The results were apparent.

“They live like a cadet,” Benedetto said. “They get woken up at 5 a.m. by a drill instructor and run up hills and wrestle three times a day. They dedicated a week of their summer to intensive training so we can only hope it’s going to pay off.”

As a freshman last year, Baran won two tournaments and placed in all the other ones as well. His potential impact this year has only grown. LaCorte battled some injuries last season and Benedetto expects him to bounce back and be a major contributor. Castillo is a transfer coming in from Southampton High School. The junior placed third in his weight class at the Suffolk County tournament last year.

“I just want to prove to the rest of the team that the culture we instill as coaches is working,” Benedetto said. “We put an offseason program together, we did a lift program, I teach how to diet the right way and sleep the right way and now we’re beginning to win. You have to teach the program from the bottom up so that when they’re seniors, the fruits of their labor is apparent.”

Knight is the team’s lone senior this year and his improvement from sophomore to senior year is what Benedetto wants the rest of the team to emulate. Knight only won two matches his sophomore season. 

“Knight did everything I ever asked of him,” Benedetto said. “Every camp, every club, every lift, and just listened and bought into the system that I preached. His junior season he got 17 wins and placed in every tournament. Our goal for him this year is 25 wins and All-League. That’s what I want every guy’s progression in here to be.”

Riverhead will open its league season Dec. 13 against Walt Whitman.

Shoreham-Wading River graduated seven members of last year’s team that finished second in League VII with a 3-1 record. But their two most accomplished wrestlers return to bolster a squad looking to win the league title and compete for some New York State individual championships.

Gavin Mangano, an eighth grader last year, won the Suffolk County tournament and made it all the way to the state finals in the 110-pound weight class. Mangano ultimately ended up losing by one point in the finals against Darren Florance, a junior hailing from BGAH high school upstate near Binghamton.

Mangano will wrestle in the 118-pound weight class this season and SWR head coach Joe Condon expects him to again compete for the state title. 

Chris Colon took fifth in the state tournament last year as a junior after winning the Suffolk County championship in his weight class. Colon, who will wrestle at 124 pounds, will be a force to be reckoned with entering his final season as a Wildcat.

“Those two are our two big guns this year,” Condon said. “They’re both very polished wrestlers and I don’t expect either of them to give up many points during the season and should be right back in the thick of things in the state tournament.”

Other wrestlers Condon expects a big impact from include Zack Wilson (215 pounds), Nate Spuhler (170), Frank Pizzi (152), Jacob Conti (145), Brady Kitchen (116), John O’Neil (131), Shane Hall (131), Gio Aliotta (138), Kevin Castro (160), Wes Hoden (285), Shane Cowen (101) and Thomas Mattias (101.)

Wilson and Spuhler each placed fourth in the county tournament last year. The duo are seniors this year and expect to make some noise when that tournament comes around again.

“We have a mix of a lot of experienced veterans but also a lot of new guys with some serious talent,” Condon said. “We’re the smallest school in League VII but we compete with the best of them.

“Being a young team we’re kind of taking a different approach to the beginning of this season,” the coach continued. “We’re doing a lot more teaching this year with the amount of young guys that are on the team. I am super happy with the progression of everyone and they’re buying into the program. You can tell that they’re really committed, and that’s the most important thing.”

Shoreham-Wading River will open their league season Dec. 13 against Bayport-Blue Point.

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Interim superintendent Cheryl Pedisich leads first meeting https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/11/118249/interim-superintendent-cheryl-pedisich-leads-first-meeting/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=118249 Tuesday night’s Riverhead Board of Education meeting marked interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich’s first regularly scheduled meeting in her new role. Ms. Pedisich took the top spot in the district’s administration as of Oct. 31 after former superintendent Augustine Tornatore resigned late last month.  Ms. Pedisich will serve through June 30 while the district searches for...

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Tuesday night’s Riverhead Board of Education meeting marked interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich’s first regularly scheduled meeting in her new role.

Ms. Pedisich took the top spot in the district’s administration as of Oct. 31 after former superintendent Augustine Tornatore resigned late last month. 

Ms. Pedisich will serve through June 30 while the district searches for a new full-time superintendent. She previously served for a decade as superintendent of the Three Village school district. However, she is not new to Riverhead, having worked from October 2022 until April 2023 in the district’s office of Pupil Personnel Services. 

Tuesday’s regular board meeting was also the first for Ms. Pedisich’s colleague, Marianne Cartisano, who was recently named acting assistant superintendent for business, replacing Rodney Asse, who started in July 2022 and remains employed by the district in an unspecified role. 

Ms. Pedisich addressed the community and the board thanking them for placing their confidence in her. 

“We are also most appreciative of the warm and supportive reception we have received from the Riverhead School District and community,” she said. “We are excited to join the Riverhead Blue Waves family and look forward to working collaboratively with all of our Riverhead stakeholders. Collaboration is a seemingly easy concept but one that carries with it great importance and responsibility; it is about each of us embracing our various roles as members of the Riverhead school community to support, to listen, to lead and to always work in partnership. We have a clear mission to make a positive difference for every student and to support and encourage one another in that mission.”

There was a touch of ceremony in Tuesday night’s proceedings. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the high school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. After introductions and opening statements, Jason Rottkamp, director of the district’s arts and music programs, gave an update on all the fine arts offerings available to students, starting with a performance by the Riverhead High School Chamber Quartet.

“I really would like to say to Mr. Rottkamp and the teachers, thank you for inspiring student talent and interest and we view the fine arts program to be integral to our core education,” Ms. Pedisich said.

Among the many long-standing issues Ms. Pedisich will face in her new role is student transportation. At a special meeting last Thursday, which she chaired, the board announced the hiring of three additional school bus drivers and approved a retroactive pay rate of $23.06 per hour, effective Oct. 11. In May, nearly 40 members of the district’s transportation department attended a school board meeting to request pay increases. Ms. Pedisch will oversee those ongoing negotiations as interim superintendent. 

She will also be responsible for leading implementation of the district’s current diversity, equity and inclusion plan and a new DEI task force. 

At an Oct. 10 board meeting, former interim superintendent, William Galati announced the creation of the new task force as a response to several racially charged incidents that occurred in the district in the early weeks of the school year. “This fall, we will be conducting a deep and comprehensive review of our current DEI plan,” Mr. Galati said at the time. “Spearheading this initiative will be Dr. Emily Sanz director of Social Emotional Learning, English as a New Language, Special Programs and Community Outreach. She will be chairing a committee of stakeholders consisting of members of our district and representation from the Riverhead community.”

Ms. Sanz has ambitious plans for the task force but she wants those in the community to understand that the implementation of these initiatives will not be completed overnight.

“If we’re going to do it, we have to do it right,” she said in a recent phone interview. “I just want to make sure that the community understands that, and our staff and our district understand that — that this is not just a one and done thing. It’s something that we really have to dig deep into, and we’re looking to have that community support and we’re looking to have our district’s support in this initiative because it’s something that I firmly believe in.

In addition to the main task force she said, each of the seven schools within the district will also create its own DEI oversight committee made up of “not only teachers, but staff, clerical, custodians, whoever the makeup of that building is.

“In the future, once we have our training and conversations, I’d love to see a DEI student committee,” she added. “Ultimately, it’s their voices that matter and their input.”

Each committee would help gather input from all stakeholders and from that input each building would create its own building-specific DEI plan.

The school-specific groups will also be using New York State’s Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Framework as a guide.

Ms. Sanz thanked the many concerned parents and community members who have spoken at recent Board of Education meetings for their “valuable” input.

“I’m looking forward to the many discussions that we will collectively have as a district and as a community,” she said. “I think it’s very promising in our step forward to building a more inclusive and equitable environment.”

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12.

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High school club aims to bolster healthy relationships https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/08/117415/high-school-club-aims-to-bolster-healthy-relationships/ Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:05:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=117415 When Riverhead’s Aela Bailey joined Teen Leadership Council in tenth grade, she thought she was just joining for community service credit, but she learned so much more. The experience Aela gained with that organization inspired her to make a difference at Riverhead High School and in the local community by establishing the Healthy YOUniversity club....

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When Riverhead’s Aela Bailey joined Teen Leadership Council in tenth grade, she thought she was just joining for community service credit, but she learned so much more.

The experience Aela gained with that organization inspired her to make a difference at Riverhead High School and in the local community by establishing the Healthy YOUniversity club.

 Launched last November, the club’s purpose is to spread awareness of the prevalence of dating violence and encourage students to more positively manage relationships, friendships and stress.

“I was able to learn so many things in [Teen Leadership Council] about red flags, learning [about] manipulation. It kind of helped me realize what I was going through and kind of put a name to a face,” Aela said.

According to Domestic Violence Services Inc.,nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner each year. The organization also reported that one in three girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner.

Riverhead High School Alumn, Aela Bailey. (Credit: Melissa Azofeifa)

Healthy YOUniversity started with three members and now has 15. Aela credits the help of high school social worker Kathleen Timpone, the support of high school principal Sean O’Hara, as well as the support of her friends and family, for the club’s success. This school year, the group plans to meet once a week, using with session content that comes directly from the domestic violence prevention group The Retreat and from One Love Foundation.

Club discussions are curriculum-based, but to set them apart from other school lessons, Aela said, meetings include activities like group circles, which help create a safe space where peers can talk about the sensitive topics that come with relationship violence.

Aela graduated in June and will study prelaw and political science at Northeastern University in Boston starting next month. Her sister, Maeve, a junior at the high school, will assume her leadership role at Healthy YOUniversity. However, Aela hopes to continue participating virtually.

“The district is incredibly proud to have our students using the knowledge they gain from leadership experiences to positively impact their school, peers and community,” said Riverhead Superintendent Augustine Tornatore. “The members of Healthy YOUniversity — and especially their founder, Aela Bailey — have demonstrated exceptional initiative and compassion. We look forward to the positive influence this club will continue to have on Riverhead High School and the Riverhead community.”

Aela said the response she’s gotten from students and the community has been incredible.

“It just means everything to me just to see that I’m making a difference,” she said. “I truly believe in the saying, ‘Leave it better than you found it,’ and I just feel like that’s what I did at my school. My ultimate goal was just to create a safe space for people.”

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Voters approve school budgets, select board members https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/05/116204/voters-approve-school-budgets-select-board-members/ Wed, 17 May 2023 11:34:09 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=116204 Voters in school districts across the North Fork approved school budgets and selected school board members Tuesday night. Here are the results: RIVERHEAD Voters approved the budget of $191,999,210, an increase of 13.1% over the previous budget. The measure passed by a margin of 1,333 to 769. Four seats were available on the Riverhead Central...

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Voters in school districts across the North Fork approved school budgets and selected school board members Tuesday night. Here are the results:

RIVERHEAD

Voters approved the budget of $191,999,210, an increase of 13.1% over the previous budget. The measure passed by a margin of 1,333 to 769.

Four seats were available on the Riverhead Central School District’s Board of Education, with seven candidates competing. Incumbent Virginia Healy won a second term as a board member. She will serve alongside newcomers Erica Murphy, Cynthia Redmond and James Scudder, who will take over the seat vacated by Laurie Downs and begin his term as soon as the vote is certified. The other new board members will be sworn in July 1.

SHOREHAM WADING RIVER

Voters approved a budget of $84,794,360, a $1.7 million, or 2.16% increase from the previous budget. Three incumbents were reelected: Katie Andersen (546 votes); Michael Lewis (563 votes) and Henry Perez (529 votes).

GREENPORT

The Greenport Union Free School District budget of $23,709,875 passed by a vote of 381-129, an increase of 9.63% from the previous budget. Incumbent and board vice president Kirsten Droskoski beat challenger Amanda Clark by a vote of 268-240.

OYSTERPONDS

Oysterponds’ school budget passed by a vote of 117 to 10, and school board vice president Janice Caulfield and board member Jeffrey Demarest were reelected. The library budget passed, 112 to 15.

MATTITUCK-CUTCHOGUE

Mattituck-Cutchogue School District voters approved a budget of $44,016,344, an increase of 2.77% from last year’s budget, by a vote of 550 to 164. Proposition No. 2, which authorized the board to draw $4.3 million from the capital reserve fund for school roof repairs, passed 622 to 97. Patricia Arslanian and Lorraine Warren prevailed in the trustees’ race.

NEW SUFFOLK

New Suffolk voters approved a budget of $1,188,656, an increase of 8.2% from last year, by a 51 to 4 margin. Running uncontested, Brooke Dailey garnered 50 votes.

SOUTHOLD

The Southold Board of Education budget of $33,168,000, carrying a tax levy of 2.94%, passed by a vote of 449-87. Proposition No. 2, which will fund new school boilers, passed by a vote of 492 to 41. The library budget passed by a vote of 442 to 92. Scott Latham, Thomas Grattan Jr. and Brian Tobin won seats on the school board.

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Polls are open for today’s Board of Ed elections https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/05/116189/polls-are-open-for-todays-board-of-ed-elections/ Tue, 16 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=116189 Voters in the Riverhead and Shoreham Wading River school districts will weigh in on the proposed annual budgets and select candidates to serve on their local school boards Tuesday. Voting in Riverhead will take place in each of the districts four elementary schools: Riley Avenue Elementary, Phillips Avenue Elementary, Roanoke Avenue Elementary and Aquebogue Elementary...

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Voters in the Riverhead and Shoreham Wading River school districts will weigh in on the proposed annual budgets and select candidates to serve on their local school boards Tuesday.

Voting in Riverhead will take place in each of the districts four elementary schools: Riley Avenue Elementary, Phillips Avenue Elementary, Roanoke Avenue Elementary and Aquebogue Elementary from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Shoreham Wading River district voting will be held at SWR High School’s main gym from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Four seats are available on the Riverhead Central School District’s Board of Education, with seven candidates competing this year. Two incumbents, Christopher Dorr and Therese Zuhoski, will not seek reelection. Incumbent Virginia Healy is pursuing a second term as a board member.

Ms. Healy will run alongside newcomers David Dougherty, Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht, Erica Murphy, Cynthia Redmond, James Scudder and Kimberly Wilder.

The three candidates who receive the most votes will serve three-year terms. The candidate who places fourth will fill the vacant seat and unexpiring term of former board vice president Laurie Downs, which ends June 30, 2025. The candidate who fills that seat will begin their term as soon as the vote is certified. The others will begin serving July 1.

In Shoreham-Wading River, three Board of Education seats are open this year. 

Incumbent and current board president Katie Andersen is running unopposed for reelection, as are both board vice president Henry Perez and board member Michael Lewis. 

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Editorial: Vote ‘yes’ on local school budgets Tuesday https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/05/116173/editorial-vote-yes-on-local-school-budgets-tuesday/ Mon, 15 May 2023 15:25:53 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=116173 This year, news about New York State’s financial aid to North Fork school districts has been a source of encouragement. The state budget for fiscal year 2023-24 includes $34 billion in general funds for its public schools, an increase of $3 billion over the current school year. Almost all East End school districts received a...

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This year, news about New York State’s financial aid to North Fork school districts has been a source of encouragement. The state budget for fiscal year 2023-24 includes $34 billion in general funds for its public schools, an increase of $3 billion over the current school year.

Almost all East End school districts received a bump of approximately 3% in aid, with two notable exceptions on the North Fork: Greenport received a 47.4% increase in aid and the Riverhead Central School District received a bump of 34.6%, or nearly $20 million more than it received this year. 

All of these increases are welcome developments as we approach next Tuesday, May 16, when local voters will cast ballots on each school district’s proposed budget and choose candidates to fill open seats on their Boards of Education. 

With the bulk of our property taxes going to schools, it’s vital for our well-being — and that of the North Fork as a whole — that we pay close attention to the districts’ proposals and learn about the school board candidates.

With that in mind, we urge voters to approve their district’s budget proposals and to select the candidates best suited to meet the very specific, and often unique, educational and financial challenges each district faces. A no-vote on a school budget sets a district back and puts everything from sports and arts programs to after-school activities in jeopardy. Voting “no” is not the way forward.

Last month, in both The Suffolk Times and the Riverhead News-Review, we laid out each district’s financial proposals and the candidates on the ballots. 

As a reminder, a summary of each district’s 2023-24 budget proposal and open board seats follows. 

Mattituck-Cutchogue is proposing a budget of $44,016,344, increasing the tax levy by 2.77%. The district is proposing to spend $4.3 million from the capital reserve fund for projects at both the elementary and high schools. There are two open seats on the Board of Education.

New Suffolkis proposing a budget of $1,188,645, an increase of $90,188 over the current year’s budget. Last year, voters approved a $1.1 million budget that pierced the property tax cap. One seat is open on the Board of Education.

Southold is proposing a budget of $33,168,000, a tax levy increase of 2.94% over last year’s budget of $32.2 million. There are three open seats on the Board of Education.

Greenport is proposing a budget of $23,709,875, a hike of 9.63% over the previous year. There is one open seat on the Board of Education.

Oysterponds is proposing a budget of $5,558,823, a 1.775 reduction from last year’s budget. There are two open seats on the Board of Education.

Riverhead is proposing a budget of $191,999,210, a 1% increase over last year. There are four open seats on the Board of Education.

Shoreham-Wading River is proposing a budget of $84, 794360, a 2.16% increase from last year. There are three open seats on the Board of Education.

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