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See what changes are in store this school year in Riverhead

BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | There are plenty of changes in store for returning Riverhead students and their parents this school year.

Changes both big and small are coming to Riverhead schools, with classes convening next Wednesday.

Aside from new school supplies lists and teachers moving within the district, there will be new start and dismissal times for classes, reconfigured bus routes with new stops and a new code of conduct to comply with New York State’s new anti-bullying law, Riverhead School District officials said after Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

And with infrastructure upgrades under way across district schools, some outside groups will also be unable to use district property for their events because of construction.

“We ask you to be patient and understanding as we go through this process over the next three years,” said Superintendent Nancy Carney.

New bus stop schedules were mailed to district parents, she said. Anyone who did not receive that letter can visit the district website at riverhead.net or call the district offices to learn where their child will be picked up.

Students should arrive at their bus stops at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive, officials said. Ms. Carney also reminded motorists not to pass stopped school buses. Students and parents can also find out about new starting and dismissal times on the district’s website, with the more significant changes coming to the elementary schools, Ms. Carney said.

One of the biggest changes ahead is the redefined code of conduct. It now includes the same language as the state’s Dignity for All Students Act, which took effect in July.

The new code of conduct makes specific changes to terms such as “disability,” “gender” and “harassment,” according to a presentation at Tuesday’s meeting, and restates student and staff responsibilities in helping to prevent bullying.

“It makes every employee in this district responsible for reporting each incident,” explained school board president Ann Cotten-DeGrasse.

Students will be trained on the new code of conduct at the beginning of the year, officials said.

The code of conduct is now available online on the district’s website.

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