2024 Wildcat and Blue Wave back-to-school guide

First day: Wednesday, Sept. 4

The Shoreham-Wading River Central School District experienced a multitude of facility improvements over the summer. 

This includes additional security cameras installed district-wide, a new concrete walkway along the middle school track, two new faculty restrooms at Miller Avenue School, a new kindergarten playset installed at Miller Avenue School, new interactive smartboards posted in all secondary classrooms and ongoing renovations to ceilings, lighting and flooring in various district buildings. 

High school students can choose from three new academic course offerings this year. The first is digital literacy, where students will explore topics such as digital citizenship, artificial intelligence and computational thinking. The other two classes are pre-advanced placement world history and geography and writing lab and writing center. 

Students have more extracurricular options this year too. At Miller Avenue School, the new clubs include Art Club, Zumba Club and Leadership Club. The third, fourth and fifth graders at Wading River School can join ASL Club, Filmmakers Club, Peacemakers Club, Young Engineers and Future Builders Club this year. Two new clubs joining the middle school list are Environmental Club and Robotics Club. 

Two key administrative positions have been filled as well. Jonathan Lilla joins as the new assistant principal at the high school and Eric Bramoff is the district’s new athletic director. 

Riverhead Central School District

First day: Wednesday, Sept. 4

There were several enhancements to the elementary, middle and high school buildings in the Riverhead Central School District. 

Construction took place for new classrooms at Aquebogue Elementary School, Riley Avenue Elementary School, and Pulaski Street Intermediate School, including new learning spaces for special education classes and universal pre-kindergarten (UPK). 

A new, more aesthetically pleasing and safer gymnasium floor was installed at Riverhead High School for the athletic teams, physical education students and community members to use. The high school courtyard and bathrooms were also given a face lift. 

The 2023-24 school year was the launch of the district’s own in-house UPK program, with four Phillips Avenue classes and two integrated classes at Riley Avenue in collaboration with Just Kids. This accompanied the district’s existing programs in partnership with Long Island Head Start, St. David’s and Alternatives for Children. 

The UPK program is expanding this school year with a new UPK class at Aquebogue and an additional integrated 12-student class at Riley Avenue. Through grants, the school district also expanded the number of Riverhead students at St. David’s and provided additional funding for students at Head Start. The ENL program is growing in the district as well. 

Thanks to an agreement with the Town of Riverhead, school resource officers will be stationed at both the Riverhead Middle School and Riverhead High School to provide additional security and serve as educational resources for students and their families. The Riverhead Board of Education appointed its first-ever non-voting student representative on the school board, senior Annabelle Dunn. 

“The district has also continued our administrative restructuring for greater efficiency and effectiveness as we fulfill our mission to inspire and empower students as remarkable leaders of tomorrow,” said Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich. “We are eager for the year ahead as we work together to uplift our students, promote academic excellence, and support the success of the Riverhead community.”

Riverhead Charter School

First day: Wednesday, Sept. 4

Many of the Riverhead Charter School buildings underwent revitalization over the summer. In addition to routine maintenance, the operations team and custodial engineers tackled some larger projects, such as the buildings’ drywall and painting. Superintendent Raymond Ankrum said the charter school staff is committed to maintaining a “clean and inviting campus” where even the small details can create a positive learning experience. 

There have also been strategic staffing adjustments to better serve the charter school’s growing population of English as a New Language (ENL) students. A new grade band structure will also be introduced this year — K-2, 3-6, 7-8, and 9-12 — and each level will have its own principal for more focused leadership and support for students. 

This is the inaugural academic year for the new kindergarten dual language program. Pilots for English and Spanish dual language immersion began during the 2023-24 school year. The charter school has also expanded its athletic offerings, adding varsity and junior varsity soccer teams at the high school and a middle school soccer program. 

“RCS is more than just a school, it’s a hub for the entire community,” Mr. Ankrum said in an email. “We believe schools should serve as safe havens that unite people, especially in times of division…our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and unity is at the heart of everything we do.”