STAFF ACHIEVEMENT AND RECOGNITION

Riverhead Central School District is proud of its outstanding administrators, teachers, coaches and staff. This link will try to keep up with the many awards, degrees and distinctions received by our faculty and staff throughout the year. Here's a few that have been identified so far this year.

(To read more about the recipients and their award, click on their name or the underlined title. I'm sorry if I've missed someone. If you are aware of others who won recognition or awards this year, please contact me at sandy.kolbo@riverhead.net).

2009-10 School Year

CHRISTINE MORRIS IS THE 2010 RECIPIENT OF THE “RISING STAR” AWARD

Christine Morris was the recipient of the “Rising Star” award from the East End Counselors Association.  This is an award given to a guidance counselor with less than 3 years of service.  Deserving nominees were submitted by all East End school districts. 

"Christine, in her capacity of Star Academy (Alternative School) Guidance Counselor in the Riverhead Central School District," writes fellow RHS guidance counselor Anastasia Muyiaris, who received this award in 2007, "has demonstrated a myriad of competencies and skill sets that distinguish her from other young professionals. She is extremely hard working, dedicated and has acquired many counseling strategies during her professional interactions with colleagues and students. Regardless of the activity she is involved in, Christine does an outstanding job servicing her 90+ student caseload. Her duties are carried out in a conscientious and enthusiastic manner which enhances the quality of her relationships with the students, faculty and parents she serves." >MORE

HEATHER HOWELL IS AWARDED THE STEPHEN J. APNER AWARD

Eastern Suffolk BOCES selected HEATHER HOWELL of Riverhead Central School District as the recipient of the Stephen Apner Award for the 2010 school year.  The Stephen J. Apner award is given to an individual who shows innovation in practice, working leadership in their role, and a dedication to students with emotional disabilities. 

"Heather has been a member of the Riverhead Central School District staff as a social worker for the past 17 years," stated Elizabeth Chappell, Dir. Special Education / Pupil Personnel Services, on her behalf at the ESBOCES ceremony that honored her. "Happily, I have had the chance to work with her for all of these years, and have watched her grow and mature in her role, but more importantly, I have seen her enthusiasm and dedication to her practice remain steady. Heather is the type of person who is actually intrigued by the challenges of difficult cases. This curiosity has lead Heather to be open to new ways to help and intervene. She is willing to share and model with her fellow staff members, and I know that her colleagues look to her for guidance and support. There are students whose lives Heather has touched, and who will remember her and how she assisted them.  In the end, that is really the legacy we all strive towards."

SCOPE'S 8TH ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARDS DINNER
"Shining Above the Rest" was the theme of SCOPE's 9th Annual School District Awards Banquet. The awards given out at the banquet are presented to select individuals that have distinguished themselves in the field of education. The following honorees from the Riverhead Central School District received an award at the dinner at Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook on March 22, 2010. >MORE

   

Christine Prete - School Board Service Award

Mark Finnerty - Administrator Service Award

Laura Grable - Teacher Service Award

Chris Hand - Support Staff Service Award

Joseph Van de Wetering - Community Service Award

 

LAURA GRABLE CHOSEN AS NEWS REVIEW's "EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR"
(January, 2010) RHS Spanish teacher Laura Grable was chosen as "Educator of the Year" by the News Review. Ms. Grable teaches ninth and 10th graders at the high school.

"For guiding young people in learning a new language and culture while improving rheir overall school experience, and for making the teachers around her better, Laura Grable is the News-Review's choice for Educator of the Year," states News Review Editor Michael White. SEE STORY

DISTRICT CELEBRATES TEACHER AND STAFF ACHIEVEMENT

(September 2, 2009) The opening ceremony to welcome back the staff and faculty of the Riverhead Central School District was held September 2nd in the high school auditorium.

Carl James, who has served the district for 49 years, led the salute to the flag, followed by Katie and Courtney Blasl, who sang the national anthem.

Superintendent Dr. Diane Scricca, board president Angela DeVito, and board members,  Kathy Berezny and Ann Cotton-Degrasse, acknowledged the following employees for their diligent service:
 
25 years
Suzanne Arnau, Suzanne Conlin, Marion Dorman, Thomas Doherty,
Brenda Flood-Childress, Sylvester Gilliam, Steve Jackson, Patricia Kurpetski, Julie Lojko and Jose Vega;

30 years
Pat DiScioscia, Dorothy Fraser, Pamela Normandeau, Barbara Pelis and Barbara Vail;

35 years — Joseph Gilliam, Joan Heppner, Paul Meyer and Joanne Niebergall;

40 years — Marion Johnson.

Distinguished Service - Staff of the Year (Elementary and Secondary)

Staff recognized for distinguished service were Julie Lojko, principal’s secretary at Aquebogue Elementary School, and Robert Lee Gilliam, custodian at Riverhead Middle School. 

Distinguished Service - Teachers of the Year (Elementary and Secondary)
Teacher of the Year recognition went to Sal Loverde, a special education teacher at the Riverhead Middle School, and James Richardson, a fourth grade teacher at the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School.

Elementary Teacher of the Year - James Richardson
Mr. Richardson has been a teacher in the Riverhead Central School District for 10 years.  During that time he has taught 4th grade at both the Pulaski Street School and 4th grade and the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School.

Mr. Richardson is a role model to all. Having grown up in the town of Riverhead and graduating with the class of 1994, Mr.  Richardson has made a commitment to our district and community.  Now as a resident and teacher he continues this commitment and dedication to Riverhead.

As a teacher, Mr. Richardson is an innovator and motivator. He believes in the potential of all children and promotes a classroom atmosphere of cooperation and citizenship.  Students are exposed to opportunities and styles of learning that are exciting and enriching.  His use of the Smartboard and “role playing” has the students engaged.  Students are an active part of the classroom and take pride in their team. 

Mr. Richardson goes above and beyond for our school.  He is a member of several professional committees and provides continued opportunities for his students by running an afterschool sportsmanship/intramural program.  Each year, Mr. Richardson collaborates with his class to write  a class production which is performed for the school and community.  This event is often referred to by former students as the “highlight of their elementary experience”.

Secondary Teacher of the Year - Sal Loverde
Mr. Loverde is a special education teacher in the middle school. He is also a Blue Waves football coach. Sal has a personality that immediately engages and draws his students and players into a teacher-student/player relationship that motivates them to strive for excellence.

"Mr. Loverde always goes the extra mile for his students," states middle school principal Andrea Pekar. "I saw him out in the hallway the other day with his students flying paper airplanes down the hallway to help them better understand the concept he was trying to teach them. He jumps in whenever and wherever he can to help students learn."

Mr. Loverde is also a team player. He encourages everyone around him, students, staff, and teachers alike, with his exuberance and positive attitude.

"I love these kids," he can often be heard to stay. "Just keep them coming, and I'll help them get to where they need to go."

The District would like to thank and congratulate these teachers and staff members for their many years of service to the students in our schools.

2008-09 School Year

Recent Doctorate in the District: Dr. Stephen Hudson
(May, 2009) Dr. Hudson, who is the assistant principal at the middle school, received his doctorate in educational administration Ed.D. from Dowling College.

“. . . the Doctorate of Education Degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration was designed to train leaders in educational and non-profit sectors in several emerging areas: the power and application of information technology, the creative management of limited resources, and the implementation of strategies for continuous personal improvement.

The title of my dissertation was “THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHER ATTITUDES TOWARDS POLICY AND PRACTICE ON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT DISCIPLINE.” The purpose of this study was to examine if teacher attitudes influence policy and practice in establishing and enforcing middle school student discipline, and if these attitudes affect implementation of a school’s code of conduct, consistency of implementing the code of conduct, the effectiveness of discipline programs, disproportionate suspensions, and safety in two middle schools.

Master’s degree in Social Work (Stony Brook University)

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (St. Joseph’s College

Mr. William Groth received the prestigious “Friends of Education” Award
(May, 2009) The office of Athletics, Health & Physical Education for Riverhead Central School District is pleased to announce:

On May 8th, 2009, Mr. William Groth, Director of Athletics, Health & Physical Education for Riverhead Central School District, was honored by the Stony Brook Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa International. The awards dinner took place at the Charles Wang Center at Stony Brook University. Mr. Groth received the prestigious “Friends of Education” Award in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the field of education through Leadership, Research, and Service.

Phi Delta Kappa International is known throughout the world of education as the premiere professional organization for educators. The primary mission, as stated in its constitution is “To promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life.” This noble cause serves as the foundation upon which all PDK members work toward the ideals of Leadership, Research and service.

SCOPE'S 8TH ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARDS DINNER
"Shining Above the Rest" was the theme of SCOPE's 8th Annual School District Awards Dinner. The awards given out at the dinner are presented to select individuals that have distinguished themselves in the field of education. The following honorees from the Riverhead Central School District whol received an award at the dinner at Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook on
March 16, 2009:

Maureen Ahern - Teacher Service Award

Frank Rotenberg - Teacher Service Award

Elizabeth Chappell - Administrator Service Award

Kathleen Berezny - School Board Service Award

Donald Henderson - Support Staff Service Award

Angela DeVito - Community Service Award

"2009 Harvard Club of Long Island Distinguished Teacher"

(March 16, 2009) Erin McKenna, Riverhead High School Valedictorian (Class of 2005), is currently a Harvard University senior. Upon her acceptance at Harvard, Erin attributed her good fortune to her Latin/Ancient Greek teacher, Riverhead High School’s “Doc” Jeff Greenberger, who had written her a glowing recommendation. Four years later, Erin returned the favor by writing a nomination letter which helped land Dr. Greenberger a 2009 Harvard Club of Long Island Distinguished Teacher award. >More

Athletic and Coaching Staff
In the Fall of 2008-09 school year, Riverhead became the first team in Long Island history to finish their varsity football season with a 12--0 record. The Blue Waves captured the Long Island Class II championship, and Head Football Coach Leif Shay was named Suffolk County Coach of the Year. >More

Dowling College / Channel 12 Teacher of the Month
Every school has those special teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty and make a difference in the lives of their students. Each year Dowling College and News 12 Long Island recognizes those unique educators who add value to the community’s success. Michelle Chauncey-Baumann, a sixth grade teacher at the Pulaski Street School in the Riverhead Central School District, was chosen as a 2008-2009 Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month.

A distinguished committee of educators select all of the monthly winners for the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Clyde Payne, Dowling College’s Dean of the School of Education, along with Kelly Kazemier, Dowling College’s Director of Communications, visit each winner’s school to personally present their award. At that time, photographs are taken to be used to produce a video to be aired on News 12. In June 2009, the award winners and their guests will be  guests at a special dinner held in their honor.

"We had over 50 submissions from some outstanding Long Island schools for the twelve teachers chosen as teachers of the month," explained Dr. Payne. "To be one of the 12 chosen means that Ms. Baumann is a very exceptional teacher." >More

Recent Doctorate in the District: Dr. Lois Etzel
Congratulations to District Science Director Lois Etzel, who recently received her Ph.D.

Dr. Etzel received her Ph.D. in Science Education from the Science and Mathematics Education Centre at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Australia, in November, 2008. The title of her dissertation is “The Learning Environment, Attitudes and Achievement of Students with Disabilities in Inclusion and Self-Contained Biology Classes”. The study examined students’ attitudes towards their science class and their achievement to determine the effectiveness of the instructional practice known as inclusion at the secondary level. Dr. Etzel presented her doctoral dissertation work in Chicago at the American Education Research Association’s annual conference. Dr. Etzel holds a Master's Degree in Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, both from Stony Brook University.

Since Curtin University and the Science and Mathematics Education Centre may not be familiar to everyone, here is a short description. The Science and Mathematics Education Centre (SMEC) at Curtin University began approximately 25 years ago within the Division of Engineering, Science and Computing as Curtin’s only exclusively postgraduate teaching area. Its mission is to undertake excellent research and to offer world–leading postgraduate programs that provide continuing professional development for science and mathematics educators at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels (including educators in informal settings such as science museums). SMEC’s growth was accelerated by the award of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Key Centre for School Science and Mathematics (Especially for Women), which was funded during 1988–96 and whose title continues today. Currently SMEC enjoys the status of one of Curtin’s elite University Research Institutes. With over 400 current postgraduate students (mainly part–time), including 300 doctoral students, SMEC now has the largest postgraduate program in the world in science and mathematics education. 12/2008.

Mary Choledenko, Educator and Author

Congratulations to RHS teacher Mary Cholodenko who authored a book.

Check out the Prologue to Mary Cholodenko's book entitlled Survival Guide for Math published by Kids in Between for MS and HS teachers to aid them in planning math lessons as well as for students who struggle with math. 10/10/08

2007-08 School Year

News 12 Educators of the Month
Not ONE but TWO of the RCSD Faculty were chosen this year as Dowling College/News 12 Educators of the Month: Pulaski Street Fifth Grade Teacher Pat Jordan-Cowley (see Movie Clip) and RHS Science Teacher Bob Jester. This happened once before: Mr. Jester and Deborah Kulka-MacLellan won this award (in the same year) a few years ago, so Mr. Jester is a two-time recipient of this award. 1/10/08

MESTRACT Mini-Grant Winners
The Riverhead Central School District would like to recognize and celebrate the achievement of Marion Dorman and Jill Kruger, Linda Condon, Lisa Marie Bohleber, Brenda Tuttle, Renee Panos and Cynthia Acritelli, and Janis Ellis-Smith for bringing $9,000 worth of Terri Peters MESTRACT Minigrants to their schools. Riverhead often pulls in the highest number of MESTRACT Mini-Grants (see 2004). Updated 1/16/08

Athletic and Coaching Staff
In the Fall of 2007, Coach Dan Vallance was named Section XI-League 8 JV Girls Soccer Coach of the Year. In the Winter of 2008, Coach David Spinella was named Section XI-League 8 Varsity Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. 3/24/08

Office Max Teacher of the Year
Marge Lawrence, the Library/Media Specialist at the Roanoke Avenue School, was chosen for this award.12/6/07

Recent Doctorates in the District
A number of teachers and administrators received a doctorate this year. 12/6/07

2007 Who's Who in American Education Award
Roanoke Avenue music teacher Lisa Talmage was a recipient of this prestigious award in 2007.