The October 12th School Board Meeting was the culminating event for a number of efforts by the school community to thank the district's school board members for their "dedication to the students of the district." As part of New York State's designated School Board Appreciation Week, New York's school districts were encouraged by the State to find ways of thanking these outstanding volunteers. The Riverhead School District happily used this opportunity to heartily thank its board members for their time and energy on behalf of the district’s children. At the October 12th meeting, board members enjoyed readings from students, received a number of plaques, pins, certificates, cakes, cards, cases, banners and gifts from the various schools and unions throughout the district and a hearty round of applause from those in attendance.

Just prior to the October 12th meeting, school board members participated in a number of reading, speaking and social engagements throughout the district during which students, teachers and administrators thanked them for their service.

The Roanoke Avenue School hosted a breakfast for the school board members. Following the breakfast board members were invited to spend part of the morning with Roanoke Avenue Principal Dorothy Trondle observing English/language arts classes which are now utilizing the district's new "balanced literacy" approach in language arts.

"We can't thank these volunteers enough for the difficult job they do for this district," concluded Superintendent of Schools George Duffy III at the close of the meeting.

Photo captions:

RCSD Board of Education with some of the gifts they received at the October 12th Board of Education meeting, a culminating event for New York School Board Recognition Week. (Back L-R)  Timothy Hubbard, Lori Montefusco, Mary Ellen Harkin, Marypat Takacs, (Front L-R) Vinny Villella, Nancy Gassert and Kathleen Berezny.

Students from the Riley Avenue class read a script thanking the school board for their service to the community.

The RCSD Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA) secretary Paul Noonan presents each of the board members with "a case to carry all of their certificates and letters home in" as part of New York School Board Recognition ceremonies at the October 12th board meeting.

Members of the RCSD School Board enjoy a breakfast at the Roanoke Avenue School as part of New York School Board Recognition Week festivities.