RCSD Weekly Update September 11, 2026

Weekly School News Dear Blue Waves Families, Another wonderful week! September 11, 2026 A Day of Remembrance 9-11! Thank you to all our students, families, staff, and community partners who make these special moments possible. Go Blue Waves! With Blue Wave Pride, Bob Hagan Superintendent of Schools Riverhead Central School District This Week's Updates: Aquebogue Our Aquebogue Compass Team held its first meeting of the year! The Compass Team brings together fourth-grade student leaders, teachers, TAs, aides, building administrators, and a parent representative to share ideas about what makes Aquebogue special and how we can continue to make our school even better. At our first meeting, Compass Team members welcomed and introduced themselves to our new staff members and spent some time getting to know one another. We’re excited for another year of working together, sharing student voice, and making Aquebogue the best it can be! Phillips Today, the staff and students of Phillips Avenue came together to remember and honor 9/11. While our students may not know all of the details of that day, we can still honor its memory by focusing on the values it reminds us of: kindness, courage, compassion, and helping others. We remembered the firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary people who showed tremendous courage and cared for others during one of our nation’s most difficult moments. We were especially grateful to welcome members of the Southampton Police Department and Flanders Fire Department to Phillips Avenue. Their presence allowed us to honor the brave men and women who continue to protect, serve, and make a difference in our community each day. Our students shared their gratitude by writing letters and creating drawings, which were presented to both departments as a small thank-you for their continued service and dedication. As a school family, we will continue to care for one another, support one another, and show the kindness and compassion that make our community so special. We remember. We honor. We care. We stand together. Riley This week, Riley Avenue opened its doors for our annual Open House. Hundreds of family members joined our dedicated staff and valued community partners to kick off the year with a focus on strong academics, family engagement, and regular student attendance. The Parents Association of Riley Avenue (PARA) connected with many family members looking to make a positive impact on the student experience here at Riley. We thank them for all they do and encourage those interested in becoming more involved to email them at rileypara@gmail.com! Roanoke 🌿 What a Wonderful First Week Back! 🌿 Roanoke Avenue has completed another great week of school! It has been wonderful to see our students back in the building, settling into their routines, reconnecting with friends, and making new ones along the way. Students have been enjoying time on the playground, getting to know their classmates, and showing what makes our Roanoke community so special. This year, we are excited to explore the rainforest together! Our rainforest theme will bring adventure, discovery, and a spirit of growth and exploration to our school year. Just like the rainforest, our school community is filled with diversity, energy, and opportunities for everyone to grow and thrive. Our PTO held its first meeting last night and is already excited for a great year of family events and activities. We are looking forward to seeing our Roanoke community come together for their first event of the year, the PTO Car Wash. Saturday, September 12, 2026 - 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Roanoke Avenue Elementary School. Explore On Roanoke! Pulaski Pulaski Street invited parents to the school for “Connections with the Principals”. It was a wonderful opportunity for our parents to connect directly with the new Pulaski leadership team. Together, we enjoyed meaningful conversations, answered community questions, and listened as families shared their inspiring journeys through Riverhead. Riverhead Middle School In honor of September 11th, Riverhead Middle School students and staff wore red, white, and blue as we remembered the lives lost, the families forever impacted, and the courageous individuals who risked their own lives to save others. Throughout the day, students also had opportunities to learn about the many stories of heroism that emerged from September 11th. In Social Studies classes, including Ms. Mitchell’s, and English classes such as Mr. Dunn’s and Ms. Cheverino’s, students learned about Welles Crowther, known as “The Man in the Red Bandana,” whose extraordinary courage helped save as many as 18 lives that day. As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th, we honor the memory of those we lost and the bravery, compassion, and selflessness shown by so many. Riverhead High School On Friday, September 11, Riverhead High School came together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. At 8:30 a.m., Assistant Principal Mr. LaRochester addressed students and staff over the school’s public address system, followed by Senior Neighborhood Aide, Mr. Sanabria, who shared a Spanish translation of the message with our school community. Their remarks reflected on the significance of September 11th for a generation of students who were not yet born when the attacks occurred, while reminding our school community of the courage, service, sacrifice, and unity that emerged from one of our nation’s darkest days. The following message was shared with the Riverhead High School community: “Good morning, Riverhead High School. Good Morning, Riverhead High School Twenty-five years ago today, September 11, 2001, began as an ordinary Tuesday morning. Students went to school. Teachers entered their classrooms. Parents went to work. Families said goodbye to one another, expecting that, at the end of the day, they would all come home. And then, at 8:46 that morning, our world changed. For the students listening today, September 11th is an event you know through history books, photographs, videos, and the stories of others. None of you were alive to witness that morning. But you are surrounded every day by people who were. Your parents and grandparents remember where they were. Your teachers remember. Your coaches remember. Members of our faculty and staff remember. Police officers, firefighters, first responders, veterans, and members of this community remember. For many of them, September 11th is not simply a chapter in American history. It is a memory. They remember watching in disbelief as the first images came across television screens. They remember the fear and uncertainty. They remember desperately trying to reach family members and friends. They remember waiting for telephone calls. And some remember calls that never came. Here on Long Island, September 11th was especially close to home. Families throughout our communities lost parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Others answered the call to serve in the days, months, and years that followed. Nearly 3,000 innocent people were taken from us that day. But September 11th also revealed something extraordinary about the American spirit. In a moment of unimaginable fear, people ran toward danger to help strangers. Firefighters climbed stairwells while others were coming down. Police officers, emergency medical personnel, members of our military, and ordinary citizens put others' lives ahead of their own. People gave blood. They opened their homes. They searched through rubble. They stood beside grieving families. Continued... And across our nation, Americans looked beyond their differences and simply asked: How can I help? That is also what we remember today. We remember those who gave some. We remember those who gave all. And we honor the countless acts of courage, compassion, sacrifice, and selflessness that reminded us, even on one of America's darkest days, of the very best of who we can be. Twenty-five years later, remembering September 11th now belongs to a new generation. It belongs to you. You do not have to have witnessed that morning to understand its lesson. You honor September 11th when you choose kindness over cruelty. When you stand beside someone who needs you. When you serve your community. When you respect those who serve others. When you recognize that despite all of the things that may divide us, there are moments when we are called to remember what binds us together. Today, we do not remember tragedy for tragedy's sake. We remember lives. We remember courage. We remember sacrifice. We remember service. And we remember a nation that, when confronted with unimaginable darkness, answered with extraordinary light. As a school community, may we carry forward the responsibility entrusted to every generation that follows: To remember those we lost. To honor those who served. To be grateful for those who still serve. And to never forget. In just a few moments, the clock will reach 8:46 a.m., the moment, twenty-five years ago today, when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At that time, I ask every member of the Riverhead High School community to please stand, if you are able, and join together in a moment of silence. MOMENT OF SILENCE AT 8:46 A.M. May we never forget September 11, 2001. May we never forget those who gave some, and those who gave all. And may we always strive to be worthy of the courage, service, unity, and sacrifice they showed us. Thank you.” Following the moment of silence, students and staff were invited to visit the high school’s recently revitalized September 11th Memorial. The project was a true community effort, with student and community member volunteers coordinated by teacher Ms. Strobel, generous donations from Finks Country Farm, and support from our District Buildings and Grounds team in beautifying the memorial garden. The collective efforts of everyone involved have helped renew a space that has long held special meaning on the Riverhead High School campus. On this 25th anniversary, the memorial provided a meaningful place for students and staff to reflect, remember, and better understand why the events of September 11th continue to hold such enduring significance. Contact information (631) 369-6700 814 Harrison Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901 www.riverhead.net

Friday, Sep 11 2026

Notice of Regular Board of Education Meeting - Septe...

RIVERHEAD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 814 Harrison Avenue Riverhead, NY 11901-2996 (631) 369-6700 · www.riverhead.net     PUBLIC NOTICE   PLEASE TAKE NOTICE , the Riverhead Central School District’s Board of Education will hold a REGULAR MEETING on WEDNESDAY, September 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Riverhead Middle School, Library, 600 Harrison Avenue, Riverhead, New York.  After the meeting is opened to the public, the Board of Education will immediately recess into Executive Session to discuss topics in accordance with Open Meetings Law §105 (f).    The PUBLIC SESSION  OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY  7:00 PM in the Riverhead Middle School Cafetorium.   This meeting will be live-streamed at:  https://www.youtube.com/live/Y7w6XFY7GwM?si=bEySy6aYiqMvWzjK .   Any questions or comments for the Board of Education may be submitted via:  https://forms.gle/aiqY6H7u7G2z7nBFA .     Respectfully,   Dawn Bozuhoski District Clerk Board of Education :  Erica M. Murphy, President , Cynthia Redmond ,  Vice President ,  Trustees : Jasmine Corwin, Kelly Freeborn, Julio Gonzalez, Ed.D, James Scudder, Matthew Wallace Jarell Gilliam, Student Representative Dawn Bozuhoski, District Cler k  Robert M. Hagan, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday, Sep 08 2026

RCSD Weekly Update 9/4/2026

Weekly School News Dear Blue Waves Families, A wonderful first week! September 4, 2026 On behalf of the Riverhead Central School District, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Riverhead Fire Department for their generous donation of a class set of backpacks and school supplies for our students. This kind of community partnership reflects the true spirit of Riverhead, where local organizations step up to ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed. We are deeply grateful for the Fire Department's continued support of our schools and their investment in the future of our students. Thank you to all our students, families, staff, and community partners who make these special moments possible. Go Blue Waves! With Blue Wave Pride, Bob Hagan Superintendent of Schools Riverhead Central School District This Week's Updates: Aquebogue Aquebogue Elementary had a wonderful first week welcoming our students back for the 2026–2027 school year! Our classrooms and hallways were filled with excitement as students reconnected with friends, met their teachers, and began building new routines. Our staff has worked hard to create welcoming spaces where every student feels supported, valued, and ready to learn. We are excited for all that lies ahead as we work together to support Every Child, Every Day! Phillips Welcome Back, Phillips Family! Phillips Avenue welcomed all of our students back for their first day of school, and what an absolutely wonderful day it was! It was such a joy to see the smiling faces, hear the excitement in the hallways, and watch our students reunite with friends and teachers as they began a brand-new school year. From our youngest learners taking their first steps into Pre-K and kindergarten to our returning students ready to reconnect and grow, the energy throughout the building was truly special. Our teachers and staff worked hard to create a warm, welcoming environment where every child felt safe, supported, and excited to learn. The first day is always filled with new beginnings, and we are so grateful to our families for helping make it such a successful start. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your continued support of our school community. As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we look forward to a year filled with learning, friendship, discovery, and countless opportunities for our students to shine. We are so happy to have our students back and cannot wait to see all that this year has in store! Welcome back, Phillips Family! Let’s make it a wonderful year! Riley At Riley Avenue, nearly 500 students kicked off the new year with a collection of hugs, high fives, fist bumps, and smiles. This year’s theme is “Windows to the World: Connect, Explore, and More!”, and our students spent their first two days doing just that, connecting with classmates and staff, and beginning to explore exciting new learning opportunities. We’re especially excited to engage with our families at Open House Night on September 9th; we hope to see you then! Roanoke Roanoke Avenue is thrilled to welcome back our Pre-K through 4th-grade students, teachers, and staff. We have announced our school theme for this year, and we will explore a new rainforest ecosystem. It has been a joy to open our doors and see the hallways filled with smiling, happy students as we begin this new school year. We were delighted by the wonderful turnout at our "Popsicles on the Playground" event and our "Boo Hoo Breakfast" on the first day of school. A special thank you to Costco for their generous donation of backpacks to our community. Explore on Roanoke! Pulaski Pulaski Street School kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with "Chalk the Walk"! Returning students were thrilled to be back, and new students loved seeing how big and bright the school is. With warm smiles and hard work from our teachers and staff, the building was filled with positive energy. We're so excited to have everyone back and look forward to an amazing year! Riverhead Middle School On Thursday, September 3, 2026, students arrived at the Middle School, and we are looking forward to a great year! Welcome Back! Riverhead Middle School First Day Arrival! Riverhead High School Riverhead High School was excited to welcome our students, faculty, and staff back to school this week as we officially began the 2026–2027 school year. It was great to see our hallways and classrooms filled with students again as everyone began settling into the routines of a new school year. We are looking forward to a positive and productive year, and all that lies ahead for our Blue Waves. ​ On Friday, September 4, 2026, we hosted Senior Sunrise for the Class of 2027 on the Turf Field at the Pulaski St. Sports Complex. The event drew a strong turnout, with students arriving early to gather together and mark the start of their senior year. Students used the time to connect, take photos, and celebrate the moment in a positive, spirited atmosphere. The event set an encouraging tone for the year ahead. Contact information (631) 369-6700 814 Harrison Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901 www.riverhead.net

Friday, Sep 04 2026

CANCELED - Riverhead Fire Department - 2026 Open Hou...

[Wednesday, Sep 23 at 3:18 PM] The Riverhead Fire Department Open House scheduled for Saturday, September 26th has been canceled due to the weather forecast. This event will be rescheduled for April 2027.

Thursday, Sep 03 2026