More than 150 Rocky Point School District students performed in the New York State School Music Association Solo/Ensemble Evaluation Festival held at William Floyd High School on April 12 and 13. The purpose of the NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival is to provide the students the opportunity to perform for a certified Music Educator/Adjudicator so they may receive an objective evaluation of their musical proficiency and aptitude. This evaluation not only reinforces the positive aspects of a student’s performance, but also offers helpful suggestions for improvement. Students receive an evaluation sheet that includes written comments and an assessment on their performance. Students are evaluated in several categories including: accuracy of notes/rhythms, tone, technique, intonation, scales and sight-reading. Students learn what they did well and also what they can do to further their musical growth and development.

Students prepared solo and small ensemble pieces of music from the NYSSMA approved manual of repertoire in difficulty levels I-VI, where VI is the most advanced. Additionally, 13 students prepared a Level VI All-State solo, with the hopes of receiving an invitation to participate with one of the NYSSMA All-State performing ensembles at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester, NY in December 2025. Levels I-IV are evaluated on a rating scale of 1-28 and Levels V-VI are evaluated on a scale of 1-100.

The evaluation categories for NYSSMA Levels I-IV are:

26-28 Outstanding; 21-25 Excellent; 16-20 Good; 11-15 Satisfactory. An Outstanding Rating is given only to a performer who displays a distinguished level of accomplishment.

The evaluation categories for NYSSMA Levels V-VI are:

A+ 97-100, A 93-96, A- 90-92, B+ 87-89, B 83-86, B- 80-82

The Rocky Point Music Department is proud to announce that 86 students received an “OUTSTANDING” rating and 31 students received an “EXCELLENT” rating for Levels I-IV, while 28 students received an “A+” rating and 5 students received an “A” rating for Levels V-VI. This includes 31 perfect scores!

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “We are very proud of all of the students who performed at the NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival. Your hard work, dedication and talent truly contribute to the superb music program we have in Rocky Point. We are extremely proud of you! We would also like to thank our incredibly enthusiastic, dedicated and devoted music faculty for helping to prepare the students for this annual festival. Thank you to the families of these talented students for all of their support and encouragement. Thank you to all of the administrators and Board of Education members in Rocky Point for their continued support of our music programs. Thank you to all involved. Our performing arts programs could not be a success without you. This was a truly remarkable weekend of music making! The students are to be acknowledged and congratulated for their stellar achievements!”

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/18/2024

Students from Rocky Point High School’s Math Honor Society and Math Team took a trip to the MoMath National Museum of Mathematics in Manhattan on April 15 along with math teachers Janece Alfredson, Jenessa Eilers, Victoria Fabrizio and Carly Tribby.

The award-winning museum highlights the role of mathematics in illuminating the patterns and structures all around us. Its dynamic exhibits, galleries and programs are designed to stimulate inquiry, spark curiosity, and reveal the wonders of mathematics.

The visit reinforced much of what is learned in the classroom and also highlighted some groundbreaking discoveries in mathematics.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/18/2024

FJC kindergartners have been busy with their studies. Students in Nicole Fisher and Stacie Zumpol’s class conducted research on various farm animals and farm life. They each created individual informational texts titled “Farm Facts” and created an amazing farm display on the walls of the classroom. The culminating event of the unit was a field trip to the historic Benner’s Farm in Setauket to visit some farm friends and learn about life on the farm.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 4/17/2024

Students in JAE decorated infinity symbols in rainbow colors to create an Autism Acceptance Garden in the main hallway, which reads “Acceptance is an action. What are you doing to help it grow?”

Each grade level has their own tree. The students wrote words of love, kindness and acceptance on the symbols.

Thanks to teacher aide Mrs. Jasmine Perez, who created the trees and put up all student infinity symbols, and teacher Mrs. Gina Hale and Behavior Specialist Ms. Michelle Pfaeffle for guiding the efforts of the students in sharing JAE’s positivity and growth!

Thanks to fifth grade Academic Leaders Lily Cook, Gavin Damiano, Travis Giagios, Abby Villafane and Mallack Walsh for working with Mrs. Hale's students Shea Anderson, Blaze Carlino, Joshua Opitz, Leah Teague and Lia Veraldi and helping to create these colorful and inspiring messages!

Date Added: 4/16/2024

Rocky Point High School AP Art and Design students recently displayed their talents at Suffolk Community College’s Art Exhibition at the Maurice N. Flecker Memorial Art Gallery. The show exhibits the work of students from over a dozen high schools across the region.

Two seniors received top honors for their work. Katelyn Fish took home the award for Excellence in 2D for her portrait titled “Betty” bringing attention to Alzheimer's disease and what it does to a human being. Isabella Rooney received an honorable mention for her piece titled “Pressure,” which explores how perfectionism and the struggle to achieve perfection affects people in different ways. Her piece illustrates the anxiety and “pressure” that high school students feel to maintain high grades.

“The high school art department could not be prouder of our extremely talented students,” art teacher Seth Meier said.

Date Added: 4/16/2024