The Rocky Point School District has an exemplary fine arts program, and with the addition of the Grade 4 Band and Orchestra offerings it is destined to be even better. The courses, Band taught by Miss Cailyn Monastero and Orchestra headed by Mr. David Ventura, are aiding students to further develop language and reasoning, their mastery of memorization, collaboration and cooperation with their peers, and increased coordination, all while gaining important life skills at a young age.

“The musical learning opportunities at this younger grade level is one of the initiatives in our Strategic Plan’s Academic Supports component,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott O’Brien. “These students will continue to advance these skills and be recognized and celebrated for their musical achievements, contributions to school culture and community involvement.”

The addition of the program had been a progressive undertaking before being implemented this school year. Last spring, both third and fourth graders were introduced to the instrumental program at JAE by Elementary Music Department Chairperson Craig Knapp, music teachers and fifth graders, offering an up close and personal experience, where they were able to see, hold, hear and, in some cases, play the instruments.

Now, many of those same third graders have confidentially started the 2023-24 school year on a high note as the inaugural class of fourth grade students sharpening their musical talents.

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Date Added: 9/22/2023

The Rocky Point School District has started the 2023-24 school year with its Strategic Plan firmly in place. As part of its student-centered learning initiative, American Sign Language courses have been added as new electives for Rocky Point Middle School seventh graders and Rocky Point High School freshmen through seniors.

At the Middle School, Mrs. Eileen Fioto stood silently taking attendance of the 20 students in her class, finger spelling their names with silent replies from each student. It was an impressive display of excellence and student ownership of learning, especially since it was only the seventh day of class. She continued the class by assisting the students in mastering their sign language skills.

Mrs. Fioto and Mrs. Debbie Elcik, who teaches the class at the High School, use similar lessons to engage the students. The seventh grade introductory course covers the first half of the High School’s ASL curriculum. The goal of the course is for students to achieve functional communication in the context of the Deaf culture. They are learning the development of receptive, expressive and interactive skills as a foundation for effective communication in ASL. Deaf culture will be explored and students will interact using ASL. Students will move on to American Sign Language I in eighth grade to complete the second half of the level I curriculum.

The seventh graders also reviewed the rules and tips of finger spelling, number one being to relax and not to panic, being patient, stabilizing their elbow, maintaining a constant rhythm and avoiding mouthing the letters. They also practiced with a partner, finger spelling a three-letter name and helping to be sure their partner understood each letter by pausing between letters.

“We are pleased with the start of this program and foresee its success, as students have both a voice and a choice in their learning as well as a sense of ownership over their individual achievements and experiences,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott O’Brien said.

These creative learning environments will also highly motivate students, make space for all learning styles and promote development of mastery skills, individualization, interaction and integration.

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Date Added: 9/15/2023

This summer Rocky Point High School students furthered their STEM learning and experience through participation in three amazing programs. Senior Elyse Nadeau applied and was accepted as an intern at the Long Island Aquarium in its education department. The mission of the internship program is to allow the student to experience various aspects of marine science through the perspective of the marine educator. As an intern, Elyse was teamed up with education department staff members who served as mentors throughout the internship experience. During her 120-hour internship experience Elyse was trained to and provided educational sessions to visitors.

Three juniors, Isabella Kelly, Ella Rau and Delany Schwartz, applied and were accepted to the Western Suffolk BOCES Marine Studies Enrichment Program. The students were immersed in a five-day, four-night residential marine environment summer camp. The students learned about physical and chemical oceanography, marine ecology, invertebrate zoology and more through hands-on investigations in both lab and field settings. Some of their on-site investigations took place at Sunken Meadow State Park.

Finally, five students, seniors Juliana Danisi, Evan Donovan, Jacob Donovan, Rhiannon Donovan, and junior Zen Pinkenburg, participated in the Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program. The High School Research Program is a highly competitive, six-week educational program. The students collaborated with Brookhaven National Laboratory’s scientific, engineering and technical staff on hands-on projects that support Brookhaven National Laboratory’s and the Department of Energy’s missions. At the end of the six-week program, the students shared their experiences as part of a poster session and/or oral presentation.

Date Added: 9/12/2023