Principal's Announcements

Upcoming Events
An overview of upcoming events at RHS.

Honor Roll 2009-10
1st Quarter Honor Roll / 1st Quarter High Honor Roll (November 2009)

RMS Students of the Month Program
A monthly student recognition program for academic excellence, citizenship and improvement.

Current RHS News
A chronological overview of the news at RHS as it happens.

News 2009-10

For the Most Current News -- See News Today

RHS NEWS: Partners in Science Program 12/2/09

RHS NEWS: Malcolm Cater Co-Winner of Hansen Award 12/9/09

RHS NEWS: Ed O'Neill will Row at Cornell 12/15/09

RHS NEWS: Cheerleaders take 2nd at UCA Empire Regional Competition 11/30/09

NEWS: Latinists take 7 out of 12 at Declamatio 11/24/09

NEWS: Key Club "Box Night" for Homeless 10/18/09

NEWS: RHS All-County and All-State Music Festival Winners 10/8/09

NEWS: RHS Research Project is on the Grid!

Slide Shows:

Graduation 2009

A Look Back at 2009

Ninth Grade Honors English Class Shares Books

(June, 2009) One of the last programs I witnessed (at the very end of the school year) was carried out by the Ninth Grade Honors English class. The students in this class authored and illustrated children's books as part of their class work.

"It was a good way to emphasize the importance of grammar and usage in their writing," stated English 9H teacher Stephanie Piraino, who was formerly in public relations. "The students researched early childhood literacy, wrote press releases for their books and videotaped min-public service messages about the connection between early childhood literacy and long-term achievement in school." >See Slideshow

Dinosaur Unit at Phillips

Dinosaurs sparked the imagination of kindergartners at the Phillips Avenue School in this special unit taught by RHS students taking AP Biology. This science unit had several stages that started with reading and learning about dinosaurs in the classroom and culminated with a hands-on event in the cafetorium. A few students from the High School AP Biology class travelled to the Phillips Avenue School to teach kindergarten students about dinosaurs. Each of the AP Bio students coordinated the studies in a series of learning stations.

Kindergartners went from station-to-station where they put together huge dinosaur and small dinosaur puzzles, went on an archeological dig for dino bones, listened to stories about dinosaurs, did dinosaur math, and more. >See Slideshow

One throw yields two titles
Smith wins state shot put with school record toss
BY BOB LIEPA | SPORTS EDITOR

(June 18, 2009) Mike Smith seems to be at his best when the pressure is on. The Riverhead High School junior has a knack for rising to the occasion.

That was the case Friday when he stepped into the shot-put circle in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

"It's like he has ice running through his veins," Riverhead Coach Steve Gevinski said. "He doesn't feel the pressure." >More / Related link: Bill Groth and Michael Smith honored by Suffolk Legislature

East End Arts Council / Westhampton Teeny Awards

(June 2009) On Sunday June 7, 2009, The East End Arts Council presented their annual Teeny Awards. We are very proud to announce that Kaitlin Farrell, Colin Palmer and Jessica Benitez werePippinframed nominees and recipients of Teeny Awards this year. >More

Presidential Fitness Awards

(June 2009) RHS PE teachers, Ms. Braune, Ms. Dounelis and Steve Gevinski, invite the students in their physical education classes to set goals, to challenge themselves physically and to reach for excellence. One of the programs they use to help their students strengthen their bodies and their commitment to physical achievement is the Presidential Fitness Challenge. >More

Sr. Awards Ceremony
(June, 2009) See a panoramic shot of the Sr. Awards recipients and read the program to see who won what. >More

RHS Chamber Groups Excel at Hershey Park Music Festival
"How Sweet It Is!"

(June 4, 2009 - Riverhead, NY) On May 29th, 30th and 31st, 2009 the Riverhead High School Chamber Choir, Varsity Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra participated in a Music in the Parks festival at Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

We are very proud to announce that the Riverhead High School Chamber Ensembles received the highest honor, the Esprit de Corps trophy for the second time in three years. The Esprit de Corps trophy is awarded to the school that demonstrates exemplary behavior and deportment throughout the festival weekend. This award highlights the importance of genuine support for fellow performers while demonstrating excellence in all facets of performance both on and off stage. This honorable distinction is presented to one school at the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the festival.

Eleven schools from around the Country participated in this festival. The ensembles had the option to perform for adjudication only or to compete against other ensembles involved in the festival. The Varsity Jazz Ensemble performed for adjudication only and received a rating of Excellent. Chamber Orchestra placed first and received a rating of Good. For the second year in a row, Chamber Choir took first place in their division, Best Overall High School Choir and received a rating of Superior! >More

100% Perfect Attendance Breakfast

(June 3, 2009) RHS students who achieved perfect attendance were treated to a special breakfast in the high school library on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, to celebrate their achievement. One student, Danielle Buchanan, achieved perfect attendance for THIRTEEN straight years. She hasn't missed a day of school--from KINDERGARTEN through TWELFTH GRADE!
>More

Riptide is Online

(June, 2009) You may have noticed a lack of Riptide, your school newspaper, and for good reason; there has not been one. In an attempt to be more “Eco-friendly” Riptide has changed the format from being published in print to one that is published on the internet, where it can be accessed at any time at www.highschooljournalism.org, a national organization that hosts student newspapers free of charge. >More

MAY, 2009

National Foreign Language Honor Societies

(May, 2009) The National Foreign Language Honor Societies recently held their annual induction ceremonies at Riverhead High School. Twenty-two students were inducted into the French Honor Society; eleven students were inducted into the Latin Honor Society; and thirty-seven students were inducted into the Spanish Honor Society, for a total of 70 students. >More

Riverhead High School science students are going green for the environment!

(May 12, 2009 - Riverhead, NY) Twenty-five Riverhead High School students in John Barona’s Living Environment class have been participating in the “Boundless Environments” program through a grant obtained from the Motorola Foundation by the Long Island Science Center of Riverhead. >More

BNL Oyster Project
RHS Students Participate in Study

(May, 2009) RHS Research students have been working in partnership with National Laboratories in a study of oysters. The students interface with Brookhaven scientists live via webcam. They receive instructions from BNL Physicist Dr. Keith Jones, utilize information from the National Synchrotron Light Source at BNL, and engage in labs in the high school and through online research. >More

TOP 15 of the Class of 2009

(May, 2009) The TOP 15 students in the class of 2009 at Riverhead High School have been chosen. The students are listed according to their rank with their current choice for a major and the college or university they plan to attend. Congratulations to these outstanding
RHS students!

>More

Valedictorian of the Class of 2009

(May, 2009) RHS senior Rachel Hagler is the sixth valedictorian from Riverhead High School to graduate having had a long-standing devotion to the Latin program. Her love of Latin is surpassed only by her love of political science, which will be her major in college. Rachel has already begun her studies in political theory and foreign affairs at a college level during a summer program at Boston University. >More

Salutatorian of the Class of 2009

(May, 2009) HS senior Sylvia Hong is the 2009 Riverhead High School salutatorian. Sylvia will be graduating with a GPA of 106.7033 and eight AP courses plus several Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) credits.

>More

APRIL, 2009

2009 RHS National Honor Society Inductees

(April 30, 2009) The inductees into Riverhead High School's chapter of the National Honor Society have been chosen for the 2009-10 school year. The National Honor Society is more than just an honor roll. Using national guidelines, the local chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. >More

Big Duck Regatta

We would like to thank all of you who came to the Big Duck Regatta and supported us. GO BLUE WAVES!

Here are the results: >More

Legislator Schneiderman visits Riverhead High School Public Policy Class

(April 2009) Legislator Jay Schneiderman was recently invited to attend a Public Policy class at Riverhead High School to speak about his job as an elected official. The students in the class are enrolled in Introduction to Analysis of Public Policy, a three credit Syracuse University course offered to students at Riverhead High School. In this course students study how government operates at all levels and then identify negative societal conditions, prove that they exist, identifying causes for said problems and design solutions. >More

"TERRI PETERS MEMORIAL SCIENCE FAIRS"

(April 6, 2009) Each of the Riverhead Central School District elementary schools conducted their annual “Terri Peters Memorial Science Fair” right before the spring recess. Many of the students brought their parents to the evening viewing of their experiments at their schools.

Earlier in the afternoon, judges from each of the schools surveyed the experiments to choose those winning scienceclubexperiments of young scientists that would become eligible to represent their school at Brookhaven National Lab’s annual science fair. >More

DOC GREENBERGER NAMED "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” 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

RHS Blue Masques Presented “Pippin”

Congratulations to the Riverhead High School Blue Masques and their director Sean O’Hara and the pit orchestra and its director, David Loddengaard, for their production of “Pippin.” This outstanding group of young musicians and actors have chosen to present not one, but two, musicals this year—a challenge not usually mounted by a high school. We look forward to the spring musical as well.

RHS Students Who Attended the Inauguration of Barak Obama

(January 16, 2009) Six RHS students were invited to attend President-Elect Barak Obama’s Presidential Inauguration and celebration. Who’s going and how did they get invited?

The following students were invited and are attending from RHS:

Alexa Markel (11th grade)
Carolyn Smith (12th grade)
Nicholas DiSalvo (10th grade)
Brianna Gilliam (10th grade)
Mia McCombe (11th grade)
Alyssa Rowe  (graduated 2008)

Four of the six students are active in the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF). All of the students received their invitation through the Presidential Youth Inaugural Council (PYIC). >More

RHS DECCA Club Excels at Suffolk Regional DECCA Conference

RHS had a good showing at the Suffolk Regional DECCA Conference.
Eight of the 20 students who placed in a variety of competitions at the Suffolk Conference are now eligible to compete in March at the state conference in Rochester.

Kevin Tuthill ~ public speaking extemporaneous
Marcy Falco ~ marketing math
Amanda Muller ~ accounting applications
Aimee Siegmund~ visual newspaper advertisement
James Peterson ~ marketing management
Jaclyn Raymond ~ public service visual advertisement
Jon Lul & Bryan Palermo ~ business law & ethics
>More

YES WE CAN!

A group of students at Riverhead High School refused to take no for an answer—not this time. They braced for it—but instead of a no, they received a reply of “Yes you can.” On Friday, January 9, 2009, the RHS Science Club began recycling paper at the high school.

After school on Fridays, Robert Jester, the Science Club’s advisor, and several students will travel from room to room collecting paper, transferring it to a rolling collection center and ultimately depositing what they collect into a huge recycling dumpster outside the building. They will learn as they go what it takes to fine tune the system and keep the project going in spite of the barriers that include maintaining a group of dedicated members to do the pickup, financing the bins and transportation of the paper to a recycling center.

While the district financed the first dumpster, money earned from winning science entries in the environmental competition mentioned may have to be used to help keep the project going, but these students are convinced that, eventually, the project will pay for itself and prevent tons of paper from ending up in a landfill. >MORE / Walk Radio

NJROTC Inspection and Pass-In-Review

(January 14, 2009) Celebrating their 35th Anniversary, Riverhead's outstanding NJROTC Unit went through their paces before parents, community members, and administration during the 2009 Annual Review of the Unit.
    
"Riverhead's NJROTC Unit started as a satellite of the Southold NJROTC Unit 35 years ago in 1974," explained Riverhead's commander, Lt. Col. Peter McCarthy, during his comments at the Review. This year's unit commander is C/LCDR Kelly Savage. The inspecting Officer was Commander Greg Zacharski, the commanding officer of Recruiting District, New York.

Two cadets received Cadet Achievement Awards:
Cadet Lt. Jr. Grade Allyson Cosgrove and Cadet Ensign Peter Rodriguez. Several students received appearance awards.

Cadet Allyson Cosgrove received her citation for her efforts as the Operations Officer for her initiative in planning and implementing numerous events and activities (many of which are listed below). Her commendation stated, "Cadet Cosgrove immediately took charge of her position and became the driving force for the execution of all unit activities, the consumate planner. Cadet cosgrove worked many long hours to plan and prepare for the numerous unit activities that are the hallmark of a good NJROTC Unit."

Cadet Peter Rodriguez was commended for his "sustained and superior performance as Third Platoon Commander. It was noted that "Cadet Rodriguez is the epitome of a NJROTC Cadet officer, leading from the front. He holds himself to the highest standards possible, lives the core values and is highly respected by all who know him."

C/SA Elissa Patrick received a limited addition Commanding officer’s coin as a token of recognition for her most outstanding military appearance. The following cadets received an “Exemplary Personal Appearance Ribbon”: Jacqueline Cahill, Brianne Egan, Katina Falek, Kristen Falek, Amanda Gallo, Douglas Gaul, Precious Jefferson, Corrine Matlak, Mathew Mulvaney, Michael O’Brien, Darien Riley, and Gregory Torres. >More

RHS NJROTC Brings Home a Boat Load of Trophies
(Dec. 8 / BETHEL, CT) On November 22, 2008 at Bethel, CT High School, the RHS NJROTC Drill Team participated in a Military Drill Competition that included 12 high schools from New York and Connecticut. Riverhead HS had an outstanding drill meet and won five 1st Place trophies out of eight events. >More

Class II LI Championship
(Dec. 2, 2008 / Riverhead Football) Riverhead became the first team in Long Island history to finish with a 12--0 record. The Blue Waves captured the Long Island Class II championship witha 42-6 win over Elmont at LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University. Senior halfback Miguel Maysonet, who earned the Hansen Award as Suffolk's top player, carried 33 times for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Top-ranked Riverhead also earned the Rutgers Trophy given to Suffolk's top team. (Newsday - December 2, 2008). >More

PE Suffolk Zone Award Winners
(December 2008) CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s recipients of the prestigious New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance – Suffolk Zone Award, Amelia Czelatka & Timothy Velys, both seniors at Riverhead High School. The Suffolk Zone Award criteria demand a high level of physical fitness, strong participation in school and community activities, evidence of leadership roles, community involvement and academic excellence. >More

Jimmy Powers to Take his Pitching Powers to Temple University
(December 2008, Riverhead, NY) RHS senior Jimmy Powers has a mean curve ball, can throw a fastball at 88-89 mph, and he’s a lefty. He’ll be on the mound this spring for Riverhead High School after sitting out most of last year due to a shoulder injury. Powers spent the summer playing for the South Florida Bandits, a travel team, which went from tournament to tournament up and down the East Coast. After being pursued by about 50 Division I colleges and universities, Jimmy Powers has accepted a scholarship, signed an intent to play, and plans to take his lanky 6’1” / 180 lb. pitching powers to Temple University (Philadelphia, PA), a Division I school. >More

Regents Scholarships
(Nov. 25, 2008 / RIVERHEAD, NY) As college tuition continues to increase, students are getting regentsscholarseven more interested in attending SUNY schools. Each year, the New York State Education Department awards 2,000 $1,500 scholarships and 6,000 $500 scholarships to high schools to award to students who had the highest weighted average of Regents exam grades. The scholarship is only given if the student attends a college/university in New York State. Awards are renewable for up to four academic years of undergraduate study or five academic years, if the program of study normally requires five years as defined by the Commissioner of Education. In the event that a scholarship is declined by the student, its benefits will lapse and no re-awards will be made. >More

Riverhead Latin Team
(Nov. 25 / RIVERHEAD, NY) Riverhead Latinists traveled to Stony Brook University for the Suffolk County Classics Society’s 6th Annual Declamatio, an academic contest for which students memorize and then dramatically recite (or “declaim,” hence the Latin word “Declamatio”) a passage from Latin literature (ancient or modern) to a panel of judges. The Riverhead Latinists maintained their winning record by taking 10 out of a possible 13 places while competing against nine other schools from Long Island (which included Half Hollow Hills, Commack, Mercy High School, Three Village, Port Jefferson, Westhampton Beach, etc.). In the first five years of the Declamatio, Riverhead has established itself as the Latin program to beat. >More

"Boundless Environments" Program
(Nov. 19 / RIVERHEAD, NY) Twenty-five Riverhead High School students in John Barona’s Living Environment classes traveled to the Long Island Science Center in downtown Riverhead. The students braved a cold, raw afternoon along the Peconic River to observe the river and to draw a sample of its water. Prior to drawing their sample, the students participated in a discussion of river ecology and viewed a slide show by Mr. Mark Cappellino from Cornell Cooperative Extension. They also learned about the impact of storm water run-off. >More

The RHS Council For Unity
Students recently hosted a “Mix It Up” day during the high school’s lunch hours. Council members put a colored mark on student hands as they entered the cafeteria. The tables were color coded with colored balloons and students were invited to join the table that matched the color on their hand. There were discussions at each table hosted by a Council for Unity member, and a DJ provided music for conversation and dancing. This was a national event held all over the U.S. sponsored by Teaching Tolerance. ALSO "One Town, One Family" food program. >More

CREPES and COLLEGE
(November 2008, Riverhead, NY) Twenty-three RHS students participated in a field trip to the Suffolk County Community College’s (SCCC) Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center. The students were able to tour the building, visit classrooms and talk with Jim Fogarty, who, representing the college, led the tours. Suffolk County Community College is offering this field trip opportunity each Monday to all the high schools on Long Island. >More

Spooky Science at Phillips Avenue
(October, 2008 - Riverhead, NY) Solids, liquids and gas were the concepts taught in a recent spooky science lesson that used steaming cauldrons of dry ice and a Halloween theme. The district’s new K-12 Science Director, Lois Etzel, teamed with STAR Academy teacher/facilitator Peter Huszagh and STAR students Nicole and Kaniesha (pictured in Mrs. Boscola’s first grade classroom at the Phillips Avenue School) to teach this science lesson.

These science wizards fully engaged all the kindergarten and first grade students at Phillips in a giggle-inducing science lesson that used rocks, colored liquids, balloons, ice cubes, dry ice and a little teaching magic to help these tiny scientists embrace critical thinking and begin their study of science. >More

RHS Students Who Received Recognition for their Scores on AP Tests
(October 2008) The 2008 AP Awards were recently released recognizing those students from RHS who took AP tests last year. >More

Calvin Wesley is First STAR Academy Student of the Month
(October 17, 2008 - Riverhead, NY) Calvin Wesley, a tenth grade student at the STAR Academy at RHS, was named as the first STAR Academy Student of the Month.

Calvin's educational goals are to finish high school and go to college to major in business management. He says, "I want to be an entrepreneur, like Diddy. He is someone who's doing things." Calvin continues, "I am thankful to my grandmother, who supports me and encourages me to do the right thing." He smiles, proud of his accomplishment, "I would never have been Student of the Month at the high school, but at the STAR Academy, things are different. I'm glad I'm here." >More

Homecoming 2008
Riverhead High School’s Homecoming Spirit Week had a happy ending as the Riverhead Blue Waves soundly defeated the West Islip Lions. Both teams entered the game with a 5-0 record. RHS running back/linebacker, Miguel Maysonet, a senior, played an amazing game and scored five touchdowns — four on runs, one on a pass from quarterback Tim Velys — and ran for 302 as the first-place Blue Waves beat the second-place West Islip Lions, 34-13, at Coach Mike McKillop Memorial Field. >More ALSO Spirit Week

RHS BLUE WAVES FOOTBALL

See Blue Waves Varsity Football Team's Roster

The Blue Waves Varsity Football Team is seeded #1 in their Division!
These pictures were on the front page and internal pages of the HS Sports section of Newsday's Sunday Editions. >More

Rachel Hagler Named Commended Student in National Merit Program

(October 10, 2008) In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT® receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. Commended Students are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year and is below the level required for participants to be named Semifinalists in their respective states. Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit® Scholarships, some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses. RHS senior Rachel Hagler received one of those letters of commendation naming her a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. This places her among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by excelling in the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. >More

Self-Determination for Students Workshop
(October 9, 2008) The Riverhead Central School District is beginning its second year of The Model Transition Program Grant (MTP), which was awarded to the District during the 2006/07 school year. As part of this $700,000 special education grant, the district was able to present two parent, faculty and student workshops this fall.

On Thursday October 2nd, Mr. Andy Shanahan and Ms. Helen Fallon, who are affiliated with the University of Buffalo, presented a workshop entitled “Self-Determination, Empowering Students to Lead Self-Directed Lives.” Forty-three students from the High School and the Star Academy attended this workshop. >More

Mary Choledenko, Educator and Author
Congratulations to RHS teacher Mary Cholodenko who authored a book.

Check out the Prologue to Mary Cholodenko's book entitled 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. >More

RHS Students to Attend All-County and All-State Music Festival
(October 2008) Eight students were chosen to attend the NYSCAME All-County Music Festival: Matt Suprina will attend as a member of the Band; Heather Kopp will perform with the All-County Orchestra; Colin Palmer, a tenor, will perform with the All-County Mixed Chorus; Cassidy Stress, Alto 1, will perform with the All-County Women's Chorus; Jessica Benitez, Soprano 2, will perform with the All-County Mixed Chorus; Ryan Beodeker, a bass, will perform with the All-County Mixed Chorus; Katie Blasl will be singing Soprano 1 in the All-County Women's Chorus and is an Alternate to the All-State Music Festival. RHS senior Anna Flores will sing Soprano1 in the All-County Women’s Chorus and has also been chosen to sing in the Women's Chorus at the All-State Music Festival. >More

Student Government / Homecoming

RHS Student Government’s first BIG task will be to help organize HOMECOMING 2008. Due to SAT tests, Homecoming Day has been changed to October 18. The Homecoming theme for 2008 is “Hamlets of Riverhead.” HOMECOMING will begin with SPIRIT WEEK (week of Oct. 14-17). On SATURDAY, OCT. 18, the PARADE will step off at 12:30 PM down Main Street. The FOOTBALL GAME will follow at 2:00 PM. >More

STAR Academy

Students, parents, teachers, board members, administrators and community members participated in the grand opening of the District's new STAR Academy in August. Over the summer, STAR students took on the task of renovating and remodeling the North Portables on Riverhead High School's campus which will house the Academy. In August STAR students hosted a grand opening and gave tours of the classrooms that will house the STAR Academy. >More

ROTC Leadership Academy 2008
On July 25th, 2008 Riverhead NJROTC had 8 cadets graduate from The AREA FOUR Leadership Academy at the Naval Base in Newport, Rhode Island. 144 Cadets from 52 High Schools were selected to attend. All cadets earned the prestigious Silver Cord. This is two weeks of intensive training designed to prepare cadets to be unit leaders. This is the largest number of cadets Riverhead NJROTC has had graduate from this academy. >More

Sports in the News
RHS sports as covered in the local newspapers for each season.

RHS News Archive
A chronological overview of past RHS news.

All of the News in the District
A chronological overview of the news in the District as it happens.

District News Archive
A chronological overview of the news from 2002-2008.