The Riverhead Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District is committed to providing a school environment that enhances the learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. Therefore, as part of an ongoing effort to create a healthful school environment, it is the policy of the school district that:

• The Food & Nutrition Services program complies with federal, state and local requirements and is accessible to all children
• Sequential and interdisciplinary nutrition education is provided and promoted
  
• Patterns of meaningful physical activity connect to students' lives outside of physical education class
• School-based activities are consistent with the district's wellness policy goals
• Foods and beverages sold on campus during the school day (including vending, concessions, a la carte, and student stores) include a variety of healthy choices and adhere to food safety and sanitary guidelines
• The school environment is safe, comfortable, pleasing, and allows ample time and space for eating meals and conducting physical activity. Food and/or physical activity are not used as a reward or punishment.

Such policy shall be monitored to ensure schools are meeting the policy requirements and such policy will be reviewed annually to make appropriate and necessary revisions. (To read the complete policy, click HERE.)

Related Link on District Website: Wellness / MRSA

Uniform Code of Dress Policy

Our Uniform Code of Dress Policy was so successful that Molly O'Connor from the Uniform Committee is in the process of contacting all of the clothing retailers that were contacted previously. She is letting them know that the policy is a big success and that parents are still looking for clothing items, both for the immediate future, as well as cold weather clothing. (Message from Committee Member and AP David Wicks)
                                                   

June 30, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Riverhead Central School District has recently adopted a uniform code of dress policy. The policy was created and adopted based on the interest level within our community.

In January, a committee was formed comprising of students, parents, teachers, board members, community members, and administrators. The committee consisted of the following people: Amanda Fields (HS student), Angela DeVito (Board of Ed. member), Anna Mariotti (HS student), Brian Stark (Board of Ed. member), Carmecha Langorne (Parent), Christine Prete (Board of Ed. member), Craig Hallock (HS student), Kevin Hewkin (Parent/Teacher), Jane Sherman (Parent), Phil Kent (Principal), Kristy Wilkerson (Parent), Lisa Mariotti (HS student), Lisa Moore (Parent), Alice McKillop (Parent/Teacher), Molly O'Connor (Parent), Tom Payton (Principal), Thelma White (Grandparent), David Wicks (Principal).

The committee researched the interest level within the district as well as the experiences of other districts that have adopted similar policies. In a survey of district parents, just under 70% of those surveyed thought that a uniform code of dress policy would be beneficial to the district and they were in favor of such a policy.

According to the adopted policy, the uniform code of dress shall be:

• Khaki or blue pants, capri's, shorts (in warm weather months), skorts, skirt or jumper
• Blue or white shirt / blouse with a collar including polo shirts or turtleneck (long or short sleeve)
• Choice of footwear shall be either flat-soled shoes or sneakers
• Denim shall not be part of the uniform code of dress
• Sweaters or sweatshirts (as a warming layer) shall be navy blue, gray, royal blue or white and may bear the insignia of the individual school building within the Riverhead Central School District.

The board of education adopted this policy for the purposes of:

• Improving student conduct and discipline
• Promoting an effective learning environment
• Improving student academic performance
• Fostering student self-esteem
• Fostering school unity and pride
• Promoting and maintaining safety and security

The district will implement a uniform code of dress over a four year period. Beginning September 1, 2008, the policy will be implemented in all K-4 buildings. The uniform code of dress will then be implemented in Pulaski Street School in September of 2009, in the Middle School in September 2010, and in the High School in 2011.

New York State law requires the district to provide an exemption for parents or guardians who do not wish their children to participate in the uniform code of dress. However, all students must abide by the general dress code policy. Unless a parent or legal guardian has filled out the appropriate exemption form and discussed the request for exemption with a building administrator, students shall be required to abide by the uniform code of dress during the school day. An exemption form has been included with the letter sent home. Exemption forms may also be obtained at the main office of each school and the district website. Completed exemption forms must be handed in to the appropriate building administrator’s office by September 12, 2008.

Clothing that fits the description of the uniform code of dress can be purchased at the following local retailers (Click on underlined store to see uniform offerings online):

Target
Wal-Mart
OshKosh B'Gosh (Tanger Outlet Center)
Old Navy (Tanger Outlet Center)
Gap (Tanger Outlet Center)
Nautica Kids (Tanger Outlet Center)
The Children's Place (Tanger Outlet Center) Boys / Girls

Also, committee members did some research on internet retailers and the following websites have been found to stock items that fit the description of the uniform code of dress:>

www.jcpenney.com
www.landsend.com
www.frenchtoast.com
www.thechildrenswearoutlet.com
www.cookieskids.com

The district feels that this policy will permeate a united team like atmosphere, increase student self-esteem and academic performance, and promote a more effective learning environment. If you have any questions please call your building principal.

Dress Code "Opt-Out" Form (pdf)

Related Link on District Website: Uniforms

Notice Concerning Solicitation for Fundraising

The Riverhead Central School District does not endorse or sanction direct solicitation of our local businesses by companies that supply promotional items to our interscholastic teams in return for advertising. Several such companies have reportedly been contacting local firms offering advertising space on T-shirts or other items as fundraisers for interscholastic teams. No organization that claims to represent the school district or its coaches has been sanctioned by the School District.

Riverhead Central School District Code of Conduct Summary

The Riverhead Central School District is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal.

The district has a long-standing set of expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions. These expectations are based on the principles of civility, mutual respect, citizenship, character, tolerance, honesty and integrity.

The Board recognizes the need to clearly define these expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, to identify the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to ensure that discipline when necessary is administered promptly and fairly. To this end, the board has developed and adopted a Code of Conduct in accordance with the requirements of SAVE legislation (Chapter 181 of the Laws of NY 2000) which is summarized below:

This code includes:

• Rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, transportation personnel, student support personnel, principals, superintendent, Board of Education in order to promote a safe, healthy, orderly and civil school environment.
  

• Description of the roles of essential partners in creating a positive school climate.
  Provisions regarding conduct, dress and language deemed appropriate or inappropriate on school property, and the range of penalties associated with violating the code.
  

• Provisions defining the roles of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, boards of education and parents.
  

• Procedures for reporting violations of the Code of Conduct to a teacher, guidance counselor, bus driver, the building principal or his/her designee.
  

• Provisions setting forth the procedures by which local law enforcement agencies and parents will be notified of code violations that constitute a crime.
  

• Provisions setting forth the circumstances under, and procedure by which parents will be notified if their child violates the code.
  

• Provisions regarding suspension periods for acts that would qualify the pupil to be removed from school.
  

• Provisions setting forth procedures for disciplinary consequences, procedures and referrals to ensure that disciplinary action is fair, firm and consistent.
  

• Specific procedures regarding disciplinary measures taken in incidents involving the possession or use of illegal substances or weapons, physical force, vandalism, violation of the civil rights of others, and threats of violence.
  

• Provisions setting forth the circumstances under, and procedures by which, criminal court complaints, juvenile delinquency petitions or person in need of supervision petitions will be filed.
  

• Provisions that address students with disabilities consistent with procedural safeguards required by applicable laws and regulations.
  

• Statements pursuant to the district’s position on corporal punishment.
  Procedures and provisions regarding student searches and interrogations.
  Procedures and responsibilities regarding visitors on school property.
  

• Provisions for dissemination and review of the Code of Conduct to ensure that the community is aware of the provisions and procedures contained within the document.
  
  NOTE: Any person wishing to examine the complete document may do so by formal application to the school or district office.