Mission/Vision Statement (August 2007) The mission of the Riverhead Central School District is to inspire and academically empower all students to become tomorrow's leaders by: developing their unique gifts and potential; providing an environment that fosters integrity, creativity, and respect; and, ensuring that our students become successful, contributing citizens in a global community.

Roanoke Avenue Elementary School is one of four K-4 elementary schools in the district. It is located on Roanoke Avenue in the center of the Riverhead community. The school has 390 students.

Roanoke is a yearly recipient of the Suffolk Reading Council Honor School and is very proud of its history, staff and students.

The Roanoke Avenue School is especially proud that it has the distinction of having been chosen as a National Blue Ribbon School. Roanoke's building has been named a historical landmark.

Popular events include its Halloween parade, Poetry Jams and the Book of the Month Assembly. Innovative reading and writing programs, such as "Fairy Tale Theater II," a program whereby students rewrite well-known fairy tales and act them out--just one of the many creative end-of-unit Writers Workshop celebrations --reflect the school's partnership with Columbia University's Teachers College Readers/Writers Workshop. Roanokel also boasts an outstanding school newsletter, the Community Link, which features student writers.

A school-wide science fair, unique social studies units and PTO-sponsored specials like "The Living Planet" add add a third dimension to the curriculum. Art, library, computer lab, music and physical education are not just separate entities but are integral to Roanoke's students' overall learning experience. The third grade class' Chinese New Year celebration is a good example of how these specials are seamlessly woven into and support the curriculum and the classroom teachers. The 21st Century Science curriculum encourages writing across the curriculum, critical thinking and engages students in a hands-on science program. Roanoke was one of the first schools in the district to receive outside funding to implement SmartBoard technology, an interactive classroom tool that integrates the use of computers and the internet with the curriculum to improve teaching and learning.

Field trips to nearby pumpkin farms, historical societies, science museums, aquariums and other learning sites take advantage of Riverhead's location which offers diverse regional, cultural, scientific and agricultural advantages. Town government and community members generously share their expertise and life experience with the students. Students also participate in community service projects and the school maintains a strong emphasis on character education and academic effort. A new fourth grade student council at Roanoke encourages student leadership.

Balanced Literacy and Math coaches are available to classroom teachers to model, write and observe English Language Arts and Everyday Math concepts taught in the classroom. These coaches train, model, and provide assistance with implementation--recognizing that workshops alone are not enough. They also add small group follow-up and analysis of what is and is not working. Curriculum and data analyses are being used to help students reach reading, writing and math proficiency.

There is a common preparation period at each grade level and a strong emphasis on collegial circles at Roanoke. Parent/Guardian involvement is strongly encouraged and appreciated. The school recommends that all parents/guardians become involved with their Parent Teacher Organization (P.T.O.). Roanoke is committed to being a family school that emphasizes community involvement with a collegial staff.