The East Rockaway Board of Education met on Nov. 18 to discuss curriculum initiatives, facilities updates and upcoming district planning efforts.

The meeting opened with fourth grader Robert RJ Mazurek from Rhame Avenue School leading the Pledge of Allegiance before Assistant Superintendent Sean Murray delivered a comprehensive presentation on i-Ready, an educational platform used throughout the district.

Mr. Murray explained that i-Ready serves multiple purposes in East Rockaway schools. The district uses the platform to fulfill state requirements for assessing students three times annually, measuring progress and informing instructional planning. The system provides each student with a personalized learning pathway based on their diagnostic assessment results.

i-Ready supplements the classroom instruction, Mr. Murray emphasized, noting that the platform is not a grading tool and does not replace teachers. Instead, it supports educators by helping them group students with similar needs and deliver targeted instruction.

Parents of elementary students receive progress reports three times yearly and can monitor their children's advancement through the app.

Mr. Murray acknowledged that while i-Ready provides valuable data to improve instruction, the district recognizes it represents only one component of comprehensive student assessment. The ultimate goal, he noted, is teaching children how to learn rather than simply memorizing facts, preparing them to tackle whatever challenges life presents.

In facility updates, Superintendent James DeTommaso reported that an underground oil tank was removed from beneath Centre Avenue School last week. The situation continues to be monitored with ongoing soil testing, and the playground has been temporarily unavailable during this process.

Regarding the historic cupola restoration project, the superintendent explained that structural issues must be addressed before moving forward. While the restoration has been delayed, work will resume shortly.

The district realignment plan is currently in its discovery phase with teacher input, according to the superintendent's update. A draft proposal will be presented to the community in an open forum after the holidays, with the first staff committee meeting scheduled for later this week. The superintendent thanked the community for their patience throughout this process.

During his remarks, Mr. DeTommaso also congratulated Sheri Poland for being honored as a Woman of Distinction by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin.

Student representative Sofia Ferkov delivered updates from the high school and elementary schools, and five community members offered public comments during the designated portion of the meeting.

The superintendent's report concluding the meeting is available on the district website [Click here to view the superintendent’s report], and a recording of the full meeting can be viewed through the East Rockaway Schools meeting archive [Click here to view the East Rockaway Schools meeting archive].