The East Rockaway Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee (SSAC) has completed another impactful year of student-centered advocacy, culminating in a powerful presentation to the Board of Education on Apr. 23. This diverse committee, made up of students from Centre Avenue School, Rhame Avenue School and East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School, meets monthly in the superintendent’s office to collaborate directly with Superintendent James DeTommaso and his cabinet. Their mission is simple but meaningful: to amplify student voice and drive change that reflects the real needs and interests of their peers.

Students are nominated for the committee by their school principals and represent a cross-section of the district—three students from Centre Avenue, three from Rhame Avenue, two from the middle school and four from the high school. Many committee members return year after year, providing valuable continuity and leadership. Each month, the group engages in honest, thoughtful discussions about student life, academics and well-being. Topics this year ranged from club participation and extracurricular offerings to lunch periods, homework time, learning preferences and incentives for motivation. With help from the superintendent’s cabinet, the students developed a survey tailored to different grade levels and distributed it to their peers across the district to gather feedback.

The results of these surveys were presented at the Apr. 23 Board of Education meeting in a well-organized slideshow created entirely by the students themselves. In preparation for this event, the committee worked closely with district administrators to learn how to tell the story of the data through pictures, graphs, and clear messaging. Students even rehearsed their presentations in the high school auditorium to ensure they were ready to speak with confidence and clarity.

During the presentation, students spoke passionately about what they had learned from their peers. Elementary school representatives Mackenzie McCabe and Scarlett Bey shared reflections from Centre and Rhame Avenue students about group work and collaboration in the classroom. Fourth grader Henry Tyrrell presented findings related to school clubs and lunch/snack options, suggesting ways to make clubs more accessible and lunches more appealing. Frank Palombo and Kaley Thorp, both from Rhame, spoke about the types of classroom rewards students enjoy—pizza parties, ice cream socials, and movie days topped the list—and also advocated for more time to eat lunch and additional recess equipment, including a Gaga pit, volleyball net, board games, and arts and crafts for indoor play.

Middle schoolers Georgia Vesce and Rory McNichols addressed important topics like bullying and advisory periods. Georgia reported on the bullying survey results, noting that only 25 percent of students responded, which she hoped was a sign that bullying was not a widespread concern—but she also emphasized that middle school students felt cyberbullying was a growing issue and wanted more support. Rory spoke about advisory time, acknowledging the improvements made last year and encouraging further refinement to better meet student needs.

At the high school level, Claire Harvey, a freshman, shared insights into learning styles, highlighting a strong preference for visual aids, hands-on projects, field trips, and other interactive learning methods. Charlotte Webster presented findings on extracurricular activities, noting that students are eager for more diverse club offerings such as book club, cooking, and photography, which could lead to greater student engagement. Senior Timothy Poland discussed student motivation, explaining that most high schoolers are driven by their academic performance, but also enjoy challenges and friendly competition that make the classroom more engaging.

Many of the issues raised by the SSAC last year were addressed by the district. One such improvement was the restructuring of advisory time for 7th and 8th graders to allow for study hall or a longer lunch break, a response to students expressing a need for more individual time during the school day. Food safety protocols were also updated to better support students with allergies, reflecting another student-led recommendation.

The presentation concluded with a standing ovation from the Board of Education and community members in attendance. Superintendent DeTommaso praised the students for their leadership, thoughtfulness and creativity, and expressed his admiration for the entirely student-driven nature of the committee’s work. The SSAC not only brought important issues to the table but also modeled what it means to lead with empathy and intention. Through their dedication and collaboration, these student ambassadors are leaving a lasting impact on their schools—and setting a powerful example for what student voice can achieve.