East Rockaway School District ushers in new school year

Parents and family members waved goodbye as students filed into Centre Avenue Elementary School when the East Rockaway School District began a new school year on Sept. 5.

The district is entering the third year of its five-year strategic plan, which focuses on achievement, opportunity, innovation and connection.

There are plenty of new faces in the district this year, including Neil Lederer, the interim principal at the high school. Lederer took over for Joseph Spero, who resigned over the summer for a job closer to his home in Westchester County. There are also six new elementary school teachers and five new administrators.

In addition to technological advancements and many new initiatives this school year, the district has expanded its 1:1 tablet program, and all students in grades five, six, seven, nine, 10 and 11 will have their own laptop devices.

Last month, Superintendent Lisa Ruiz told the Herald she was looking forward to the school year and the expansion of the district’s strategic plan. “This will be an exciting year for our district with many new faces, who bring enthusiasm, experience, new ideas and energy to our school community,” Ruiz said. “We are pleased with the strides made by our district in the past few years, and look forward to advancing student achievement, furthering various innovations and expanding professional learning for our faculty in year three of our strategic plan.”