The Riverhead school district has a Facebook page, a redesigned website and a hashtag #ThisIsRiverhead. It’s all part of an effort to “rebrand Riverhead,” identified as the district’s top short-term goal, according to the new superintendent, Dr. Aurelia Henriquez.
“We don’t mean changing anything about Riverhead Central School District,” Henriquez said during a presentation she gave at last night’s board of education meeting. “It’s about getting the word out that we are a global learning community where children develop 21st century skills of leadership, integrity, creativity and community service,” she said.
“We want everyone to see that our diversity is our strength here in Riverhead.”
Henriquez outlined the district’s other top goals: increase graduation rates for all students and improve their performance on college academic assessments.
“We’re going to look at the approximately 30 percent of students who — quote-unquote — fall through the cracks,” she said. “We’re going to take a look at programs that are in place for those children in an effort to increase graduation rates and make sure that all students are college- and career-ready,” Henriquez said.
Another top goal is to increase student participation in accelerated programs, vocational programs, cocurricular and extracurricular programs, Henriquez said.
“There will be an increased focus on STEM from the elementary level right up through the high school,” Henriquez said. “This is where the future is for our children.”
The new superintendent also outlined the board’s long-term goals: improve, expand and maintain our buildings; examine academic outcomes; offer appropriate interventions; expand opportunities for students; review developmental plans; take a close look at district enrollment projections and continuously use that information to improve programs and facilities for students and the Riverhead community.
Finally, Henriquez said the board had established “internal goals,” which she said include expanding trust and improving communication and transparency.
“My team and I will give updates on where we are in meeting these goals,” Henriquez said.
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