A new school year begins. Here’s some of what’s new in the Riverhead school district this year.

Riverhead Central School District welcomed new and returning students back to school Wednesday. 

In a welcome letter posted on the district’s website on Aug. 24, Superintendent of Schools Augustine Tornatore announced improvements to district facilities completed during the summer.

Tornatore announced the launch of a new communications platform, ParentSquare. ParentSquare replaces “multiple tools” that were previously used for school communications, the superintendent said in the letter. The app is available on computers and mobile devices. Information on how to use and register for the app can be found on the district’s website.

The school district completed two significant renovations over the summer, Tornatore said:– a renovation of the gymnasium at Pulaski Street Intermediate School, and the sealcoating of the Aquebogue Elementary School playground area.

The district has also taken measures to mitigate wear and tear on the schools. Roanoke Avenue Elementary School has had the tile in its library replaced. According to the letter, the new tile will be more durable and easier to maintain. The area behind the Riverhead Middle School’s locker rooms has been repaired, which Tornatore says has re-established a safe path and will mitigate flooding.

Other renovations are in-progress. Phillips Avenue Elementary School is having soft rubber surfacing installed at its playground, and Tornatore says that an invasive burr weed has already been removed. 

More projects in the near future include classroom door replacements at the Riley Avenue and Roanoke Avenue schools, bathroom renovations at the Riley Avenue and Pulaski Street schools and installing an ADA-compliant ramp at Aquebogue. Tornatore said that the Riverhead High School auditorium’s sound system will be replaced, and its current sound system will be retrofitted for use at Pulaski.

Tornatore also announced several changes to security at the schools, which he said was “foundational” to education. These changes, coming from a capital security program, included installing 125 new cameras, updating camera software, installing additional devices to control passage at “target” entrances and exits, and also installing door sensors and strobe warning lights.

The middle school and high school will also utilize a program called ScholarChip, a “web-based school safety system,” according to Tornatore’s letter.

“A successful school year takes a team effort,” Tornatore said, “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff and community members to make this year a great one.”