Riverhead School District Promotes Teacher

The Riverhead Central School District has named one of its own, Jason Rottkamp, as its new fine arts director.

“It is always wonderful when we can promote one of our fine staff members,” said Superintendent Dr. Aurelia Henriquez. “Jason Rottkamp has been with us since 2005 and has truly proven his leadership and passion for educating our students. We are pleased to name him as our new fine arts director.”

Rottkamp, a resident of Hampton Bays, started in Riverhead as director of both the elementary and high school bands. He still serves as the high school band director. He also served as principal of the Riverhead High School summer school program in 2012. Since 2018, he has been the principal of Eastern Suffolk BOCES Alternative High School at the H.B. Ward Technical Center.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve the Riverhead community in a more global capacity,” he said. “I look forward to seeking input from all stakeholders to help create and maintain a robust, first-class fine and performing arts department.”

The Riverhead school district has also welcomed Callan Lonergan as the new assistant principal of Pulaski Street Elementary School.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Lonergan to the Riverhead School District,” Henriquez said. “Her background in teaching and administration will certainly be a benefit to the students of this district.”

Lonergan, a resident of West Islip, was most recently employed at Central Boulevard Elementary School in the Bethpage School District. There, she served as a special education teacher and teacher-mentor, a role in which she developed instruction and guidelines to support fellow teachers. In addition, she served as an administrative intern and was also an intern in the district’s pupil personnel services department. She began her career as a special education teacher at P.S. 108 in South Ozone Park.

The assistant principal, who assumed her new position December 2, said she hopes to share her knowledge of the responsive classroom framework, which fosters social-emotional learning and academic growth through developmentally responsive teaching.

“I am so excited to join the team at Pulaski Street School,” Lonergan said. “I look forward to collaborating with the staff and students and continuing to move toward the district’s vision of inspiring and empowering all students to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

desiree@indyeastend.com