We’re proud to continue celebrating the accomplishments and experiences of our alumni while sharing the many exciting things happening throughout our schools. From student achievements and community events to alumni spotlights and future opportunities to reconnect, we hope this newsletter helps strengthen the bond between past and present members of the Rockville Centre school community. Thank you for staying engaged and for continuing to be such an important part of our story.

On December 3rd & 4th, 81 South Side High School juniors visited Hofstra University’s Library and Art Museum. The students, all IB Diploma candidates, had the opportunity to conduct research with a university librarian while utilizing Hofstra’s resources for Extended Essay, a 4000 word research paper written in a subject of choice over junior and senior years. Ms. Amy Solomon, Museum Director of Education, and Ms. Alexandra Giordano, Art Educator, provided an interactive lesson on the museum’s current exhibit, “Love is the Message: Photography by Jamel Shabazz.” The lesson connected to coursework students encountered in Theory of Knowledge, a core component of the IB Diploma program, by illuminating the many choices curators make as part of the exhibition process. When asked about their experience at Hofstra University, students reflected on the value of research and the methodology to find credible sources, the connections between the research skills learned in the Hofstra Library and their high school coursework, and the utility of the strategies used to analyze artwork. For some students, the field trip to Hofstra University was their first time on a college campus. One student shared, “I was able to learn the whole layout of a college and get a feel for what the students do during the day.” 

Students enrolled in the IB Diploma program take one IB course in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and World Language as well as a sixth IB course in a subject area of choice, including the arts, science, and business. Additionally, all Diploma candidates enroll in Theory of Knowledge (ToK), an interdisciplinary course that invites students to explore how knowledge is created across subject areas, and fulfill the program’s Extended Essay and Community, Action, Service (CAS) requirements. Bruce Hecker, who has taught ToK for 20 years at South Side, described it as the course that makes the IB a rigorous, comprehensive program rather than a mere testing battery. “It challenges students to live aspects of the IB Learner Profile by taking academic risks at sixteen years old, asking the research librarian questions that might have been posed by undergraduates.” A 2024 study from National Clearinghouse found that 64% of Diploma students graduated college on time compared to a 49% national average. Additionally Diploma graduates are more likely to enroll in “more selective” universities, the highest tier of the Carnegie selectivity classification. 

South Side High School has offered the IB Diploma program since 1981, the first Long Island public school to offer the comprehensive, college preparatory program. The high school offers 19 IB courses, including elective courses such as IB Business, IB Dance, and IB Psychology. Students can enroll in the full diploma or take individual IB courses as course candidates.

Our Visual Art students recently completed their IB Visual Art Exhibition. The event was well-attended and supported by the community.

In April, the Drama Guild enjoyed their triennial trip to London.

SSHS music students Lena Miller, Will Flaherty, and Karina Olivares were selected to perform in the inaugural Contemporary A Cappella Honor Choir at the American Choral Directors Association Conference! These hardworking vocalists spent the week in Providence, RI, rehearsing at the highest level with guest conductor Rob Dietz.

SSHS Drama Guild enjoyed a successful run of Chicago this past March. We were thrilled to see so many RVC Alumni in attendance!

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We love hearing about the ways alumni continue to stay connected with one another. Here are a few recent or upcoming reunion highlights:

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