skip to main content

ChattertonRoland A. Chatterton School

108 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566

Phone: 516 992-7270

Current News

Senators Observe SEL in Action at Merrick Schools

Staff in front of students thumbnail252764
Staff in front of students thumbnail252765
Staff in front of students thumbnail252766
Staff Members thumbnail252767
Staff Members thumbnail252768
Students, staff and administrators met with New York State Senator and Education Committee Chair Shelley B. Mayer, as well as Sen. John Liu, the chairman of New York City Education Committee, and Sen. Steve Rhoads on Dec. 1.

Guests observed four lessons/activities relating to mental health and social-emotional learning at Chatterton.

From whole class instruction that teaches explicit SEL skills to small groups run by social workers that allows students to practice those skills before generalizing them, Merrick has created its own blended program that fits various pupil needs while creating an inclusive environment that encourages a sense of belonging in every classroom.

“Every employee in this school district has an impact on how we function,” noted Dr. Dominick Palma, superintendent of schools.

Regular classroom lessons and activities also foster these skills, and guests were able to view the district’s continuum of SEL work in action.

“Throughout their visit, they were thoroughly impressed by the skill set and expertise of the educators, the positive interactions of the students and the high levels of direct SEL instruction that was being implemented,” noted Principal Dana Bermas.

Visitors sat in on a morning meeting – the way each class in the district from pre-K through sixth starts their day, as well as an optimistic closure – the way classrooms close the day.

“It’s a way that our students and teachers are able to reflect on their school day and set up their learning for the next day,” said Dr. Salvatore Dossena, the assistant superintendent for student services and technology. “No matter what happens on that school day we find a way to put it to an end that way we can a fresh, new start and can look forward to something else.”

Second grade teacher Lindsay Struss said this has been a new addition to her classroom routine during the last few years.

“It has proven to be quite effective,” she added.

During a push in with school social worker Marisa Taddeo, students worked on the executive functioning ability and flexible thinking. Given a paper bag containing everyday items, students were tasked to think of other uses for each item.

“You are able to look at something one way,” Taddeo addressed the class of fourth graders. “But you could also look at it in another way. These are some of the tools we need to be successful during the day.”

A decade in the making, Merrick pulled together a team of 40 school community members to develop the best practices to support students and their families.

“You have small enough classes that you can really feel the difference,” noted Sen. Mayer at the end of the visit. “You are doing fascinating work and I’m sure it will show longitudinally.”

“The foundation you’re laying here can really relate to the middle and high school level,” added Rhoads.

Date Added: 12/6/2023

Chatterton Birthday Celebration Continues

Group of Students thumbnail252620
Group of Students thumbnail252621
Group of Students thumbnail252622
Group of Students thumbnail252623
Group of Students thumbnail252624
Group of Students thumbnail252625
Group of Students thumbnail252626
Group of Students thumbnail252627
Friday, Dec. 1was Chatterton's School Spirit Day.

As another tribute to Chatterton’s birthday students and staff wore 2023 necklaces and had a Disney Dance Party for the 100thanniversary of Disney.

Date Added: 12/1/2023

Chatterton Sixth Graders Visit Portraits of Survivors?Exhibit

A group of students thumbnail252117
A group of students thumbnail252118
A group of students thumbnail252119

Chatterton sixthgraders visited thePortraits of Survivorsexhibit at the Merrick Library.

Students have been studying the Holocaust during library with Mrs. Widawsky.

“Attending the exhibit was a very meaningful continuum of our study,” Widawsky noted. “Students were able to reflect on the image, what it made them think about, and how it made them feel.”

Date Added: 11/17/2023

Chatterton Kinders Learn About Gratitude Through Art

A group of students thumbnail252047
A group of students thumbnail252048
A group of students thumbnail252049
A group of students thumbnail252050
A group of students thumbnail252051
A group of students thumbnail252052
A group of students thumbnail252053
As part of Chatterton's Kindergarten Buddy Club at Chatterton School, Mr. Keenan’s class is working on a lesson about gratitude. In preparation, Ms. Helbock helped by having the students paint the base of their rock.

Later this month, sixth graders will visit classrooms to read a book about being thankful and work with the students to identify something that they are thankful for and write it on their special rock. Sixth graders and kindergarteners will surely show that kindness rocks!

Date Added: 11/16/2023

Chatterton Assembly Gets Silly

At this month's school-wide assembly, Chatterton students from grades Pre-K- 6were awarded the student of the month for showing integrity all month long.

The whole school was also able to watch Principal Dana Bermas and Assistant Principal Chris Hoisik get silly stringed as an incentive for completing goals from our fun run.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 11/9/2023

Chatterton Honors Veterans Day

a group of students thumbnail251767

The Chatterton School community commemorated Veterans Day by donning red, white and blue to display their patriotic pride and gratitude.

Additionally, students from Linda Learned's class worked to decode secret messages about Veterans Day in Spy Club.

“We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all the Veterans who have served our country,” said Principal Dana Bermas.

“We greatly appreciate all you do and all you have done for our nation,” added Assistant Principal Chris Hoisik.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 11/9/2023

VIDEO: Halloween 2023 at Chatterton



Date Added: 11/1/2023

VIDEO: Chatterton Fun Run Raises School Spirit, Funds

Students Running In Gym thumbnail250977
A little rain couldn't dampen the Eagle spirit at Chatterton School as they celebrated a Centennial Fun Run on Oct. 20.

Families and friends pledged students’ efforts, which culminated in them running laps in the school’s gym at the Fun Run. Donning their 100th birthday T-shirts, students enjoyed music, dancing and more throughout the day.

Hosted by the PTA and sponsored by local businesses, students exceeded the school’s fundraising goal of $25,000. Funds raised will be used for various program and building needs.

“Thank you to all families who registered and donated to this fundraiser,” noted Principal Dana Bermas. “The Centennial Fun Run was a major success.”



Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 10/24/2023

Chatterton Celebrates Literacy With ‘We Are Readers’ Parade

Picture of Students Holding Up Books thumbnail250685
Picture of Students Holding Up Books thumbnail250686
Picture of Students Holding Up Books thumbnail250687
Picture of Two Students With Books thumbnail250688
Step into the halls of Chatterton school for their "We Are Readers" Kindergarten Parade, where the youngest scholars take center stage in a celebration of literacy and imagination.

Kindergarteners proudly displayed their love for books and the limitless possibilities they hold.

Date Added: 10/18/2023

Chatterton Fourth Graders Craft Maps of Long Island

Fourth graders thumbnail250475
Fourth graders thumbnail250476
LI map thumbnail250477

Chatterton's fourth grade classes created physical maps of Long Island. 

“Students labeled important landmarks and used materials show their knowledge of the features of the land,” explained one of the teachers, Anna Rose Savino.


Chatterton Fourth Graders Are Service Minded Citizens

Picture of Students thumbnail250497
Picture of Students thumbnail250498
Picture of Students thumbnail250499
Traci Colfer’s fourth graders at Chatterton collaborated on a classroom goal to collect money and buy art supplies for a local children's hospital.

“They gave themselves two weeks to accomplish their goal,” Colfer explained. “As a class, they collected $279 by hosting lemonade stands, doing extra chores, selling homemade goodies, and donating their own money.”

They were able to get everything that was on the hospital wish list and even some extra supplies.

On Oct. 13, the class packed 50 individual art kits and made personalized get-well cards to include with each kit. All of the extra supplies will be sent to the recreation department to use as they see fit.

“We are already looking forward to our next service project idea,” she added.

Date Added: 10/13/2023

Flashlight Fridays Ignite Reading at Chatterton

Students reading during Flashlight Friday thumbnail250360
Students reading during Flashlight Friday thumbnail250361
Students reading during Flashlight Friday thumbnail250362
Students reading during Flashlight Friday thumbnail250363
Students reading during Flashlight Friday thumbnail250364

Third graders in Mrs. Scavelli and Mrs. Zaita's class at Chatterton got lost in their books during Flashlight Friday.

Date Added: 10/12/2023

Chatterton Takes Learning Outdoors

Picture of Students thumbnail250391
Picture of Students thumbnail250392
Picture of Students thumbnail250393
Picture of Students thumbnail250394

1: Isaac leads Stacey Mahoney’s sixth grade class in a meditation exercise utilizing special furniture donated by the Chatterton PTA.

2-4: Students in Kelly Gonzalez’ third grade class take their math lesson outdoors, thanks to equipment donated by the Chatterton PTA.

Chatterton Students Learn Fire Safety

a group of students thumbnail250398
Chatterton students actively engaged in a recent fire safety and prevention assembly hosted by the Merrick Fire Department.

Knowledge and preparedness took center stage for students in grades pre-K to 3.

They gained essential information on fire prevention, emergency evacuation procedures, and the importance of staying calm during fire-related incidents.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 10/12/2023