CEDAR ROAD TO BECOME COMMACK SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NINTH ‘OFFICIAL SCHOOL’
Cedar Road COMMACK, N.Y. — The Commack School District values having the resources and infrastructure in place so that all students who live within the district’s boundaries have the ability to attend school here.
So it was with great pride that superintendent Dr. Jordan Cox announced during Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting that Cedar Road Alternative School will become the district’s ninth “official school” beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.
Cedar Road, which has housed the district’s special education administration offices for the past several years, offers programs to assist students who are struggling with school avoidance, trauma and who present with social-emotional needs.
Many districts place students with such needs in neighboring districts that have the resources in place to support those students.
“One of the things that we pride ourselves on here in Commack is keeping our students home,” Cox said.
With the support of the Board of Education, the district has invested during the past six years in making Cedar Road an ideal home for students in need. That investment included roof and window replacement, installation of new blinds, new gym flooring, and interior upgrades to ceilings and flooring. Many of the spaces, including the Counseling Center, have a soothing, modern design rather than a traditional classroom feel.
Cox noted that students who have attended Cedar Road sing its praises. During the Board of Education meeting, he pointed to the success story of a student who had avoided school for nearly two years, and who now embraces attending school and who serves as an ambassador for the program.
“The special ed department has done a fantastic job,” Cox said.