Schools-to-Community Partnerships

Two new and growing initiatives at the Center Moriches School Districts, this 2024-25 school year, include a Career & Finance freshman seminar and a School-to-Community Partnership program.

According to Dr. Amy Meyer, assistant superintendent for curriculum, the seminar will be offered to all ninth-graders as an authentic learning experience that focuses on building executive functioning skills, financial literacy, and the introduction to career pathways. 

“In Center Moriches, we are a small town with deep roots and a global mindset, and together with our partners, we strive to provide our students with opportunities to connect and explore career, employment, and civic opportunities both in and out of our classrooms,” Meyer said of the program.

The initiative is the result of the success of the district’s School-to-Community program and their shifting focus to provide students with career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in-house. 

The course, according to the district, will support all freshmen students in completing coursework to start on a NYS CTE Pathway for Graduation.

The program also features a capstone event each year at the high school for students to explore growth careers on Long Island. Then, in 10th grade, the students work on elevator pitches and resume writing and interview skills in 11th grade; then finally in senior year, they can hone their networking skills.

“This program is a partnership with local business and organization professionals and the authentic experiences for students are pretty spectacular,” she said. “We serve a diverse community of learners and truly believe that inclusive, innovative, and equitable education is essential for our students’ growth and development.”

The program features business and community leaders, educators, parents and student representatives collaborating to connect students to authentic educational opportunities. Business, like Tebbens Steel, and community organizations partner regularly with the district to connect with the students. 

Tom Tebbens, owner of Tebbens Steel, located in Calverton, is one of the local supporters of the program. Tebbens grew up in Center Moriches raising his three daughters through the district.

“It’s a family thing, giving back to the district,” said his assistant Natasha Charles. “He is a strong believer in giving back to the community and helping the community in any way he can.