The eiMAPS 2017 Collection is now available on their web store. The store closes on Oct. 29. The Booster Club’s store will be open shortly.

 
 
Visit the stores on the Pridewear page on the district website, under the Community tab. They make great holiday gifts, so please spread the word and your EI Pride.

The high school’s volleyball teams partnered for the school’s biggest Dig Pink rally to date on Oct. 11, raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Across the high school, teachers, staff and students all wore pink that day to show their support for raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Student volunteers worked hard to sell T-shirts and donations to their “Dig Pink Piggy Bank,” and in the featured volleyball game, the Lady Redmen defeated Rocky Point, 3-0, to improve their record to 10-3.

“This year we were all able to meet and surpass our goal to give more than $1,000 for the cause, our biggest donation ever,” said coach Romina Ackley. “Thank you to all for helping to make strides and spike out cancer.”

If you are interested in buying a home in the East Islip area and would like a tour of the district's facilities, we would love to show you the great things going on in our schools. Please contact Superintendent John Dolan at 631-224-2010 or 631-312-0620.

Timber Point celebrated its brand-new playground with a memorable ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 6. Each class created thankful posters, student representatives shared their feelings about the playground, and they sang a song of appreciation to those who made the playground possible.

Rousing live music was provided by East Islip High School band director and Timber Point alumnus Christopher Neske, leading the high school’s pep band, which featured several Timber Point graduates.

“This was such a special day at Timber Point,” said Principal Danielle Naccarato. “Our ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the best of East Islip pride. Our students were able to express their appreciation to the superintendent, the Board of Education, district administrators, the community represented by our PTA, and the buildings and grounds leadership and staff who all worked together from start to finish to give us what we have today – a beautiful new playground for the students of Timber Point.”

 

The Board of Education will hold a workshop meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. at 1 Craig B. Gariepy Ave. in Islip Terrace.

See below for a complete list of Board meetings for the 2017-2018 school year.

The high school’s current girls varsity and JV tennis teams and their respective coaches, Mike Drozd and Emil Stewart, attended a Division II college tennis match on Oct. 3 in Garden City between Adelphi University and the University of New Haven.

Each of the two university women’s teams featured a former East Islip tennis star: Karen Serina for Adelphi’s Panthers and Shelby Clyne for New Haven’s Chargers. Adelphi continued its winning streak with a 6-3 decision over New Haven; both Serina and Clyne won their singles matches.

Bright Bay Lincoln and the East Islip High School Career Academies invite the community to test drive a brand new Lincoln automobile.

The Lincoln “Driven to Give” fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.. in the ECC parking lot. Participants must be 18 years or older. Limited to one driver per household.

Lincoln Motor Company will donate $20 to the high school's Career Academy program for every test drive, helping to offset the cost of vital field trips and transportation to competitions.

 

 

Eager families converged on the high school’s cafeteria on Sept. 26 for the annual college fair, looking for information and insight from the more than 135 colleges in attendance. At the event, sponsored by the school’s guidance department, parents and students had an opportunity to meet the college representatives, ask questions, discuss the students’ plans for the future and pick up literature and other information that will help each family decide which college is best for their child.

St. Joseph’s College financial expert Gordon Rowe was on hand in the school’s library for two presentations on FAFSA and financial aid, while school counselor Jessica Pignataro discussed NCAA regulations for parents of students planning to play Division I or II college sports. Back in the cafeteria, counselors Chris Boehler and Nicole Vincenti met with parents and reps alike.

“As always, the parents go out of their way to be supportive, and this year they had a chance to meet so many colleges that may be of interest to their child in the future,” said Guidance Director Israel Malinowitzer. “We encourage parents to keep in touch with the college representatives and to schedule a meeting with their counselors as soon as possible if they are in the process of filling out their child’s college application.”

The Booster Club's annual Redmen 5K will take place this year on Sunday, Nov. 5.

See the attachment for more information and registration form.

Continuing a long tradition of musical excellence, 18 high school students were chosen to participate in the annual New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education All-County concert, held on Nov. 17 at Hauppauge High School. NYSCAME’s All-County program showcases the best junior and senior musicians in Suffolk County to perform in bands, choruses and orchestras.

Jake Acocella (bass), Jenna Anderson (alto), Connor Barnes (tenor), Alexandra Bertolini (soprano), Gabriella Commisso (alto), Sara Rapuzzi (alto) and Kyle Westgate-Addessi  (bass) were selected for the All-County Mixed Chorus; Claudia Banville (soprano), Sarah Bloom (soprano), Madison Lane (alto), Katelyn Spina (alto) and Victoria Tiernan (alto) were selected for the All-County Treble Chorus; Victoria Keenan (violin), Kathryn O’Neill (double bass) and Alexandra Stewart (flute) were selected for the All-County Orchestra; and Alexander Cabrera (baritone saxophone), Max Calarco (trumpet/cornet) and Cassidy Triolo (clarinet) were selected for the All-County Band.

Additionally, seven East Islip student-musicians were recognized for All-State honors this year by the New York State School Music Association and will perform at the annual All-State Music Conference in Rochester, NY from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.

Evan Mauner (trumpet) will perform with the All-State Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, Stewart will perform with the All-State Symphonic Band, O’Neill will perform with the All-State Symphonic Orchestra, Bloom    and Rapuzzi will perform with the All-State Treble Chorus, and Anderson and Commisso will perform with the All-State Mixed Chorus.    

“These achievements are due to the students’ hard work, dedication and perseverance, as well as the support provided by our teachers through our performing music programs,” said Dr. Robert J. Wottawa II, the district’s director of art and music.

Students at JFK were eager to peruse the great variety of books found at the first book fair of the school year. Led by costumed JFK PTA President Stephen Foray, the event’s cowboy theme encouraged the students to “round up” as many good reads as possible.

“There was a ‘just right book’ for everyone who attended,” said Principal Deborah Smith.

High school sophomore Alexis Barber participated in the Art League of Long Island’s Summer Portfolio Development program this past summer. Students in the program were challenged to create a cover for Anton Media Group’s Back to School special section cover for their August issue. Barber’s entry– a first-person drawing of a looseleaf notebook with several doodles, sketches and block lettering logo, titled “Notebook”  – was selected as the winner.

Barber, who previously won third place in an exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Museum when she was in the eighth grade, enrolled in teacher Daniel Figliozzi's honors design and drawing for production course last year as a freshman. Barber displayed her artistic promise in this class, creating several innovative designs, always channeling something humorous and charming.

“Alexis has an ability to create works that are always wonderfully creative and silly, yet smart,” said Figliozzi. “I am excited to see what she will make this year in her classes this year.”

Barber is currently enrolled in courses in electronic illustration, with teacher Heather Toomey, and drawing and painting, with Elizabeth Gibbons, both of which will serve to enhance and build on her already successful body of artwork.

“It is so rewarding to work with talented students like Alexis,” said Gibbons. “I congratulate Alexis on her accomplishments, and am looking forward to helping her build upon her portfolio this year.”

“The design and drawing for production class last year got me into other types of art,” said Barber. “I look forward to what I'm going to learn this year. I am really thankful to the Art League of Long Island for giving me a chance to do the Back to School newspaper contest, and was very excited when I found out I won.”

Showcased in the below slideshow are several of Barber's works ranging from a highly detailed interior room rendering, full of pineapples, to a beautifully constructed elephant mobile that runs on peanuts.

For East Islip’s latest homecoming, change was in the air as the district debuted an exciting Homecoming Festival in lieu of the traditional parade. The Sept. 16 event, held at the Early Childhood Center soccer fields, featured carnival games created and run by high school students, as well as a DJ spinning upbeat music, a rock-climbing wall and other festivities. EI spirit was in full effect, with faces painted in red and white.

The varsity Redmen provided some exciting football action at the ensuing game, despite losing to Sayville, 35-14.

During halftime, John Camlet and Mia DiGiovanna were crowned by Principal William Brennen as homecoming king and queen, respectively. The pair were congratulated by the rest of the homecoming court, consisting of freshmen Robert Camlet and Marie Tohill; sophomores Joseph Falcon and Ashley Rosenthal; juniors  Steven Gieseler and Jolie Lenox; and seniors Hayley Arnold, Alexa Benitez, Michael Silva and Justin Taveras.

After performances by the high school’s band, cheerleaders and kickline team, the inaugural Class Cup was awarded to the Class of 2018, who won the school spirit competition during Spirit Week.

“We were thrilled that our first-ever Homecoming Festival was such a great success,” said school counselor and homecoming organizer Jessica Pignataro. “We look forward to building on this new tradition every year.”

In its 21st year of serving the needs of the district’s students, East Islip’s For the Kids Foundation again stepped up to the plate with a generous donation for valuable academic, cultural and recreational programs. At the first Board of Education meeting of the year, held on Sept. 14, members of FTK – including President Pat Blair, Vice President Gina VanDenburg and Past President Nancy Goldfader – presented a $27,113.44 check to the Board and Superintendent John Dolan.

"We are humbled by this donation and are so grateful for all of FTK's hard work on behalf of East Islip's children," said Dolan.

This latest FTK contribution included funding for the new 1,000 Book Club as well as to obtain STEM kits and build a memorial garden at the middle school. This donation, coupled with the other donations and programs sponsored in the 2016-2017 school year, totaled almost $100,000, bringing FTK’s donations to the district’s students to more than $1,300,000.

“We were thrilled to be able to make this donation,” said Blair. “We would not be able to do so without the tremendous support we receive from the families here in the East Islip School District as well as the district administration and staff. We are all so very proud to be For the Kids!”

To kick off East Islip Pride Day on Sept. 15 and prepare for the following day’s homecoming festival, the high school’s students gathered in the gymnasium for a spirited pep rally. The teams represented included basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross-country, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling.

Principal William Brennen and Athletic Director Stephen Restivo led the celebration and introduced the homecoming court and Class Cup competition, while the students were entertained by the school’s band and cheerleading squad. Senior Mia DiGiovanna, the cheerleading captain, drew applause as she did a routine while donning a Redmen headdress.

The middle school recently held a bagel breakfast, organized by teacher librarian Valerie Ware Comneck, to celebrate the students who completed the school’s summer reading program.

Despite overcast skies that occasionally veered into rain, students from the entire East Islip school community began the new school year on Sept. 6 in a positive, enthusiastic manner.

“The first day of school was amazing,” said Timber Point Principal Danielle Naccarato. “Happy faces filled the halls with energy and curiosity. We are off to an exceptional year.”

“The RCK staff and I were so happy seeing all of the smiling faces on the first day of school, and we look forward to an exciting year of new experiences,” said Principal Hillary Bromberg.

“We were very excited to welcome our new sixth-grade students to the middle school,” said Principal Mark Bernard.” “Our returning seventh- and eighth-graders were eager to begin their year as veterans of the building.”

“Even though there were several raindrops on the first day of school, students entered JFK with smiles and great enthusiasm,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “Everyone quickly found their classrooms and the teachers were eager to share new Smart Boards. We are all excited about learning the tremendous possibilities that this technology offers for all. It was also wonderful to see students making new friends and catching up with their buddies. We look forward to a fantastic 2017-2018 school year.”

 

 

 

 

 

The high school welcomed new freshmen for an orientation session on Aug. 30.

After Principal William Brennen greeted the incoming ninth-graders and introduced his fellow administrators, he asked all the students to stand up in the school’s auditorium and repeat the district’s “Manners Matter” rules. Assistant Principal Christian Seifert the discussed the school code of conduct, and counselors explained their roles. The students had a chance to meet their counselors, take a tour of the building, walk to their lockers and begin decorating them. 

“I am very excited to see how this ninth-grade class acclimates to their new high school environment,” said Israel Malinowitzer, director of careers and student services. “I am very confident that they will work hard, participate in many afterschool activities and show their EI Pride throughout the next four years. We are delighted to have them and look forward to watching them graduate as the Class of 2021.”

Each student at the high school is required to read a book and prepare a summer reading report, but those in Greg Kguloian’s ELA class are asked to do an additional assignment as well, allowing them to take an intellectual opportunity to another level.

When the students walk into Kguloian’s classroom on the first day of school, they will see a notation on the board that their first writing assignment and learning experience for the year will be called “Write On…” The project requires them to make up an alternate ending or a “what happened next?” story based on a book they read over the summer.

“This chance to show off the scholastic efforts that they put in over the summer proves just how dedicated all of our students are in their own individual involvement in helping themselves go above and beyond what is expected of them,” said Kguloian. “The kids never cease to amaze me with their academic interest and refreshing verve when they come back to school after their summer break. I am so happy to see how much work that these pupils have accomplished when I get to meet them for the first time each academic year.”

As we approach the start of a new school year, with students and staff getting ready to work hard together on shared goals, join Superintendent John Dolan for this inspirational look at what makes the East Islip school community so special.

Five students from the high school’s Medical and Health Technology were named winners in the annual Youth Summit research competition held at St. Joseph’s College.

More than 1,000 submissions – in mediums such as photographs, papers and PowerPoint presentations – in more than a dozen categories were entered by high school students from across Long Island, with 200 entries selected as finalists. Guided by teacher Lisa Neri, East Islip’s Medical Academy team entered 24 papers, all of which made it to the finals; placed first in four categories, and won best overall submission in any medium or category.

Lexie Faraj placed first in the category of teen self-esteem and mental health for her paper “The Effect of Stereotyping on Self-Esteem Among Local Long Island High School Students.”

Rachel Florenz placed first in the drug abuse category for her paper “Risky Business: Substance Abuse among Genders and the Acknowledgement of Risky Behavior in Long Island Teens.”

Elizabeth Hillman placed first in the teen health and wellness category for her paper “A Common Problem Amongst Teens: Sleep Deprivation and its Effect on Physical Well-Being.”

Adam Raso placed first in the category of physical/athletic wellness of Long Island teens for his paper “The Effect of Over-Training in Young Teenage Athletes and the Occurrence of Overuse Injuries.”

Klaudia Paone earned the top winning research essay award for her paper “The Burden of Eve: How Gender Influences the Identification of Sexual Harassment in Long Island Teens.”

“Every year these students do an amazing job with their research, and we are so proud of their amazing achievements,” said Career Academy Director Israel Malinowitzer.