The East Islip Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, March 5, beginning at 6 p.m. The meeting is being called for the purpose of discussion on personnel
up for tenure; the Board of Education is expected to immediately enter
into executive session to discuss personnel, and such discussion will
not be open to the public. The open meeting will then convene at 8 p.m. for the sole purpose of discussing a before- and after-school program for the 2015-2016 school year.
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BOE Special Meeting on March 5
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Artist of the Week: March 2, 2015
John F. Kennedy Elementary: Third-grader Gianna
Bruno and fourth-grader Mikey Raguseo (“Cool Sunset Silhouettes”)
Timber Point Elementary: First-grader Christian Horeis ("Henri Rousseau Jungle Collage - Part 2")
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Presenting a Legacy of Leadership
In the final edition of teacher Greg Kguloian’s Lit.2 Life cross-curriculum lesson program, dubbed “Blue and Gold (Leadership and Legacy)”, high schoolers worked in cooperative groups to create a student-centered learning project for a mock National History Day competition.
Groups in each of Kguloian’s English 10 classes worked together to create the three components of their presentation: a news report about their research on a chosen historic leader, an original skit about that leader and how they came to power and what they accomplished with their power, and a lesson which allowed the students to actually “teach” each other about what they learned via their cooperative research. All of the students used appropriate sources of information and included proper citation for verification of the validity of their reports.
Among the leaders selected for research were Mahatma Gandhi, Jackie Robinson, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The latter’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech was reenacted by one of the students. “I was bursting with pride about how my students approached and executed their mock National History Day project,” said Kguloian. “It reminded me why I come to work every day.”“We carefully plan and implement our objectives for the betterment of those entrusted to us as educators,” he explained. “However, this student-centered activity has been proven to benefit everyone concerned. My kids worked very hard on this final Lit.2 Life endeavor and they have proven to be the epitome of what EI Pride can achieve.”“I enjoyed observing how our students were encouraged to continuously search for evidence in primary source documents that truly made them dig deep,” said Superintendent Linda J. Rozzi, who visited the classroom during the presentations. “It's funny how the Common Core has emphasized meta-cognition, yet English educators by training have always taught that way.”
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100th Day Celebration at Connetquot
Connetquot celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 24 with centenarian costumes, exercises in counting and a special can campaign.
Students and teachers alike dressed as if they were 100 years old, and the students enumerated more than 100 reasons why they loved their school and created posters that each collected 100 items. Tying in to the math curriculum, the students also counted to 100 utilizing a variety of objects as well as their rectangular 10 frame counting tools.“The day was filled with numeracy lessons on the many different ways to count to 100,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “Everyone agreed that the children were 100 days smarter and there were hundreds of happy smiles throughout the school.”
In a final, charitable endeavor for the 100th day celebrations, students collected a total of 560 cans to donate to St. Peter’s food pantry. Each classroom completed various activities with the cans, such as graphing and sorting by 10s, then brought the cans down to the cafeteria, where they were sorted and counted by students in Crystal Ann Chiari’s class.
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Snow Outside, Books Inside at TP
In an appropriate analog to the area’s weather, this year’s Parents As Reading Partners program at Timber Point revolved around a wintry theme of “Snow Is Falling…Books Are Calling.”
The annual PTA-sponsored initiative featured a “If I Lived in a Snow Globe" story project, a “Warm and Cozy Guest Reader Day” with students donning pajamas, and a “Snow-e-tree” writing contest. In the latter, five winning poems were chosen and read over the loudspeaker at morning announcements, and all of the entries were printed into a booklet for students to enjoy.“My co-chair Kristen Moriarty and I had a great time creating lots of fun ways for the students to enjoy reading at home, fitting in with our theme,” said PTA representative Denise Feldman, whose organization awarded weekly raffle prizes to outstanding readers. “The feedback was great and the kids did an awesome job with everything.”
The program kicked off with an assembly that featured magician Robert McEntee, who related all of his applause-inducing illusions to reading.
In a special “Principal’s Challenge,” the students surpassed their goal by collectively reading over 42,000 minutes during the two weeks of PARP. The reward was seeing Principal Lisa Belz spending an entire day dressed as a snowman. “I’m not sure who had more fun, the students or Dr. Belz,” said Feldman.
As PARP came to a close in February, the class in each grade with the highest rate of participation – Josette Welton’s kindergartners, Christine Vaglica’s first-graders and Erica Sherlock’s second-graders – was rewarded with an “Ice-PARP” party in the cafeteria.
For the final day, a vocabulary hat parade through the halls was organized by the school’s reading teachers, with students choosing new vocabulary words and decorating a hat with their definitions.
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Two-Hour Delayed Opening on March 6
There will be a two-hour delayed opening for the East Islip School District on Friday, March 6.
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EI Artists Honored at SCALA Show
Artwork by East Islip High School students Kimberly Moreno, Lee Pelling and Rebecca Schreiner was recently chosen by the Suffolk County Art Leaders Association for exhibition at the All County SCALA Scholarship Show, which highlights some of Long Island’s finest young artists. Following installation, the students attended an honorary reception at Old Town Hall in Babylon on Feb. 7.
Moreno, who is taking a photography class with teacher Heather Toomey, displayed her digital photograph on metallic photo paper.“I am so proud of Kimberly,” said Toomey. “She is a talented photographer and artist who was just accepted into many art colleges and who has exhibited in numerous art shows during her East Islip career.”
Pelling, studying electronic illustration under the direction of Erin Jacob, utilized Adobe Illustrator to create a vector self-portrait.“Lee was so inspired by the vector process, she continued to create multiple portraits of her family members,” said Jacob.
Schreiner, a student in Daniel Figliozzi’s drawing class, displayed her surrealist-inspired portrait of Cosette from the theatrical production “Les Miserables.”“Rebecca used her talent and drawing skills to create a beautiful colored pencil portrait that was nearly photorealistic,” said Figliozzi.
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Welcome to Naviance
The East Islip High School Guidance Department is pleased
to introduce Family Connection from Naviance, a web-based service
designed especially for students and parents. Please see the below presentation regarding registration for new accounts for parents and students, and visit the department's Naviance page to log in.
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Shadows Spur Success
More than 90 students at the high school participated in this year’s Shadow Day, the culminating activity of the school’s long-running Mentor Me program sponsored by the East Islip School-Business Partnership.
In the first phase of the mentoring program, the students attended the Catch-a-Career Breakfast in the fall, where they spoke to business professionals in various fields, and learned how to write a proper email and make initial contact with their mentors. During the annual Shadow Day event, the students “shadowed” chosen mentors who work in their desired career fields.
Organizations participating in this year’s mentoring days included North Shore-LIJ Southside, St. Francis and Winthrop-University hospitals; the Tierney & Tierney law firm; accountants Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Co.; J.J. Nazzaro Associates; Joseph Gabriel Architects; Residence Inn Marriott; East Islip Health & Fitness; Amanda Honig Zebra Technologies; Zebra Net; Bideawee; Solar Dad and Sons; Long Island Blue Point Oyster; the Suffolk County Police Departmen, Suffolk County Bus Transportation ande Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office; the Town of Islip; and Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi.“All of these businesses provided the program’s students a day to help them understand the occupations within these companies,” said teacher Bridget Lopiccolo, the coordinator of the Mentor Me program. “Without the cooperation and partnering of these businesses, this program would not work.”“Students are always nervous about their Shadow Day, trying to make the most of their experience, but once they are actually shadowing, they beam with excitement and absorb all they can from their mentors,” said teacher and School-Business Partnership coordinator Paul McHugh.
East Islip’s students may contact their mentors in the future, and many do take advantage of these contacts for assistance in career guidance. The program also results in numerous opportunities for internships, part-time work and even full-time employment, results that are beneficial for both the students and the businesses.“Students either love the occupation or hate it, which is fine, because both are valuable experiences and provide students the opportunity to learn that before post-graduate study,” explained Lopiccolo. “Our goal is to help students find a career they are looking to enter, and it’s hard at only 17 or 18 years old to know what you want to do the rest of your life.”
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Sharp Shooters a Highlight in Hoops
Fourth- and fifth-graders from John F. Kennedy and Ruth C. Kinney elementary schools were among 8,000 students participating in the 28th annual Town of Islip Sharp Shooter Basketball Contest.
Sponsored since 1993 by Islip’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, along with co-sponsors Southside Hospital, the Islip Elks and the Town of Islip Housing Authority, the Sharp Shooter “Just Say No to Drugs” challenge encourages children in local schools to improve their basketball skills while serving as an alternative to drug and alcohol abuse.
The initial competition, held during schools’ physical education classes and directed by JFK teachers Keith Gerard and Jennie Nagengast and RCK teachers Michael Delia and Bernie Ruhlig, gave each student the chance to score as many baskets as possible in one minute.
East Islip first-place winners at the school level were Anthony Affrunti, Lauren Holmes, Robby Moore and Jenna Rigo for JFK, and Michael Giaccone, Nicole Longo, Evie Orlando, and Nicholas Rizzo for RCK. JFK runners-up included Victoria D'Amico, Aidan Harty, Jack Kerns and Marisa Triolo.
The final round in the 2015 Sharpshooter competition was held on Feb. 21 at the West Islip High School gymnasium, with Councilman Anthony Senft Jr., Islip Town Parks Commissioner Kerry Bassett and Elks members on hand to congratulate the winners from among the 38 competing elementary schools.
Among all fourth-grade girls, Holmes scored 33 points and came in first place while Longo achieved third place. Moore’s score of 40 points was all-time highest score ever achieved at the Sharp Shooter finals, earning him first place among all fifth-grade boys.
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Message from Superintendent Linda Rozzi
I know that for some, my appointment as the next Babylon superintendent may seem sudden, unanticipated and possibly the basis for much speculation. In truth, I did not seek this position or any others outside of East Islip. The search firm that Babylon consulted with recruited me for the position, which is a fairly common methodology for these consultants, as the pool of experienced superintendent candidates is thin.
I want everyone to know that I have a wonderful relationship with our East Islip Board of Education and many other facets of the school community, and I am proud to be your superintendent. But I am leaving East Islip because from a professional perspective, I feel much more fulfilled working with a smaller school district, one that will afford me the opportunity to work more directly with teachers and parents on a regular basis. It is the core of my leadership experience, and something I really want to return to for the balance of my career.
You should know that your Board of Education has previously been very encouraging to my leadership and has rewarded me by extending my contract. They have asked me to reconsider the Babylon appointment and graciously offered me incentives to stay. I cannot thank them enough for all their support, and the incredible appreciation from many East Islip families and staff members. I can assure you that for these next several months, you will continue to get the very best of me from a professional standpoint and I will work tirelessly to ensure that a leadership transition is executed in a seamless manner.
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Statement from East Islip Board of Education President Steven Behan Regarding Superintendent Rozzi
Regrettably, Superintendent Linda Rozzi has announced that she will be taking the position of superintendent on July 1 at the Babylon UFSD.
During her nearly two years as our superintendent, Linda has had a tremendous and positive impact on East Islip’s students and staff and has served our community above our expectations. The Board of Education extended her contract by two years after her first school year with us. We made it clear to Linda that we would make further considerations to convince her to stay.
Everyone should recognize and respect that this decision was a professional one for her and her family. We wish her the best as she begins her work in the Babylon School District after finishing her work with us over these next several months.
The Board will meet immediately to evaluate and begin to discuss a plan for Mrs. Rozzi’s replacement. East Islip Schools will hire a new superintendent who will continue the strong improvements in education and fiscal health that we’ve made in the last two years. We will certainly keep our community apprised of all developments in this leadership transition.
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Boys Bowlers Roll to State Title
Rolling on to their second New York State championship in the last three years, the East Islip High School boys varsity bowling team claimed the title at Strike ’N Spare Lanes in Syracuse on March 7. The 14-0 Redmen – seniors Matt Amin, Nick DeFazio, John Kavanaugh, Anthony Riggi and Nick Salentino; juniors Mike Orobello and Mike Riolo; and freshman Justin Orobello; guided by coach Bob Cheadle – scored 5,985 in the series to best second-place Fulton’s 5,814.
In the three morning games of the tournament, despite DeFazio bowling a 233 and 229, the Redmen were left in third place, trailing by 54 pins. They moved into first place after a 1,020-point fourth game, led by Justin Orobello’s 240 and Kavanaugh’s 223. The team bowled a 1,084 – the highest in the tournament – in the sixth and final game to win by 171 pins. In that last game, Kavanaugh, who finished with a 206.50 average, bowled a 239, Salentino a 231, DeFazio a 224 and Amin a 214.“As you go through a long season, things will occur that will test your team in different ways,” said coach Bob Cheadle, reflecting on the team’s road to the championship. “We always do the physical work required, so I had no doubt that we were good enough to compete. During the season, however, our commitment to each other was being challenged. Once we made the collective decision to put the team goals ahead of individual glory, I knew we were ready to win.”
For the year, East Islip (also including team members Vincent Altman, Craig Griffith, David Sherman, James Spina and Matthew Waldron) won all four team championship contests, finishing as league, division, county and state champions. In defining the character of his student-athletes, Cheadle emphasized the team’s motto – “There can be only one state of mind as you approach any profound test: total concentration, a spirit of togetherness and strength” – as a source of their success. “This year we proved these are not just words, they are words to live by,” he said.
The team and Cheadle were honored at the Board of Education’s March 12 meeting.
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FTK's Black Tie Gala Coming March 20
East Islip's For the Kids Foundation will hold its 18th annual Black Tie Gala at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20 at Villa Lombardi's in Holbrook. The Gala, whose theme this year will be "The Roaring Twenties," is the FTK organization's premier fundraising event to benefit students in the East Islip School District.
East Islip Middle School Principal Mark Bernard will be honored as Educator Advocate of the Year. James Bruno and Louis Bruno will be honored as Community Advocates of the Year.
Invitation attached below.
Click here for further information on the Black Tie Gala.
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Artist of the Week: March 9, 2015
Ruth C. Kinney Elementary: Fourth-graders James Buonincontri and Gianna Cipriano (“Spirit Animal Bust”)
Timber Point Elementary: Kindergartners Kayla Timmers and Sophie Snoble ("Jackson Pollock Solar System Splatter Painting")
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Calendar Creativity Recognized by Board
A total of 98 student-artists from East Islip School District were honored at consecutive Board of Education meetings for contributing artwork to the district’s 2014-2015 calendar. At each meeting, Stephen Guarino, East Islip’s director of art and music, introduced colorful slideshow presentations for the elementary, middle school and high school artists, respectively. Each student (see below for a complete list) received a certificate recognizing his or her artistic success.“I am aways so impressed with the art created by all of our students throughout the year,” said Guarino. “These students should be proud to have their work included in the district calendar and it was my pleasure to present the images to the board of education, district office staff and community.”
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2015-2016 Calendar Approved
At the March 12 business meeting, the Board of Education approved the revised 2015-2016 school calendar, attached below.
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100 Days, 100 Legos at TP
To celebrate the 100th day of the school year, second-graders in Vanessa DiPalma and Gail Rhatigan’s class at Timber Point Elementary School enjoyed a Lego challenge. During math time, the students were each given a bag of 100 Legos and asked to construct something of their own choosing, using all of the pieces. After the building phase, the students wrote descriptive paragraphs about their structural creations.
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Champions of Character
The middle school held its eighth annual Breakfast of Champions on March 10, honoring sixth- and seventh-grade students who demonstrated the schools “Six Pillars of Character” during the 2014-2015 school year. Each of the 51 honorees was selected by a team or department at the middle school.
The event began with greetings from Principal Mark Bernard. Christian Seifert and Jason Stanton, the assistant principals, then presented the winning students with certificates and lanyards commemorating their achievement. Upon completion of the ceremony, the students enjoyed breakfast with their proud families and school staff.
Sixth-graders recognized included Nikolas Allen, Faith Calabrese, Steven Chen, Everlyse Connolly, Brianna Csoban, Christopher Febbraro, Ashley Fuchsman, Christian Guiliano, Markus Higgins, Deirdre Kennedy, Mia Lembo, Colin McCarthy, Kaeli Miller, Madeline Miller, Sophia Nelson, Ryan Norton, Brandon Palomba, Joseph Raso, Kaitlyn Reilly, Kaitlyn Rice, Samantha Ryan, Matthew Sandler, Katelyn Schwarz, John Seybert, Hannah Smalley, Andrew Stanzione, Steven Stassi, Joshua Vogel, Skye Weichbrodt and Jeffrey Wills.
Seventh-graders recognized included Gabriel Abruzzo, Emily Alexander, Niamh Amitrano, Autumn Bashwiner, Eric Berke, Justin DeSane, Shannon Dodenhoff, Gracie Edmonds, Gabriela Ekbom, Joseph Falcon, Harold Heffernan, Joshua Isacksen, Brandon Keaney, Thomas Locke, Isabella Marrone, Caroline Meehan, Emma Mendolia, Jason Novellano, Colleen Ryan, Emily, Sensabaugh and Toby Zollner.
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Hoops for the House at MS
East Islip Middle School is hosting"Hoops for the House," a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament to support
the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. Middle school students are
encouraged to participate in the event, which will be held on Thursday,
March 19. Registration ends on March 17.
See the below attachments for more information and permission slip.
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