EI alumnus Anthony Ferrezza II, a freshman at Tompkins Cortland Community College in upstate Dryden, is currently ranked No. 1 for hitting in NJCAA Division III baseball. He plays second base and shortstop for TC3’s Panthers, with a batting average of .714, and also leads the nation in on-base percentage with .793. A member of East Islip’s Class of 2014, Ferrezza played baseball, football and golf for the Redmen.
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Alumnus Ranked Top Hitter in Division III Baseball
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MS Leaders Club Visits Vets
The middle school eighth-grade Girls Leaders Club recently visited the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook for a morning of creative crafts and tribute to the veterans.
During the annual visit, supervised by club adviser Diane Wahrenburg, the students worked with the veterans to make cards and posters. The veterans talked about their lives outside the military, told stories of their military days, shared heartfelt memories and gave life-changing advice to the students. “This field trip was one of our favorites,” said Leaders Club Vice President Victoria Keenan. “It was a true eye-opener and taught us the value of devotion to a cause. We learned to give back to the people to whom we owe it all. Our veterans really drove home the point that freedom isn’t free – truly an important lesson to learn.”
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Elementary Posters Explore Traffic Safety
Students at Timber Point and Ruth C. Kinney elementary schools learned a lesson in traffic safety during March while creating poster entries for the annual AAA traffic safety poster and video contest.
Second-graders at Timber Point learned about effective poster design under the direction of art teacher Christina Spera-Bartlett, and created posters showing ideas about pedestrian and child passenger safety. The topics they explored included how to play safely away from cars, proper booster seat use and school bus safety.
RCK third- and fourth-grade students created persuasive posters under the direction of art teacher Dana Belfiore that examined ideas about getting to school safely, such as bike safety, walking to school and being aware of traffic.
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Double Doctorates for District
Two of the district’s most respected administrators recently added a new title to their resumes, adding “Dr.” in front of their names. Sara Anderson, the district’s director of humanities, and Aileen O’Rourke, the principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School, were both awarded doctoral degrees this year from St. John’s University.
The purpose of O’Rourke’s study, completed at St. John’s from 2012 through 2015, was to determine factors that influence parents’ decision making regarding refusing to take the New York State Common Core Assessment in Suffolk County.“This journey has been a fulfilling and gratifying experience,” said O’Rourke, who previously had obtained a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education and a master’s in elementary education, both at the City University of New York at Queens College, as well as a professional diploma in school leadership and administration from CUNY Brooklyn.
Anderson’s dissertation explored New York State’s principal evaluation system, offering a qualitative case study of the perceptions of principals and evaluators in one Suffolk County school district. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master of Science from Dowling College, and an educational leadership certification from Stony Brook University.“Many people have accompanied me on this adventure of obtaining my doctorate degree,” said Anderson. “Without the support of these individuals, my journey would have been much more difficult. I am forever grateful to all who have offered professional expertise, guidance and support throughout this challenging endeavor.”
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Snow Day Calendar Change
Please see the below memo regarding snow day changes to the 2014-2015 district calendar.
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SADD's Grim Reaper Strikes
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Broadcaster Takes Home Five Quills
The outstanding staff of East Islip High School's student newspaper The Broadcaster walked away with five awards at the annual Quill Awards event on March 25. They won in categories that represented the entire spectrum of newspaper composition from writing and reporting to illustration and layout, including a third-place finish in the “Most Outstanding Newspaper” category presented to editors in chief Jen Converso and Meg Tohill. The ceremony was part of a Press Day event sponsored by Adelphi University in Garden City.
Other EI winners included second place for best sports story for Broadcaster sports editor Bianca DiGiacomo and her article"Local Tragedy Questions Players Safety,” third place in the layout category to layout editors Jake Osborn and Kevin Rosand, and honorable mentions to staff writer Mike Borelli for best news article (for his "High School Gets Unexpected Renovation") and to cartoonist Michael Dondero for best illustration (for “Netflix”).“We faced competition from the best schools from Nassau, Suffolk and Queens and outperformed many of the top schools,” said teacher and Broadcaster adviser Joan Dlouhy. “We are especially proud that the entire paper was awarded third place for ‘Most Outstanding Newspaper,’ because this recognized all of the students involved in its production.”
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Second-Graders Savor Seuss Stories
Second-grade teachers at Timber Point celebrated Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss’s birthday in March with a dizzying array of Seussian activities including classroom creation of the substance known as Oobleck, derived from the 1949 Seuss book ‘’Bartholomew and the Oobleck.’’ Composed of cornstarch suspended in water, the non-toxic, non-Newtonian fluid intrigued the students with ability to act as both a liquid and a solid.
Students also composed essays on what would happen if Seuss characters Thing One and Thing Two, from “The Cat in the Hat,” came to their house; wrote their own stories involving the title character from his classic “The Lorax”; were issued “passports” to travel through the history of Seuss’s tales while reading them aloud.“The students truly enjoyed hearing the Seuss stories with many smiles and giggles along the way, as his love for writing and reading truly impacted the lives of all children,” said teacher Carol Wilson.
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Second in State for Dellavecchia
Star wrestler Jesse Dellavecchia placed second at the New York State championships, held on Feb. 27-28 at The Times Union Center in Albany. The senior, who has signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Binghamton University this fall, is only the second wrestler in East Islip history to be named an All-State athlete three times. In his final season for the Redmen, he captured the Suffolk County title at 132 pounds, and set the school record for career wins (186) and career pins (87).
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Artists and Filmmakers Earn 'Best'
Displaying mastery and creativity in several artistic disciplines, 10 East Islip High School students were named “Best in Show” at the 2015 Long Island Media Arts Show, held at Five Towns College’s Performing Arts Center in Dix Hills on March 27.
Six of the winners selected for recognition by the judges were students from teacher James Connell’s video production and broadcast television classes, spotlighting the district’s continued emphasis on advanced technology video and film curricula. Taking top prizes in a crowded field of more than 150 submitted videos, East Islip junior Brandon Potter received Best in Show for his video “Intruders,” a five-minute short film combining horror and comedy, while seniors Chris Saitta and Al Sedita, junior Cameron Philie, and sophomores Chandler Doty and Giovanni LaRocca won video honors for “Selfie Man,” another horror-comedy based on the idea of an average high school student taking “selfies.”“The students who attended had a great time,” said Connell. “Coming home with two Best in Show awards is quite an honor and a testament to my students’ hard work. I am very proud of all who contributed.”
Four of East Islip’s Best in Show winners in the annual competition – seniors Nick Dahill, Lauren Hesse and Kimberly Moreno, and sophomore Miguel Aballay – were photography and computer graphics students from Erin Jacob’s and Heather Toomey’s classes. “The participants did a wonderful job showcasing their artwork and having conversations and critiques with professional photographers and artists,” said Toomey. “All of the students displayed professionalism, and I am especially proud of the students that received Best in Show for their photographs.”“Electronic illustration is not always recognized as an art form, and attending the Media Arts Show allowed my students to be recognized for their work as digital artists, network with professional artists, and highlight their creativity and computer fluency,” said Jacob. “ It takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there as an artist and ask for constructive feedback, and these students handled it like pros. I am so proud of them.”
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BOE Special Executive Meeting on April 14
The East Islip Board of Education will hold a special executive meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Early Childhood Center at 1 Craig B. Gariepy Ave. in Islip Terrace. This meeting is being called for the purpose of the Board of Education entering immediately into executive session to review staffing for the 2015-2016 school year.
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A Day to Find Medical Careers
At the high school’s third annual Medical Awareness and Career Day, sponsored by North Shore LIJ-Southside Hospital, a team of doctors and other professionals from the hospital served as speakers, offering lectures in the school’s auditorium and library on topic including orthopedics, cardiology, drug addiction, concussions, nutrition and careers.
Dozens of other professionals from both the hospital and other local organizations like the Islip Terrace Fire Department manned exhibit tables in the school gym. A HAZMAT table showed students what they would need to wear when dealing with hazardous wastes, and gave them a chance to try on a hazmat suit. Other demonstrations ranged from laser surgery to how to resuscitate a patient on a stretcher.“This was a very special opportunity for all of our high school students to learn about the medical career field,” said Israel Malinowitzer, director of guidance and the school’s Career Academy program. “We were delighted by the number of students and teachers that took part in this year’s event. Every period, there were more than 200 students visiting the exhibits or sitting in for a lecture.”
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Socks Show Support for World Down Syndrome Day
To help raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day, high school staff and students participated in Lots of Socks Day on March 21, donning “crazy socks” to show support for individuals with Down Syndrome. Organized by special education teachers Margaret Gallagher and Sabina Uettwiller, the event also featured students decorating paper socks as another way to raise awareness.
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Eyes on Eagles at Timber Point
Complementing their 3D paper eagle art project, first-graders at Timber Point have been watching a live “EagleCam.” The cam is set up in a tall pine tree at the Berry College campus in Georgia, and displays a bald eagle’s nest up close. Since 2012, an eagle couple has visited the nest every year to lay eggs. This year, two eggs were produced and two eaglets hatched. The students have been watching the baby birds grow each day as well as watching the parents fly in to provide food such as fish and feed it to the eaglets.“They love watching the cam and are excited every day to see it,” said teacher Christina Spera-Bartlett. “Although we are done with our eagle project, they still ask to see the cam to check on the eaglets.”
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Artist of the Week: April 13, 2015
John F. Kennedy Elementary: Fifth-grader Caleigh DiBeneditto (“Autism Awareness Mask”)
Ruth C. Kinney Elementary: Fifth-graders Michael Giaccone, Tyler Herzog, Mia Mendoza and Miranda Stockton ("Modern Egyptians")
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EJ Autism Foundation Shop for a Cause on April 16
See the attached flier for info on Shop for a Cause to benefit the EJ Autism Foundation. The event will take place Thursday, April 16 from 4-6 p.m. at Hibernian Hall.
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Packages, Pizza and Patriotism
Continuing their ongoing program on behalf of troops overseas, patriotic students from the middle school’s Builders Club gathered at the East Islip Post Office on March 26 to ship a week’s worth of boxes of supplies destined for military personnel serving in Iraq.
After their shipping was complete, the students and club adviser Rena Costello enjoyed a pizza party with local veterans at Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi’s office.“It’s great to see this club growing,” said Cilmi. “Ms. Costello is a patriot in the truest sense of the word and cares deeply about the men and women who so profoundly give of themselves to fight for the ideals that make this country great. It’s inspiring for me and it’s clearly inspiring for these young Americans. I couldn’t be more proud of these students.”
Marine Corps veteran Larry Gruttemeyer was one of several veterans who were impressed with the students’ drive and patriotism. “I was very proud to be invited to spend some time with these amazing American students,” he said. “Kudos to their families and teachers for doing a great job and to the students that are living the American Dream.”“It was great to be at the post office to watch these boys and girls support our troops,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Jeff Bachmann, who served from 1980 to 1990. “Sharing a pizza with them at Legislator Cilmi’s office, we had the opportunity to tell them why what they’re doing is so important for the morale of the troops. It’s also just as important to us older veterans. We see the younger generation honoring our troops and caring, and that gives us hope and boosts our morale. There are days we really need it, and I’m grateful for what they’re doing.”“Little things we take for granted every day are special to our troops,” added another Marines vet, Chick Ciccarelli. “It was an honor to be part of the day.”
Navy veteran Armen Enkababian said, “It was a real pleasure to spend time with students that care about those protecting our freedoms and way of life. Their willingness to collect items, prepare care packages and go to the post office to mail them sets an example for all of us to follow. They should be proud of what they do, and their teachers and parents should be congratulated for instilling in each of them the spirit of caring.”
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EJ Autism's Jigsaw Run on April 26
The EJ Autism Foundation's ninth annual Jigsaw 4 Mile Run/Walk for Autism will take place Sunday, April 26, starting at 9:30 a.m., at the East Islip Marina on the end of Bayview Avenue.
All proceeds from the event will be used by the EJ Autism Foundation to support programs on Long Island that work with children diagnosed with autism.
For race information and application, see the attached flier.
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FTK Honors Advocates at Gala
As the snow falling outside the glass-enclosed ballrooms of Villa Lombardi’s lent a magical touch to the evening, guests at the For the Kids Foundation’s 18th annual Black Tie Gala gathered on March 20, many adorned with elegant retro fashions to complement the event theme of “The Roaring Twenties.” A jazz band of composed of East Islip High School student-musicians directed by Christopher Neske entertained the attendees, who included East Islip administrators and educators as well as parents, residents and local business representatives.
Recognized as the most successful nonprofit Suffolk County school organization, FTK has donated more than $1 million for East Islip’s educational programs since its formation. The Gala, which is the FTK organization’s premier fundraising event, honored East Islip Middle School Principal Mark Bernard as Educator Advocate of the Year, while brothers James Bruno and Louis Bruno, both funeral directors, were honored as Community Advocates of the Year.“We were thrilled to honor Mark, Louis and James, community champions who selflessly contribute to the FTK mission,” said Nancy Goldfader, the foundation’s president.
Bernard grew up in Whitney Point, a rural town in upstate New York. After graduating from SUNY Cortland with a degree in secondary mathematics education, he spent two years teaching in Crystal City, Texas before returning to New York and settling on Long Island. He began teaching in a private school in Astoria and then for the New York City Board of Education in South Jamaica. Bernard completed his master’s degree at Queens College, finishing coursework for his administrator’s certificate at SUNY Stony Brook.
After stints in Amityville and Plainedge, Bernard came to East Islip in 2003 as the district’s mathematics director. Three years later, he took on the role of assistant principal at the newly formed East Islip Middle School, helping to restructure the former Islip Terrace Junior High School into a true middle school. In 2006, he was named principal.“It is an honor to be recognized by an organization that has given so much to the East Islip community,” said Bernard, who was accompanied by his proud wife Amy and daughters Eliana and Sophia.
James and Louis Bruno were both born and raised in East Islip, and are lifelong community members and residents of the East Islip School District along with parents Joe and Marie, and their sister, Marie. Both graduated from East Islip High School – Louis a member of the Class of 1991, and James a member of the Class of 1994 – and continued their academic pursuits with degrees in mortuary science from Nassau Community College.
After several years in the funeral profession, Louis was employed by Charles J. O’Shea, and eventually, with partner Louis Guerra, purchased both of O’Shea’s funeral homes in Wantagh and East Meadow. James worked in West Islip and Babylon for 15 years prior to joining Louis at Charles J. O’Shea Funeral Homes in 2006. In 2007, Louis, James and Guerra expanded their business with the purchase of the landmark Albrecht Funeral Home in East Islip, now known as the Albrecht, Bruno & O’Shea Funeral Home.
James Bruno married his high school sweetheart, Kristy, and they have two children: James, a second- grader at Timber Point Elementary School, and Lila, who will begin prekindergarten next year.
Louise Bruno likewise married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, and they have children Joseph, 13; Brooke, 10; and Andrew, 4.
A civic volunteer from an early age, James Bruno was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy and Chamber of Commerce by his early 20s. He is also a member of the Islip Rotary, and was honored as the Paul Harris Fellowship Rotarian of the Year and winner of the 2013 Islip Town Small Business Award. For the district, he serves as a mentor in the East Islip School-Business Partnerships career development program, advising high school students interested in either the medical or mortuary science fields.
Louis Bruno is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce, and currently holds the position of president of the Nassau/Suffolk Funeral Directors Association. A proud supporter of many FTK events, Louis participates in the annual FTK Golf Outing and FTK Carnival.
All three men were honored to be recognized for their sterling contributions to the East Islip school community and the FTK Foundation, and enjoyed an evening of fine dining and celebration. In addition their FTK awards, Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi presented each with a special certificate.“My heartfelt and sincere thanks go out to chairperson Gina Vandenburg, co-chairperson Cathy Lemon, the Black Tie committee, the FTK board members who devoted countless hours to ensure a magnificent and unforgettable evening, and of course, the friends, partners and longtime supporters who continue to make the FTK Foundation the success it is,” said Goldfader.
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Lax Captain Levy Named Under Armour All-American
Senior and lacrosse team captain Nicole Levy has been selected as one of 44 female athletes to compete in the 10th annual Under Armour All-America Senior Showcase on July 3 at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium. The game’s participants will be among 58 total players honored as Under Armour All-Americans in 2015.
Levy, a four-time All-County honoree who plays attack, was ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the nation by Inside Lacrosse magazine. She has signed to play Division I lacrosse at Syracuse University this fall.
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