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Despite losing the end of their senior year to the pandemic, the high school’s Class of 2020 came together to celebrate their resilience at the school’s 93rd commencement ceremony on June 26. Graced by sunny skies, the graduation ceremony was successfully split into five socially distanced sessions at the football stadium, ranging from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Principal Mark Bernard began the speeches by recognizing the difficult circumstances leading up to commencement. “Unexpectedly, we were thrust into a new normal,” he told the assembled seniors. “Your world is changing and you will be faced with many challenges. With those challenges come choices, and sometimes those choices are difficult. My hope is that you will be making choices with compassion and sincerity in the face of adversity. Class of 2020, please keep accept these challenges and always keep your vision clear, because your future is bright.”

The next address came from salutatorian Justine Rizzo, who said, “I am grateful that despite the fact that the world is in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, we are able to be here together to share this important milestone in our lives.  The important thing is that we all made it here as united as one graduating Class of 2020. We are ready to bring our unique talents and EI Pride to the next stop on our journey.”

“What I took away from everything that has happened recently, and what I hope you do too, is that despite all that we have lost, we have gained so much more,” valedictorian Caroline Meehan noted in her address. “As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.’ I think that we can all agree that this year was far from what we expected. But we showed strength when everything around us felt like it was crumbling. We have lived through this horror, and I wish for all of us to recognize that we are fortunate enough to have made it out the other side, hopefully gaining the confidence that we are stronger than we thought as well as a deeper appreciation for things we may have taken for granted.”

“There were people that told us that this wasn’t going to happen today, but it’s so important to see each other and to realize that there’s nothing in this world that you can’t overcome if you stick together and work together,” Superintendent John Dolan said in his address. “When you were faced with what is undoubtedly the longest, toughest fight we’ve had to face in my 35 years in public education, you never gave up. You kept going and working. That’s what makes us so proud of you, and that’s what EI Pride is.”

Board of Education President William Carpluk discussed the nature of happiness. “Long-lasting deeper joy and happiness does not come from our individual accomplishments,” he said. “This kind of happiness is the sense of fulfillment, that wells up within us, that comes from giving to others our love, our generosity, our compassion. What you will remember about today is not the piece of paper, but the relationship you created by giving of yourself to others.”

Following the presentation of diplomas, Class President Kayla Cappe gave the farewell address and led her classmates in the turning of the tassels.

“Having been a part of this distinguished class for the past 12 years, I know there is no obstacle we cannot overcome,” Cappe told East Islip’s newest alumni. “As we pursue our goals and dreams, using all the talents, skills and knowledge we have acquired throughout these years, I know the world will be a better place. Congratulations Class of 2020, I know we made history.”

Fifth graders at RCK and Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ were recognized at drive-through moving celebrations held on June 15 and 16, respectively. As they rode past with their families in cars decorated with balloons and streamers, the students were cheered on by faculty and staff. Each graduate received a yearbook and gift bag to commemorate their big milestone.

“Fifth graders, it’s all about you today,” Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Principal Deborah Smith told the school’s new grads. “We are so proud of your accomplishments and wish you the best as you move on up to the middle school.”

“It was such a pleasure to see all of our fifth graders at this farewell,” said RCK Principal Janet Jones. “Congratulations and best wishes to the East Islip High School Class of 2027!”

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The high school celebrated its graduating Class of 2020 with a colorful senior parade on the morning of June 19. After picking up their senior gifts in the middle school parking lot, cars filled with excited students – many in cap and gown or prom attire – and their parents drove past cheering school faculty and under a huge banner and pair of fire trucks to the Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School parking lot, where they enjoyed a photo booth.

Also view the NHS virtual scrapbook .

The 2020-2021 school budget proposal has been approved by the voters of the district by a vote of 4,050 yes votes to 1,834 no votes.

For the Board of Education, William Carpluk received 3,914 votes and Israel Malinowitzer received 1,764 votes. Christopher Zachry ran unopposed and received 5,035 votes. Mr. Carpluk and Mr. Zachry have been elected to serve on the Board of Education until June 30, 2023.

The 2020-2021 budget for the East Islip Public Library has been approved by the voters with a vote of 3,860 yes votes to 1,427 no votes. Deborah Smith received 4,662 votes and will serve on the East Islip Pubic Library Board until June 30, 2025.

The district would like to thank the residents for supporting the budget and offers congratulations to Mr. Carpluk and Mr. Zachry.

High school senior Samantha Winegard recently signed a national letter of intent to play softball for Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she plans to study biology/pre-med.

As a softball player for EI for four years on the varsity level, Winegard earned All-Division and All-Region First team honors. She also played on the school’s varsity volleyball team. An AP Scholar and historian of the school’s National Honor Society, Winegard is also a member of East Islip’s Foreign Language Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and STARS club.

The Absentee Ballot counting process will begin at 5:00 p.m. today, June 16, 2020.

The live stream link will be available at 5:00 p.m.

 

 

The high school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society presented its annual spring recital virtually this year as a “Living Room Recital” to showcase the hard work and skill of the school’s student-musicians.  

 

Showing EI pride in our schools and the people who work there!

 

As per Governor Cuomo’s Executive order, the school budget vote has been extended to Tuesday, June 16, 2020. All ballots must be received no later than 5 pm on June 16, 2020. The last day you can drop off your ballot in person is today, June 9, 2020 by 5 pm. This ballot box is located on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building at 1 Craig B. Gariepy Ave., Islip Terrace. After this date all ballots must be mailed in the postage paid envelope provided to you.  

A message for the EIHS Class of 2020 from New York Rangers hockey star Chris Kreider! 

 

Sponsored by East Islip Music and Arts Program Support, the high school held a celebratory parade on May 29, recognizing the 95 students who were involved in the production of the school’s musical, “Into the Woods,” which was unable to be performed due to the pandemic.

Cast, crew and pit members were provided with a token of appreciation from eiMAPS for their hard work as they were led by the local fire department. The school’s music teachers sang the songs from “Into the Woods” as the students drove past in the car parade, calling out each student’s name and their role in the musical.

“There was not a dry eye after the evening’s event,” said Dr. Robert J. Wottawa II, the district’s director of art, ENL, music and world language. “I am so blessed to be surrounded by community members and teachers who love our students and program with all of their heart. I cannot thank each of them enough for sharing their passion for our musical students.”

Due to COVID-19, we had to cancel our winter awards night that was scheduled for March 25. Students will have the opportunity to come and pick up their awards on the following dates and times in the middle school cafeteria:

June 9, 2020                                
Wrestling/Boys Track                     8am-9am                    
Girls Basketball/Boys Basketball      9am-10am                    
Boys Bowling/Girls Track                10am-11am                    
Cheer/Swimming/Girls Bowling        11am-12pm
        

Please make sure you wear your mask upon entering the cafeteria.

Displaying community pride and care for students, the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ community enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on May 28 during the “Drive, Honk and Wave” event.

“It was great to see so many students, families, teachers, and staff members staying connected, sharing smiles and greetings,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “We look forward to being together soon.”   

The high school partnered with parents, teachers, local businesses and members of the PTA and For the Kids Foundation to celebrate the Class of 2020 seniors with special signs placed at a half-dozen locations around the town.

The New York State Education Department named East Islip High School and Timber Point Elementary School as among the state’s 582 Recognition Schools for 2019-2020, recognizing high achievement and strong progress.