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Fall arrived in East Islip on the weekend of Sept. 21, heralded by the opening ceremony of the 22nd annual FTK Carnival on the grounds of Timber Point. String and choral students from Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ and RCK entertained the attendees with musical performances to kick off a three-day adventure of games, rides and snacks that provided fun for the community’s families and raised funds to support crucial school activities.

A full house of students filled the high school bleachers with cheers on Sept. 21 at the annual pep rally as Athletic Director Stephen Restivo introduced the school’s 14 proud 2018-2019 athletic squads, including girls swimming, boys and girls cross-country, gymnastics, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis, boys golf, girls and boys volleyball, field hockey, kickline, cheerleading and football.

Keeping the excitement level high were terrific performances by the cheerleaders, the gymnastics squad and the high school pep band, the latter directed by Christopher Neske.

Enthusiastically overseeing his first rally, new principal Mark Bernard welcomed the homecoming court – freshman attendants Emily Blair and Jack Rice, sophomore attendants Enzo Ditta and Jeilene Law, junior attendants Sophia Bates and Joseph Falcon, and senior attendants: Hailey Cooke, Nicholas Conzo, Trevor Garnett and Kendall Mittleman – as well as the nominees for king and queen.

A marvelous homecoming full of family fun and Redmen pride began for East Islip on the morning of Sept. 22, as celebratory community members gathered at the Early Childhood Center soccer fields for the second Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½coming Festival, replete with numerous carnival games manned by spirited high schoolers. The face painting booth was particularly busy, resulting in a sea of faces daubed with red and white.

Later in the day at Sal Ciampi Field, the varsity football Redmen beat Eastport-South Manor, 21-14, in a tightly contested game. Quarterback Steve Sassi completed 11 of 17 passes, including a 3-yard throw to Nick Peluso for the game-winning overtime touchdown. Dylan Rigo ran for 56 yards and a touchdown. Joe Fragala and Tom Higgins led the defense with 10 and 13 tackles, respectively.

Following strong halftime performances by the EI band, kickline and cheerleaders, Principal Mark Bernard crowned Jolie Lenox as this year’s homecoming queen, alongside Matthew McHugh as king, while the Class of 2019 seniors were awarded the Class Cup – another new tradition in its second year – for showing the most school spirit throughout Spirit Week.

“Another wonderful homecoming is in the record books,” said school counselor and homecoming organizer Jessica Pignataro.

The district has designated Friday, Sept. 21 as East Islip Pride Day, and every Friday this year will be Spirit Day. We encourage you to wear your EI colors and apparel on Pride Day and each Friday this school year to show your EI Pride.

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½coming is Saturday, Sept. 22, with the second annual Festival from 10:30-12:30 p.m., and the varsity football game at 1 p.m.

This year's FTK Carnival will be held on Sept. 21-23 at Timber Point. See the attached flier for more information.

Two days before school officially began, incoming sixth-graders at the middle school walked into their new school for Sept. 4 orientation. Accompanied by family and older siblings, the students at the acclimating event met teachers, set up their lockers and walked their schedules, getting prepped for the beginning of the year.

From the high school and middle school to Connetquot, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, RCK and Timber Point elementary schools, East Islip students arrived back in classes on a warm Sept. 6, enjoying a terrific first day of school to start the educational year.

“Despite the incredible heat, the middle school students returned with great enthusiasm for the new school year,” said Principal William Brennen.

“Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ students enthusiastically started the new school year,” said Principal Deborah Smith. “Smiles and laughter once again filled the hallways as we welcomed our new third-graders as well as the returning fourth- and fifth-grade students. We look forward to all the wonderful learning that will take place this year.”

Mark Bernard was recently appointed as principal of East Islip High School, replacing William Brennen, who moved to the middle school.

Bernard had been principal at East Islip Middle School for the past dozen years, where he had also previously served as assistant principal and director of mathematics. His other prior positions included working as a math teacher at Plainedge High School, Amityville Middle School, South Jamaica Junior High School and Southwest Texas High School.

The Syosset resident earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland, his master’s degree from Queens College and his administrative degree from Stony Brook University.

“As I begin this new journey in my professional career, I’m looking forward to inspiring our students to take advantage of all East Islip High School has to offer,” Bernard said.

William Brennen was recently named East Islip Middle School principal, replacing Mark Bernard, who moved to the high school. Brennen, who had served as principal at East Islip High School for the past nine years, earned his administrative diploma from Queens College.

“I am looking forward to working with the middle school staff to ensure that all students realize their full potential,” said Brennen.

The district has hired Frank Pillitteri as the new director of math and science, replacing Janet Jones.

Pillitteri previously was employed as a physics teacher at Smithtown High School West from 2001 to present, at Plainview-Old Bethpage Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ High School from 1999 to 2001, at Westbury High School from 1998 to 1999, and at Jane Addams Vocational High School from 1997 to 1998. He also worked as a research chemist at LeaRonal, Inc. from 1995 to 1997.

The West Islip resident earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Stony Brook University, a master’s degree in education from Mercy College and a school district administration degree from Stony Brook. He is a member of the Long Island Physics Teacher Association, American Institute of Physics and American Association of Physics Teachers.

“I am very excited to be part of the East Islip administrative team,” said Pillitteri. “I look forward to providing leadership and support for a STEM-based learning environment, which maximizes student potential, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”