Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½

A group of 35 advanced language students from the high school had the opportunity to travel to Madrid and southern Spain on an unforgettable educational tour during spring break.

The trip began with a visit to the Prado Museum, home of Spain’s great masters such as Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. The students enjoyed life in Madrid, centered on outdoor cafes, eating tapas and walking through the Plaza Mayor.

Later, the group visited the medieval city of Toledo and viewed a demonstration of sword making. The students walked the twisted alleyways and cobbled streets of Seville, visiting the old Jewish quarter as well as the Columbus gravesite in the world’s largest cathedral.

In Granada, near the snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the group toured the imposing but delicate Moorish castle the Alhambra and its luxurious gardens. In the evening, students enjoyed a flamenco dance show.

The high schoolers’ last stop was Cordoba, to see one of Spain’s most impressive monuments, the Mosque-Cathedral dating to the 8th century.

“We walked through picture-perfect narrow white-washed alleys, passing tile-covered patios dotted with vibrant colored flowers,” said teacher Lisa Rapiejko. “Our students enjoyed speaking Spanish and learning about the history of Spain, where the medieval and modern blend seamlessly.”

Date Added: 4/27/2018

A capital improvement bond forum will be held on Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the ECC.

 

Date Added: 4/27/2018

Over the course of several months, all six schools in the district collaborated with the East Islip Teachers’ Association and East Islip School-Business Partnership in raising more than $2,000 to help the VetVan project. Student representatives Meagan Diaz, Grace Micali, Miranda Stockton and Sean Togher attended the March 27 meeting of the East Islip Community Chamber at the American Legion Hall to present the funds to the veterans of the East Islip American Legion and thank them for their service.

The VetVan program was pioneered by the East Islip High School Career Development Program and local business Lee’s Auto Body, who are donating a van to the East Islip American Legion to be utilized by any local veteran who needs a ride to the doctor, shopping, a parade. The monies donated from the school community for the VetVan project will be used to provide insurance coverage for the van. Streaming Steve’s Auto of East Islip offered to maintain the van with oil changes and general maintenance for its lifespan, after the veterans receive it. Through the school’s CORE work-based learning program, two East Islip High School students, Adonees Akl and Timothy Carberry, were given an opportunity to spend six months working on reconditioning the van at Lee’s Auto Body guided by Lee’s owner and Community Chamber President Gary Teich.

“While these two young men have learned many great skills in the automotive field, they are also learning the valuable skill of helping others,” said teacher Bridget Lopiccolo. “With the help of the community and school pulling together to support such a worthwhile cause, veterans will be able to get what they deserve – to be supported because of their selfless service.”

Date Added: 4/24/2018

High school senior athlete Lauren Grippi signed a national letter of intent on April 18 to play soccer for Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh this fall.

“It was good for distance, for soccer and for academics,” said Grippi of her choice of Mount Saint Mary and its Knights program.

Grippi, a left midfielder, served as captain of East Islip’s varsity team this year. A member of the school’s Medical Career Academy and Girls Leaders Club, she also played for the East Islip Red Storm travel team and engaged in extensive volunteering work.

Date Added: 4/23/2018

Dear Parents, Staff and Residents:

Happy Spring!

As we move closer to the vote that will shape the future of East Islip's schools, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the tour dates that are still available. I strongly urge everyone to come take a walk through our schools and go online and view the videos that show the conditions of our schools.

It has been my pleasure to walk through the buildings with many community members. I gain valuable insight into the community, and it becomes obvious to me, with the people’s reactions, that we need to encourage everyone to see the conditions of our bathrooms, locker rooms, roofs and electrical systems. As adults, we encourage and implore our children and students to think and gather information before they make decisions. As adults, we are teaching our children to see something, say something. Our buildings are in need of renovations; just like your homes, we are looking at roofs, bathrooms and electrical systems and the outside of our buildings and fields.

As your superintendent, I’m asking you all to invite your friends and neighbors to take a tour, view the videos, come to public forums and meetings, and make an informed decision. Please encourage those who have not been in the schools for the last 10 years to come and see, so they too can make the most informed decision they can make when they come to pull the lever in May.

My dream is to have 10,000 people take these tours and 10,000 people come out and vote. Please grab a friend or neighbor who hasn’t seen our schools and bring them to a tour.

Let’s pull together to make the best decision for East Islip for the next 20 years.

Sincerely,

John V. Dolan
Superintendent of Schools

 

Attachments: Click for tour dates

Persevering despite the opening night’s rescheduling due to snow, the high school’s annual musical, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” was presented on March 23, 24 and 25. Based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name, “Drood” is a comedic, interactive murder mystery that allows the audience to take part in the action as detectives. Dickens died in 1870 before he was able to reveal the culprit, but the award-winning 1985 Rupert Holmes adaptation solves the predicament by asking the audience to vote on the identity of the murderer and other characters.

The East Islip cast included Kyle Westgate-Addessi (The Chairman), Andrew Timmins (John Jasper), Karina Gallagher (Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood), Victoria Tiernan (Rosa Bud), Sara Rapuzzi (Helena Landless), Stone Locke (Neville Landless), Katelyn Spina (Princess Puffer), Jake Acocella (Mr. Crisparkle), Sebestian Ovalle (Durdles), Michael Silva (Bazzard) and Kieran Tohill (Deputy).

“Our high school students performed amazingly,” said Dr. Robert J. Wottawa II, the district’s director of art, ENL, music and world languages. “From vocal work to the pit orchestra to the stage crew and the choreography, each element was wonderfully executed. It is due to the dedication of our teachers to our students’ success that we could incorporate audience participation to provide three different endings that replicated professionalism.”

Date Added: 4/18/2018

Tammy Chen and Johanna LeRoux, fifth-graders at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, were selected to have their artwork displayed in the 20th annual Colors of Long Island student art exhibit at Stony Brook’s Long Island Museum. Sponsored by Astoria Bank, Colors of Long Island gives students from kindergarten through high school an opportunity to display their artistic talents in a museum setting.

 

Date Added: 4/18/2018

To our East Islip Community:

Please do not be alarmed if you see ambulances and fire trucks outside the schools on a regular basis during the next few weeks. You should be alarmed however, about the shortage of volunteer first responders across Long Island.

Today, all high school students received exchange ambulance and fire department information. Next Monday, April 23, all middle school students will be receiving the same information. In an effort to encourage our students to volunteer we ask you to have a conversation at the dinner table with your children. Volunteer first responders can be eligible for college credit, free or reduced college tuition, property tax reductions, state income tax benefits, free health checkups, free insurance as well as a pension.

Please have this conversation with your child today. Service to the community is what ties us together. Some people volunteer to be first responders and there are others who volunteer in the area of arts and athletics. Please consider being a first responder or encourage your children to do so.

Again, if you see an ambulance or fire truck outside the schools, please do not be alarmed. We should all be alarmed that we do not have enough men and women to man these vehicles. True love of your community and true EI Pride are grounded in service to each other.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,                        
Superintendent John V. Dolan

 

Date Added: 4/16/2018

 

Students at Timber Point recently celebrated Heart Month by learning all about the heart and circulatory system as well as the importance of exercise for personal heart fitness.

During physical education classes with Patricia Bush and Diane Wahrenburg, the students participated in healthy heart stations that got their hearts pumping. One station even imitated the body’s actual circulatory system in delivering oxygen to the muscles and bringing carbon dioxide back to the heart and lungs. Students also learned about the anatomy and function of the heart, lungs and circulatory system through viewing posters as visual aids and watching videos on the school’s Smart Board. 

“Many students found these body systems to be fascinating and participated in the healthy heart stations with enthusiasm,” said Wahrenburg. “Healthy hearts are happy hearts.”

 

Date Added: 4/10/2018

Members of the high school's Mock Trial team worked as volunteers at the American Mock Trial Association Opening Round Championship Series tournament in March. The East Islip students were invited to this college mock trial tournament, held at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip, by the event’s coordinator, Suffolk County Bar Association President Harry Tilis.

Known as the Purple Team because of their distinctive purple uniform shirts, East Islip’s students were responsible for guiding judges and competitors through the courthouse, gathering and delivering important paperwork, and helping Tilis keep the tournament running smoothly.

The ORCS tournament was one of several being held around the country.  College mock trial teams from some of the top colleges and universities in the nation, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Tufts, competed at the ORCS for a chance to move on to the National College Mock Championship. 

“What a great group of thoughtful and helpful young people,” said Tilis, praising the East Islip volunteers. “Their generous spirit and respectful and cheerful outlook made this weekend a breeze.”

Senior Angela Loizides was especially excited to attend, as her sister Elizabeth, an alumna of East Islip’s Class of 2015 and former East Islip Mock Trial member, was competing for Wellesley College at the tournament.

“I learned so much from watching the college teams,” said sophomore Tyler O’Neil. “It was a great experience.”

Patsy Lester, East Islip’s coach, also participated at the tournament, serving as scoring judge.

“I’m grateful to Mr. Tilis for offering my students this opportunity, and so proud of them for giving up their weekend to help others,” said Lester.

 

Date Added: 4/9/2018

Earning recognition in March for her dedication to learning, senior Jordan Piacenti was named East Islip High School’s World Languages Department Student of the Month for study of the Spanish language.

“I have had the pleasure of having taught Jordan as a sophomore, and again this year as a senior,” said teacher Diana Rivera. “She has consistently demonstrated exemplary conduct and character. Her classwork and homework are always completed on time, and her quiz and test scores are outstanding. She is a joy to teach, and it is my pleasure to recognize her achievements as outstanding Spanish student.”

Date Added: 4/4/2018

Despite the unusually cold and still snowy spring, the high school varsity girls golf team is braving the cold and wind in preparation for the beginning of their league matches.

“I’m very proud of the girls for their hard work and focus in less than favorable conditions,” said coach Judith Fischer. “We are looking forward to some warmer temperatures in April as our matches begin. These are a super bunch of young ladies, and captain Sofia Ferrezza is doing a great job motivating and assisting younger girls with skill development.“

Date Added: 4/2/2018