Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School held a splendid ribbon cutting ceremony on June 24 for its stunning new outdoor classroom, the result of a three-year Boosterthon project spearheaded by the school’s PTA.

The project began in May 2022, when Sherwood PTA member Marisa Becker approached Principal Briana James with an idea for a Boosterthon fundraiser. Sherwood’s Shared Decision Making Committee, led by President Trisha Tramaglini, quickly began making long-range plans. From the beginning, one of the goals of the project was to create an outdoor classroom for students. In recent years, an increased appreciation for outdoor learning has come to the fore, both in educational aspects and in terms of the great value of purposeful play for children.

“Our eyes were opened to the real benefits of learning outdoors and different ways that we could create interdisciplinary units outdoors, learning about the local climate and teaching concepts of interdependence using patterns found in science and nature,” James said. “We wanted to capitalize on our location, knowing we had a great outdoor space with the Seatuck Environmental Association right behind us. We’re on Long Island, by the water. We've got this beautiful space, let's take advantage of it and create an opportunity for kids.”  

The resulting first Boosterthon, led by Becker, PTA President Jenn Sanders and the entire PTA executive board, raised $12,000, a significant portion of which was later allocated to the outdoor classroom.

“During the months between our first and second fundraisers, it became clear that we would need a lot to safely create the outdoor space we had all been dreaming of,” James said.

With the strong support of the district’s central administration – Superintendent Dr. Dennis P. O’Hara; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Michael Giacchetto and Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Zeterberg – and Board of Education, Sherwood’s team continued to work on plans for the outdoor classroom. The area had to be measured, marked and checked for potential underground issues, and research on upgrading and installing security cameras was necessary.

The 2023 Boosterthon fundraiser proved even more successful, raising $18,632 and culminating in a community-building Fun Run activity, in which students ran, walked, hopped and danced around the school’s track as faculty, staff and parent volunteers helped the children record how far they ran. As a special reward to her students, James held “Pie the Principal” and “Dunk the Principal” events.

Last fall, ground was broken for the outdoor classroom site, aided by funding secured by New York State Assemblyman Jarrett Gandolfo. Security cameras were installed by the district’s technology department, led by Director of Network Operations James Prudente and Director of Facilities Andrew Scimeca, and the area was fenced off.

“At the time, it may not have appeared to be much, but our fence was huge, both financially and symbolically,” James said. “Once the fence was up, there was no going back, and no one wanted to.”

Using Boosterthon funds, grant money and donations, Sherwood next purchased needed materials, including collaborative chalkboard workstations, a large eight-by-four-foot outdoor chalkboard; a shed; materials necessary to build a garden bed for each grade, including rocks, soil and seeds; two root viewers; two magnifying stations; a little free library; and a weather station. The Shared Decision Making Committee purchased individual chalkboards for student use, Alec Brown of Alec's Affordable Arbor Services donated five sitting stumps, and Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz helped select large tubular chimes; samba drums; and a musical fence. Science & Technology Coordinator Dan Oggeri allocated grant money for the project, helped design the space and built the garden beds, ensuring they were ready in time for students to plant flowers in the beds during Sherwood’s Earth Day celebration in April. During the spring break, head custodian Will DeChirico singlehandedly built the space’s shed, which holds supplies including stools, magnifying glasses, Keva Planks, student lap desks and gardening tools.

In May 2024, Sherwood geared up for its third and biggest fundraiser, taking in a remarkable total of $20,000 in the third Boosterthon, leading to June’s ribbon cutting, where students and the community had a chance to freely explore the space.     

Integrating science, technology, art and math, the outdoor classroom fosters true learning experiences, and curriculum writing will ensure that teachers have clear objectives for student visits to the space. It is part of Sherwood’s steady progress over the last two years in building up its STEAM program, first with the addition of a STEAM teacher assistant, then a full-time STEAM teacher. Next year, Sherwood will begin a Lego robotics program. Future plans for the outdoor classroom include adding additional collaborative seating and a dedicated meeting area.

“Creating this outdoor classroom has been a huge undertaking, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together as a community.,” James said. “This new learning space opens up a world of exciting learning opportunities which foster curiosity, collaboration and creativity. Together, we have created something truly special for our school community, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for every person who played a part in making this outdoor classroom a reality. It’s clear that our Sherwood family values our children’s future, and I’m honored and humbled to be a part of it. I can’t wait to see everyone laughing, learning and thriving in this new, beautiful space for years to come.”   

Date Added: 7/16/2024

On the beautiful summer night of June 26, Islip High School’s 99th commencement took place, as the graduating seniors of the Class of 2024 walked on to the school’s athletic field in proud purple and white, ready to be honored for a landmark education achievement.

After an opening processional from the Islip High School Graduation Band, directed by Steve Campanella, senior Daniel Rubinson performed a stellar rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while the vocal septet of Parker Barry, Lucas Bohr, Jessica Cruz, Skylar Greene, Rebecca Leo, Leela Lopez and Rubinson sang “Happiness” from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
    
Student Union President Emily Lewis and Vice President Emma Cirulnik served as commencement emcees.

“I’m honored to speak before you as we end this very important chapter of our lives,” Lewis said. “I will forever remember this occasion and all the other amazing memories we created together at Islip High School.”

“We would like to give a huge thank you to our teachers who have helped shape us to become the best versions of ourselves and inspired us to dream big,” Cirulnik said. “We will hold our Islip pride in our hearts forever. Once a Buc, always a Buc.”

Board of Education trustee Paul Austin, who graduated from high school 50 years ago, provided an enlightening and entertaining look at the state of the world and culture in 1974 as well as 1924. Shifting the present day, Austin lauded the academic, athletic and artistic achievements of the current graduating class.

“Look at all that’s been accomplished during your time in high school,” Austin said. “Now imagine 50 years from now, 2074. Some of you will go into careers that don’t even exist now. Some will change careers to keep up with advancing technology. Others will go back to school to stay up with the changes. It is all good. Go with the changes. There is hope for the future and you are the future.”

“You are a resilient bunch,” Principal Dr. Lara Gonzalez told the graduates. “Given what you’ve achieved over the past four years, imagine the possibilities that the next four years will bring? On behalf of the faculty and staff of our high school, we could not be more proud of you. You are perfect just the way you are, and you are right where you need to be. We’re excited about the promise that your graduation holds for you, your families and our community. As much as we will miss you, know that you will have many people here at your soon-to-be alma mater who will be rooting for you.”

Salutatorian Erica De Lapi talked to her classmates about the value of saying yes. “Many of us have been scared to move forward in our studies, try out for a team or go up to that person to make a connection, because we fear rejection rather than strive for the potential growth and happiness that can come from an event,” De Lapi said. “What I want to convey to you all tonight is to not let your personal pride or fears supersede your growth in life. Say yes to the rest of your life and don’t let your own mind drag you down, because saying yes just might be the best thing that could happen to you.”
    
A message of hope came from valedictorian Jaci Narducci, who said, “Hope is the one continuous force in our lives that has been with us from kindergarten through today. Hope will stay with us forever. These past years have not been easy, but even in ninth grade, we had hope. This hope continued throughout high school and connected us with each other. We may not all be friends, but we have shared our hope for one another over the last four years. Today marks the end of those shared experiences, as it will be the last time all of us are together as one, so, although it is a day of celebration, it’s also bittersweet. Life may not be as easy as sitting next to each other in English class, but we will always be connected with hope. We’ll arrive at the next stage of our lives the same way that we started here, with new hope. I hope you and I have many more great memories and experiences in our lives, and the happiest of times are yet to come.”

“Whether you’re headed to college, entering the workforce or continuing to master a trade, you should be proud of the effort that has gotten you this far, and you need to keep your foot on the gas,” Superintendent Dr. Dennis O’Hara said. “Each of you are needed and will play a very important role in our world. Class of 2024, you were raised in a fantastic community and are soon to be Islip High School graduates. You are poised for rewarding and fulfilling things ahead. As you prepare to take your place in the long purple line of high school graduates, I borrow from the words of former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Francis Dunford Jr., when I tell you that your responsibility from this point forward is to use your agile minds, your bold ideas and your unlimited potential to show the world what right looks like and what it means to be from Islip.”

After receiving their diplomas from members of the Board, the new graduates turned the tassels on their caps before tossing them to the skies, ready to celebrate with their families and walk into a bright future.

Date Added: 6/28/2024

Five days before graduation, Islip High School’s Class of 2024 enjoyed the traditional return walk at Wing Elementary School, the building where most of them began their Islip educational careers. During the June 21 event, the high schoolers donned their purple and white graduation caps and gowns to stroll through the Wing hallways and greet assembled kindergartners and first graders as well their own former teachers.

Date Added: 6/28/2024