Islip High School experienced an incredible week leading up to the 15th anniversary of P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 14, as students and staff wore purple to celebrate a day of fostering love, kindness and acceptance.
This year’s theme was “A Brighter Tomorrow Begins Today,” and the week began with students entering the building on Monday morning to find every locker adorned with inspirational, positive magnetic messages and posters displayed throughout the building. they also found the senior lounge artfully decorated with messages of love and encouragement. Each day, various organizations visited the school and set up tables for students to participate in activities to promote positive mental health, coping skills and the many resources available to students to turn to in times of need. Students also wrote positive messages for survivors of domestic violence and those struggling with mental illness. In addition to learning about positive self-care and mental well-being, the students listened to presentations from the National Alliance for Mental Health Institute, where guest speaker Miss Long Island shared her experiences with mental health issues and the stigma that surrounds it.
To raise funds for suicide prevention programs for American veterans, many high school clubs organized activities such as shirt, bracelet, coffee and dessert sales, and the school’s cosmetology students offered purple hair extensions. Meanwhile, the Business Leadership and Commerce Club designed shirts with the saying. “Don’t let the hard days win, tomorrow needs your light.” and sold them throughout the Islip learning community.
The week concluded with a visit from P.S. I Love You Day cofounder Brooke DiPalma and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Flotteron.
“It truly was a collaborative effort of teachers, students, community members, high school clubs, the PTSA and our community partner organizations,” teacher and event organizer Renee Clock said. “Keep spreading positive messages of friendship, kindness, love, acceptance and the message that ‘you are never alone,’ and together, we can continue to make our community a great place for everyone.”
Date Added: 2/27/2025