Students in Islip Middle School’s EXCEL program recently had the opportunity to interact live via video with a community in a remote region of the bush in Ghana. After the live conversation, which was facilitated by Dr. Toby Cumberbatch, the African group recorded and shared a video in which each person said their name. The EXCEL students then sent them a similar video in return.

“This was a living example of what teaching global citizenship can look like when we are given the opportunity to collaborate with others across the planet – the essence of our humanity,” EXCEL Coordinator Julia Johnson said. “As vastly different as our circumstances may be, we are so ultimately connected with one another and the same.”

Date Added: 3/10/2023

The Islip School District honored outstanding student achievements at a Night of Champions celebration during the Feb. 15 Board of Education meeting. Elementary and secondary students who demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, music and leadership received certificates honoring their accomplishments while their proud families looked on.

“We have incredible teachers who give the students the tools they need and the encouragement to succeed, but tonight what we’re doing is awarding the students that have taken that even further, that have the motivation and the drive to achieve greater things than we have set out for them,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz said. “I’m so proud of all of you.”

Music honors, presented by Hershkowitz, began with students selected for the Long Island String Festival ensembles, from the elementary level (Emerson Cox, Titley Das, Brianne Moon and Parker Snyder), Islip Middle School (Isabella Conzo, Malcolm Friedman and Ashley Stephenson) and Islip High School (Lucas Bohr and Emily Flora). Alexander Romeo was recognized for his SCMEA All-County Percussion designation. Lastly, vocal music honors were presented to Ella Beiser (NYSSMA All-County Mixed Chorus and SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble), Lucas Bohr (SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble), Maggie Frazer (NYSSMA All-County Mixed Chorus), Skylar Greene (NYSSMA All-County Women’s Chorus), Lianna Rivera (SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble), Daniel Rubinson (NYSSMA All-County Mixed Chorus), Ma’Raya Stewart (NYSSMA All-County Mixed Chorus and SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble), Daniel Turk (NYSSMA All-County Mixed Chorus), Madelynn Lang (NYSSMA All State Mixed Chorus, NYSSMA All-County Mixed Chorus and SCMEA All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble).

Islip High School Principal Lara Gonzalez, Assistant Principal Lisa Ward, and Director of School Counseling Dr. Cynthia Fitzgerald presented the Advanced Placement awards, recognizing the high school students earning AP Seminar and Research Certificates (Andrew Dromerhauser, Maggie Frazer and Lila Kiernan), AP Scholar designations (Trevor Barnes, Ryan Bucco, Gabriella Flora, Kelly Flynn, Rachael Keyes, Christopher Puhle, Stella Reagan, Chase Rogers, Sara Sentochnik and Faith Theobald), AP Scholar and AP Seminar and Research Certificates (Ahdalia Davies, Myles Freelin, Stephen Plotke and Riley Wallace), AP Scholar and AP Capstone Diploma (Emilio Shahib), AP Scholar with Honor and AP Seminar and Research Certificates (Abigail Alfano, Rebecca Elie, Maggie Hayes and Olivia Piazzolla), AP Scholar with Distinction designations (Madelynn Lang and Katelynn Wallace), AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Seminar and Research Certificates (Kayley Guzman Morales and Kacey Schassberger), and AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Capstone Diplomas (Connor Autera, Leah Bell, Nelson Chan, Jhey Dizon, Aidan Ferrera, Jessica Hagihara and Brielle Zink).

Sports recognitions were presented by Athletic Director John Sparacio, who noted that a perfect nine out of nine fall varsity teams achieved New York State Scholar Athlete Team status. Honored high school student-athletes included girls soccer players Dakota Dieumegard and Brielle Zink, who received All-County honors; Ronan Montana, All-County boys soccer; Maggie Hayes, girls volleyball Academic All-County; gymnasts  Nicolette Ferraro (All-County), Isabella Field (All-County and State Qualifier) and Brianna Lanza (All-County); girls tennis All-County honorees Ava Andria, Ciara Hand, Alexandra Hillman, Maya Levy and Sarah Scheidell; and football players Matt Ferraro and Kaiden Lewis (All-County) and Jake Lindskog and Joseph Vitale (Academic All-Division).

Date Added: 3/9/2023

Sixth graders at Islip Middle School participated in a career exploration activity at the end of January, in which they learned about John Holland’s theory of career development. To test their knowledge on the theory, students were split into two teams and competed against each other in a game of Career Pictionary. Students had to use their artistic skills and guess the career their classmate was drawing. However, in order to gain a point for their team, students had to inform school counselor Sara Comiskey what personality type from Holland’s theory to which the career belonged, such as “teacher = social,” “scientist = investigative” or “graphic designer = artistic.”

Date Added: 1/31/2023