During the Town Meeting Finale at Islip’s Wing Elementary School, school counselor Victoria DiOrio and school social worker Allison Rutsky talked with the children about all of the character traits they had learned this year, such as fairness, caring, honesty, respect, giving, kindness and responsibility. In preparation for the May 23 event, each Wing student in kindergarten and first grade created their own superhero and discussed the special character trait they would like to have as their superpower. First grade sisters Loralei and Waverly Lamneck chose kindness as their superpower, and later came up with a special idea on how to spread kindness to others and give back to the community, inspired by DiOrio’s reading of the book “Strictly No Elephants.”

“The book is about a boy and his tiny pet elephant,” Rutsky said. “He wanted to join the Pet Club with his elephant, but wasn’t allowed because his pet was different than the other animals. At the end of the story, the boy decided to form his own club that included all kinds of animals in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Waverly and Loralei enjoyed the story and thought about creating their own Kindness Club that includes everyone in both of their classes. The girls invited all of the members to their house.”

“We came up with the idea of the Kindness Club so people can be kind to each other,” Waverly Lamneck said, “We wanted to be sure that the Kindness Club included everyone in our classes. First, we made invitations for the club and put it in everyone’s folders. We met two times so far at our house. The first time, we made cards for people in the hospital to help make them feel better. We also played with bubbles and chalk.”  

“The second time we met, we made birthday boxes to give to the food pantry for children in need,” Loralei Lamneck said. “Each birthday box had cake mix, icing and a can of Sprite. Our mom told us that you can bake a cake with Sprite! It’s not fair if you don’t have cake for your birthday. Everyone needs sweets on their birthday. We are still thinking of ideas to do at our next meeting.”

“The hospital sent a letter to thank the Kindness Club for spreading kindness and generosity,” Rutsky said. “It is wonderful to see that Lorelai, Waverly and the Kindness Club members have generalized what they have learned from our Town Meetings at school, and chose to spread kindness in their own creative ways.” 

Date Added: 6/18/2024

The Islip School District recognized numerous exceptional student and Board member accomplishments on May 13 at the spring Night of Champions event, held during the Board of Education meeting.

Elementary and secondary students who demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, art, music and leadership received certificates honoring their achievements in front of their proud families.

Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz and music teachers honored students who were selected for SCMEA Division 1 All-County honors in band (Addison Auciello, Jackson Bosley, Alice Champion, Lily Champion, Cassidy Chandler, Makenzy Covelli, Ashleigh Galyardt, Nicolette Powers, Marleigh Stumme, Elisabeth Volk and Murphy Wallace), chorus (Lily Ahlgren, Jason Desir, Na’ilah Farrell, Colten Grace, Giuliana Hubert, Jace Hunt, Taylor Juillet, Gavin Kirchner, Stella Krakaur, Samuel Massa, Juliet McEnaney and Gabriella Valdiviezo) and orchestra (Chelsea Cooper, Milani Clendaniel, Emerson Cox, Titley Das, Christopher Liang and Keelin Rao); for SCMEA Division 2 All-County in band (Tillie Ancipink, Gwen McEnaney, Teagan Quinn and Megan Soto), chorus (Shea Alfano and Donna Mandamiento) and orchestra (Ryan Brown and Malcolm Friedman); for SCMEA Division 3 All-County in band (Joshua Alarcon, Kathleen Desrochers, Nicholas Gulick and Jadyn Zink), chorus (Tiana Arroyo, Addison DeFalco and Juliana Sclafani) and orchestra (Alexandra Fitch).

Next, Hershkowitz and art teacher Lisa Sacco recognized the students selected for the SCALA All-County Scholarship Show (Breanna Questel), The Atelier at Flowerfield Juried Art Show (Alexarae Casas, Eva Diesso, Ryan Donohue, Samantha Krut, Nelysa Petersen, Kathiangelys Rios Cruz and Katalina Villalba) and the Long Island Museum’s Colors of Long Island (Aaron Thorn and Sofia Zurbaran).

Islip High School administrators honored the students chosen for this summer’s American Legion Boys State (alternate Mason Nasta and primaries John Oggeri and Dijimon Senior) and American Legion Auxiliary Empire Girls State (alternates Aliannah Madriz and Melanie Marroquin, and citizens Elizabeth Ford and Kathryn Quinn) programs.

Islip High School Principal Lara Gonzalez then recognized Class of 2024 salutatorian Erica De Lapi and valedictorian Jaci Narducci.

Athletic Director John Sparacio and several of his coaches presented sports recognitions for the winter 2024 season to high school student-athletes including boys basketball player Andrew Owen (Academic All-County); girls basketball player Carley Mullins (All-County); competitive cheerleaders Jasmin Fields-Robinson (Academic All-County) and Makaila Preston (All-County); boys bowler Gavin Connell (perfect game); boys winter track athletes Matthew Breslin (All Long Island in pole vault) and Kaiden White (All-League, All-County, All-State and All-Long Island 300-meter champion); girls winter track athletes Wilorda Frenel (All-Sectional 4x200 relay champion), Brianna Gabbidon (All-Sectional 4x200 relay champion, All League in 55- and 300-meter, All-County in 300-meter), Imani Hood (All-Sectional 4x200 relay champion, All League in 55- and 300-meter, All-County and All-Section in 300-meter) and Brooke-Lynne Martin (All-Sectional 4x200 relay champion); and wrestlers Dominick Albertelli (All-County), Zachary Miller (All County, All-State) and Jared Spahn (All County, All-State).

Superintendent Dr. Dennis O’Hara presented New York State School Boards Association recognitions, which acknowledge Board members who continue to expand their governance knowledge and skills by participating in NYSSBA training, workshops, events, activities and webinars. This year, three Islip Board members earned awards from NYSSBA for their ongoing educational efforts. Matthew Clareen won a Level 4 Lifetime Achievement Award and Danielle Flora and Laura Rogacki earned Level 3 Board Mastery Awards.

Additionally, Regina Sanko, a school monitor at Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School, was given “Above & Beyond” recognition by Dr. O’Hara and Sherwood Principal Briana James for her efforts in assisting a student who was choking during lunch.  

Date Added: 6/3/2024