The IMS Connection

Greetings,

We have been rather fortunate so far with the weather. Our students were able to enjoy outside recess more than expected for the month of January. While the weather has been mild, there is always the possibility of snow in the near future. This is a good time for a reminder . . . when a delayed opening has been called, there is no Period 0 (band, orchestra, chorus, early physical education, extra help, or computer lab class). The 120 minute delay schedule is posted on the middle school eBoard.

Cumulative averages are being tallied now that the first semester has been completed. National Junior Honor Society and Renaissance criteria are posted in the student planner, which should answer a number of questions. Please note, all students are considered; however, the criteria includes grades, attendance, and behavior, which form the foundation of the programs and not all students are eligible at the end of each quarter or year. In an effort to monitor the integrity of the programs, the criteria set forth will be what we use to determine eligibility.

By this time, I should have received all educational requests for next year’s placements. These requests are not a requirement, as all students will be placed based on the most appropriate program meeting their needs. If you did not receive a reply letter from me, please resubmit.

Kind regards,

Timothy Martin

Congratulations to all the Renaissance Card Holders who attended the last rally recognizing your Quarter 1 success! We had a great time celebrating and winning prizes! Keep up the hard work and dedication. We look forward to celebrating with you again!

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching the half-way point of the 2019-20 school year. So many wonderful things have taken place thus far with many more to come. IMS has many clubs and activities to offer our students and there is something nearly every day of the week. Check the IMS e-Board for more information on all club offerings; it’s not too late to get involved. Also, late winter sports are in full swing and contests will be starting soon, so come on out and show your support for the IMS Bucs.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate the cast and crew of Frozen Jr. For those of you that missed it last week, over 80 Islip Middle School students put on an amazing production. The production ran for 3 days and filled the auditorium of the Islip Middle School to near maximum capacity during all three performances. The skill and talent demonstrated by the students was astounding and the energy on stage was palpable, so much so, that by curtain call some of the audience members were brought to tears. That performance is going to be a tough act to beat, but I am sure our students will rise to the challenge for next year’s performance.

If you remember, last month our New Year’s Resolution was to be the best we can be. Well our staff, student, and parent surveys are now complete and we will be analyzing the results and use your feedback to guide how we move forward, so we can be the best we can be together.

Kindness and Compassion… We continue to share character traits that express qualities we all like to see in our community. Parents are encouraged to discuss and demonstrate how kindness and compassion benefit all.

Please re-check the district calendar prior to an event to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

3 Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 p.m., HS Faculty Room

5 District String Festival, 7:00 p.m., MS Auditorium

6 Islip HS Curriculum Course Tour (grades 8-11 students and families), 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., HS

7 Report Cards Posted to Portal

7 SEPTA Sweetheart Dance 6:30 p.m., MS

11 BOE Meeting 7:30* p.m., MS Library

12 District Art Show 6:30 p.m., HS Auditorium, lobby

14 Happy Valentine’s Day

14 (Inclement weather date) SEPTA Sweetheart Dance

17 - 21 School Closed—Mid Winter Recess

24 IDEA Coalition Task Force, 7:00 p.m., HS Community Room

25 Budget Workshop/BOE Mtg. 7:30* p.m., MS Auditorium & Library

26 (Inclement weather date) District Art Show

*Unless otherwise noted, all Board of Education meetings will begin with an Executive Session at 6:45 p.m.. The public business meeting portion will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m..

Please re-check the district calendar prior to an event to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

2 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

4 (Inclement weather date) Barnes & Noble Book Fair

4 SEPTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m., HS Community Room

6 MS Progress Reports Posted to Portal

10 Budget Workshop/BOE Meeting 7:30* p.m., MS Auditorium & Library

13 Progress Reports Posted to Portal

18 Islip Cultural Night, HS Cafeteria/Auditorium 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

23 MS Spring Sports Begin

23 PTA/SEPTA Joint Meeting, 7:00 p.m., MS Library

24 Budget Workshop/BOE Meeting 7:30* p.m., MS Auditorium & Library

30 IDEA Coalition Task Force, 7:00 p.m., HS Community Room

*Unless otherwise noted, all Board of Education meetings will begin with an Executive Session at 6:45 PM. The public business meeting portion will begin at approximately 7:30 PM.

Team 7 Purple is enjoying the school year and in addition to presenting academic context, the teachers place much emphasis on the importance of kindness, responsibility, respect, and leadership. We hope to teach students to be their own advocates and, most importantly, to believe in their self-worth.

In Social Studies, the students are tracing the exciting development of our nation, and will examine the structure of the U.S. Government. They are also engaging in challenging readings and closely analyzing primary sources, in addition to developing organizational skills and study techniques.

As for English class, the students are reading and analyzing multiple genres of literature. We focus on strengthening students’ abilities to read, write, listen, and speak the English language. We have been enjoying short stories, poems, and novels!

7 Purple has both Spanish and Italian. The World Language classes have been learning vocabulary, language structure, conversation and culture. Spanish students learned about Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations; on the other hand, Italian students will learn about how Carnevale (Mardi Gras) is celebrated in different Italian cities.

In Science, students continue to apply the science skills that they learned in the first quarter of the year. Students are either continuing with their study of matter in its most basic form or are learning to measure the physical properties that make up all forms of matter. Throughout the rest of the year, students will study the forces that interact with all objects and the energies that are behind those forces.

In Math, the new Next Generation Standards are integrated into daily lessons. The students are being challenged to not only answer but also justify results. Throughout the year, there is a continuous emphasis on vocabulary and test taking strategies. Please encourage your child to attend extra help as needed.

Team 7 Purple looks forward to continuing a successful school year, and we encourage both parents and students to check out E-Boards and the Parent Portal for updates in classes. Thank you to the parents and guardians of our students for their continued support.

The Family & Consumer Science department has been busy this year incorporating many hands on experiences for the students. Mrs. Sauer’s 7th grade classes are finishing the semester with the cooking unit. They began the unit preparing dog biscuits that were donated to the Islip Animal Shelter. They also enjoyed baking sugar cookies, chocolate chip blondies, cinnamon buns, banana bread as well as pizza. Not to mention all from scratch! Earlier in the year they used their creativity to design a pillow and used four hand sewing stitches to complete the project. Her 6th grade classes had a relaxing, fun experience learning how to hand sew including sewing buttons. Once the projects are complete, students can take them home and show off their accomplishment! The nutrition unit followed and taught the importance of making healthy food choices as well as reading and understanding food labels. Mrs. Sauer culminated the unit by demonstrating strawberry spinach salad and nutritious blueberry muffins which also prepared students for the cooking unit. Currently, students are learning how to read and follow directions, use proper measuring techniques as well as teamwork and cooperation.

Both sixth and seventh grade cooking groups from Mrs. DeSena’s and Mrs. Sauer’s classes are working hard to earn the new Golden Spoon Award. This is an incentive for groups to strive for excellence in cooperation, teamwork and time management during food labs. One group in each class will receive a certificate of recognition along with their group picture displayed in the “FACS Hall of Fame.” In Mrs. DeSena’s seventh grade classes, students learned about advertising techniques used by large companies. Students applied their marketing knowledge in creating their own business “shopping bag” which would serve as a “walking advertisement” for their company! Sixth grade ended the Child development unit with the highly anticipated simulation parenting “Egg Baby” project. The effort and creativity from all the fall semester FACS classes have been fantastic!

Welcome to the dark days and freezing temperatures of winter. Though the weather outside is cold, it’s still a good idea to bundle the kids up and get them outside for fresh air! Sicknesses seem to be present in winter because everyone is cooped up in confined spaces. It’s healthy to get out and play. However, remember it’s the dark days, so make sure to use reflective or bright outer clothing.

In health class, we finished the first half of the year with great success. The 7th graders completed units in Bullying and Drugs. They discussed hazing, fighting, bullying, and strong feelings. In 8th grade, we learned about stress and stress prevention techniques. We also discussed the dangers of prescription medications, heroin, and the deaths that go along with them.

I hope you have a wonderful spring, and make sure to get out and support the Bucs Spring teams!

Be Healthy,

Collin Smith

Islip Middle School students know something that the Lego Corporation has only just learned: LEGOS ARE AWESOME FOR ALL AGES! In a recent Washington Post article, author A. Bhattarai shares that the world’s largest and most profitable toymaker, Lego, plans to sell kits to a new customer, today’s STRESSED-OUT ADULT! The eighty-seven year old Danish company is reported to be marketing Legos to Generation X adults (aged 40-54) tapping into a nostalgia of easier times.

It is reported that more and more adults are using Legos in their search for modern day tranquility. The toy giant has been revamping instruction manuals to make kits foolproof for frazzled adults and has even introduced a line of koi and shark models with soothing movements. (The Week, 1/2020)

If only the Legos marketers had consulted with our middle school students. They would learn that IMS students of all ages, are enjoying down-time from classwork and lunchroom noise to gather around library tables to build assorted figures, buildings, vehicles, cityscapes in a stress-free zone.

Sports Physicals

Physicals for spring sports season will be held by appointment only on Monday, March 9, 2020.

Please call the Health Office at 631-650-8525 or stop in to make an appointment.

New York State requires all 7th grade students to have the following screenings:

Hearing

Vision-(Near & Far)

Scoliosis (girls only)

Physical

If any of these screenings are missing on your child's physical examination, they will be completed at the Health Office.

The school doctor will see students who have not provided a current physical.

President—Jennifer Sanders Vice President—Colleen Kurka

Secretary—Jean De Lucca Treasurer—Denise Nash

Thank you to all who came out for our January PTA meeting. We had a great turnout and learned a lot about the options open to our students who will be moving on to the High School next year.

We welcome your feedback and look forward to having more information available to parents at curriculum night. We would also like to thank Mr. LaRochester and the High School Guidance department for coming to the meeting and talking with our Middle School Parents.

SEPTA fun times in 2020!

Please add the following dates to your calendar.

February 7, 2020

Sweetheart Dance, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. IMS

(Inclement weather date) February 14, 2020

February 8, 2020

Bowling starts at East Islip Lanes

(download the flyer above)

Please keep an eye out for our Sign up Genius.

We are in need of donations of food and raffle baskets for our Sweetheart Dance.

Warm regards,

Fred Henning

Septa VP

• If students wish to participate in outside recess, it is their responsibility to dress appropriately; once outside, students are not permitted back inside until the end of the period.

• Parents are asked not to bring fast food to school during their child's lunch period.

• Birthday parties or other celebrations are not appropriate to have in the dining room; these must be pre-arranged and supervised by a staff member in a classroom.

• Students should not bring trays of food or oversized beverages into school as it causes a disruption to the dining room.

• Students should not be taken out of school during their lunch period if it can be helped.

• Beverages (Red Bull, Monster, coffee, hot drinks, etc.) and glass bottles are not permitted in school.

• If you have a known food allergy, the nurse should be notified immediately!

Should the opening of school be delayed, school canceled, or students dismissed early, families may expect a timely announcement to that effect via automated telephone message and on the following television, radio stations, and websites:

TV NEWS CHANNEL 12

FIOS 1 News

97.5 FM

WALK – 1370 AM

WHLI – B103 FM

WBAB – 102.3 FM

WBLI – 106.1 FM

www.cancellations.com

www.islipufsd.org

Reminder: If school is closed or dismissed early, all after school activities are canceled.

Website: islipufsd.org
Location: 211 Main Street, Islip, NY, United States
Phone: 631-650-8500
Facebook: facebook.com/IslipMS
Twitter: @IslipMS