The IMS Connection

Volume 16, Issue 2: October 2019

Our first month at IMS was simply outstanding. The positive energy is incredibly refreshing and I hope we can keep it going right through October.

Our after school clubs have begun, so ask your children what they are going to join. The Middle School keeps a current eBoard with a variety of information. Visit us on the Islip School District website, Twitter, and Facebook. There are many activities for every child to be involved in throughout the year. Click here to see the Middle School eBoard for club/activity information.

We are excited about the fun children have while they celebrate Halloween. Students are welcome to dress up during the day on Halloween. Please refer to the costume guidelines in this newsletter so we can continue our tradition in a fun, appropriate IMS manner. A spooky reminder, the "Spooktacular" is intended for our Wing, Sherwood, and Commack Road children only, not middle school children.

As a new school year begins, it is important to ask our parents for help in promoting student safety. Many children are permitted to explore all the Islip community has to offer once school lets out. It is essential for students to understand that Main Street is a busy road and crossing at walkways and street lights is imperative.

Students are not permitted to take late bus transportation if they are patronizing the vendors and shops on Main Street; transportation is available for students who participate in IMS clubs and other school-sponsored activities. During the regularly scheduled school day, students cannot leave school grounds for any reason. Please visit our district website to review our "Safety Plan".

We look forward to this being a banner year.

As always, feel free to contact me at tmartin@islipufsd.org.

Kind Regards,

Timothy P. Martin

zoom_out_map

Renaissance Rave

We are excited for a new school year!

Remember to review the Renaissance guidelines in the planner. It's not only about your grades but your character here at the Islip Middle School.

Looking forward to celebrating all of our 4th quarter Renaissance card holders this month.

The 2019-20 school year is off to an amazing start. With Meet the Teacher night behind us, it was a pleasure meeting so many of our IMS family members. Dr. Martin and I hope you had the chance to view our “Meet the Teacher Night” video. In that video we highlighted all the clubs and activities that IMS has to offer. We encourage your children to get involved in the many opportunities available to them. If you have not had a chance, please click on the video above or you can find it on the Islip Middle School YouTube page.

The year is progressing nicely and students are settling in to their new surroundings. Teachers are getting to know their students and crafting lessons that foster student engagement and a positive learning environment. During the first few weeks of school, we conducted many of our necessary drills. These drills help us determine if we need to make changes in our protocols but more importantly give students a sense of confidence that they will know what to do in the event of an emergency. Students did an amazing job! Dr. Martin and I also met with each team individually to establish the expectations for conduct at IMS. An important part of our discussion was on the importance of acceptance over tolerance. I am confident that our students have begun to understand this message, setting the stage for a great year at IMS.

As the year progresses we will be continuing with our IMS Climate and Culture Initiative. Dr. Martin and I will be looking closely at past surveys and making decisions on which surveys we will revamp and administer in the near future, so stay tuned.

Just to reiterate, it was a wonderful experience meeting so many of you at Meet the Teacher night. I look forward to working with all of the IMS learning community throughout the year.

ADVISORY THEME OF THE MONTH

October: Decision Making

The decisions we make define who we are, and each day Middle School students are faced with challenging decisions. This month we’ll be working with students on the decision-making process, whether it’s online, on social media, in the halls, or off campus. Please join us in discussing with your child how to make responsible and healthy choices.

1 Rosh Hashanah - School Closed

2 MS Clubs Begin - First Day

7 1st qtr. Progress Period Ends

9 Yom Kippur - District Closed

10 IDEA - Parent Presentation: Tim Shoemaker, 7:00 p.m., MS Auditorium

11 8th Grade Group Photo

11 PTA Yankee Candle Orders Due

14 Columbus Day - District Closed

15 Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m., MS Library

16 1st qtr. Progress Reports Posted to Portal

17 Rain Date for 8th Grade Group Photo

22 Hispanic Heritage Celebration

23-31 Red Ribbon Week

24 Internet Safety Night, MS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

29 Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m., MS Library

30 Halloween Spooktacular Event @ Islip Middle School, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

*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..

1 Emergency Sheltering Drill Early Dismissal (15 minutes before regular close of school)

4 MS Early Winter Sports Begin

5 No School for Students - Election Day/Superintendent's Day

7 MS Picture Make-Ups

8 1st Marking Period Ends

11 District Closed - Veteran's Day

12 Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m.* - WING

13 IDEA Parent Presentation: Dr. Stephen Dewey, 7:00 p.m., MS Auditorium

18 IMS PTA Meeting and Yankee Candle Order Pickup, 7:00 p.m., MS Library

19 Report Cards Posted to Portal

19 Board of Education Meeting, 7:30 p.m.* - MS Library

20 SEPTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. - SES Library

27-29 District Closed - Thanksgiving Recess

*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..

Security

The Islip Public Schools requests your assistance as we continuously strive to provide a safe, secure environment for our students, staff and community. If, at any time, you observe a situation that could potentially compromise the safety and security of our schools, please report these activities to security by calling the tip line at 859-I-TIP (or 650-8420). All calls will be kept confidential. Thank you for helping us make the Islip Schools safe for all!

Click here to read the Islip Public Schools - Districtwide Safety Plan.

Middle School Menus

Click here for the MIDDLE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU.

Click here for the MIDDLE SCHOOL BREAKFAST MENU

Click here for the link to our Food & Nutrition page on our website

2018 Halloween Costume Rules/Guidelines

Dress-up for the students and teachers is optional.

Please keep in mind that the school dress code is in effect and the guidelines below should help you maintain the integrity of our dress code and still join in the Halloween Spirit.

All costume preparations are to be completed at home. (No dressing or applying of make-up or colored hairspray once students arrive at school.)
Practical and Safe - Students should be able to work at their desks and move throughout the building without being physically inhibited or a hazard to anyone.
Respectful/Not Controversial - They should not be offensive to a gender, nationality, race, or religious group.
Modest - Students must wear costumes that cover themselves and adhere to the dress code.
No masks are to be worn during the school day.
No COSTUMES THAT DEPICT VIOLENCE OR VIOLENT CHARACTERS.
Costumes that promote the use of illegal substances or activities or are derogatory or disrespectful are NOT allowed.
Teachers may take away any accessory that is used improperly or is considered inappropriate for school.
School rules regarding the dress code must be followed.
Students who have questions about the acceptability of their costume should check with their Advisory Teacher, their Guidance Counselor, Mr. Cohen, or Dr. Martin.
Students wearing inappropriate costumes will be sent to the office to call home for a change of clothes. Not following the rules and guidelines may result in disciplinary consequences.
It is important to remember that appropriate school behavior is expected on Halloween Day.
BE RESPECTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE!!

SEPTA

Don’t Wait – Participate! Support SEPTA

SEPTA is a local chapter of the National PTA and is a district wide organization open to everyone in the community. SEPTA is designed to build strong partnerships amongst parents, teachers, administrators, and the community, for the benefit of families and children receiving special education services. Our programs benefit our children with special needs or unique learning styles, as well as our children in general education settings.

The 2019-2020 school year will include presentations on a range of topics and fun events. Your membership dues and support of fundraising efforts directly benefit our students.

For more information please contact:
Marissa Peterson, President – islipfam@gmail.com
Fred Henning Vice-President- islipsepta@gmail.com

ISLIP SEPTA 2019-2020 MEMBERSHIP

Name _______________________________Phone Number ___________________

Email ____________________________ (Must include email to receive mailings)

Please check: Parent ____ Faculty _____ (Building) _________________

Please note each membership must be accompanied by a check or cash in the amount of $10.00 representing the Annual Dues per person. Please return the above information and dues, through SEPTA’s mailbox in the main office of your child’s building. Please label SEPTA on your envelope.

ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA

IMS PTA is off to a great start and back in full swing!

Meet the Teacher Night was a great success. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table and joined PTA! We are working really hard to increase membership and parent participation. Our PTA is successful when we all work together – parents, teachers, administrators, and students. We all have one common goal – success for our children.

Our next PTA meeting will be on November 18th, at 7:00 PM in the MS Library.

Thanks to all who are participating in the Yankee Candle fundraiser. Orders are due October 11th. You can order online at www.yankeecandlefundraising.com and use Group #990017180. Our Spirit Wear Sale is next. Please look for the flyer coming home soon. Proceeds from both will go toward educational and fun assemblies for our students.

We need volunteers! Volunteers are needed for various committees including hospitality, yearbook, fundraising, and more. Please email IslipMiddleSchoolPTA@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.

Have a question but don’t want to ask publicly? Email the PTA and we will address the question at the meeting during the Frequently Asked Questions portion. We want the PTA to be a valuable resource to all and to help bridge a connection between home and school.

If you have already joined, thank you. If you haven’t, please consider joining the Middle School PTA. There is no obligation to volunteer when you join. Your PTA dues are a donation and any money raised from dues and fundraising goes directly to our students. You can join by visiting nyspta.force.com/UnitLookup or downloading the membership form on the IMS website e-board and sending it into the main office.

The PTA will be hosting a "Welcome Back" staff breakfast. Please keep an eye out for the sign up genius to donate items to treat our middle school staff to a delicious breakfast on October 11th. A special thanks to our teachers for dedicating themselves to our children every day. We also thank our teachers for their involvement in the IMS PTA.

This year’s meetings are January 13, 2020, March 23, 2020, and May 11, 2020 at 7 PM in the Middle School library. Please save the dates.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Sanders, IMS PTA President

If you have any questions or would like to be an IMS PTA volunteer, please feel free to contact us at IslipMiddleSchoolPTA@gmail.com.