The IMS Connection

The Spooktacular has come and gone; what an exciting afternoon we had. Check out all the fun photos on our Instagram. Thanksgiving is on the way which means the unofficial start of the holiday season is upon us. Seems like just yesterday we were saying Welcome Back as we tried on our new sneakers and backpacks.

Once again, the CARE Club is working on our annual food drive. The donations will go directly to Islip’s food pantry. It is an opportunity for us to truly make a difference in our community by helping our neighbors in need. Non-perishable donations can be sent in with children to their Advisory.

For all of our veterans who are entering service, serve, have served, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we extend our gratitude. November is about gratefulness in IMS, and our learning community does not run short on this character trait. As we all reflect on what we have to be thankful for, we wish our entire middle school learning community an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Thank you again for your support. As always, feel free to contact me at tmartin@islipufsd.org.

Warm regards,

Dr. Timothy Martin

Principal

Islip Middle School

IMS Families,

Well, we are in full swing. We’ve had our second spirit week in honor of Red Ribbon Week, “Good Choices Positive Voices.” We’ve had a visit in October from Cohen Childrens Medical Center regarding bullying prevention and awareness. Maggie from Cohen will return in November to push into health classes to educate students on the impact vaping has on overall health and the breakdown of myths vs facts in the world of vaping. Our food drive for the holidays is up and currently running. Please feel free to send in a non-perishable contribution; it will go to good use and have a positive impact on someone’s celebration.

IMS Bucs cross county, football, and girls soccer are working hard toward a successful season. On most days, you can walk the hallways after school and enjoy the IMS Cheerleaders practicing cheers, catch a quick preview of “ELF” as they work diligently at rehearsals, or enjoy one of a multitude of clubs currently running. IMS is truly a great place to spend the day.

Our advisory theme for November is Empathy, Gratitude, & Thankfulness. Staff and students are doing a wonderful job at creating a connection to their school as well as their community. Some activities will include our building bulletin board, “In November, we remember to be grateful,” the IMS “Scavenger Hunt activity,” students will search out individual letters and figure out the secret word.

The CARE Club is continuing their Donation Drive Advisory Contest until November 15th. Popular donations have been stuffing, cake mix, canned veggies, soups, gravy, juices, and coffee. Monday, November 13th is World Kindness Day. IMS will recognize that day by vowing to act with kindness! Advisories will receive post-it notes and students will share a positive message which will be displayed throughout the school.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the BIG things.

-Robert Brault

Grateful for being a member of this school community. You are truly wonderful!!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Curt Juengerkes

Assistant Principal

631-850-8515

cjuengerkes@islipufsd.org

November: Empathy, Gratitude and Thankfulness

Focusing on empathy, we will remind ourselves that our journey together is always better when we don’t simply tolerate others who are different from us, but accept them as they are, understand their experience, and empathize with them. With Thanksgiving approaching, we will also focus on gratitude for everyday helpers and especially for our healthcare workers.

Drama Club is back at it again with Mrs. Montuori and Miss Jessy! This musical season we can't wait to spread some holiday cheer by singing loud for all to hear! This modern-day holiday classic, "Elf The Musical Junior" is sure to make every young performer embrace his or her "inner elf."

Show dates are:

November 16th at 6pm

November 17th at 7pm

November 18th at 11am

We are GRATEFUL for YOU! October was a fantastic month! We had our Annual Trick-or-Treat Event in the building for ALL IMS Students! Our IMS students really stepped up this first quarter! We can't wait to celebrate with our first Renaissance Raffle of the year! Stay tuned for the card validation and raffle dates. Students will receive their Renaissance Cards very soon. Keep up the great work, IMS! LOOK GOOD! FEEL GOOD! DO GOOD!

October was an exciting time in the Guidance Department (but when is it not an exciting time in the Guidance Department?!) Counselors teamed up with IMS Student Government to host a New Entrant Breakfast for students just beginning their journeys here in Islip. We played games, took part in ice breaker activities, ate delicious bagels and cookies, and ultimately escaped the New Entrant Breakfast through a series of puzzles and brain teasers! One student was heard saying, “These puzzles were so fun!” It’s safe to say these new entrants really enjoyed their warm welcome! We are so excited to have each and every one of our new students! Take a look at some snapshots of the exciting morning we had!

The 6th graders had an opportunity to mix up their lunch tables and complete a fun activity with peers they don’t normally sit with. The goal of the activity was to find similarities with other students and make new friends. The students used great communication skills and found similar interests with peers they would have never known! The end of the activity involved building the highest tower out of index cards and the students used their best teamwork skills!

This past month, sixth grade students registered for their student portal, just like the seventh and eighth graders did in the past. The student portal helps students to keep track of their assignments, grades, and attendance in real time! If your child needs assistance with their portal, or needs their password reset, please have them visit their counselor in the guidance office. For information on how to access and navigate the student portal, visit the IMS Counselor website!

Students should keep an eye out for Karaoke with the Counselors! On inclement weather days, when students are inside for recess, counselors often put together a karaoke set up in the auditorium. The energy is contagious, and it is fun for all!!

Place your winter plant order!

Orders are due by Friday, 11/10/23.

Pickup will be at Islip Middle School on Tuesday, 12/5/23 from 3pm-6pm.

After submitting your form, please send payment (via Venmo) to @Colleen-Balsamo. Be sure to add "Plant sale + your last name" into the Venmo notes.

(**for alternate payment arrangements, please contact Griselda Lovo at gris.lovo@gmail.com**)

**If payment is not received by 7am on 11/11/23, your order will not be placed**.

Each section contains different colors/options of the category. The categories of items for sale are:

• 6.5" Poinsettias (red, white, ice punch, or blue)
• 10" Poinsettias (red, white, or blue)
• 12" wreaths (decorated, undecorated, or with red velvet bow)
• 16" wreaths (decorated or with red velvet bow)
• table top decorations (2 varieties)
• 
  

Click through the sections to choose the items you want to order! Calculate totals (number of items & cost) at the end.

Thank you for your support!!!

Islip Middle School PTA ~ WINTER PLANT SALE (google.com)

Ms. Evans and Ms. Breig would like to send a big thank you to the National Junior Honor Society volunteers, Sharika, Devyn, Allison, Alexa, and Rosselin for their help at the Sherwood Book Fair on Thursday, October 12th. They made the activities fun for the kiddos, and they were key in making Sherwood's event a success! We truly appreciate the help and support received from NJHS.

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

2- Picture Makeup Day, during lunch periods

7-Election Day, No School for Students

9-MS/HS Marking Period Ends

10- Veterans Day, District Closed

13- MS Early Winter Sports Begin

16- MS Musical, 6pm, MS

17- MS Musical, 7pm, MS

18- MS Musical, 11am, MS

22-24- Thanksgiving Recess, Schools Closed

30- BOE Meetings, 6pm, Wing

*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.

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

11- BOE Meeting, 6pm, CRES

14- 7th & 8th Grade Winter Concert, 7pm, MS Auditorium

15- MS/HS Progress period ends

21- 6th Grade Winter Concert, 7pm, MS Auditorium

25-1 Winter Recess, District Closed

*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.

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