Inside Islip Schools

The College Board recently recognized 26 current Islip High School seniors for achieving AP Scholar designations for 2023, a result of their outstanding hard work and success in college-level AP courses and exams. The Advanced Placement Program recognizes several different award levels.

Jeremy Carroll, Katherine Cottral, Louise Kane, Lawrence Lena, Emily Lewis, Raquel Luna, Melody Madrigal, Eric Maniscalco, Caitlyn McDonald, Luna Mendoza, Andrew Owen, Saul Pavlin, Hunter Pellicane and Michael Sanko were named AP Scholars, granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

Emma Cirulnick, Connor Mullins and Brenna Weber received AP Scholars with Honor designations, granted to those students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Parker Barry, Eagan Biscari, Erica De Lapi, Ryder Hansen, Maxwell Haynes, Jaci Narducci, Lia Pesiri and Charlie Zimmermann were named AP Scholars with Distinction, granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Additionally, Islip seniors Eagan Biscari, Ryder Hansen and Connor Mullins earned AP Capstone Diplomas, and seniors Jeremy Carroll, Emma Cirulnick, Brandon Garces, Eric Maniscalco, Jaci Narducci and Daniel Rubinson earned AP Seminar and Research Certificates.

On Nov. 2-4, Islip High School sponsored a college tour for students to the Boston and Connecticut areas. Along with nine chaperones, 95 sophomores, juniors and seniors experienced a three-day, seven-college transformational trip, visiting Bentley University, Boston College, Boston University, Harvard College, Northeastern University, UConn and UMass Boston.

Islip High School honored its 2023 Hall of Fame inductees on Oct. 14. Assistant Principal Meghan Stern and teacher and Hall of Fame Committee member Renee Clock unveiled the newest plaques in the school’s main lobby with the honorees and their families in attendance. The celebrants then adjourned to Marconi Manor for the formal induction ceremony.

This year’s honorees were former Islip School District librarian Ginger Michelini Carls, Class of 1958 graduate John Eden, Class of 1965 graduate John Monteleone, former Islip High School football and wrestling coach Joseph Patrovich, and the 55 members of the Islip High School 2004-2005 varsity wrestling team.

Five Islip High School seniors committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level next fall, signing letters of intent during a Nov. 9 ceremony in the school cafeteria with their proud families looking on. The student-athletes who signed were Dakota Dieumegard, who will play soccer at Mercy University; Keira Jantz, who will play softball at Mercy University; Kathryn Lettieri, who will play lacrosse at American International College; Lauren McSweeney, who will play softball at Mercy University; and Carley Mullins, who will play lacrosse at Mercer University.

Fifth graders at Commack Road Elementary School and Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School attended a terrific Nov. 16 daytime performance of “Elf the Musical” at Islip Middle School, directed and choreographed by Jessy Gill and Sheila Montuori. The superb cast featured IMS students from sixth through eighth grade.

Islip High School debuted a new First Responders Club this year, which meets weekly to explore both training and possible careers in the field. Student members recently earned certification in Stop the Bleed tourniquet training by certified science teacher Isabella Columbo. The club is also organizing a CPR training and certification course for students, as well as visits from guest speakers.

Islip High School’s varsity boys golf team finished an incredible 10-0 season as undefeated league champions, led by seniors Jacob Gordon, Ryan Kelly, Carlo Napolitano, Dylan Nieves, Andrew Owen, Dylan Rhodes, Jacob Shifter and Tyler Simonetti. From their 9-0 shutout opener against Brentwood to the final game, an 8-1 victory over East Islip, the Bucs dominated with skill and hard work.

During the previous school year, Islip’s Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School painted a huge sensory path on the school’s blacktop, designed to promote balance, increase blood flow to the brain, and provide sensory input and aerobic activity. Use of the path makes students more alert, prepared to focus in class and ready to learn.

Islip High School students Nicolette Ferraro, Isabella Field and Brianna Lanza qualified for and competed at the individual county gymnastics championships, held Nov. 1 at West Islip High School. Field placed second on floor exercise with a 9.6, third on balance beam with a 9.25 and fourth in all-around with a 36.725. She will represent Islip on the Section XI New York State gymnastics team next March in Buffalo, competing on balance beam and floor exercise as well as serving as an alternate for the all-around competition.

Thirty-seven Islip High School peer mentors recently participated in the Buccaneer University program’s first field trip, visiting Adventure Park in Wheatley Heights for an exciting team-building experience.

Islip High School’s two Virtual Enterprise International teams, FlexFuel and WaveSync, participated in the annual Long Island Regional Leadership Conference at Long Island University. Student executives from high schools all over Long Island gathered together this fall to learn and explore key leadership characteristics alongside industry professionals and mentors. Students worked in small groups based on the positions they hold in their respective firms. In these groups, students worked together to use critical thinking and leadership skills to address case studies and workplace challenge scenarios. Winning presentations from each breakout room advanced to the main stage of LIU’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. WaveSync CMO Erica De Lapi was one of the students chosen to present to the larger audience due to her innovative ideas and public speaking abilities.

Andrew Yenalevitch, a student at Commack Road Elementary School, was recently named a member of the Aaron Judge All Rise Book Club. During the summer break, he read a grade-level book and submitted a report to the Aaron Judge All Rise Foundation, founded by the New York Yankees captain to inspire children to become responsible citizens by engaging them in activities that encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities. Yenalevitch was presented with a certificate and prize bookmark to commemorate his membership.

Location: Administration Building - 215 Main Street, Islip, NY 11751
Phone: (631) 650-8200