Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year

August 31, 2026

Dear Islip Families,

The District is buzzing today - our faculty and staff returned this morning in eager anticipation of our students' arrival tomorrow. While today marked my 36th opening day as an educator, I still feel the same level of excitement and optimism as I did as a student so many years ago.

I write to you today to make several announcements. First among them is the introduction of three administrators new to Islip. I am happy to introduce Ms. Kerry Vann as our Interim Principal of Sherwood Elementary School. Ms. Vann comes to us following her retirement from the Bayport-Blue Point School District, where she was the Principal of Academy Street Elementary School for 16 years. Ms. Vann brings a wealth of experience and will be here to help us and serve our students' needs until we identify the next principal of Sherwood Elementary School.

New to us this year on an interim basis is Ms. Allyson Giaimo, who will serve as our Interim Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services. Ms. Giaimo comes to us after a lengthy and successful career in the Northport-East Northport School District, where she worked as a speech pathologist, the chairperson for elementary special education, the chairperson for secondary special education, and finally the director of secondary special education. In just a short time, Ms. Giaimo's knowledge, passion, and compassion are evident. Our students and families are in goods hands with Ms. Giaimo.

Also joining us in our special education department is Dr. Elizabeth Ruiz Quintana. Dr. Ruiz Quintana was the special education chairperson at G.W. Hewlett High School for 21 years before retiring this past June. We are most fortunate to have her with us filling a leave replacement positions as our Director of Special Education. Dr. Ruiz Quintana is a bilingual educator who also has experience as an assistant principal. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Vann, Ms. Giaimo, and Dr. Ruiz Quintana to Islip.

Lastly, this school year we have enhanced security at our elementary schools. I am happy to share that each elementary school will now have two security guards present for most of the school day. We are able to provide this additional security at our elementary schools without reducing school day coverage at the middle school or high school. While we feel secure with all of our safety measures and protocols, this enhancement will add additional support for our youngest learners.

Please see a brief welcome back video here, and I thank you for your continued partnership as we look forward to a successful 2026-2027 school year for all of our students.

Sincerely,
Dennis P. O'Hara, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools