Islip High School students participating in the Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and Knowledge (SPARK) program at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) recently visited the lab to work on a beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLSII). SPARK provides high schoolers with an opportunity to become visiting researchers at the lab’s scientific facilities.

The young Islip scientists, in conjunction with fellow high schoolers from Eastport-South Manor High School, are working to determine the structure of a protein that has never been resolved before: a Beta-lactamase that plays a role in antibiotic resistance.  After trying to grow the crystals themselves without success, they worked collaboratively with Dr. Scott Lovell at Kansas University. He grew the crystals with his far superior lab equipment, then shared the images with the students remotely. They selected the crystals most likely to produce good data, and Dr. Lovell shipped them to Long Island. With the help of NYX beamline scientist Dr. Kevin Battaile, students gathered data on a total of eight samples. The next step will be to use the imaging software Phenix and COOT to determine the protein structure. Islip students will be presenting their work at both the NSLSII Users Meeting and the OSSP Symposium at BNL later this spring.

Date Added: 4/9/2024

Islip High School Virtual Enterprise students recently visited a new local store, Redefine Meals, a healthy meal prep business. Students met with the owners and management team to learn about their business plan, target market, supply chain and logistics of the business.

“It was a great way for our entrepreneurial students to connect what they’ve learned in the classroom with real world businesses,” teacher Renee Clock said. “Students experienced a firsthand account of how two college students looking for a healthy, well-balanced meal turned that ‘want’ into a business idea. Our students were able to relate to the business plan idea, and asked about break-even configurations and customer and employee retention, among other topics.”

Date Added: 4/4/2024

The Islip High School PTSA’s recent Fashion Show was a huge success. The annual event acts as a fundraiser for scholarships and student events. For this year’s show, student Lucas Bohr served as the dapper master of ceremonies and Suffolk County Legislator Samuel Gonzalez was the guest announcer. Dresses were provided by the Town of Islip Youth Bureau, Sweet Simplicity of Islip and Nalu Dry Goods in Bay Shore.

“As always, the students who modeled and those who helped set up, organize and run the show did a fantastic job,” PTSA President Stacey Zurbaran said.

Date Added: 4/2/2024

Community Reader Day, a highlight of the two-week Pick a Reading Partner celebration at Wing Elementary School, welcomed local community members on the morning of March 14 to read favorite books to students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade.

2024 guest readers visiting Wing’s classrooms included Islip Board of Education Vice President Tom Leggio and trustees Paul Austin, Eric Buehler and Laura Rogacki; Superintendent Dr. Dennis P. O’Hara; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Michael Giacchetto; Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Administrative Services and Operations Donna Brower; Director of School Counseling Dr. Cynthia Fitzgerald; Fine and Performing Arts Director Michael Hershkowitz; Athletic Director John Sparacio; World Language/ENL Coordinator Rabia Hirji; Islip Middle School Assistant Principal Curt Juengerkes; Islip Middle School Dean of Students Jamie Wright; Commack Road Elementary School Principal Jacqueline Beckmann; Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School Principal Briana James; Suffolk County Legislator Samuel Gonzalez; Islip Town Receiver of Taxes Andy Wittman; and several of the district’s teachers.  

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our readers for sharing their stories and igniting a passion for reading in our young learners,” Wing Principal Catherine Glaser said.

Date Added: 4/2/2024

Continuing a fundamental annual event in Islip’s secondary schools, World Language Immersion Day took place at Islip Middle School on March 15. Juniors and seniors in Islip High School’s World Language Honor Society modeled usage, comprehensibility and proficiency of Italian and Spanish through various student-created activities for seventh-grade Islip Middle School language learners.

“Immersion Day is always a fun opportunity to encourage and engage students while promoting global citizenship through immersive collaboration,” World Language Honor Society adviser Megan Schierhorst said.

Date Added: 4/1/2024