Islip’s Board of Education congratulated a dozen dedicated faculty members on their recent tenure appointments during the Board’s Sept. 25 business meeting. Recognized for this important career achievement were Islip School District Director of Technology, Innovation and Information Systems Chad Walerstein; Islip Middle School teachers Joseph Sabbatino and Alison Sweet; Commack Road Elementary School teachers Jillian Bohnaker, Christine LeMaire, Theresa Oberer, Stephanie Schumacher and Nicole Scicutella; and Wing Elementary School teachers Danielle McDonald and Maria Scammell. Wing Elementary School teacher Chelsea Panzica and Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School teacher Ashley Slane also recently received tenure but will be recognized at a future Board meeting.

“The achievement of tenure is an important milestone in every young teacher’s career,” Acting Superintendent of Schools Kathleen O’Callaghan said. “We are proud of these remarkable educators and the hard work, effort and dedication to their students they have demonstrated.”

Date Added: 10/2/2024

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has designated Islip High School as a Scholar-Athlete School of Excellence winner for the 2023-2024 school year. School of Excellence status requires that 75% of varsity teams receive the association’s Scholar-Athlete team award. To qualify for the Scholar-Athlete award, 75% of a team’s players must have a grade-point average for the season equal to or greater than 90%. This year, 226 New York State schools were given the School of Excellence designation.

Date Added: 10/2/2024

On a sunny Sept. 14, the school community of Islip celebrated homecoming pride all day long, beginning with a joyful parade from the Oconee East Diner to Islip High School. First up were the Fire Department, Board of Education members, and district and school administrators as well as the high school’s marching band, cheerleaders and kickline. Islip Middle School, Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School, Commack Road Elementary School and Wing Elementary School were all enthusiastically represented with marchers bearing banners, while the high school’s students offered grade-level floats including the seniors’ winning “Under the Sea-niors” octopus creation. Following the parade, students and the community walked to the high school’s soccer field for the annual carnival, which featured games, inflatable slides and a memorable dunk tank.

The varsity football team came out pumped and ready to show off their skills and Islip pride, bursting through the banner held by the cheerleaders and champing at the bit to start their Suffolk III opener against Kings Park. The Bucs got on the board quickly, thanks to Jake DeGennaro returning a punt for a 62-yard touchdown, and walked off the field with a 34-20 victory. In other highlights, Christian Hall scored on a 55-yard blocked field goal return, and rushed for 75 yards and a TD. Quarterback Brady Nash passed for 190 yards, going 12-for-16, and rushed for 60 yards and a TD. Dylan Smith racked up three sacks and four catches for 110 yards, while Robbie Rais and Caden Tierney added two sacks apiece.

At the beginning of halftime, the school announced Homecoming King Jason Cuttler and Homecoming Queen Brianna Gabbidon. Shalaya Coke, Sophia Martinez, Nicole Matute, Brady Nash, John Oggeri, Josiah Patterson, Dylan Ruland and Tatyana Wilson rounded out this year’s homecoming court.

“I look forward to homecoming every year,” student union adviser Kristen D’Attoma said. “The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time marching in the parade. The carnival was fun for everyone, but I think the crowd favorite was getting to dunk their teachers and administrators in the dunk tank.”

Date Added: 9/19/2024

Islip High School’s 2024 Hall of Fame inductees were honored in front of their friends and families on the evening of Sept. 13, as the newest plaques on the Hall of Fame wall in the school’s main lobby were proudly unveiled by Assistant Principal Meghan Stern with assistance from teacher and Hall of Fame Committee member Renee Clock. The inductees then enjoyed a formal induction ceremony and dinner at Marconi Manor.

This year’s honorees were longtime Islip Middle School staff member Mickey Hrubes, Class of 1986 graduate Daniel Mitola, Class of 1999 graduate Billy Richards, Class of 1972 graduate Dr. Karen Dineen Wagner and the 2016 Islip High School cast and crew of “Big Fish.”

Hrubes, who worked in the district for almost 50 years, was honored for her major contributions to Islip’s schools. After beginning her career as a cafeteria monitor at Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School in 1969, she worked in Islip Middle School’s cafeteria and assistant principal’s office, where she became known as “the heart of the middle school.”

Mitola served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate, commander and chief legal officer of the Air Operations Center, participating in Operation Enduring Freedom and retiring as a colonel in 2020.  He also served as senior legal mentor to Liberia’s armed forces and liaison to that nation’s ministers of justice and national defense, and as counsel to New York State Sen. Caesar Trunzo.

Richards is a veteran who served for four years in the Marines infantry and three years as a paratrooper over three deployments. He has competed in over 700 fitness events since 2010 and fundraises to help struggling veterans. In 2015, Richards began carrying the American flag during every event to honor military and first responders, and has carried it in over 600 fitness events. In 2019, he became the fourth person in the world to run a 100-mile race 37 times in a year, and the only one do it while carrying the flag.

Dr. Wagner, a renowned psychiatrist, was unable to attend the induction in person; her brother, Islip Board of Education President Phil Dineen, accepted on her behalf. After a fellowship in child/adolescent psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, she began her current position in 1997 as a professor in the University of Texas Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Wagner has served in leadership roles in national and international organizations, and is a past president of the American Academy of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry.

The high school’s production of “Big Fish” was nominated for six Teeny Awards, winning Best Male Role and Outstanding Female Cameo. The group persevered through moving the production from the high school auditorium to the CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale when the auditorium roof collapsed, and many of the students involved continued in the field of theater after graduation.

“I would like to congratulate all the Islip inductees into the Islip Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Kate O’Callaghan, Islip’s acting superintendent of schools. “Our Buccaneer community appreciates all that you have done in making a positive contribution for our students and staff. Your accomplishments and connections to our community will empower students to thrive and succeed. This celebration of service embodies the Islip way of school partnership and family engagement.”

Date Added: 9/19/2024

Islip High School senior and varsity golfer Jacob Petelin recorded a hole-in-one at Timber Point Golf Course on Sept. 3. His accomplishment, on the second hole of the White Course, was Petelin’s third career hole-in-one.

“I took out my pitching wedge on the 132-yard par 3,” Petelin said. “I wanted to flight the ball left of the pin and have it roll down. I got my line, struck it perfect and was shocked when it disappeared into the hole.”

Date Added: 9/12/2024