John F. Kennedy
The Future Begins Here
September 2018
Contact us:
94 Woodland Drive, East Islip, New York 11730
Main Office: 631-581-1608 Attendance Line: 631-581-1354
Follow us on Twitter @jfkeipride
A Message From Our Principal...
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope that you had a wonderful summer vacation, filled with great adventures and many opportunities to learn!
We are excited to welcome the children entering third grade and all new entrants to our JFK Elementary School family. It will be wonderful to see our returning fourth and fifth grade students as well. We look forward to working with everyone to foster lifelong learning.
The JFK PTA has many exciting activities planned throughout the entire year and we hope that you will be able to attend these wonderful events. The first PTA meeting will be held on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 9:45 A.M. in our cafeteria. Our Meet the Teacher Night will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018 beginning at 6:30 P.M. More information about this very important night will be given out to students the first day of school. Please be aware that this is a night for parents. We have new plastic durable student folders that are color coded per grade. These are different colors from the students at Timber Point so that families will be able to easily identify them.
Whenever you can find the time, please encourage your child to read. Continual independent reading builds students’ fluency, background knowledge, and stamina. Comprehension skills and thinking processes are also enhanced by reading on a regular basis. Consider visiting the East Islip Public Library to not only take out books, but to enroll in the multiple activities they provide throughout the year.
Together, through collaboration and communication, we will make this school year a very successful one for you and your child. Please do not hesitate to call me with any concerns you may have. I can be reached at 631-581-1608 or e-mail me at dsmith@eischools.org.
On behalf of the entire staff at JFK Elementary School, we wish you a wonderful 2018-2019 school year!
Sincerely,
Deborah Y. Smith, Ed.D.
Principal
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East Islip Website
Central Office Administration
John V. Dolan- Superintendent of Schools
Stephen Harrison- Assistant Superintendent for Business
Paul E. Manzo- Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel
Eric Woellhof- Director of Facilities
Lisa M. Belz, Ed.D.- Executive Director of Special Education Grade 6-12
Aileen O’Rourke Ed.D.- Executive Director of Special Education Grade K-5
East Islip Board of Education
President…………...........Christopher Zachry
Vice President…….........William Carpluk
Trustee………...…............Steven Behan
Trustee……………….........Jessica Carney
Trustee..........................Philip Montuori Sr.
Our Vision Here At J.F.K.
News Around J.F.K.
PTA Update
Once again, we look forward to a great year filled with wonderful activities and assemblies provided by our hard working PTA. Please remember to join this outstanding organization. Your ideas, help and support are greatly appreciated. We welcome our president, Stephen Foray, his board of officers and committee chair people, and their many volunteers. We wish you all a great year!
New Parent Breakfast will take place on Monday, September 17th, 2018 @ 9:15 a.m.
Our first meeting will take place Monday, September 17th, 2018 @ 9:45 a.m. Please join us!
F.T.K. Update
Dates to Remember:
September 21—23, 2018 Carnival (Timber Point Elem.)
October 29, 2018 Taste of Life (Land’s End)
Important Dates to Remember
September 10, 11 Rosh Hashanah
September 19 Yom Kippur
October 8 Columbus Day
November 12 Veterans Day
November 22, 23 Thanksgiving
December 24 -January 1 Winter Recess
January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 18-22 Mid-Winter Recess
April 19-26 Spring Recess
May 27 Memorial Day
June 26 Last Day of School
0-1 Day lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 24th and May 28th
2 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 24th and school is open May 28th
3 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—School is open May 24th and May 28th
4 or more Days lost due to weather or other emergencies- School is open April 26 and working backwards based on total days lost
Emergency School Closings
One-Hour Delayed School Opening: 10:12 a.m.
Two-Hour Delayed School Opening: 11:12 a.m.
In the event that it becomes necessary to close the schools or delay the opening of school because of inclement weather or an emergency, the following stations will broadcast this information: News 12 Long Island, CW 11, WALK FM 97.5, WBLI FM-106.1, MAX FM-103.1, WKJOY-FM-98.3, District Website: www.eischools.org, Twitter: twitter.com/eischools and Facebook
DELAYED OPENINGS OR EARLY DISMISSALS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
The District will invoke procedures for delayed school openings or early dismissals as necessary when inclement weather or other emergency conditions result in potentially hazardous roads or facilities. A delayed opening will result in a one or two-hour delay of normal school hours.
Early Dismissal Times:
High School: 11:47 a.m.
Middle School: 12:32 p.m.
Connetquot Elementary School: 1:42 p.m.
John F. Kennedy Elementary School: 1:12 p.m.
Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School: 1:42 p.m.
Timber Point Elementary School: 1:12 p.m.
Things to Remember
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
Please reserve the evening of Thursday September 20th, so that you may meet your child’s teacher. This invitation is for all Parents and Guardians only.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
SCHOOL DAY
This year students will be admitted to their classes at 8:57 A.M. The school day begins at 9:12 A.M. Students will be dismissed at 3:12 P.M. Students arriving after 9:12 A.M. will be marked tardy. Information about the Before and After School Program is available by calling Mrs. Parker at (631) 224-2041.
Attendance
ATTENDANCE: Unless there is a legal excuse, your child must come to school every day and be on time. Please remember that the continuity of instruction is compromised when students stay home. If your child will not be in school, it is important that you call the attendance hotline at 631-581-1354 and leave a message. Homework can be sent home if this call is made early enough in the day. Absence Notes/Direct Telephone for Reporting an Absence: The State Education Department requires all pupils to bring a written excuse from parents or guardians in each case of absence and tardiness. If not submitted, these absences will be noted as illegal. These notes are required even if a parent notifies the teacher or calls the absentee line. A doctor’s note is required for 6 or more consecutive absences. For your child's safety, the school will call home to verify absenteeism. In order to keep the number of verification calls to a minimum, we strongly urge you to call our absentee hotline at 631-581-1354. This district has a telephone answering machine in each elementary school for the sole purpose of absentee reporting.
Thank you for your cooperation.
News from our Nurse
Welcome back to J.F.K. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I will be available on September 20th, Meet the Teacher Night, if you wish to stop by to see me. If your child needs to take any type of medication in school, please contact me as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Eileen Rogers Paradiso, R.N., BSN
***PLEASE NOTE
JFK is a latex safe school. Latex balloons will not be permitted in the JFK school due to severe allergies. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Please visit our district’s website to review the allergy and wellness policies.
New York Test Dates
For the 2018/2019 school year our 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders will be taking the NYS ELA Assessment in April and the NYS Mathematics Assessment in May. In addition, 4th Graders will take the NYS Science Assessment in May & June. Visit the NYS website at www.nysed.gov for information and practice materials.
Important Dates:
Exam & Administration Dates:
Grades 3, 4 & 5 ELA-April 2019
Grades 3, 4 & 5 Math- May 2019
Grade 4 New York State Science Performance Assessment- May 2019
Grade 4 New York State Science Written Assessment- June 2019
Breakfast Program and School Lunch Information
School Lunch- Students may either bring their lunch or purchase hot or cold lunch in the cafeteria. The cost of lunch is $2.00 and milk is 70¢. The district’s lunch provider will continue to use an electronic accounting system. You may deposit cash or checks into your child’s account. Please make the checks out to EIUFSD.
Breakfast Program- Breakfast is available from 8:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. The cost is 75¢. Please do not drop off your child before 8:30 AM, as there will be no supervision. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Help Wanted
Paraprofessional- If you are interested in a part-time paraprofessional substitute position, please call the personnel office at 224-2017.
Custodial Substitute- All shifts. Please send resume to East Islip School District, 1 Craig B. Gariepy Ave, Islip Terrace, NY 11752, Attn.: Buildings & Grounds Dept. or email to rspera@eischools.org $10/hour. EEO
Safety at J.F.K.
- Please do not drop off your child before 8:57 A.M. as there is no supervision. The school day begins at 9:12 A.M. Students will be dismissed at 3:12 P.M.
- Information about the Before and After School Programs is available by calling Stephanie Parker at (631) 224-2041.
- If you are picking your child up early, please be prepared to show photo ID. This continues to be the District’s policy. All doors to the building are kept locked. The buzzer to the right of the front doors will signal your arrival and you will be let in.
- If you are picking up your child, please remember that bus children need to be dismissed in an orderly and safe fashion. It makes it difficult when walkers and their parents congregate to talk and play in the bus loop after dismissal.
- Please take caution when walking or driving during arrival and dismissal. Our Aides, TAs and Crossing Guards are there for the safety of everyone. Please use the crosswalks. Do not walk across the bus loop.
- In an effort to teach responsibility, children are discouraged from returning to school to pick up forgotten items.
- The side parking lot is for staff only.
- As a reminder: Bikes, scooters, and small motorized cars should not be driven in the bus loop.
- Please do not block our neighbors’ driveways.
- We will continue to practice all our emergency drills. The children are always so cooperative.
- In case of an emergency, please let us know if you have a new cell or home phone number. Since e-mails are truly the fastest way for us to contact you, please make sure we have your newest address.
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC NOTICE
The East Islip UFSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. The district hereby advises students, parents, employees and the general public that it offers educational as well as employment opportunities, including vocational educational opportunities, without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy may be directed to:
Lisa Belz/Aileen O'Rourke (alternate)
Title IX Coordinators
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
Eric Woellhof, ADA Coordinator
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2035
CHILD FIND NOTICE
Special Education/Section 504 Programs
The East Islip Union Free School works with an interdisciplinary team to determine the educational needs of both preschool and school-age children.
If you have concerns about your child’s academic and/or developmental progress, please contact your child’s primary school to discuss these concerns with the team. The Procedural Safeguard Notice, including due process information, is available to the parent.
If you feel your child may have a disability that impacts his or her academic performance, you may contact:
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
2018/2019 District-wide Committee Application
The deadline for receipt of these applications will be Friday, October 12, 2018.