The IMS Connection
Volume 14, Issue 7: March 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Believe it or not, March Madness is upon us! This means Spring is around the corner. In the event the weather warms up again, students will be able to go outside for recess. They will need to have long sleeve shirts through this month to go outside. This will be a day-to-day decision.
As the days grow longer, it is not uncommon for students to start getting around and about after school. Outside activity is always encouraged. Students riding bikes should always wear helmets. Bicycle racks are located in the front of the building between the main entrance area and the academic wing. While we make every effort to monitor this area while school is in session, it is wise for students to lock up their bicycles when leaving them unattended.
At this time of year, it’s not uncommon to see groups of students leaving school to visit local merchants. Children should always cross at the crosswalks. As a reminder, students who leave school grounds are not permitted to take late buses. Please have the children make other arrangements.
As usual please reach out to me with any questions or concerns. Email me at tmartin@islipufsd.org or call 631-650-8505.
Until next month, be safe and stay positive as we approach warmer weather.
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Renaissance Rave
We’re gearing up for our 2nd Quarter Renaissance Rally. Validation is coming up, so get your cards ready!
Some study strategies to keep in mind:
Practice previous math problems
Make flashcards for vocabulary
Check your teacher's eBoard
Go in for extra help
ALWAYS do your BEST!!!
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Greetings, IMS families! Spring is just around the corner and I hope that by the time you are reading this we will have proven the groundhog wrong and winter will be on its way out.
Dr. Martin and I are continuing our yearlong project on improving the parent experience at IMS. We are in the final stages of creating our new parent handbook, which we hope will be a helpful resource as you navigate through your time with us. Our goal is for you to be able to easily see what your child is learning in each subject and each grade, as well as have access to resources you can use to support him or her. Be on the lookout for the release of our new handbook in early May.
Recently I attended a joint meeting of Sherwood and Commack Road students and parents at which Officer Pitch from Suffolk County PD shared some helpful suggestions for internet safety that I’d like to pass along. She suggested implementing three types of limits: time limits (limiting the amount of time your child spends on their device), location limits (limiting where your child can use their device, with an emphasis on not allowing children to sleep with their phones), and age limits (ensuring your child does not use apps for which she does not meet the required age). Every parent’s approach will be different, of course, but this advice may prove helpful for anyone looking for guidance.
Our advisory theme for the month is respect, and throughout the month we will continue to explore what it means to be respectful of those who are different from us and stress the importance of respecting fellow students as well as staff and community members. Feel free to reach out at any time with questions or concerns at 631-650-8515 or via e-mail at bmiltenberg@islipufsd.org.
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ADVISORY THEME OF THE MONTH
Respect...This comes in all shapes and sizes. There can never be too much respect displayed to people in our schools, our families, or our community. Please share with your children how respect can go a long way towards making our world a better place.
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Upcoming Dates
1 Friends of the Arts/IMAP Meeting, 7:30 PM, HS Community Room
5 MS Progress Period Ends
8 IDEA - Free Presentation for adults-only "High-Ding in Plain Sight" 7:00 PM, MS
8 Sports Physical by Appointment
8 MS Progress Reports Posted to Portal
12 Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 PM, HS Faculty Room
13 Budget Workshop/ BOE Meeting 7:30* PM, MS
14 Sports Forms Due
15 Disney Peter Pan Jr. Musical, 7:00 PM, MS Auditorium
16 Disney Peter Pan Jr. Musical, 7:00 PM, MS Auditorium
20 District String Festival, 7:00 PM, MS Auditorium
20 SEPTA Meeting 6:00 PM, Islip Public Library
23 IDEA Game Night Grades 5-8, 6:00-8:00 PM, HS Gym
23 Purple & Gold Dinner 7:00-11:00 PM, (Captain Bill's Restaurant, Bay Shore)
26 MS Spring Sports Begin
26 PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, MS Library ( 5th Grade Parents Welcome)
27 Budget Workshop/ BOE Meeting 7:30* PM, MS
30 Schools Closed - Spring Recess
2 - 6 Schools Closed - Spring Recess
10 Budget Workshop/BOE Meeting 7:30* PM, MS
11 Booster Club Meeting 7:00 PM, HS
12 Third Quarter Marking Period Ends
16 SEPTA Meeting, 6:00 PM, HS Community Room
18 Budget Workshop/BOE Meeting 7:30* PM, MS
18 Report Cards Posted
19 Friends of the Arts/IAMP Meeting 7:30 PM, HS Community Room
*Unless otherwise noted, all Board of Education meetings will begin with an Executive Session at 6:45 PM. The public business meeting portion will begin at approximately 7:30 PM.
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YEARBOOKS ARE NOW ON SALE for $21.00 each
Order online through March 31st, includes $1.00 service charge
Accepting Credit Card Payments. Please follow the steps below:
visit: www.memorybook.com/parentpay
Enter Pay code: 86820
Buy A yearbook for $21.00
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March Is "Music in Our Schools Month!"
We kick off with the 4th Annual District-Wide String Festival on Tuesday, March 20th! All string players in grades 4-12, including guitar students from our 8th grade General Music classes and high school players, come together at the Middle School to showcase their talents.
After finishing 2017 with wonderful winter concerts for both the 6th and 7th/8th grade performing groups, we are preparing for our spring concerts. Please bring family and friends to these performances and enjoy your child's dedication and commitment for the fine arts.
General Music: Mr. Magale & Mrs. Shaiman
Students in seventh grade are learning about the history of Rock and Roll music, listening to and analyzing music from the 1950’s to the 1980’s.
Students in the eighth grade are learning to play the guitar by reading chord charts and various strumming patterns. They learn both oldies and current-day songs.
Chamber Orchestra: Mr. Butterfield/Mrs. Shaiman
The 7/8th grade Chamber Group is preparing for Demo Day at the elementary schools, where they will demonstrate the instruments for 3rd graders.
SCMEA (Suffolk County Music Educators' Association)
The Division 1 and 2 All County Orchestra, Band, and Chorus Festival rehearsals and concerts will be held March 3, 9, 10, & 11, Congratulations to all our students selected!
Division 1
Band - Louise Kane, Lia Guzman, Leela Lopez, Lauren Limmer, Alexander Baaden
Chorus - Daniel Turk, Rebecca Leo, Skylar Greene
Orchestra - Christine Chen, Daniel Rubinson
Division 2
Band - Alan Lawrence, Genna Schifter, Kyra Widecki, Matt Karabatzoglou
Chorus - Alan Lawrence, Brendan Farrell, Isabella Green, Jordyn Zurbaran, Maggie Frazer,
Ryan Van Nostrand
Orchestra - Carolyn Do, Leah Cyran
Band: Ms. Jeanes
The Islip Middle School Band Program had a successful first half of the school year! The 6th Grade and the 7th/8th Grade Bands performed phenomenal winter concerts in December. They provided their audiences with some holiday cheer by performing Canon of Peace (6th grade) and The Polar Express (7th/8th). Each ensemble was accompanied by a candle-carrying chorus and confetti cannons to create a full theatrical experience!
The bands are currently rehearsing Moana and Pirates of the Caribbean for the Spring and are looking forward to joint performances with the orchestras! They are also becoming more versatile players by learning new notes, playing scales, and practicing sight-reading! The bands are excited to perform again at their spring concerts in May.
Jazz Band: Ms. Jeanes
The Islip Middle School Jazz Band is off to a great start! The group has been rehearsing a variety of tunes and has picked up gigs at the February Board of Education meeting and the March PTA meeting in addition to our standard 6th Grade Spring Concert, Festival of the Arts, and National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony gigs, all in May.
Important Dates:
NYSSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival is in May 17th
May 10th - 7/8th grade Spring Concert
May 31st- 6th grade Spring Concert
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ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL Presents PETER PAN JR.
Thursday, March 15th @ 7:00 pm
Friday, March 16th @ 7:00 pm
Tickets are reserved seating
For additional information:
Click the link below
Visit www.islipufsd.org
Call 631-650-8520
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ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA
President – Denise Nash Vice President – Renee Ferrera
Secretary – Tina Hardekopf Treasurer – Diane Bennett
Our next meeting is March 26, 2018
7 PM Middle School Library
Please join us!
Please like our Facebook page – Islip Middle School PTA
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ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA 2017 - 2018 MEMBERSHIP
CHECK ONE: ___ $10 INDIVIDUAL ___ $15 FAMILY (2 CARDS)
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME(S)______________________________________
CHILD’S NAME____________________________________________
ADVISORY TEACHER_______________________________________
TEACHER/STAFF NAME_____________________________________
COMMUNITY MEMBER NAME_______________________________
E MAIL ADDRESS_______________________________pta cash/check#____
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IDEA Task Force Host Game Night
Students may sign up and purchase tickets for GAME NIGHT at the school store!
DATE: Friday, March 23rd
TIME: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
WHERE: Islip High School
PRICE: $5.00 Per Student (Cash Preferred)
FOOD: Pizza, Drinks, & Snacks
GRADES: 5th - 8th
European Handball, Can Jam, Video Games, Spike Ball, Knockout,
Ping Pong, Air Hockey, and more!
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Sports Physicals
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Know before you go...
Should the opening of school be delayed, school canceled, or students dismissed early, families may expect a timely announcement to that effect via automated telephone message and on the following television, radio stations, and websites:
TV NEWS CHANNEL 12
FIOS 1 News
97.5 FM
WALK – 1370 AM
WHLI – B103 FM
WBAB – 102.3 FM
WBLI – 106.1 FM
Reminder: If school is closed or dismissed early, all after-school activities are canceled.
Islip Public Library - Homework Help
Great information to know!
Homework Help is available from 2:00 - 11:00 pm every day except holidays with a valid library card barcode number. Using the following link: http://main.suffolk.ny.brainfuse.com/authenticate.asp?.
features include:
- Homework Help
- Skills Building
- Personalized eLearning Tools
- 24-Hour Writing Lab
- Adult Learning Center
- Foreign Language Lab/Spanish-Speaking Support
- Multiple Ways to Learn
- Thousands of Robust Lessons
- Broad Range of Subjects
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ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL
Website: islipufsd.org
Location: 211 Main Street, Islip, NY, United States
Phone: 631-650-8500
Facebook: facebook.com/IslipMS
Twitter: @IslipMS