The IMS Connection
Volume 22, Issue 2: October 2024
October 2024
Greetings IMS Families,
It was wonderful seeing so many of our Islip Middle School families at our annual Meet the Teacher Night. The reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive. It is hard to believe that September has come and gone, and pumpkins are the current décor.
As we shared, Islip Middle School has lots of activities for children to join throughout the year. We encourage all the students to find a club or sport that interests them and to join their friends and participate, not just spectate. Click here to view our list of clubs.
We have a number of school-based activities planned throughout the year. Visit the district calendar to see when school is in session. If you have not done so already, feel free to download the ParentSquare App here to receive notices from your teachers.
As always, feel free to contact me at tmartin@islipufsd.org.
Warm regards,
Dr. Timothy Martin
Principal
Islip Middle School
631-650-8505
October 2024
Good afternoon Middle School families,
We would like to thank you for a wonderful start. Students, staff, and families have been wonderful. The beginning of the school year is a time of new beginnings and opportunities. A time to become reacquainted with old friends and a chance to develop new relationships. During our advisory meetings with each team in September, we discussed how students can continue to impact the culture of Islip Middle School in a positive and thoughtful manner. Students were encouraged to be supportive, constructive, and kind. And get to know one another. I must say I am grateful for the opportunity to work with and get to know the wonderful students of IMS.
September included student Town Hall Meetings. At these meetings, students were introduced or re-introduced to the “The Buccaneer Way,” IMS celebrations, and expectations as well as IMS cell phone practice, bullying, and IMS opportunities for success.
Our Athletics and Fine and Performing Arts have begun to hit their stride. Our clubs will begin in October and the Harlem Wizards are coming to town (thank you to the PTA). We continue to encourage students to be involved with the opportunities offered here at the middle school. Gaining a connection is a sure-fire way to assist students in a quality experience at school socially, emotionally, and academically.
It’s been an amazing start and looking for a spectacular October. Thank you!
Always enjoy,
Curt Juengerkes
Assistant Principal
Islip Middle School
631-850-8515
October 2024
Happy October!
We hope that you all had the chance to meet with teachers and staff at our Meet the Teacher event earlier this month. If you didn’t, please feel free to have a look at our introduction video by CLICKING HERE.
We really appreciate your encouragement and support on our cell phone policy. I am happy to report that we have had fewer than 10 cell phone infractions in the month of September. It would be amazing to continue this throughout the remainder of the school year, and it is only with your help that we can do this.
When we met with students in September, we discussed The Golden Rule — treat others how you’d like to be treated. We would appreciate you taking this one step further and reinforcing with your child to not only treat others in a way they would want, but to be aware of how others want to be treated. Having empathy is important in building strong bonds and respecting one another. Something that might not bother your child could be very upsetting to someone else. Encourage your child to pay attention to how others react to their actions, even if they think these actions are funny or harmless.
My door is always open, my email and phone always available. Please, reach out with any questions, concerns or compliments.
Jamie Wright
Dean of Students
631-650-8515
ADVISORY THEME OF THE MONTH
Making Good Choices...
October is National Bullying Prevention month. We will focus on raising awareness of bullying and promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. October also includes Red Ribbon Week (10/21-10/25) which encourages our community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Our advisory theme for October is "Making Good Choices." where we are focusing on empowering students to make thoughtful and responsible decisions both in and out of the classroom. Through engaging discussions, interactive activities, and real-life scenarios, we aim to equip students with the skills they need to navigate challenges and build positive habits. By fostering a supportive environment where healthy choices are celebrated, we hope to inspire our students to take ownership of their actions and contribute positively to our school community.
On 10/28/24 and 10/29/24, we will welcome an Outreach Educator from Cohen Children's Medical Center to present to our students on bullying. Cohen's will also be providing a drug awareness and prevention presentation to our 8th graders on 10/30/24. The students will also have the opportunity to participate in a spirit week during Red Ribbon Week which will reinforce this year's theme Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.
Renaissance Rave
Happy Renaissance Halloween!!
Coming up this month: We will have our first Renaissance Raffle of the year! This Raffle celebrates our 4th Quarter achievements from last year. ALL 6th grade students are invited to participate. Stay tuned for announcements and expectations soon! We will also have our Trick or Treat Event for the ENTIRE Middle School! We can't wait to celebrate our IMS Achievements! Please check your planner for the Renaissance Guidelines. It's been an amazing start to this school year, keep it up!!
As always, LOOK GOOD! FEEL GOOD! DO GOOD!
Hello Students and Families!
We are excited to kick off another fantastic school year here at IMS! As your school counselors, we’re here to support you every step of the way. This year is a fresh start and a great opportunity to set a strong foundation for success.
Build Good Study Habits
Establishing effective study habits early on can make a big difference in your academic performance. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Create a Study Schedule: Set aside specific times for studying each day to build a routine.
- Find a Good Study Environment: Choose a quiet, distraction-free space to help you focus.
- Break It Down: Divide large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Stay Organized: Use planners to keep track of assignments, tests, and projects.
Get Involved!
Getting involved in school activities is a great way to meet new friends and explore your interests. Consider joining a club, participating in sports, or attending school events. Engaging with your peers can make your middle school experience more enjoyable and enriching!
Stay Informed
Don’t forget to check our school counselor website and your grade-level classrooms regularly. We’ll post important announcements, resources, and tips throughout the year to help you stay on track.
We’re looking forward to a great year filled with growth, learning, and fun! If you ever need support or just want to chat, feel free to reach out to us.
Here’s to a successful school year!
Please re-check the district calendar prior to an event to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
2-MS/HS Progress Period Ends
3-4-Rosh Hashanah, School Closed
8- BOE Meeting, 7:30pm, MS
14- Columbus Day, School Closed
16- 8th Grade Group Photo
17- 8th Grade Group Photo (rain date)
25- Halloween Spooktacular, 4pm-6pm, MS
30- BOE Meeting, 7:30pm, SES
*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.
1-Emergency Sheltering Drill, early dismissal (15 minutes before regular close of school)
4- MS PTA Meeting, 7pm, MS
5-Election Day, No School For Students
7- Blessings in a Backpack '80s Event
8- MS/HS Marking Period Ends
11-Veterans Day, District Closed
13- Picture Retakes
19- BOE Meeting, 7:30pm, CRES
27-29- Thanksgiving Recess, District Closed
*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.
ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL
Website: islipufsd.org
Location: 211 Main Street, Islip, NY, United States
Phone: 631-650-8500
Facebook: facebook.com/IslipMS
Twitter: @IslipMS
Instagram: @IslipMS