Dear IMS Families,

As we welcome the arrival of spring, we are excited to see our students enjoying the warmer weather and heading back outside for recess. This seasonal shift brings renewed energy to our school days, and it is always wonderful to see students engaging, socializing, and staying active in the fresh air.

We are also looking forward to an important upcoming community event. On April 14th at 6:00 PM, the PTA will host an evening program at Islip High School. We are pleased to welcome a representative from Cohen’s Children’s Hospital, who will share valuable information about supporting youth mental wellness. The presentation will focus on recognizing when worries become overwhelming, strategies to help build confidence, and tools to support children in facing their fears. In addition, representatives from various community organizations will be available to share resources and supports for families. We hope you will join us for this informative and meaningful evening!

This is an exciting time of year for student experiences beyond the classroom. Our 6th grade students enjoyed their trip to the lighthouse at the beginning of the month, and we are looking forward to our 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. later in April. Looking ahead, our 7th grade students will travel to Boston in May. These trips provide meaningful opportunities for students to explore history, strengthen connections with peers, and broaden their perspectives in memorable ways.

As we return from spring recess, students will take their iReady benchmark during a two-hour window, after which students will attend all scheduled classes (classes will be shortened to accommodate the benchmark assessment). If a student is absent, they will complete the benchmark upon their return to school. Additional details will be shared with families in a separate communication.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to a productive and engaging spring season together.

Hoping you and your families have an enjoyable spring recess!

Sincerely,

Meghan Stern

Principal

IMS Families,

Boats, beaches, pools, the Great South Bay, and Robert Moses Bridge… Its April!! Happy Spring. It is a time of rejoicing and celebrating as we pivot toward summer and the conclusion of school. IMS will continue to be in full swing. April brings the sense of warmth, opportunity, and growth (not to mention a few rain showers and lawn care). Baseball, softball, track, and lacrosse have begun and practicing hard every day. Students are working diligently in class, as well as, at our extracurricular activities and clubs. Our advisory focus this month will concentrate on the celebration and understanding of the concept of respect. In our discussions, we will be learning about the importance of respecting ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Algebra Regents: June 17th

Geometry Regents: June 23rd

Grades 6 & 7: NYS MATH Exam, April 28th & 29th

 

Grades 6, 7 & 8: NYS ELA Exam, April 21st & 22nd

Earth Science Regents: June 18th

Grade 8: NYS Science Exam, May 5th

 

Please take a look at Facebook & Instagram to view photos, videos, and news about our amazing students, staff, and school community @ IMS. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at cjuengerkes@islipufsd.org or (631) 650-8515.

 

“Spring: a lovely reminder of how BEAUTIFUL change can truly be.”

Be well,

Curt Juengerkes

Islip Middle School

Assistant Principal

Dear IMS Community:

We are looking forward to the arrival of April and the spring months here at IMS! As the weather begins to warm up, our school community continues to stay active, engaged, and full of school spirit.

We would like to congratulate our Boys Wrestling and Girls Basketball teams on their outstanding seasons. Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork made us all proud!

We were also excited to host our second annual Spring Fling, which had an amazing turnout. It was wonderful to see so many students come together to celebrate and enjoy the event.

We concluded March with Multicultural Week, culminating in Multicultural Night on March 25th. The evening featured incredible performances and displays that highlighted the diversity and talent within our school community. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it such a meaningful experience.

In addition, we wrapped up our school-wide “Chess Madness” tournament, which included over 40 participants. It was great to see so many students involved, demonstrating strategy, focus, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

We also recently held a town hall for our 8th grade students to help prepare them for upcoming high school scheduling. These sessions are an important step in supporting students as they plan for their next chapter.

We are so excited for our upcoming spring athletic season! We offer many opportunities for students to get involved, including lacrosse, track, softball, and baseball. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes in action.

Looking ahead, our 6th graders will be taking an exciting trip to the lighthouse, and our 8th graders will participate in their trip to Washington, D.C.—both wonderful opportunities for learning and memorable experiences.

We are also excited to host our “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” event, which will give us a great opportunity to get to know our incoming students and welcome them to the IMS community.

Finally, our advisory activities this month will focus on respect and recognizing random acts of kindness, helping to continue building a positive and supportive school environment.

Thank you to our entire IMS community for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to all that the spring season will bring!

Sincerely,

David Bodner

Dean of Students

Islip Middle School

Dear IMS Families,

Throughout the month of March, our students participated in a variety of fun and educational activities designed to spark their interest in their future goals, including a staff college and career bingo competition, where they learned about the staff members in the buildings career paths. Students also participated in a variety of other activities focused on exploring colleges, careers, and opportunities beyond high school. All activities were great ways for students to connect and have fun while exploring their future paths.

On March 30th, we had College and Career Day at IMS! Students and staff wore college apparel to highlight the importance of higher education and career exploration. The day fostered meaningful conversations about students’ aspirations and how their current education connects to their future endeavors. It was truly inspiring to see our school community come together to support our students’ dreams.

Additionally, on March 13th, the counselors coordinated a wonderful experience for a group of students from Fire Island. These students visited IMS for a shadow day, where they had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of an IMS student. It was an enriching experience for everyone involved, and we’re grateful for the chance to welcome them to our school.

As always, thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out.

Warmly,

The IMS School Counseling Team

Team 8 Green students continue to build their skills across all subjects this month, applying their learning in meaningful and engaging ways.

Spanish classes are focusing on a unit that teaches the practical skill of packing for a vacation, blending language learning with real-world application.

In Earth Science, students are studying the structure of the atmosphere, analyzing weather patterns, and evaluating the impact of humans on Earth systems. General Science classes are focusing on evolution, examining how species change over time through natural selection.

In English Language Arts (ELA), students are reading stories from different countries and backgrounds as part of the "Culture and Belonging" unit. Through literature, they are gaining insight into new cultures and exploring new perspectives.

In Social Studies, students are learning about the causes and effects of the Great Depression and will be traveling to Washington, D.C. this month to experience history firsthand in our nation’s capital.

In algebra, students are beginning to explore quadratic functions by graphing and analyzing parabolas and connecting them to real-world situations. Keep an eye out - you might spot a parabola in everyday life! Students will also begin preparing for the upcoming Regents exam on June 17th.

Geography has acted as the silent architect of the human story, dictating where civilizations flourished and how they interacted. For early humans, the layout of the land determined migration paths and survival; the "Fertile Crescent" provided the specific climate and soil necessary for the transition from nomadic hunting to settled agriculture. As societies grew, natural barriers like the Himalayas or the Sahara Desert isolated cultures, allowing unique languages and traditions to evolve in parallel.

Conversely, navigable waterways like the Mediterranean Sea served as ancient superhighways, facilitating the exchange of goods, Greco-Roman philosophy, and eventually, the spread of empires. In the modern era, the distribution of natural resources—from coal during the Industrial Revolution to oil and rare-earth minerals today—continues to drive geopolitical alliances and global conflicts. Even in our digital age, the physical location of deep-sea cables and strategic "choke points" like the Suez Canal proves that while technology bridges gaps, the physical earth still sets the stage for the drama of history.

 

I believe that geography is a tool for teaching lifelong skills: how to analyze, interpret, and extract information, as well as a means for building upon their organizational and writing skills. These skills will not only benefit students in their academic endeavors but also prepare them for the adult workplace. This year students have been improving their intellectual skills, while reinforcing their knowledge of geography and our environmental impact.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following: