Islip High School held its second annual Choose to Include event on April 3, organized by special education teacher Melissa Horn and her classroom team. As a Unified School through the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools initiative, Islip is dedicated to promoting social inclusion by bringing together students with and without disabilities through sports and other activities. The goal of Choose to Include is to bring awareness and create meaningful connections between all students. By participating in interactive activities and simulations, neurotypical students gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges and strengths of their neurodivergent classmates. This event fosters empathy, breaks down barriers and promotes a more inclusive school environment where all students feel seen, heard and valued.

For the second consecutive year, the high school prepared for Choose to Include with a Chalk and Talk kickoff event the afternoon before at Islip Middle School. This year, Buccaneer University and Functional Academics students spearheaded the activity in hopes of gathering as many of their peers as possible to chalk inclusive and inspiring messages and artwork on the sidewalks of the school entrances. Among the messages were “Celebrate Differences,” “Don’t Stand By, Stand Up” and “Inclusion Starts with You.” Over 75 students were in attendance this year, with Unified bowling, the Art Club and IMS student government making the April 2 event part of their afternoon meetings. 

“It was incredible to witness many groups of students spanning various ages join together with the same mission,” counselor Nicole Hall said. “Including IMS student government representatives allowed the conversation of inclusivity to start even earlier and spark excitement over this important mission. The afternoon was filled with laughter and excitement as they decorated the sidewalk. It allowed students to begin to think about the purpose of Choose to Include and create momentum leading into the tremendous event the following day.”

“The middle school’s student government members were eager to be a part of the event and even asked if there would be more chances to work with high school students in the future,” IMS student government adviser Sara Comiskey said. “The event also got the eighth graders excited about high school next year, with many saying the inclusive messages were powerful and that it was awesome to see so many students attend.”

Date Added: 4/23/2025

The Islip School District’s Inventing Self program continues to thrive, evolving each year with an ever-expanding roster of distinguished guest speakers who volunteer their time to work with EXCEL students. Since its inception, the program has consistently grown, offering students dynamic, hands-on workshops that blend interactive experiences with meaningful conversations. Each session aligns with the program’s 10 core principles, equipping students with the tools to connect with themselves and the world around them in pursuit of happiness and personal growth.

A hallmark of the program, led by EXCEL Program Coordinator Julia Johnson, is its ability to foster lasting connections, with many speakers returning year after year – even from out of state – for over 16 years. At the same time, new voices continually join the Inventing Self Speaker Series, adding fresh perspectives and insights. Among this year’s notable additions was Dr. Michael Dagro, owner of True Potential Physical Therapy in Bayport, who shared invaluable lessons with students. His workshop explored the true meaning of success, the impact of comparison on joy and the importance of embracing failure as a catalyst for growth.

“By introducing new perspectives annually, the Inventing Self program ensures that students engage with diverse ideas and experiences, fostering a supportive environment where they can flourish both personally and academically,” Johnson said. “The culture and community surrounding this unique program continue to grow organically and authentically – a journey that I am honored to witness and nurture.”

Date Added: 4/7/2025

Islip Middle School held its annual World Language Immersion Day on Feb. 28, inviting members of Islip High School’s World Language Honor Society to showcase their language skills and promote global citizenship through various activities with seventh grade language learners. The high school students created stations to encourage use of the target language with each visiting middle school group, speaking only Spanish or Italian for the entire event. This immersive experience provided the younger students with a chance to practice vocabulary words and hear the language being spoken and modeled.

“Immersion Day fortifies a connection between those who will soon be leaving our world language program for college and beyond, with the program’s future,” World Language Honor Society adviser Megan Schierhorst said.  

Date Added: 4/3/2025

The Islip School District held its annual Multicultural Night on March 4, celebrating the school community’s 20 different languages and numerous vibrant cultures through performances and displays.

The evening began with an exciting performance showcase in the Islip High School auditorium by multicultural clubs and the student population. The audience of over 200 attendees then moved to the school cafeteria to explore cuisine and displays, led by high school students. Family and consumer science classes cooked and served food, the functional academics students who operate the Bucs Brew beverage cart sold coffee, and cosmetology students offered face painting and henna. Three local eateries – Bubba’s Burrito Bar, Pizza Corner and The Pizzeria of Islip – also donated food for the event.

“Our students have been learning about different holidays and cultures through our multicultural clubs,” said Rabia Hirji, Islip’s administrator for ENL and world languages. “They were excited to show the displays they had created and eager to share what they’ve learned with the community. We are proud to highlight the diversity in our district.”

Date Added: 3/11/2025