Dear Island Trees School Community,
 
Please see the messages, as well as the calendar of events & activities below: 
 
Strengthening Safety and Supporting Student Experiences – Referendum on the May 19 Budget Vote

At Island Trees, maintaining a safe and secure learning environment remains a top priority. Over the years, the district has taken significant steps to enhance school security. When this work began in 2009, each building had only a handful of security cameras. Since then, the district has steadily expanded and improved its surveillance systems to better protect students, staff, and visitors.

As part of the proposed capital project on the May 19th Budget Vote, Island Trees plans to continue modernizing these efforts with a focus on prevention, responsiveness, and reliability. Security cameras today serve a broader purpose than simply recording events -- they act as a deterrent and provide real-time information that allows for more effective responses. The proposal includes the installation of strategically placed, high-resolution cameras in key areas such as entrances, parking lots, and common spaces, along with upgraded monitoring capabilities.

In addition, the district will continue to strengthen building security through improvements to access control systems and perimeter protection. Plans include upgrading exterior doors to ensure they are secure, durable, and resistant to unauthorized entry, as well as enhancing door alarm systems. Updates to perimeter fencing will further reinforce campus boundaries and help limit access to school grounds during the school day.

Another important component of the proposal focuses on classroom safety. The district is reviewing and enhancing lockdown door hardware to ensure it aligns with current safety standards and functions effectively in emergency situations. These upgrades are designed to provide staff with dependable, easy-to-use systems that help protect students when it matters most.

Beyond security, the capital project also addresses an essential part of student life: the performing arts. The high school auditorium -- one of the most frequently used spaces in the district -- hosts concerts, theatrical productions, and community events throughout the year. The stage rigging system and curtains, however, have reached the end of their useful life. Because these systems are responsible for safely supporting and operating multiple stage elements, reliability is critical. The proposed upgrades will replace aging equipment with modern, high-quality systems that ensure safe operation and allow performances to continue without disruption.

Together, these investments reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to both safety and opportunity -- protecting students while also supporting the programs that enrich their educational experience.




Advanced Placement Testing Week

Touching the Void is a documentary that tells the true story of two mountaineers who, in 1985, survived a harrowing expedition on Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. Against all odds -- and after one of them falls into a crevasse and the other is forced to cut the rope that connected them -- they both somehow make it back alive. The film is intense!!!!

It’s also a great reminder for our students as they head into Advanced Placement testing next week.

Many students describe the upcoming weeks as the most difficult period of their academic lives -- filled with anxiety, long nights of studying, and in some cases back-to-back exams. Some may feel like they’re hanging off the side of a mountain themselves. But here’s the good news: they’re not alone, no one will cut their rope, and they will make it through.

Sharing Touching the Void with your child may help put these weeks into perspective. While AP exams are certainly rigorous -- and we recognize that there is a lot of hard work that students put forth, the testing week is not insurmountable. With preparation and effort, students will come out stronger on the other side of the mountain.

We know the students are up to the challenge, and we know they’ll do great. Keep climbing!

 
 

Island Trees High School Art Show and Art Honor Society Inductions
 
The Island Trees High School Art Department recently hosted its annual art show and Art Honor Society induction ceremony at the Island Trees Public Library. Congratulations to all of our talented student artists and to the new inductees -- your creativity and dedication truly shined through in this wonderful display of work.
 
A special thank you to Ms. Elise Weber and Mr. Hedstrom for their continued commitment to supporting and inspiring our high school students.
 
 

 

 
 

 
 
 Island Trees International Night
 
Another wonderful evening for our students and community, as more than 300 students, parents, and staff came together at the middle school to celebrate the rich diversity of Island Trees.  Thank you to Mrs. Roemer, Ms. Amanda Steele, Ms. Taylor Rosenking, Mrs. Colleen Reeves, and Mrs. Jill Wallace for their countless hours of planning to ensure that the night was a success. 

 


 

  

 


Are You Ready for Some Football? 


Island Trees Memorial Middle School’s girls football team kicked off its inaugural season with an impressive 32–18 victory over Plainview-Old Bethpage. This exciting win marks a promising beginning for a program we aim to grow year by year, ultimately building competitive teams at the high school level.

If you have any questions about joining the football team or getting involved in the program, please contact Mr. Burns.

Congratulations to our players and coaches on a fantastic start!


Next Week’s Calendar
 
Monday, May 4 – 5-8 Math Assessment Day 1, MMS
Monday, May 4 – AP Exams Begin, ITHS
Monday, May 4 – Grades 7/8 Concert, ITHS, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5 – National Teacher Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 5 – 5-8 Math Assessment Day 2, MMS
Tuesday, May 5 – Budget Hearing, Karopczyc, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6 – National School Nurse Day
Wednesday, May 6 – HS Shared Decision-Making Team, ITHS, 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6 – Stokes Special Person Boutique 
Wednesday, May 6 – 8th Grade Washington DC Trip Departs 
Thursday, May 7 – Kindergarten Orientation 
Thursday, May 7 – MMS Shared Decision-Making Team, MMS, 2:45 p.m.
Friday, May 8 – Sparke Special Person Boutique 
Friday, May 8 – 8th Grade Washington DC Trip Returns
 
Sunday, May 10 – Happy Mother’s Day
 
 
 
Athletics Game Schedule Link
https://www.islandtrees.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=415372&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=767844
 
 
Island Trees Home Page – Parent Square Link and Pop-Up
https://islandtrees.org/
 
 
Island Trees Social Media Sites
 
Twitter/X - Sparke School
@SparkeShines
https://twitter.com/SparkeShines
 
Twitter/X - Stokes School
@WeRStokes
 
Twitter/X - MMS
https://twitter.com/IslandtreesMMS
 
Twitter/X – Special Education
IT_SpecialEd
 
Island Trees High School
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/islandtreeshs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IslandtreesHS/
 
Instagram – Athletics
islandtreesathletics
 
Island Trees Curriculum and Instruction Instagram:
islandtreeslearns
https://www.instagram.com/islandtreeslearns/
 
 
Two-Week Calendar Look Ahead
 
Monday, May 11 – MMS Art & Technology Expo, MMS, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 11 – New York State Math Test, Grades 3-4
Tuesday, May 12 – New York State Math Test, Grades 3-4
Wednesday, May 13 – Board of Education Work Session, Karopczyc, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14 – PTSA BOGO Book Fair, MMS
Friday, May 15 – PTSA BOGO Book Fair, MMS