Messages and Calendar of Events & Activities - Week of November 16, 2026

   


Dear Island Trees School Community,

Please see the messages, as well as the calendar of events & activities below: 
 
Don’t Wait Until You’re Accepted to Visit Colleges

As students begin high school and families start thinking about the future, the college search can seem a long way off. But one piece of advice is worth considering early: visit colleges before you apply.

We often hear families say, “Let’s wait and see where our child gets accepted before we invest the time and money in visiting.” It certainly makes sense financially. However, there is another side to consider.

Over the years, we have had students who were thrilled to be accepted to a college, only to visit the campus afterward and realize, “I don’t think I want to go here.” Sometimes it’s the size of the campus. Sometimes it’s the location. Sometimes it’s the students, the atmosphere, or simply the overall vibe of the school.  

A college can look perfect on a website or in a brochure and still not feel like the right place when you walk through the campus.  That is why visiting colleges before applying can be such a valuable part of the process. A visit allows students to see the campus, observe the students, listen to the conversations around them, experience the energy, and begin to answer an important question:

“Can I see myself spending the next four years here?”

Ideally, students should build a college list of 8–10 schools where they can genuinely see themselves being happy and successful. Visiting those campuses before applying can help make that list much more thoughtful and intentional.

The college search is not simply about getting accepted. It is about finding the right fit.

So, as our students begin high school and start thinking about their futures, encourage them to explore, visit, ask questions, and experience different campuses. The more they learn about themselves and their options along the way, the more intelligently they can make one of the most important decisions of their young lives.

 
 

Island Trees School Libraries
 
The Island Trees School District is proud to celebrate our school libraries for their vital role in our learning community. Research links strong school library programs to higher test scores and academic success. By guiding students through diverse genres and fostering a welcoming environment, our libraries help instill a lifelong love of reading. 
 

 
 
Memorizing Math Facts: Practice Makes Progress
 
It is important for children to develop strong math fact fluency. The ability to recall basic math facts quickly and accurately provides a foundation for success in more advanced mathematics. There is no magic formula for developing this skill -- it takes repetition, practice, and consistency.
 
By the end of second grade, children should be working toward instant recall of addition and subtraction facts from 0–20. If you notice that your child is still counting on their fingers or relying on number lines to solve these basic facts, this is an area that deserves additional attention. A few minutes of practice each day at home can make a difference.
 
As students enter third grade and beyond, having to stop and count to solve basic facts can slow them down as they tackle increasingly challenging math problems. The same principle applies to multiplication facts. By the end of third grade, students should have developed quick and accurate recall of their multiplication facts.
 
The formula for success is simple: Practice, practice, and practice!
 
Hard work and perseverance are important parts of education. Developing these habits early will not only help children become more confident mathematicians but will also teach them valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
 

 
 
The High School Drama Club Presents – The 39 Steps
 
 

Tickets are $15.00 at the door.
 
(Student pre-sale tickets are $5.00 and will be sold before/during the school day. ) 🙂
 
 
  

Island Trees Memorial Middle School Sports Night

This Week’s Calendar

Monday, November 16 – High School Winter Athletics Begins
Monday, November 16 – National Fast-Food Day - 🍔 🍟 🌮 🌯 Yummy!
Tuesday, November 17 – MMS/HS Picture Retakes
Tuesday, November 17 – 4th Grade Square Dance, MMS, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 – Board of Education Meeting, Karopczyc, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 19 – MMS Parent Conference, MMS, 12 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (School Closed for MMS Students)
Thursday, November 19 – HS Drama, The 39 Steps, Matinee Performance, ITHS, 3:00 p.m. 
Friday, November 20 – Elementary School Spirit Day
Friday, November 20 - HS Drama, The 39 Steps, ITHS, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 - HS Drama, The 39 Steps, ITHS, 7:00 p.m.
 

 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

 Instagram - MMS
 
https://www.instagram.com/islandtreesmms.ny/

 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
 
Athletics Game Schedule Link – Scroll down on the department page
https://www.islandtrees.org/219915_3

 Section VIII Website – Schedule, Scores, and Standings
https://secviii.org/

  
 Island Trees Curriculum and Instruction Instagram:
 islandtreeslearns
 https://www.instagram.com/islandtreeslearns/
  

Two-Week Calendar Look Ahead

Monday, November 23 – High School Parent Conferences, 12 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., High School, 9-12, Closed for Students
Wednesday, November 25 – Thanksgiving Recess – Schools Closed
Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving Day – Schools Closed
Friday, November 27 – Thanksgiving Recess – Schools Closed