News & Announcements

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  Grab and Go Meals @ LOMS, 3/30/20

  Beginning tomorrow, March 30, we will resume our Grab and Go food distribution program at Lincoln Orens Middle School. Meals are for Island Park children who are eligible for free or reduce price meals. Please pick up your child’s breakfast and lunch meals from 8:30 to 11AM.  Thank you Mrs. DeBari, food service staff members, and our custodians who are making this program possible!

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Supt’s Update: 3-27-20

  Hope this finds you and your family well.

  This has been a busy week.  There have been many outreach efforts on the part of our teachers to students. All grade levels are well underway with instruction that includes new learning, not just review.  Similarly, our principals initiated online faculty meetings in Zoom with their teachers. All shared their experiences with distance learning and new strategies for teaching as a result of their communications with parents, students, and each other. The Board of Education, to, will be conducting community outreach via its Board Meeting on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 7 pm via WebEx.  See our district website for instructions on how you can attend.  We encourage you to participate by asking questions you may have  through our new email address PublicBeHeard@islandparkschools.org.

  On Monday, March 30, we will resume our meal distribution program from Lincoln Orens Middle School for students who are eligible for free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches.  The meals are distributed  at the back of the cafeteria (in area where Fall Fair is held) during the hours of 8:30 am to 11:00 am. They are handed out through a sliding window in the kitchen so that parents/guardians and food service staff members are all able to maintain appropriate physical distance. We are most appreciative of our food service staff who are truly dedicated to the students and families of Island Park. 

  We also want to thank our custodians who assisted with the opening and closing of our buildings this past week so that Belfor was able to decontaminate and sanitize all areas of our schools this past week. Thank you, too, to our clerical staff whose hours of work at home have enabled the continuity of operations throughout this period.  Everyone has truly pulled together.

  As you may have heard today, the Governor stated schools will remain closed until at least April 15.  I have not received his updated Executive Order but look forward to reading it.  More to come on this.

  While schools remain closed, in addition to reaching out to the child’s teacher for assistance, other resources include:

  Khan Academy at https://www.khanacademy.org/
  iTutor at https://itutor.com/
  Tutor Doctor at tuhttps://www.tutordoctor.com

  My best wishes to you and your family as you make every effort to stay healthy!

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Notice- Board of Education Meeting – Monday, March 30, 2020 @ 7:00 PM

  Our Monday, March 30, 2020 Board of Education meeting will be conducted at 7:00 PM via video conferencing using Webex with no public in-person attendance. We will provide the capability for the public to listen to the proceedings by following the directions below when the meeting begins. To submit questions for public comment, please use the following email address PublicBeHeard@islandparkschools.org and submit questions by no later than noon on Monday, March 30, 2020.
   
  Meeting Information
   
  Meeting link: https://meetingsamer4.webex.com/meetingsamer4/j.php?MTID=ma0c449db7e208d10dc2e924c7c4b8bb5
  Meeting number: 627 933 238
  Password: fpCJr5txn58
  Host key: 106938

  More ways to join:

  Join by video system: Dial 627933238@meetingsamer4.webex.com
  You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
  Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
  Access code: 627 933 238

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Get Well Wishes to Our IPS Employee

  See: Cards...

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Alert: Students Eligible for Free Meals Go to Long Beach

  Because of the confirmed case of COVID-19 at Lincoln Orens Middle School, the building is closed.  Island Park students will join Long Beach students and go to St. Ignatius Church in Long Beach for their meals. Breakfast is 7:30am-9:00 am in the morning, and lunch is 11:30 am-1:00 pm. The address is:  721 W Broadway, Long Beach.

   

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Non-Public School/Private School Transportation Requests

  The April 1 deadline (at this time) was re-affirmed by the NYS Education Department as the deadline for Non-Public School/Private School Transportation Requests. At this time, if you are not able to have the form completed by your child's school, you may send an email to our Transportation Supervisor, Kelly Angelo (kangelo@islandparkschools.org), requesting 2020 - 2021 transportation for your child. Please include your child's name, school and grade for the 2020 - 2021 school year. This email request will be accepted in lieu of the application so that you will meet the April 1 deadline. When schools are back and functioning as normal, we will request that the form be completed. Until then the email correspondence will be accepted.

  Thank you.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Meals for Island Park Students

  Families eligible for free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches as well as any family residing in Island Park and whose children attend our schools who is not able to provide these meals, please note the following:

  " Island Park UFSD is providing Grab and Go Meals.

  " The meals are available for pick up from Lincoln Orens Middle School, 150 Trafalgar Blvd. Island Park, NY 11558.

  " We distribute the meals through a sliding window from the kitchen cafeteria in the back of the school during the hours of 8:30 am to 11:00 am.

  " Breakfast includes: milk, fruit juice , fruit cup or fresh fruit, choice of bagel, roll or cereal with cheese stick or yogurt.

  " Lunch includes: milk, fruit juice, fruit cup or fresh fruit, choice of deli sandwich or pre-packaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

  " All students with records of allergies have an allergy-free meal prepared for them that are kept separate from the other meals. Each allergy-free bag is labeled with the student's name on it.

   

  Island Park Public Schools
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  IPS RELATED SERVICES

  ISLAND PARK SCHOOLS 

  RELATED SERVICES: 

  The following are activities for physical therapy and occupational therapy.  These activities and supports may provide each student equitable access in order to maintain or promote meaningful progress in accordance with his/her IEP, 504 Plan, or other educational needs.  

  SPEECH 

  Please visit Ms. Marconi’s (for Mrs. Gold) or Mrs. Lynch’s website for related activities.  These pages are posted under “Teacher Pages” for both Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and Lincoln Orens Middle School.  On the teacher page, there are activities specifically targeting student skills and IEP Goals. 

  PHYSICAL THERAPY 

  Games  

  • Simon Says
  • Bean bag or balloon toss
  • Hot potato 
  • Egg in spoon
  • Hop scotch 

  Outdoor Activities 

  • Jump rope 
  • Ride a tricycle or bicycle 
  • Jumping or jumping jacks
  • Playing ball – bounce/catch
  • Bubble play 

  Indoor Fun 

  • Dance party 
  • Building a fort – boxes, blankets 
  • Walk like an animal
  • slither like a snake
  • hop like a frog
  • gallop/horse
  • bear/all 4s tummy down
  • crab/all 4s tummy up

  On Line Resources 

  • Let's Move with Michelle Obama https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/(Open external link) 
  • Yoga https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/yoga-for/kids(Open external link)
  • GoNoodle https://family.gonoodle.com/(Open external link) 
  • Energizers https://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/resource/energizers-for-schools/ 
  • Move to Improve https://www.weteachnyc.org/resources/collection/move-improve/(Open external link) 

   

  Preschool Students 

  Get Moving 

  • Take the stairs, not the elevator 
  • Walk around the block- play I spy while walking 
  • Run relays with siblings and/or caregivers 
  • Step on/off a step stool 
  • Place pillows on floor and have child walk on them

  Doing Other Activities 

  • Do puzzles or play with building blocks while squatting 
  • Read a book while lying on belly 
  • Do chores like setting/clearing the table, 

  Play Games 

  • Head, shoulders, knees, and toes 
  • Act out animal walks

  Outdoor Activities 

  • Visit the playground 
  • Play ball- catch, throw, kick
  • Push heavy items in a stroller/wagon

  Games You Can Play 

  • Simon says 
  • Scavenger hunt 
  • Bean bag or balloon toss
  • Hot potato 
  • Egg in spoon

  Outdoor Activities  

  • Play ball – bounce/catch 
  • Bubble play 
  • Wet sponge toss 

  Indoor Fun 

  • Obstacle courses around household items
  • Army crawl race for those that can get out of their chair.
  • Wheelchair(seated) Zumba: https://youtu.be/JqlRGLPlJ7A(Open external link) 
  • Inclusive yoga: https://youtu.be/5FxIbzvdBzA(Open external link) 
  • 8 minute wheel chair workout: https://youtu.be/q0ttPm8LSEk(Open external link) 
  • Wheelchair Boxing 10 minute Workout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n76J1q6nZec(Open external link) 

   

  OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 

  Fine Motor, Visual Motor, and Perceptual Skills 

  Cutting Tips 

  • Bold the outline with a highlighter or marker.
  • Hold scissors and paper with “thumbs on top.” You can place a sticker on your child’s thumb nail as a reminder.
  • Begin first with cutting straight lines, then basic shapes, then complex shapes.
  • Use hand-over-hand assistance as needed.

  Gluing Tips 

  • When gluing, put the glue on the object being glued and NOT the paper.
  • Make a mark or draw a line as a visual of where the glue should go.
  • Try glue sticks for children with decreased strength.

  Pencil Grasp Tips 

  • Use broken crayons and short pencils to encourage an efficient grasp
  • Have your child hold a small coin or cotton ball with their pinky and ring fingers leaving only their ring finger, middle finger and thumb available to hold the pencil.

  Hand Strengthening Activities 

  • Hand weight bearing activities, such as wheelbarrow walks, crab walks, push-ups, and crawling.
  • Lego and Playdoh play: roll into balls, make a snake, press with stamps, hide and find pegs or beads, etc.
  • Pinch clothespins, paint with eyedroppers, & pick up items with tweezers.
  • Crafts, such as beading, lacing, ripping paper to make a collage, and hole punch activities.
  • Use a spray bottle to play in the bath, help with cleaning, etc.
  • For in-hand manipulation, place coins in a piggy bank or make your own with a coffee can with a slot in the top.

  Visual Skills Activities 

  • When reading use an index card or ruler to help isolate one line or word at a time.
  • Activities such as mazes, cryptograms, Dotto-Dot, word finds, puzzles, ball or balloon toss, etc.
  • To view more visual perceptual activities, visit the free website: eyecanlearn.com(Open external link) (Open external link)

  Writing Skills 

  Proper Posture When Writing on a Table Top 

  • Feet flat on the floor (A footstool or thick book can be placed under the feet to assist if feet do not reach the floor.) Sit upright in chair.
  • Wrist supported on table. Paper stabilized by nonwriting hand.

  Letter Formation 

  • When printing, prompt your child to use a top down formation: “Start at the top!”
  • Try this routine: You write the letter…Your child writes the letter…You write the letter…Your child writes the letter.

  Spacing 

  • Have child use their finger or a Popsicle stick after each word to create an appropriate space before beginning the next word.
  • Use graph paper to give a visual cue for spacing out words and letters.
  • There are many types of writing paper. Be sure to check with your child’s therapist on the best type of paper or strategy for your child.

  Letter and word placement 

  • Draw a green line along the left margin of the paper and a red line on the right to signal where to “start” and “stop.”
  • If your child has difficulty writing on the line, darken the baseline with a marker.
  • Use a highlighter to indicate where to write between lines.

  Typing 

  • To work on typing skills, visit one of the free websites below:
  • freetypinggame.net(Open external link)
  • funtotype.com(Open external link) (Open external link)
  • http://games.senselang.org(Open external link)
  • http://www.freetypinggaus/(Open external link) (Open external link)

  Practice Writing Skills 

  • Schedule a 10 minute interval daily to practice writing.
  • Encourage your child to write about a preferred topic of choice.
  • Help your child make greeting cards for family and friends.
  • Write a grocery list together.
  • Make lists: favorite TV programs, movies, things to pack before a trip.

  Self-Regulation and Sensory Processing 

  Self-regulation is the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotional responses, actions and level of alertness/attention. It can be influenced by several different factors including sensory processing. Sensory processing is how we process information from the world around us as well as what is going on inside of us to produce an appropriate behavioral response. 

  Calming Activities 

  • Play games that reinforce structure and require waiting/ turn-taking: red light green light, freeze dance, Simon says.
  • Yoga, meditation and belly breathing will help child develop better control of their physical body, thoughts, and emotional states. You can start by sitting still with eyes closed with a slow count of 5.
  • Routines, structure and clear expectations will help your child with selfcontrol. Review any changes to normal routine early.
  • Provide a quiet personal space for your child to calm. Relaxing music, a bean bag chair or soft pillows to burrow in may be helpful.
  • Encourage a variety of play/work positions such as standing, lying on the floor, kneeling.
  • Offer your child a chewy snack to provide organizing sensory input (i.e. Twizzlers, dried fruits, bagels, etc.).
  • “Heavy work” activities (carrying heavy items, push/pull activities, etc.)

  Energizing Activities 

  • Have your child jump on a mini-trampoline, perform jumping jacks or play hopscotch.
  • Push-ups on the floor or push-ups against the wall.
  • Organized sports activities- running, yoga, karate, gymnastics, bike riding.
  • Climbing on or hanging from playground equipment.
  • Eating crunchy foods (i.e. popcorn, pretzels, carrots, apples, etc.).
  • Play and dance to loud, fast-paced music.
  • Use toys that make noise or light up.

  Tips for Children with Tactile Sensitivities 

  • Gradually expose your child to different textures going from the least to most messy. (i.e. Play-doh is less messy than shaving cream or finger paints.)
  • Provide firm pressure rather than light touch when holding hands or giving hugs.
  • Make sure that blankets, pajamas and clothes are comfortable for the child as this may disrupt their sleep and other daily activities. (i.e. Cut out clothing tags if causing discomfort, wear socks inside out if irritating, etc.)
  • Use unscented laundry detergent.  

  Attention and Focus 

  Also refer to the Self-Regulation and Sensory Processing section; strategies may also result in improved attention and ability to focus. 

  • Choose a location in the home with minimal distractions when completing structured activities such as homework or studying.
  • Break down instructions into simple 1-2 step directions.
  • Have child repeat directions to reinforce understanding.
  • Use a visual timer to gradually increase attention to a non-preferred activity.
  • Allow your child to take short, intermittent movement breaks.
  • Use a reward chart with stickers or checkmarks to reinforce positive behaviors.

  Toilet Training 

  • Look for signs for readiness, like discomfort when wet or soiled or staying dry for several hours at a time.
  • Have your child wear easy to manage clothing (i.e. sweatpants).
  • Establish a schedule according to wetness pattern.
  • Toileting symbol may be helpful for requests.
  • Use charts for positive reinforcement and celebrate each success.

  Shoe Tying 

  • Children typically require demonstration, explanation, and lots of practice to master tying their shoes.
  • Remember there are two common methods for tying laces; the bunny ear approach using two loops, or the wrap-around technique, making one single loop then wrapping the other string around and tucking through. Try both and see what works best for your child.
  • Be sure laces are long enough so that your child can make large loops if needed.
  • Practicing knots on a jump rope or pipe cleaner can also make it easier and more fun.

  Dressing 

  • Practice dressing skills through pretend play with dress-up clothes or dolls.  
  • Help your child up until the very last step to allow him/her to successfully complete the dressing task. Do less and less as your child can do more and more. For example:
  • Assist with fastening the zipper but allow the child to pull it up.
  • Help your child put each leg into his/her pants but have your child pull his/her pants up independently.  
  • Insert a button halfway into the hole, but let your child pull it fully through.
  • Teach your child to locate the tag first to identify the front when putting on shirts or jackets.  

  Hand Washing 

  1. Use Soap
  2. Scrub palm to palm
  3. Scrub back of hands
  4. Wash between fingers
  5. Wash thumbs
  6. Scrub fingernails
  7. Wash wrists
  8. Rinse hands
  9. Dry Hands

   

  • IPS RELATED SERVICES(1).pdf

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Digital Learning During School Closure

  FRANCIS X. HEGARTY ELEMENTARY

  • FXH Class Directory

  LINCOLN ORENS MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • LOMS Class Directory

   

  Instructions for Connecting to i-Ready

  1. Log on to www.clever.com
  2. Click on Log in as a student
  3. Type in Francis X. Hegarty where it says, "Search for School."
  4. Click on where it says, "Log in with LDAP."
  5. Username - first initial of first name and last name (ex. Joe Smith = jsmith)
  6. Password- password you use to log into your school computer account
  7. Click log in
  8. Click on i-Ready icon
  9. Click on a subject

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Hegarty Celebrates Valentines and Veterans

  Students at Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School in Island Park took a special approach to Valentine’s Day festivities with a tribute to the community’s veterans on Feb. 14. Veterans from American Legion Post 1029, many of whom are district alumni, visited the building and received a warm welcome in the library. They introduced themselves and discussed their roles as servicemen and servicewoman, and were presented with handmade gifts from the students.

  The children and adults then sat together at tables to construct Valentine’s Day cards that they filled with positive messages and illustrated with symbols of kindness and caring. The cards, created from craft supplies and other decorations, were distributed to other veterans on Long Island as a token of appreciation.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Culture of kindness shines in Island Park

  Island Park’s culture of kindness was especially plentiful during No Name-Calling Week, observed between Jan. 21-24. With the goal of promoting safe and caring environments, Lincoln Orens Middle School and Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School each held activities based on the district’s Six Pillars of Character: Respect, caring, trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship and responsibility.

  Guidance counselor Andrea Porzelt and school social workers Allison Janofsky and Felicita Carranza coordinated an assortment of initiatives that emphasized positive behaviors and actions.

  Lincoln Orens held a “Kindness Counts” campaign in which teachers handed out certificates to students seen demonstrating kindness. At the end of the week, those recognized were entered into a raffle for a snack pass. A mural created by art teacher Naomi Seifert illustrating the six pillars was displayed in the hallway and a No Name Calling Week poem written by Student Council members was read over the PA system. Students promised to carry ethical values into the future and signed a No Name-Calling Week Pledge.

  Hegarty students read and discussed kindness quotes during morning announcements and reviewed related activities such as Anti-Bullying Week and Acts of Kindness Month. They reinforced the significance of the paper chain that was created in December and remains on display in the cafeteria as a year-round symbol of kindness. An at-home activity prompted students to express themselves by listing qualities they would like their peers to notice they possess. The elementary students culminated the week with a special “crumpled paper” exercise that shed light on the lasting negative impact of bullying, while simultaneously promoting empathy and compassion.

  At both schools, students and staff members dressed to show their support of the six pillars. Each day, they wore specific colors representative of the qualities discussed.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Menu change for Lincoln Orens Middle School

   

   

  2/27/2020, Lunch will be Chicken Tenders, Crinkle Cut French Fries and Carrots

  2/28/2020, Lunch will be Pizza and Tossed Green Salad

   

  Please note during the Lent season, Pizza will be served on Fridays at Lincoln Orens Middle School and F.X. Hegarty Elementary School. 

   

  This will be reflected on the March menu.

   

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Nassau County-LIPA Barrett Settlement Community Resource Page

  Thank you for joining representatives from Nassau County and the Long Island Power Authority for an informational meeting regarding the County-LIPA E.F. Barrett Power Plant settlement on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

  This temporary website is a resource for Island Park residents to understand the potential impact of this settlement on the community.

  https://www.barrettsettlement.com/

  • NASSAU-LIPA Community Meeting.pdf

  Island Park Public Schools