News & Announcements

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  A Day of Leadership

  Student Council members at Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School took on the roles of their teachers and administrators on May 31, during the annual Student/Teacher Exchange Day. This event promotes responsibility, leadership, communication and collaboration while motivating students to do their best to work for the jobs they hope to attain as adults.

  Under the guidance of Student Council Advisors Denise Benedetto and Patricia Pozin, students were matched with teachers, clerical staff members and even Principal Jacob Russum. They took on the exciting challenge of assisting with lessons and classroom activities and even spent time preparing in the days that led up to the event.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Pep Rally Prelude to Lincoln Orens Sports Night

  Island Park’s Lincoln Orens Middle School held its annual afternoon pep rally on May 23 as a way to promote school spirit and build excitement for the evening’s Sports Night event. The gymnasium was packed with energy as seventh and eighth graders put teamwork on display for an audience of younger peers.

  Participants and audience members supported their respective teams, which represented the school colors of blue and gold through “the Incrediblues” and “the Goldest Showman” themes. Students presented dance choreography, music, athletic challenges and more while cheers rang out from the stands. They demonstrated their athletic and sportsmanship skills later on at Sports Night.

  The pep rally and Sports Night both emphasized the importance of teamwork, with eighth-graders serving as captains and role models. This pair of events is one of the many ways in which the district promotes teamwork, respect, positive leadership and sportsmanship throughout the school year.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Lincoln Orens Welcomes Incoming Students

  Fourth graders from Island Park’s Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School were introduced to their future learning environment on June 5, during a new transition program. Lincoln Orens Middle School students helped welcome their younger peers, with eighth graders leading building tours and fifth graders answering questions in classroom visits. The fifth grade teachers also addressed their soon-to-be students and helped them get excited for their middle school years.

  This event was coordinated by Guidance Counselor Andrea Porzelt as part of the district’s ongoing initiatives to prepare students for future success. 

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Regular Business Meeting

  ISLAND PARK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
  BOARD OF EDUCATION
  ISLAND PARK, NEW YORK

  N O T I C E

  Regular Business Meeting
  of the
  BOARD OF EDUCATION

  Monday, June 17, 2019
  At 7:00 pm

  In the FXH Cafeteria located on Radcliffe Road

   -FXH & LOMS Students of the Month Recognition for May and June

  Marianne DeCicco
  District Clerk

  • Notice of Board Meeting June 2019.pdf

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Future Kindergartners Get Warm Welcomes

  Island Park’s soon-to-be kindergarten students had the opportunity to visit Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and become acclimated to the building they will regularly attend starting September. On May 28, Pre-K classes took a field trip that introduced them to the school, staff members and other aspects of the upcoming year.

  Principal Jacob Russum welcomed the students as they exited the large school buses that transported them over to Hegarty from Lincoln Orens, where the Universal Pre-K program is housed. The classes then separated into different kindergarten classrooms where teachers led group conversations, discussed various topics about kindergarten and read books. The Pre-K children will “step up” in June, and are already off to an exciting start.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Island Park’s Dr. Scimeca Receives Administrator of the Year Award

  Island Park Public Schools’ Director of Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Laurie Scimeca has been named the School Administrators Association of New York State Region 2 Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes her for providing exceptional service on behalf of education.

  Dr. Scimeca has been a valued member of the district’s administration for the past 20 years and an educator for more than four decades. She joined Island Park after working in New York City schools as a speech pathologist, educational evaluator and teacher. Since then, she has been involved in the implementation and planning of many programs that best support students. She has contributed to the success of special education students, the Universal PreK program and much more, communicating with school psychologists, administrators, teachers, parents and others in order to fulfil each child’s needs.  

  Currently president of the SAANYS Island Park Administrators Association, Dr. Scimeca is past Co-Chairperson of the Nassau County Department of Health’s Preschool Education Issues Committee and former president of the Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators. In the district, she has served as Special Education Supervisor, CSE/CPSE Chairperson, Assistant Director of the Universal PreK Program, Section 504 Compliance Officer and teacher trainer, among other roles. She has received the Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement and Recognition Award, which annually honors educators who go above and beyond their responsibilities to make a lasting impact in the district.

  “Dr. Scimeca is a caring practitioner and professional,” said Francis X. Hegarty School Principal Jacob Russum. “She effectively communicates with parents to put them at ease and help them understand the choices and opportunities available to their children. Ultimately, she leads from the heart, and has proven successes from her lifelong commitment to children and their families through public service.” 

  Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rosmarie Bovino added, “Dr. Scimeca’s mentoring and training of faculty, staff and parents over so many years has inspired all to understand students’ individual needs, while recognizing their strengths, and relishing the joy of their every accomplishment.  We are most grateful for her exceptional educational leadership.”

  Dr. Scimeca will retire at the end of June, and those in the Island Park schools extend their gratitude as they wish her a happy future.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Senior Citizen Brunch Shows Community Connection

  The Island Park Public Schools welcomed senior citizens from throughout the community for brunch at the Conference Center on May 10. The district hosts Senior Citizen Brunch events each school year, sponsored by the Island Park Recreation Department.

  Members of the Board of Education, administration and staff attended the event where Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rosmarie Bovino welcomed guests and provided district updates. Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School’s chorus of third- and fourth-graders, under the direction of music teacher Marie Sambolin, provided the entertainment. Students performed songs such as “Turn the World Around” and “The Power in Me.”

  In December, the district hosted a similar Senior Brunch at Lincoln Orens Middle School, which featured middle school musicians. These events provide a way to keep senior citizens in the community connected to the schools and apprised of the latest district news.  

  Island Park Public Schools
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  College Fair

  Seventh- and eighth-graders at Island Park’s Lincoln Orens Middle School explored the opportunities that stand ahead during a college fair held on May 15. This event was part of College Awareness Week, which is one of the district’s many initiatives that promote college-readiness. 

  Representatives from Adelphi University, Johnson and Wales University, Molloy College, Nassau Community College, Utica College, SUNY Purchase, LIU Post, St. John’s University and Stony Brook University managed booths assembled in the cafeteria, where classes visited throughout the morning. Students had the opportunity to tour the stations, speak to the presenters and take brochures and other materials.

  Earlier this school year, the Naviance college and career readiness program was launched at Lincoln Orens to help connect student strengths and interests with goals. Fifth-graders took learning style inventories, sixth-graders utilized a career cluster finder to find occupations that fit their interests, seventh-graders completed a career key assessment dedicated to personality types and eighth-graders had a strengths explorer assessment that identifies career paths based on students’ areas of talent. All students have Student Progress Review meetings with Guidance Counselor Andrea Porzelt to help guide them in their paths to success.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Budget Approved / Presupuesto Aprobado

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Pre K Registration

  Dear Parents and Community Members,

  A limited number of spots are still available for parents interested in enrolling their eligible child in the District’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten for the 2019-20 school year.

  The program is a full-day, five-day per week program for children turning four-years old by December 1, 2019. Children must also reside within the Island Park School District and meet all health and immunization requirements. Enrollment is limited so get your application in today!      

  UPK registration will be at Francis X. Hegarty School on Friday, June 7, 2019 by appointment only. Please call the Francis X. Hegarty School 434-2670/71 between 8am-4pm for your registration packet and to schedule an appointment.

  The day of your appointment, please bring:

  • Child’s Birth Certificate confirming your child will be four years of age on or before December 1, 2019.
  • 3 Proofs of Residency confirming you are a full-time resident of Island Park (e.g., driver’s license, telephone bill, deed to home, bank statement, etc.).
  • Updated physical and immunization documents from your child’s pediatrician.

  If more applications are received than slots available, a special board meeting will be held at a later date for the purpose of a random selection. Please call (516) 434-2670 for additional information.  There will be a mandatory UPK Parent Meeting at a later day for parents of students who are newly accepted and subsequently enrolled in the program.

  Should other openings occur during the school year, those children not selected at the lottery will be notified in the order in which their name was selected.

  Thank you for your continued support of the Island Park Schools.

  • En espanol - Spots pre-k registration May 2019.pdf
  • Spots pre-k registration May 2019.pdf

  Island Park Public Schools
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  NOT a “Boil Water Advisory”

  The district received a recorded message from NY American Water with regard to a “Boil Water Advisory”. The messaged stated that there is a rumor about residents having to boil water in Island Park. The message stated that there is NOT a “Boil Water Advisory” for Island Park or any LI service area.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Island Park Rings in Spring at April Board Meeting

  The Island Park Public Schools’ April 16 Board of Education Meeting featured student recognitions and important district information.

  The meeting began with the announcement of March Students of the Month from Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and Lincoln Orens Middle School. Jackson Flaherty (kindergarten), Ella Dudick (grade 1), Stefanie Laos (grade 2), Jason Morales (grade 3), Cassidee-Jade Clark (grade 4), Jagger Sgro (grade 5), Ariana Jara (grade 6), Celeste Consigli (grade 7) and Falon Duffy (grade 8) were congratulated for going above and beyond in their demonstration of positive character and achievement in the classroom. Kindergartner Tommy Matute, who was unable to attend the March meeting to receive his February Student of the Month acknowledgment, proudly accepted the award with the recent group. Principals Jacob Russum and Dr. Bruce Hoffman read teachers’ remarks about each honoree and distributed medals and certificates. 

  Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rosmarie Bovino and Assistant Superintendent Vincent Randazzo shared that the CTLE Professional Development Plan has been accepted by the New York State Education Department and the district is now an approved CTLE sponsor for 5 years, starting retroactively in 2016-17.

  The meeting also included a presentation on the proposed 2019-20 budget as the May 21 vote approaches. Island Park’s proposed tax increase is the fifth lowest in Nassau Ccounty out of 56 school district and the Board of Education and Administration have been diligent in their efforts to keep costs minimal. Participation in consortia, use of special audits and competitively bid contracts have been particularly cost effective for the district.  More information on the budget is available on the district’s website, www.ips.k12.ny.us.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Island Park School District’s Tax Levy

  For the past six years, the Island Park School District’s tax levy has been 1.5% or less. Through the litigation it has pursued and its  active work with local and state representatives, the district seeks the most beneficial outcome (settlement) regarding the Barrett Power Plant for the community. The District is not presently engaged in direct negotiations with LIPA.  In preparing its budget, the District takes a conservative approach to budgeting and sets its tax levy as low as possible to keep taxes low in the event that an agreement (settlement) is reached with LIPA.

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Summer Camp Application

  City of Long Beach
  Department of Parks & Recreation
  Summer Camp Application

  See Attached...

  • Long Beach Summer Camp Application.pdf

  Island Park Public Schools
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  Summer Recreation Programs

  An important message from the Superintendent of Schools

  Re:  Summer Recreation Programs 

  Alternate Summer Recreation Programs may be planned as the District moves forward with planning the summer construction projects.    It is likely that the summer recreation program will not run during the summer of 2019.  Alternate arrangements are being planned and definite information will be provided to parents within the next two weeks.  If you have any questions, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at 434-2610.

  Island Park Public Schools