Islip’s Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School held a splendid ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 24 for its stunning new outdoor classroom, the result of a three-year Boosterthon project spearheaded by the school’s PTA.
The project began in May 2022, when Sherwood PTA member Marisa Becker approached Principal Briana James with an idea for a Boosterthon fundraiser. Sherwood’s Shared Decision Making Committee, led by President Trisha Tramaglini, quickly began making long-range plans. From the beginning, one of the goals of the project was to create an outdoor classroom for students. In recent years, an increased appreciation for outdoor learning has come to the fore, both in educational aspects and in terms of the great value of purposeful play for children.
“Our eyes were opened to the real benefits of learning outdoors and different ways that we could create interdisciplinary units outdoors, learning about the local climate and teaching concepts of
Sherwood’s Boosterthon Project Leads To A Marvelous Outdoor Classroom
interdependence using patterns found in science and nature,” James said. “We wanted to capitalize on our location, knowing we had a great outdoor space with the Seatuck Environmental Association right behind us. We’re on Long Island, by the water. We’ve got this beautiful space, let’s take advantage of it and create an opportunity for kids.”
The resulting first Boosterthon, led by Becker, PTA President Jenn Sanders and the entire PTA executive board, raised $12,000, a significant portion of which was later allocated to the outdoor classroom.
“During the months between our first and second fundraisers, it became clear that we would need a lot to safely create the outdoor space we had all been dreaming of,” James said. With the strong support of the district’s central administration – Superintendent Dr. Dennis P. O’Hara; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Michael Giacchetto and Assistant
Superintendent for Business Michael Zeterberg – and board of education, Sherwood’s team continued to work on plans for the outdoor classroom. The area had to be measured, marked and checked for potential underground issues, and research on upgrading and installing security cameras was necessary.
The 2023 Boosterthon fundraiser proved even more successful, raising $18,632 and culminating in a community-building Fun Run activity, in which students ran, walked, hopped and danced around the school’s track as faculty, staff and parent volunteers helped the children record how far they ran.
As a special reward to her students, James held “Pie the Principal” and “Dunk the Principal” events.
Last fall, ground was broken for the outdoor classroom site, aided by funding secured by New York State Assemblyman Jarrett Gandolfo. Security cameras were installed by the district’s technology department, led by Director of Network Operations James Prudente and
Director of Facilities Andrew Scimeca, and the area was fenced off.
“At the time, it may not have appeared to be much, but our fence was huge, both financially and symbolically,” James said. “Once the fence was up, there was no going back, and no one wanted to.”
Using Boosterthon fund, grant money and donations, Sherwood next purchased needed materials, including collaborative chalkboard workstations, a large eight-by-four-foot outdoor chalkboard; a shed; materials necessary to build a garden bed for each grade, including rocks, soil and seeds; two root viewers; two magnifying stations; a little free library; and a weather station. The Shared Decision Making Committee purchased individual chalkboards for student use, Alec Brown of Alec’s Affordable Arbor Services donated five sitting stumps, and Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz helped select large tubular chimes; samba drums; and a musical fence. Science & Technology Coordinator
Dan Ogerri allocated grant money for the project, helped design the space and built the garden beds, ensuring they were ready in time for students to plant flowers in the beds during Sherwood’s Earth Day celebration in April. During the spring break, head custodian Will DeChirico singlehandedly built the space’s shed, which holds supplies including stools, magnifying glasses, Keva Planks, student lap desks and gardening tools.
In May 2024, Sherwood geared up for its third and biggest fundraiser, taking in a remarkable total of $20,000 in the third Boosterthon, leading to June’s ribbon-cutting, where students and the community had a chance to freely explore the space.
Integrating science, technology, art and math, the outdoor classroom fosters true learning experiences, and curriculum writing will ensure that teachers have clear objectives for student visits to the space. It is part of Sherwood’s steady progress over the last two years in building up its STEAM program, first with
the addition of a STEAM teacher assistant, then a full-time STEAM teacher. Next year, Sherwood will begin a Lego robotics program. Future plans for the outdoor classroom include adding additional collaborative seating and a dedicated meeting area.
“Creating this outdoor classroom has been a huge undertaking, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together as a community,” James said. “This new learning space opens up a world of exciting learning opportunities which foster curiosity, collaboration and creativity. Together, we have created something truly special for our school community, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for every person who played a part in making this outdoor classroom a reality. It’s clear that our Sherwood family values our children’s future, and I’m honored and humbled to be a part of it. I can’t wait to see everyone laughing, learning and thriving in this new, beautiful space for years to come.”
A MARVELOUS OUTDOOR CLASSROOM - Islip’s Maud S. Sherwood Elementary School held a splendid ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 24 for its stunning new outdoor classroom, the result of a three-year Boosterthon project spearheaded by the school’s PTA. Photos courtesy of Islip School District
JULY HAPPENINGS
MAKE A SUBMISSION! Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com.
Volunteer Opportunities For Recent Grads
SATURDAY, JULY 27
6:00PM
FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
Islip Arts Council and Studio Theater of Long Island Shakespeare Troupe present "A Comedy of Errors" by William Shakespeare at the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore. Limited engagement. For more information, please call 631-888-3525, or visit isliparts.org/
9:30AM - 2:30PM
MEDITATION SATURDAY: RETREAT FOR BODY, MIND, & SOUL
The Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, 79 County Line Road in Amityville will be hosting Meditation Saturday: Retreat For Body, Mind, & Soul. A day of rejuvenation, with stress-reducing and inspirational workshops designed to provide a welcome oasis in your busy week. For more information, please call 631-822-7979; infotristate@sos.org To Register: sos.org/location/amityville
10:00AM-2:00PM
FREE CHILD ID CARD PROGRAM
Nassau County Residents Only New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso, in partnership with Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy, and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, is holding a FREE Operation Safe Child ID Card Program at Marjorie Post Pool in Massapequa. No appointment necessary. For more information, please contact Assemblyman Durso’s district office at 516-541-4598.
SUNDAY, JULY 28
2:00PM
FREE BEATLES ON THE BALCONY CONCERT: THE LIVERPOOL SHUFFLE
First ever free concert outdoors on LIMEHOF terrace featuring Beatles tribute band. 97 Main Street, Stony Brook. For more information, please call Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame 631-689-5888 or visit info@ limusichalloffame.org
3:30PM
AFTERNOON AT THE RACES
Brumidi Lodge, 2075 Deer Park Avenue in Deer Park is hosting an Afternoon At The Races. Adults $15, Ages 4 to 12 $10, Ages 3 and under are Free. Buffet Style Dinner, Beverage, Dessert and Coffee. Cash Bar. Raffles. For more information, please call Marian at 631- 332-9775 or Anita at 631-422-6914 to reserve your spot!
MONDAY, JULY 29
6:00PM – 7:30PM PAINT NIGHT: SUMMER SUNFLOWERS
The Babylon Public library, 24 S. Carll Ave. in Babylon, will be hosting a Paint Night: Summer Sunflowers. Join local artist Kathy Reccardi as she teaches participants step-by-step how to paint an arrangement of sunflowers. No painting experience needed. Nonrefundable $5 fee due at registration. For more information, please call 631-669-1624. Email: info@ babylonlibrary.org, Website: www. babylonlibrary.org
TUESDAY, JULY 30
12:15PM
FREE BROWN BAG CONCERT SERIES
LADY BLUE SAX
Tuesdays at the Bay Shore Band Shell 80 East Main St, in Bay Shore. For more information, please call 631-888-3525, or visit isliparts.org/ for additional shows.
7:30PM MOVIES ON THE FARMINGDALE VILLAGE GREEN
Enjoy free movies Tuesday nights on the Farmingdale Village green, 361 Main Street. Movies start at dusk, preceded by cartoons. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Movies will be shown through August 20 (weather permitting). For more information, please call 516-249-0093 or visit http:// www.farmingdalevillage.com/
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
PLEASE ARRIVE at 8:30AM RETURN approx. 8:30PM BUS TRIP TO WIND CREEK CASINO St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hicksville is hosting a Bus trip to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA. Cost: $55 per person, which includes the driver’s tip Give back: $35 slot play. For more information, please call Barbara at 516-935-5576 or Karen at 516-937- 5527. Please make checks payable to “St. Ignatius Church”. The first to pay is the first on the bus.
7:30PM
SUSPIRIA - SCREENING AND Q&A
Author / film critic Maitland McDonagh hosts SUSPIRIA at Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave. in Huntington. $16 public | $10 members. Horror-film maven Maitland McDonagh, author of Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento, hosts a screening and Q&A for Argento’s masterpiece Suspiria (Italy, 1977), considered to be one of the most terrifying and stylized horror films of our time. For more information, please call 631-423-7610, or visit cinemaartscentre.org/
During the months between graduating high school and beginning college, or between getting a university degree and entering the workforce, graduates may want to explore the personal growth that comes from volunteerism. Volunteering provides various benefits. Some of these rewards include networking with an entirely different group of people. Volunteering also can help a person realize greater happiness by doing selfless acts for others, while they also can help one to realize a new passion. In the future, volunteering with an organization also may help with a student’s job search.
There are many arenas where young people can focus their volunteer efforts. Here are some ideas.
• Animal shelter: Animal shelters rely on volunteers to help with their operations. They can be a good fit for anyone with a passion for animals and animal rights activism.
• Public service sectors: AmeriCorp and Peace Corps have scores of opportunities for volunteers. AmeriCorp focuses on domestic issues, while the PeaceCorp is a branch of the U.S. government that engages volunteers in international service work. Community involvement, health care, agriculture, homelessness, and
combatting hunger are top priorities for these organizations.
• English as a second language: Volunteers can spend time abroad teaching English to students. Others may want to volunteer domestically by helping non-English-speaking individuals improve their language skills.
• Community government: A person may choose to sit on the board of a school, a neighborhood housing association, or even explore volunteerism with a township municipal office. This will provide valuable hands-on experience and may help one lend a voice to issues that affect his or her living situation.
• Religious groups: Churches, synagogues and mosques may have volunteer opportunities focused on community outreach or programs affiliated with local nonprofits.
• Conservation groups: Volunteers can work on conservation projects across the country. From wildlife management to trail restoration to invasive species eradication, there are a wide variety of conservationbased volunteering opportunities.
• Tutoring: Graduates can volunteer to tutor students in local schools or overseas. Volunteerism can fill gap years or add to résumés for recent graduates.
Islip Summer Senior Advocate Schedule
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Islip residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Summer 2024 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.
“It is so important for us to provide our senior citizens with the assistance and information they need in ways that are most convenient to them. These visits allow our seniors to connect with our County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”
This summer, Senior
Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Islip:
• Bay Shore Library, 1 S. Country Road, Brightwaters: Friday, eptember 20, 10 am – 12 pm
• Bishop McGann Housing, 200 Bishop McGann Drive, Central Islip: Mondays, August 26 & September 30, 10 am – 12 pm
• Brentwood Senior Nutrition, 16 Second Avenue, Brentwood: Mondays, August 19 & September 23, 11:30 am –1:30 pm
• Connetquot Library, 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia: Thursday, September 12, 10 am – 12 pm
• East Islip Library, 381 E. Main Street, East Islip: Monday, August 12, 10 am – 12 pm
• Islip Library, 71 Monell Avenue, Islip: Monday September 16, 10 am – 12 pm
• St. Anne’s Gardens, 80100 2nd Avenue, Brentwood:
Friday, August 2, 8:30 – 11 am
Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 853-8200.
“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and trouble-free access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.”
LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP
Jeff
Patty Franks
Josh Marlowe
Alyssa Deutsch Receives The Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that Islip Terrace’s Alyssa Deutsch is receiving the MasottoDriscoll Scholarship.
The scholarship’s namesakes, Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, were best friends and top women’s soccer players from Massapequa, Long Island. Eastern New York set up a scholarship in their name after they were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. The scholarship is determined by success in high school as well as community service.
Alyssa was an AP Scholar at East Islip High School. She had four consecutive years of four straight quarters on the High Honor Roll, with a Mastery in Science and Mastery in Math, Art Honor Society and World Language Honor Society plus is working towards the Seal of Civic Readiness. She was also selected the 2023 Homecoming Queen.
Alyssa played four years of varsity soccer with
Photo of Alyssa Deutsch, courtesy of her family
East Islip High School, winning a Suffolk County championship along the way. She competed for Stony Brook LGN in club soccer, captaining her side to several league titles and two cups. One of her most memorable experiences was playing on a girls team that competed against boys squads and made it all the way to the semifinals in Spain’s Mundialito Tournament.
The many local groups that Alyssa volunteers with includes the past four years with the East Islip Soccer Club’s TOPSoccer Program for children with special needs.
We wish Alyssa well
in studying and playing soccer at SUNY New Paltz this fall.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81.
ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www. enysoccer.com/
A Summertime Cold
Lights Of Hope Remembrance Ceremony
To Honor Loved Ones Lost To An Overdose
YES Community Counseling Center’s Annual Lights of Hope Remembrance Ceremony is being held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 7:00 pm. The ceremony will be held at YES Community Counseling Center’s Levittown office located at
152 Center Lane.
Family members are invited to bring a small framed photo of their loved one for a candle lighting ceremony. This event provides a safe space for our community to remember loved ones for who they were. Let’s come
together to honor their lives.
Please see the attached flyer for registration link and QR code. For more information, contact Kathleen Coletta, LCSW (516) 799-3203 x127 or email at kcoletta@ yesccc.org
Despite what people may believe, colds are not exclusive to the cold weather months and early spring. Although a person is more likely to catch a cold during the winter, it’s still possible to get a cold in the summer. During colder months, people tend to stay indoors in close proximity to others. That can make it easier for contagious cold viruses to spread. In addition, during the winter, the air is cold and dry, and these conditions are hospitable to cold viruses. In the summer, humidity can impede the common cold’s easy spread, but air conditioning units with recirculated air can reverse the protective nature of this humidity. Even though people may spend more time outdoors during the summer, on especially hot days they may retreat indoors to cool off. That’s when cold viruses can thrive. Symptoms of summer colds aren’t different from winter colds. However, the heat and humidity of the summer months can make a person feel miserable. Also, when cold symptoms keep people from fun summertime activities, it can seem more impactful than suffering in winter when there’s not much to do.
Lustgarten Foundation
(NAPSI)—The world’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, the Lustgarten Foundation, is dedicated to curing this devastating disease—and you can help with a donation. To learn more about the condition and what you can do, visit www.lustgarten.org or call toll-free 866-7891000.
of these laws
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Qualified ca nd id at es should prin t/compl ete an a ppl icat ion at www. copiague.k12.ny.us and email or fax al on g wi th resume and co ve r le tt er to :
Mr Todd J. Andrews Assistant Supe rintendent for Human Resources COPIAGUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Autos Want ed
Students Gain Advanced Trial Skills
Before the close of the school year, East Islip High School teacher Patsy Lester’s trial and debate class visited District Court at the Cohalan Court Complex. The students went on a guided tour of the facility, including a courtroom, a holding cell and sheriff’s lockup. At each stage, students learned about the court personnel and the vital jobs they play in our criminal justice system. The tour concluded with a visit to arraignments, where they
observed several criminal defendants have their charges read. Senior Anthony Spaeth said the visit helped him better understand how the court system works.
The following week, the students got the chance to put their new knowledge to the test, when the class enacted a mock trial. The case involved a defendant accused of murder and retaliation against a witness. The class divided in two, one side acting as prosecution
and the other as defense. The students performed opening and closing statements as well as direct and cross examinations of witnesses.
The high school’s mock trial team acted as a jury, and alumna Alexa Dante, a 2024 graduate of Touro Law School, presided as the judge.
The final score was a split decision; the prosecution prevailed on skills points, but the defense earned the “not guilty” verdict.
“It’s great that students
are learning these skills in high school,” Dante said. “Most students entering law school don’t even learn trial advocacy until much later, so these students will be well ahead of their peers if they choose to study law.”
“I was so happy when the jury foreman read the verdict,” said Teagan LongCapriola, a junior who acted as a defense lawyer. “I was nervous up there, but it felt great to win in the end!”
A Summertime Staple
Peaches are a summertime staple. This sweet fruit is at home in desserts, salads, on top of cereals, and all on its own. Peaches thrive in warm climates with lots of sunlight. Peaches are native to northwest China, and they are believed to have been domesticated and cultivated since 2000 B.C. Later, they were widely grown in the region known as Persia, which is now called Iran. As a result, the scientific name for
the peach species is Prunus persica. China continues to be the world’s largest peach producer, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United States. In the United States, even though Georgia is known as “The Peach State,” it is not the country’s biggest producer of peaches. Georgia is beat out by California and South Carolina. New Jersey also produces its fair share of peaches. Nectarines and peaches are similar fruits. In fact, nectarines are a type of peach. Peaches have
a dominant allele for the fuzzy skin, while nectarines have a recessive allele for that fuzz. In regard to flavor, peaches and nectarines are very similar, but some experts say nectarines are slightly sweeter and firmer. According to the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, nectarines also have considerably more potassium and twice as much vitamin A as peaches.
visited District Court at the Cohalan Court Complex and enacted a mock trial. Photo courtesy of East Islip School District
