The beautiful fall weather set the stage as the West Islip community came together to celebrate homecoming on Oct. 23. Led by West Islip High School’s Marching Lions band, the blue and gold-clad community kicked off the day with a parade down Higbie Lane.

From the youngest Lions cheerleaders and football players to the color guard, kick line and varsity cheer squad, the West Islip community marched together for the walk to Wayne Shierant Field at Alumni Stadium. This year’s floats were tied to a Disney theme with the freshman class showing off “Finding Nemo,” the sophomores with the “Tangled” theme, the junior class featuring “Monsters Inc.” and the seniors designed around “Toy Story.” Homecoming royalty were Nick Scarmozzino and Sophia Leccese, named Mr. and Ms. West Islip, followed by runners up Mason Barany and Lea Parascandola.

Once at the football field, the varsity Lions took on Division II rival Bellport. While the Lions weren’t able to secure the homecoming win, some of the highlights included a sack of the Clippers quarterback in the first quarter, a 10-yard run and a 31-yard pass in the second quarter, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Combining fun with exercise, West Islip School District held its fifth annual Color Run on Oct. 17. More than 400 community members celebrated health, wellness and community spirit by walking or running a 1-mile course around the West Islip High School grounds. At designated markers, color runners were doused in different colored powders. Paul J. Bellew Elementary School won a gift card for school supplies from the Health and Wellness Alliance for having the greatest number of student participants. The district thanks the Health and Wellness Alliance for its efforts in coordinating the event.

The students at Bayview Elementary School recently engaged in a favorite fall activity: pumpkin picking. Thanks to the Parent-Teacher Association, each student had the opportunity to select their perfect pumpkin from the patch set up outside the school.

Despite the wet weather conditions, students throughout the West Islip School District were all smiles as they entered their respective buildings for the start of the 2021-2022 schools year on Sept. 1. This year, the pre-kindergarten students are be part of a full-day program and are looking forward to their first experiences in the district. Kindergarten and first graders were accompanied off their buses and met by staff and explored their new teachers and classrooms. Sixth and ninth grade students were also welcomed into their new buildings and had the chance to get acquainted with their teachers and classmates. As the day went on, students eased into their new schedules and routines and settled in for a productive year ahead.