West Islip High School has named its top two academic leaders for the Class of 2025 – Abigail Lam and Taylor Riley.

An Advanced Placement Scholar, Lam is a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and National English Honor Society. She is also an All-County tennis player and is a member of the wind ensemble, PEP band and marching band at West Islip High School. Lam has participated in the SPARK Program at Brookhaven National Laboratory as well as its STEM Coders Program. She will be attending Boston University in the fall to study environmental systems and policy.

Riley is the co-president of Student Senate and is a member of the National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. She also serves as captain of the varsity flag football team, captain of the varsity girls bowling team and captain of the varsity girls tennis team. Having completed more than 100 hours of community service, Riley is also a member of the high school’s Century Club. Some of her other involvements include P.S. I Love You Day, SADD, HEARTT Club, Environmental Club and Young Women’s Forum. She will be attending Fairfield University in the fall to study psychology.

Date Added: 5/27/2025

At the May 8 Board of Education meeting, West Islip officially swore in its student Board of Education representative. Noah Butler was sworn in by the district’s attorney, Thomas Volz. Additionally, Veronica Ramos was sworn in as an alternate. West Islip High School conducted the student Board of Education interviews in March to select a representative. The interview committee consisted of five students, including the class president from each grade and the student representative of the West Islip High School PTSA. Additionally, five veteran staff members from various disciplines participated in the process. Using the rubric created by the district, which was aligned with the Profile of a Graduate, Noah Butler was chosen as the successful candidate. 

Date Added: 5/9/2025

On May 16, teachers from Plainview-Old Bethpage School District visited Beach Street Middle School to view technology in action. Jesse Fawess started the visit with a chat bot that provided each student with a leveled vignette and questions that reinforced inference and prediction skills. Some students were prompting the bot to generate higher level passages when they had mastered the sixth-grade level ones and wanted more of a challenge.

John Lavery's class used SchoolAI to plan a three-day trip to a world city they studied this year. Students used AI to research flights, lodging, sightseeing, meals (and souvenirs for Mr. Lavery), all while staying within a budget. Jackie Vaysman used a prompt in SchoolAI for students to discuss household chores with a parent bot en español. The students learned how to ask the AI to give suggestions on their grammar and accents.

Click here to view the AI in Action at Beach Street slideshow.

Date Added: 5/19/2025

Manetuck Elementary School recognized Mental Health Awareness Month in May with a series of engaging and supportive activities. Led by social worker Jami Ashley and school counselor Michelle Falco, the initiative included a fitness walk, mindfulness exercises and a schoolwide effort to wear green to raise mental health awareness. Students received calming stickers, while staff were given stress relief squishes, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere for all.

Date Added: 5/21/2025

Budget Approved/Presupuesto Aprobado
Yes (Si) 1,502
No 503

Proposition #2: Capital Reserve Budget
Yes (Si) 1,507
No 468

Board of Education Election/Elecciones de la Junta de Educacion:
Three at large seats
Grace Kelly: 1,175*

Christina Marks: 1,143*
Peter McCann: 1,124*

Thomas Pastore: 1,066
*Elected

Date Added: 5/20/2025