Dear Island Trees School Community,
 
Please see the messages, as well as the calendar of events & activities below: 

Specialist Daniel Fuentes Remembrance Day – April 6 (Observed this year on April 23)

Specialist Daniel Fuentes Remembrance Day is observed on April 6 in honor of his service and sacrifice for our country in Iraq. Specialist Fuentes gave his life in service on April 6, 2007. As this date falls during our recess period, the Island Trees community will commemorate Specialist Fuentes on Thursday, April 23.

We invite all students and staff to participate by wearing Daniel Fuentes apparel, which has been sold over the years to support his foundation and provide scholarships to Island Trees students. If you do not have apparel, we encourage you to wear red, white, and blue in tribute.

In addition, the Key Club at the high school and student leaders at the middle school will be selling bracelets, with proceeds benefiting the Daniel Fuentes Foundation.


 
 
College Affordability – How Does Anyone Pay?
 
College costs continue to rise, and many families worry about how to afford it. While some parents save through 529 plans, the reality is that private colleges now cost close to $100,000 per year -- far more than what the typical family’s 529 has saved.  For many, SUNY schools offer a more “affordable” option. With room and board, the total cost is about $30,000 per year -- or $120,000 over four years.  That’s still a lot of money!  That said, students who commute to local SUNY schools like Farmingdale, Old Westbury, or Stony Brook can save a lot. Tuition is about $11,000 per year, but living at home eliminates the high cost of SUNY housing and meals, which is about twice the cost of tuition.
 
With that said,  there are financial aid opportunities that many families may not realize exist. Some private colleges offer free or reduced tuition for families earning under $100,000, and even top schools offer significant aid or free tuition to families in $150,000 - $200,000 income range. Just recently, one of our students received a full scholarship (covering tuition, room, and board) to an Ivy League school, proving that private school financial aid can open doors.  In addition, New York’s Excelsior Scholarship covers SUNY tuition for families with incomes under $125,000.
 
To make college more affordable, families should start planning early and talk about realistic options. If you have questions about financial aid and scholarships, reach out to your child’s guidance counselor for help.
A recent article to read…..
 
15 Well-Known Colleges That Offer Free Tuition To Middle-Class Families
 
 
 
Advanced Placement Preparation – Spring Recess

As we head into Spring Recess, the drive for excellence on Advanced Placement exams continues! 🌟📚
Last year, Island Trees achieved its strongest AP performance to date -- a reflection of the hard work, focus, and dedication shown by our students and teachers across all AP subject areas. 👏🎓

Spring Recess offers a great opportunity for students to stay sharp by reviewing course material. Spending even a little time each day reinforcing key concepts can make a big difference when exam time arrives in May. ⏳✏️

We encourage families to support students in finding a healthy balance -- enjoying a well-deserved break while also setting aside time for review. This steady approach helps build confidence and reduces stress as AP exams approach. 💡
 

NYS Grades 3-8 Testing
 
The New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessments play a vital role in evaluating student proficiency in these key subject areas. Just as importantly, the results provide valuable insights for teachers and parents about each student’s academic progress.
 
These assessments serve as an essential tool for instructional planning, helping educators tailor support to promote student growth. We encourage all parents to take advantage of the NYS 3-8 testing program to monitor their child’s academic development over the six-year testing period. This program is an invaluable resource for both families and schools.
 

 
 

 PTA Council District Dinner 


 THE BLITZ FUNDRAISING EVENT 
  
 
  
 https://my.cheddarup.com/c/blitz-2026-presale-entry-tickets/items
 

YES Community Counseling Center - Talk It Out


Next Week’s Calendar
 
Monday, April 13 – Schools Reopen
Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15 – ELA assessments, MMS, Grades 5-8
Friday, April 17 – Secondary 3rd Marking Period Ends
Friday, April 17 – Island Trees Elementary Blitz, MMS, 5:30 p.m./6:00 p.m.
 
 
 
Athletics Game Schedule Link
https://www.islandtrees.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=415372&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=767844
 
 
Island Trees Home Page – Parent Square Link and Pop-Up
https://islandtrees.org/
 
 
Island Trees Social Media Sites
 
Twitter/X - Sparke School
@SparkeShines
https://twitter.com/SparkeShines
 
Twitter/X - Stokes School
@WeRStokes
 
Twitter/X - MMS
https://twitter.com/IslandtreesMMS
 
Twitter/X – Special Education
IT_SpecialEd
 
Island Trees High School
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/islandtreeshs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IslandtreesHS/
 
Instagram – Athletics
islandtreesathletics
 
Island Trees Curriculum and Instruction Instagram:
islandtreeslearns
https://www.instagram.com/islandtreeslearns/
 
 
Two-Week Calendar Look Ahead
 
Monday, April 20 – National High School Art Honor Society and Art Expo, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21 – International Night, MMS, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21 – Dollars for Scholars Meeting, ITHS, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22 – Board Work Session, Karopczyc, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22 – National Administrative Professionals Day
Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23 - New York State ELA Assessment Grades 3&4
Thursday, April 23 - Specialist Daniel Fuentes Remembrance Day – Please wear red, white, and blue or Daniel Fuentes apparel. 
Friday, April 24 – MMS/HS Reports on the Parent Portal