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

Public Library Game Changers 

As a school superintendent, I get to see every day how opportunity changes a child’s life. But I’m also reminded -- constantly -- that schools don’t do this work alone. Our public libraries are among the greatest partners we have in leveling the playing field for kids and families.

History proves it.

Ben Carson, Carl Sagan, Pete Hamill, Oprah Winfrey -- each grew up in circumstances that could have limited their futures. Yet each of them credits one simple resource with changing everything: their public library.

Ben Franklin and a few of his friends understood this when they founded one of the first libraries in America: knowledge must belong to everyone -- whether you’re born with a silver spoon, or just grateful to have utensils.

Oprah called her library visits her sanctuary.
Sagan got his first library card at age five, and the universe opened up.

And all it takes to start changing a life…. is a library card.


 

AP and Other Exams – Study, Study, Study

In just a few weeks, our high school students will be sitting for their Advanced Placement exams. Not long after that, middle school and high school finals -- and Regents exams -- will be here too.

When it comes to preparing, one of the biggest myths is that cramming the night before is the secret to success. In reality, very few students can pull that off. The best approach is a steady review of notes and readings over time. For AP exams, that preparation really should have started months ago.

Don’t be fooled by classmates who claim they “never study” or that they’ll just cram at the last minute. In truth, most of those students have been quietly reviewing for weeks. I learned in college that these so-called “non-studiers” were some of the most dedicated workers -- you could always find them in the library after dinner, putting in the hours.

The lesson? Success on exams still comes down to the same ancient principles -- study, study, study!

 


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

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 – (1 for $3 or 2 for $5).




Support the History Bee Fundraiser 

 
Thought for the Week
 

 
Next Week’s Calendar
 
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
 
 
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
 
Tuesday, April 28 – Board of Education Meeting, Karopczyc, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28 – 8th Grade Trip Parent Meeting, MMS, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 30 – SEPTA Meeting, MMS, 7:00 p.m.