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

Island Trees Community Support – We Thrive Because of You

Island Trees continues to thrive because of the community support over many years. Our district has weathered significant financial challenges, including the Great Recession and the pandemic. During those periods, our primary focus was preserving the programs and services that have long defined our schools. While there were moments of financial strain, we emerged without increasing class sizes or reducing academic, co-curricular, musical, or athletic opportunities.
 
Why have we been able to do this? Because, year after year, our community has supported Island Trees schools. That consistent support, combined with the thoughtful leadership of our Board of Education -- who have balanced both short- and long-term priorities -- has made all the difference. As a result, we have maintained strong financial footing, built on decades of careful planning and responsible decision-making.
 
This year, more than ever, we are seeing districts across the Long Island -- including some very affluent ones -- forced to make difficult decisions to reduce staff and scale back programs in order to remain financially stable. We hope those communities are able to navigate these challenges successfully in the years ahead.
 
At Island Trees, we remain committed to a responsible financial approach to ensure long-term stability. Each year, publications like Newsday highlight districts experiencing fiscal stress. Some come as no surprise, while others raise concern because they were assumed to be high-end communities on solid ground. These examples reinforce the importance of vigilance and long-term planning.
 
We recognize that maintaining your trust requires consistent effort. This is not about a single year, but about sustained stewardship over time -- especially in a small district where resources must be managed with great care, without the advantages of larger systems that benefit from economies of scale.
 
We hope you continue to see the value of your investment in our schools. Our students are achieving strong academic outcomes and enjoying a wide range of experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
 
 


Sacsayhuamán….Sacsay-what?
 
When your child or student tells you, “I can’t do this,” it might be the perfect time to tell them about Sacsayhuamán.   High in the Peruvian Andes stands this ancient stone fortress, built over 500 years ago by the Incas -- without the use of wheels, iron tools, or modern machinery. Some of the stones used in its construction weigh over 100 tons and were transported across hilly terrain and carved to interlock with amazing precision. Even today, engineers are amazed by how the Incas accomplished this feat.
 
Many of us struggle to assemble a simple piece of IKEA furniture. And yet, long before cranes, forklifts, or even an Allen wrench, a civilization with limited resources managed to build something so complex.
The lesson? We all are capable of remarkable things. When we face challenges with persistence and purpose, the seemingly impossible becomes possible.
 
This is a powerful reminder for our children and students -- that struggles are not roadblocks, but opportunities to shine. When kids feel stuck, overwhelmed, or defeated, they should know they come from a long line of problem-solvers. They, too, can move mountains of stone -- or build with them as a matter of fact. With the right mindset, anything is possible for them.
 
   



Budget Vote – Tuesday, May 19, Stokes School, Noon – 9:00 p.m.
 





MMS Art & Technology Expo: A Night of Creativity and Connection
 
 


 



 
 
Island Trees Thunderbolts Fundraiser - Wednesday, May 20th 

Levittown Lanes - Bowling - Many from our county championship team started here.

Girls Lacrosse Team Conference IV Champions


Dollars for Scholars Fundraiser - May 19th


Week’s Calendar
 
Monday, May 18 – Chorus/Orchestra Concert, ITHS, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19 – School Budget Vote, Stokes, Noon – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19 – Stokes Literature & Arts Expo
Tuesday, May 19 – Sparke Authors and Artists 
Wednesday, May 20 – Calendar Meeting, Karopczyc, 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20 – Board of Education Meeting, Karopczyc, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 21 – Interim Reports on Parent Portal
Friday, May 22 – School is in session.
Friday, May 22 – Sparke Field Day (new date)
 
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, May 25 – Memorial Day – Schools Closed
Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day Parade, MMS, 10:00 a.m. (start)
Tuesday, May 26 – PTSA Meeting, MMS, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27 – Performing Arts Banquet, VFW Post 516 Farmingdale, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 28 – Varsity Athletic Awards, ITHS, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 28 – Literacy Experience for Incoming Kindergarten Students, Sparke
Friday, May 29 – Stokes Field Day