Please note the following changes to the high school's calendar for June 2019.

NHS Investiture Ceremony – added on June 11, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the MS
Senior Prom – moved from June 24 to Tuesday, June 25
HS Graduation – moved from June 25 to Wednesday, June 26
HS Graduation Rain Date – moved from June 26 to Thursday, June 27
 

Dear EI Community:

Growing up in a house of book readers can be intimidating. It hurts to say this, but I often felt like an alien who could not master the reading skills of the natives. It was with great envy that I watched my brothers, mother and father pick up books, begin on page 1, go to page 2, finish chapter 1 and systematically read the book to completion. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes would begin to read, but I was distracted by every passing butterfly and change of the wind.

Just when I thought I would never be a reader, my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Kramer, recognized that I was struggling and asked me a question I will never forget.  She said, "John, what do you like to read?" I told her I liked to read newspapers and magazines that were delivered to my home. She said, with a big smile on her face, "John, reading is reading, but as long as you promise to read the newspaper and magazines every day, your future will be bright."

Looking back on my experience and applying all the research that tells us reading is the key to success, I have come to realize what saved me was newspapers and magazines. We often equate reading with books, but not all children’s minds are wired the same. It is with great joy that I would pick up the newspapers or magazines which did not have to be read in linear sequential order. The beauty of newspapers and magazines is they contain a rainbow of stories as opposed to the structure of the novel. It is with great pride that over the years, I have been able to retrain myself so that I can now enjoy newspapers, magazines and books.

Ladies and gentlemen, the research doesn’t tell us what we must read, but shows us why it is so important to read. The more words, thoughts and ideas that go into our brain through our eyes and ears, the better solutions that come out of our mouth or through our writing.

Please take a moment to look at the chart attached and do all you can to encourage our children to be better readers. Reading is the exercise our minds needs to make healthy decisions. Isn’t it great that we work in a profession where we could all become a Mrs. Kramer? Please join our movement and find positive, proactive ways to encourage our children to read. A little encouragement is the start of a a lot of big things.

Sincerely,

John V. Dolan
Superintendent of Schools

The all-district concert originally scheduled for March 6 has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 5. The event will still take place at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Rehearsals for the all-district concert have now been moved to Monday, March 4.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As you know, the safety and security of our school buildings, students and staff is, and always has been, our number one priority. With that being said, the Board of Education and district administrators have spent the last several months discussing the many options to safeguard our most treasured assets – your children. Through many discussions at Board meetings, the conversation to arm our security guards has been at the forefront.

At last evening’s Board meeting, the trustees voted in favor of the placement of armed security personnel within our buildings when the students return from the holiday break. This decision was made after months of thoughtful deliberation, research and multiple conversations with law enforcement, security professionals, our insurance carrier and district lawyers.

The district will be equipping many of our existing security guards, all of whom are qualified retired police officers. Our current security staff is already aware of our buildings, students and staff as well as our security procedures. There is no need for the district to hire any new personnel. Our security personnel will undergo any necessary training if applicable and adhere to the guidelines set within the Board policy.

As always, the topic of safety and security is discussed among our staff often and we continually enhance and update our security protocols and infrastructure based on these discussions. We also constantly seek advice from and meet regularly with law enforcement authorities to ensure our personnel are well-informed and our Crisis Management Plan is updated regularly. 

Additionally, in accordance with the passage of the bond referendum in May 2018, the district will further its security enhancements at the entrances of our schools. The vestibule and door projects at each school aims to secure the perimeter and create safer entrance vestibules, including “mantraps.” Exterior doors will be replaced with new hardware, vestibules and lobbies will be reconfigured, and new security devices will be added. Designs for this project have been completed and await final comments and permit from the New York State Education Department. We anticipate the permits to be approved before the end of the year, with bids released in January.

In addition to the above, our district has also increased our efforts to support the social-emotional well-being of all students. Our mental health staff will be working with our students more closely with the goal of helping them feel connected and invested while at school. In addition to our established programs, the Sandy Hook Promise, Challenge Day, the Amityville Cultural Exchange Project and our See Something Say Something Hotline (631- 312-0620), are initiatives we began this year in an effort to ensure all kids are connected to school. Furthermore, during the budget process this spring, we will be reviewing our staffing needs in the area of mental health staff for the next school year and adding a peer mentor program.

I would like to take a moment and thank the Board of Education, district administrators and all residents who have shared their input with us during these last several months. As partners in education, it is critical to have the cooperation of our community.
I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,

John V. Dolan
Superintendent of Schools