Island Trees Memorial Middle School

Dear Island Trees Memorial Middle School Families,

We are officially diving into a high-energy, three-day sprint to the finish line! With our extended Spring Recess just 72 hours away, our hallways are brimming with excitement. Whether your family is gearing up for Passover traditions, Easter celebrations, or simply the wonderful prospect of a week without an early alarm clock, there is so much light and renewal to look forward to.

As the sun stays out longer and the spring colors start to pop, we are channeling that "short-week energy" into our classrooms to finish this stretch with the teamwork and heart that makes ITMMS so special.

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Families

As we reflect on a busy month, we want to extend a sincere thank you to our incredible parents and guardians. Whether you were cheering from the sidelines, helping your child prepare for the Regional Bees, or engaging in meaningful conversations at home following the "Ryan’s Story" presentation, your partnership is the backbone of our success. We truly appreciate the support and encouragement you provide our students and staff every single day.

Reflecting on an Impactful Week

Last week was a true testament to the spirit of our students and staff. We are incredibly proud of the following highlights:

• Mentorship in Action: Our 5th-grade reading students showcased wonderful leadership as they collaborated with and supported their younger counterparts at Stokes Elementary.

• "Ryan’s Story": On Wednesday, our 7th and 8th graders attended a presentation by John Halligan. It was a powerful, impactful session on kindness and resilience that deeply resonated throughout our building.

• A Hub of Talent: This past Saturday, ITMMS hosted the Regional IAC History, Science, and Geography Bees. It was an honor to welcome students from across the region to our school and celebrate their academic achievements.

The Week Ahead

The momentum isn't slowing down as we approach the break!

• Spring Athletics: Season play officially kicks off today! Please join us in wishing our coaches and student-athletes a fantastic, safe, and competitive start to the season.

• Spring Cleanup: On Wednesday, April 1st, we will hold a school-wide Spring Cleanup. Students will be encouraged during Advisory and classes to declutter their backpacks and lockers. We want every student to head into the break feeling organized and refreshed!

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the energy you bring to our school community every day. Let’s make these final three days rewarding and memorable.

Wishing you all a wonderful week and a very happy Spring Recess!

Mr. Keegan & Ms. Steele

This past Saturday, students in grades 4-8 from all over the region came to Island Trees Memorial Middle School to compete in the IAC Regional History, Science, and Geography Bee Competitions. As in years past, ITMMS had over 300 students qualify to compete, and many came out to represent our school and even earned golden tickets to compete in the National Competitions to be held in Orlando and the International History Bee in Paris, France and International Geography Bee in Khao Lak, Thailand. We'd like to congratulate all of our students for their participation and the following Island Trees students for their accomplishments.

5th Grade

Johnson Weng- History Bee 1st place Champion-National/International Qualifier

Carlo Colago- History Bee 2nd place winner- National/International Qualifier

Mason Muniz- History Bee 3rd place winner- National/International Qualifier

Krishan Nandwani- National/International Qualifier

Akira Ni- National/International Qualifier

Lucas Sposato- National/International Qualifier

Grace Pereira- National Qualifier

Atharv Chawla- National Qualifier

6th Grade

Mannat Goel - Science Bee National Bee Qualifier and Mathematics National Qualifier

Sawyer Kealey- History Bee National Qualifier

7th Grade

Connor Anderson - Geography Bee 1st place Champion- National/International Bee Qualifier and History Bee 3rd Place winner- National/International Bee Qualifier

Nathan Yip - History Bee 1st place Champion- National/International Bee Qualifier

8th Grade

Brian Morgan- History Bee 2nd place Winner- National/International Qualifier and Geography Bee National Qualifier

Jayden Tran - History Bee National/International Bee Qualifier

Congratulations to all and best of luck in the next round of the competition!

Dear 7th & 8th Grade Families,

Island Trees Memorial Middle School is committed to taking proactive steps to curb a problem found in schools everywhere: bullying and cyberbullying. In support of this, we invited Mr. John Halligan, an international speaker and author, to conduct a presentation for our students. This presentation was held during the school day on Wednesday, March 25th.

He relayed his own tragic experience as a parent whose 13-year-old son, Ryan, took his own life in 2003 after experiencing bullying from his peers since the 5th grade, both in school and online. Mr. Halligan further shared that Ryan wrestled with underlying mental health issues and depression, and these factors contributed to Ryan’s vulnerability and ultimate suicide. His story was riveting and compelling, serving as a powerful reminder to students that there is a face, a person, and a heart on the other end of the screen.

Presentation Details
The presentation on March 25th will included:

• A Memorial Tribute: A short video collection of home movie clips and still pictures of Ryan.
• The Journey: Mr. Halligan told the story of Ryan’s life and the factors that led up to his son’s suicide.
• Inside Perspective: Students gained a unique perspective from inside the family of a child who is a victim of bullying.
• Life Lessons: The session wrapped up with lessons on forgiveness, suicide prevention, the role of bystanders, and a personal challenge for students to apologize to someone they may have hurt.

We encourage you to visit the website named for his son, www.RyansStory.org, for more information and resources.

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Just a friendly reminder that April brings us the start of NYS testing. Like last year, the Island Trees School District will be participating in Computer Based Testing in grades 3-8 in ELA and math. Like the last two years, the NYS Science Assessment is administered in Grades 5 and 8. Here is some important information you need to know:

The ELA Test will be administered over two days at ITMMS:

• April 14th and April 15th for all grades

The Science Test will be administered on one day at ITMMS:

• April 29th for Grades 5 & 8

The Math Test will be administered over two days at ITMMS:

• May 4th and May 5th for all grades

As a reminder, our students have already participated in multiple experiences similar to the testing format, and we are excited about their progress. If you have made the personal decision to have your child refuse participation in any part of the NYS Assessments, please send a note to me as soon as you have made that decision. You can e-mail me at: dkeegan@islandtrees.org or send me a written note prior to our testing dates. Parent Square messages will not be accepted.

Important Notes:

• Please be reminded that there will be a normal bus schedule during testing days.

• Tests will be administered at the beginning of 1st period (8:17 AM) on each of our testing days.

• As always, on-time school attendance is most supportive of our students and our staff.

• Students who have opted out of testing but arrive at our normal time are expected to bring a book to read. Students who are not testing will report to a separate location from the testing rooms.

• Students who have opted out of testing but choose to stay home until the end of testing, are asked to arrive to school between 10:10 AM-10:25 AM.

If you have any questions about other ways that you can assist your child at home or additional questions about state testing, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or reach out to me directly. If you might be interested in test samplers that NYS provides, please take a look here: https://ny.nextera.questarai.com/tds/#practice.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Daniel Keegan
Principal

These sessions will be run by Emely Chica, our school's Bilingual Collaborative Care Coordinator. Please feel free to call Ms. Chica at (516) 262-0875 if you have any questions.

Please join us in congratulating Robert Murphy on being named State Senator Steve Rhoads's Student of the Month for January. Such a well-deserved honor for a great young man.

Dear Families,

We would like to come together as a school community to support a wonderful local organization, Vinny’s Army.

Vinny was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 10. During his treatment, his family created what they called “clinic bags” or “go bags.” These bags were filled with activities and comfort items to help keep him distracted, occupied, and supported through difficult days.

Inspired by Vinny’s journey, he and his family turned this idea into an organization dedicated to helping other children undergoing cancer treatment. Through the distribution of “Soldier Sacks,” the organization aims to bring comfort, encouragement, and a sense of strength to young patients and their families during an incredibly challenging time.

As a school community, we will be collecting items to help create Soldier Sacks. Examples of items that can be donated include: crayons, colored pencils, markers, coloring books, stickers, card games, activity books, handheld games, stress balls, LEGO sets, charging wires, journals, crossword puzzles, and similar small activities. Please note: please, no stuffed animals.

If you and your family would like to donate, please send items to school with your child to give to their teacher. We will be collecting from March 10, 2026 until March 19, 2026.

Thank you for your support!

During Saturday's Science Olympiad Competition, all of the students did a wonderful job in both their building and knowledge events and truly showcased the hard work and dedication they put into preparing for the competition.

A special congratulations to Jun Lin and Ibrahim Ahmed Uddin for receiving 10th place, and Matthew Forsaith and Lixuan Du for receiving 9th place in the Hovercraft event!

We are very proud of all of the students who competed and represented our school so well.

Please join us in congratulating our most recent recipients of Caught Being Kind certificates at Island Trees Memorial Middle School. Our students continue to demonstrate kindness, thoughtfulness, and respect for one another throughout the school day. These wonderful students (and so many more) show through word and action that character counts and that they will do all that they can to help others even when nobody is watching!

A big shoutout to Mr. Norton, Mr. Seigneuray, and our Lego Robotics teams on their strong performances at the Lego Robotics Competition on Saturday at Kings Park High School.

Our Robodawgs took 1st place in the FIRST Lego League Challenge Qualifying Tournament. The Dawgs demonstrated incredible innovation, teamwork, and programming skills, coming home with not one, but two first-place awards. The team received the Robot Performance award for the highest score out of 30 teams in attendance, as well as the first finalist core values award given to the team that most exemplifies the FIRST Robotics values. Great Job Robodawgs!"

Guided by coaches and mentors, students participating in the FIRST® Long Island FIRST® Tech Challenge Championship are developing STEM skills and practicing engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work and innovation.

Robot Performance Award Winners

Gio Allocca

Robert Ciccone

Maverick Daly

Tristan Espiritu

Luke McCotter

Yarnish Saththiyaroopan

John Schuman

Samarjit Singh

Lucas Verdes

Core Values Award

Nolan Crowley

Leandro Ladisa

Lincoln Martinez

Riain Molloy

Robert Murphy

Jack Neferis

Joshua Romero

Lucas Vargas

Adam Zuffante

As our team has been working since October as a group to prepare for this competition, we also congratulate the following team members for their great preparation, support, and dedication to our program.

Lixuan Du

Matthew Forsaith

Johnson Jin

Randy Julca

Tavin Ratanaburi

Brayden Roventini

Ethan Sposato

Jeremy Tang

Nathan Yip

Qingyuan Zhang

Give it up for our incredible 5th and 6th Grade Talent Show stars! From jaw-dropping skills to effortless stage presence, these performers absolutely wowed the crowd. We are so proud of their bravery and hard work. Huge thanks to the students, staff, and families who cheered them on and made the magic happen!

Join us in celebrating the gifted (and brave!) performers of the 5th & 6th Grade Talent Show. Our students wowed the audience with their skill, training, and serious stage presence. We commend these talented performers and send a big thank you to the families and staff who continue to support our arts community!

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible students, staff, and families for your overwhelming support of PS I Love You Day on Friday, February 13th. Seeing our community come together in a sea of purple was a powerful testament to the compassion that defines us. This day served as another great reminder of the ways we rally together to champion important programs and mental health initiatives. Whether through kind words, active participation, or simply showing up for one another, your collective energy ensures that no one ever has to walk their journey alone. Thank you for making our school a place where support and kindness aren't just celebrated once a year, but lived every day.

ITMMS Schoolwide Spelling Bee Results

Today at ITMMS, winners from our 32 classroom spelling bees competed in the ITMMS Schoolwide Spelling Bee. It was an incredible competition that pushed our students through 10 intense rounds of spelling.

The Winners

• 1st Place: Congratulations to 5th grader Shawn Zheng, who emerged victorious after correctly spelling "ominous" and "syndrome."
• 2nd Place: A special commendation goes to 6th grader Sukhmani Madhan for a fantastic runner-up performance.
• Final Four: High praise to 5th graders Ronald D'Agostino and Sofia Acosta for their impressive finishes in the final group.

Special Thanks

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Benjamin, Mrs. Bordeman, and Mrs. Villano for coordinating this wonderful experience. Additionally, thank you to the English Department for their steadfast support throughout the qualifying rounds.

Congratulations to all our talented participants!

Throughout the month of January, a quiet but powerful wave of kindness swept through the halls of Island Trees Memorial Middle School. While our students are often recognized for their academic, artistic, and athletic achievements, each month we turn our focus toward the heart of our community: those moments of genuine character that happen when students think no one is watching.

Our faculty and staff spent the last several weeks keeping a keen eye out for our "Caught Being Kind" moments. These did not need to be grand gestures or rehearsed performances. Instead, they were the small, authentic choices that define who our Bulldogs are becoming.

We witnessed students:

• Stopping to help a peer pick up dropped books in a crowded hallway.

• Offering a seat or a friendly word to someone sitting alone at lunch.

• Quietly tidying up a classroom without being asked.

• Holding the door for others with a genuine smile.

These "extra efforts" are the threads that weave our school into a supportive and welcoming home. By choosing kindness in the quiet moments, our students are proving that character isn't just about what you do in the spotlight—it’s about how you treat others when you think nobody is looking.

To our families, thank you for reinforcing these values at home. We are incredibly proud of our students for starting the new calendar year with such compassion and spirit. Let’s keep this momentum going throughout the school year.

On January 28th, students at Island Trees Memorial Middle School had the profound honor of hosting Holocaust survivor Manfred (Manny) Korman. His visit offered a rare and deeply moving firsthand account of history, providing our students with a living connection to the past.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1931, Manny was only six years old when his life was upended. He shared the harrowing details of his family’s deportation to Poland alongside thousands of other Jewish families. Students listened intently as he described the meager conditions of their displacement, including being forced to live in horse stables, and the eventual, agonizing separation from his parents.

Manny’s story is a testament to the challenging and desperate nature of the era. While his father sought passage on the ill-fated St. Louis, his mother returned to Germany in a perilous attempt to secure visas for the United States. Meanwhile, Manny and his brother, Gerd, were accepted into the Kindertransport program, which provided them safe passage to England and likely saved their lives.

After years of uncertainty and living through the war in England, Manny and Gerd were finally able to travel to the United States, where they were miraculously reunited with their family.

This unforgettable educational experience would not have been possible without the dedication of our faculty. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our English Department, led by Mrs. Friedman, for coordinating this visit. By bringing history to life through Manny’s incredible journey from no man's land to reunion, you have provided our students with a lesson in empathy and resilience that they will carry with them forever.

The 8th grade class swapped the classroom for the bright lights of Manhattan this past Thursday for a special performance of The Outsiders on Broadway. This immersive cultural excursion provided students with a front-row seat to one of the most celebrated new productions in American theater.

Bringing Literature to Life

The production offered a breathtaking reimagining of S.E. Hinton’s classic novel. Set against the backdrop of 1960s Tulsa, the story follows Ponyboy Curtis and his Greaser brothers as they navigate a bitter rivalry with the wealthy Socs. Through visceral choreography and a haunting folk-rock score, the musical brought the story’s core themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the search for belonging to life in a way that resonated deeply with the students.

From the Page to the Stage

This trip served as a direct extension of the English Language Arts curriculum. By witnessing the adaptation firsthand, students were able to engage in high-level literary analysis, observing how internal monologues from the text are translated into stage directions and song.

Leadership in the Arts

This significant cultural experience was made possible through the dedicated leadership of Mrs. Friedman and Ms. Losi. Their meticulous planning and commitment to experiential learning ensured that the logistics of the trip were seamless, allowing students to focus entirely on the artistic and educational value of the performance.

Our school extends a sincere thank you to the 8th grade families for their continued support in making these vital enrichment opportunities a reality for our students. It was truly a day to stay gold.

Dear Island Trees Memorial Middle School Students, Staff, and Families,

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I share some wonderful news regarding our school community. U.S. News & World Report has officially named Island Trees Memorial Middle School a "Best Middle School" in the country.

Based on a rigorous evaluation of multiple academic indicators, our school has been ranked within the Top 12% of middle schools nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the "middle school mindset" we strive to cultivate every day—a unique approach that prioritizes the specific social, emotional, and academic needs of students during these pivotal years. This achievement belongs to our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to inspire our learners, and to our students, whose curiosity and hard work define our halls.

To our families and the wider community: thank you for your unwavering support. We are honored to partner with you in fostering an environment where our students can truly thrive.

Congratulations to all!

🌟 Calling All Stars: Middle School Talent Show 2026!

Whether you are a singer, dancer, musician, comedian, or magician, we want to see your talent! This year, we are hosting two separate shows: one for Grades 5–6 and one for Grades 7–8.

📱 Join the Google Classroom

Stay updated on schedules and announcements by joining your grade-level classroom:

• Grades 5/6 Code: 7t2xgwex

• Grades 7/8 Code: p3by5deo

🎤 Audition Information

Sign-ups begin Wednesday, January 21st on the sheet outside Room 159 (Ms. Wilson’s Room).

• Grade 5 & 6: Tuesday, January 27th | 2:40 PM | Room 101

• Grade 7 & 8: Wednesday, January 28th | 2:40 PM | Room 101

Important Audition Rules:

• Capacity: Limited to the first 20 acts to sign up.

• Participation: Students may only perform in one act (solo or group).

• Readiness: Acts must be fully rehearsed and "performance-ready" for the audition.

• Format: Audition time slots are 10 minutes. You may leave school and return for a later slot, or head home as soon as your audition is finished. Please have rides ready!

🎹 Performance Requirements

• Time Limit: All acts must be 3 minutes or less.

• Music: All music (including dance mixes) must be in MP3 format.

• Submission: Email files to Mr. Ingenito at JIngenito@islandtrees.org prior to your audition. No exceptions.

🗓️ Important Dates

Attendance at both the audition and dress rehearsal is mandatory to participate.

Location:

All performances will take place in the Middle School GPR. Parents and friends are invited to attend!

Questions? Please reach out to Mr. Ingenito or Ms. Wilson.

Dear Parents/Guardians of 5th & 6th Grade Students,

As New York State continues to move towards computer-based testing, part of the transition includes ensuring that districts around the state have the technology and network capacity to accommodate this shift. Island Trees is ready; in fact, we successfully administered computer-based tests in 3-8 ELA, Math, and Science assessments last spring. Additionally, our Island Trees High School students took the PSAT digitally for the third time this fall, and they will be taking the digital SAT for the third time this spring. In fact, the majority of the AP exams we offer here at Island Trees High School will either be fully digital or hybrid digital.

This spring, we will once again move forward with computer-based testing for all 3-8 assessments in ELA, Math, and Science (grades 5 & 8). Our students, teachers, and staff are becoming increasingly familiar with the digital test format, question types, and the online assessment tools they will experience during testing using the New York State Testing Program Question Sampler, which can be accessed here.

In addition, on January 27th, we will once again participate in computer-based testing simulations to evaluate our readiness for the actual testing this spring, as required by New York State. Our 5th grade (Science) and 6th grade (Math) students will review a sampling of standards-based questions utilizing the digital platform. Results are not stored and are not graded or evaluated.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Thank you,

Daniel Keegan, Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to inform you that our 5th-grade students in their SEL classes will be learning about Erin's Law, which focuses on personal safety and abuse prevention. These important lessons aim to empower students with knowledge about their bodies, boundaries, and the importance of speaking up if they ever feel unsafe.

The lessons, which are scheduled to begin on January 26th, will be age-appropriate and designed to create a safe and supportive environment. We encourage you to talk with your child about what they learn and to reinforce the messages of safety and trust.

Please see below for New York State Education department guidance on Erin's Law.
https://www.nysed.gov/standards-instruction/erins-law

Thank you for your support!

Mr. Keegan

Dear 8th Grade Families,

Your child has been randomly selected as one of 50 eighth-grade students to participate in the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Wednesday, February 4. While the attached letter outlines the assessment's goals, please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you wish to excuse your child from participating.

Sincerely,

Dan Keegan
Principal

How Do We Define Success?

Is a 98 average the clearest indicator of a student's success?

Is it success when a student earns an 84 Q2 average after finishing with a 77 in Q1?

Is it success when a students takes a chance and tries out for the school’s Talent Show?

Is it success when a student gets charged up about science due to his work in the lab even though he still might struggle on exams?

Is it success when an 8th grader develops stronger time management and organizational skills to meet the challenges of an advanced program?

Is it success when a child gets a 94% in English 7A even though she decided not to try out for basketball due to concerns about the academic workload?

Is it success when a family finds 30 minutes at night to sit together at the table to review homework, study, and talk through the family schedule?

I pose these questions as an exercise to help us all remember the many factors that go into our understanding and discussions around the word success. These questions also provide a reminder that success for each of us is defined differently.

Our adolescent learners are provided with so many different experiences during their middle school years. Whether it is studying a second language, participating in a school musical, playing lacrosse for the first time, participating in a community service initiative, joining our Robotics Club, or deeply diving into family and community-based activities outside of ITMMS, our children are presented with such a great variety of experiences and opportunities during this stage of their lives. It is my hope that our children will use these many experiences to grow, to discover what makes them tick, and to see pathways by which they can positively impact the world.

May we move into the second quarter of our school year committed to helping our students find great success—however it may be defined. May we work together to help our students reach for stars, while knowing that the process is often slow and incremental. And may we keep the lines of communication open so that our children know that we are all on the same team with only one goal—to help our kids become the best versions of themselves.

All the best!

Mr. Keegan

This year's PTSA Reflections Contest theme is I Belong! Students in Grades 5-12 are encouraged to explore the arts and themselves by responding in the following categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Film Production, or Dance Choreography.

Please see the following link for more information:

https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/for-students-and-families

All entries are due by November 7th.