Community Answers

What Bullying Programs are provided for students?

Bullying is real for some students, and the District wants students to feel safe, supported, and valued. Therefore, the Teachers, Social Workers, and Administrators in the 2021-2022 school year will be trained in Restorative Justice Practices and character building. These practices are NYS clearinghouse approved, and when methodically implemented, the practices gradually remove all punitive disciplinary practices from the school day. The State Education Department wants academic institutions to develop a welcoming, caring learning environment that removes barriers, supports students, and creates a safe, inclusive community of belonging. 

What is the Cell phone policy for students during the day?

Secondary Schools Cellular Phones/Electronics Policy                                        

In the classroom, gymnasium, and cafeteria, staff discretion with appropriate usage will be utilized in reference to cellular phones and electronics.  Whatever the staff member decides in each domain will be the rule that students are expected to follow.  In all other areas of the school, cell phone usage is prohibited.  This includes headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers.  Inappropriate use of the cell phone (taking pictures, audio, and video recordings, texting, social media sites, or other sites) in any school area will result in the student's phone being confiscated for a parent pick-up.  Inappropriate use or refusal to give the cell phone to a staff member or any other electronic device or accessory will result in ISS/OSS.  Students who send pictures, videos, or recordings to other electronic devices that may result in the embarrassment, humiliation, and/or harassment of others will result in Detention/ISS/OSS depending on the severity of the situation and repeated infraction.  Other possible consequences are Superintendent's hearing/Change of Placement and the possibility of involvement of legal authorities. 

What is the surplus money used for?

The 19/20 fund balance in excess of the 4% NYS recommended statutory limit was initially slated to be used in the 20/21 school year to offset a portion of the 20% cut in state aid announced by NYS.
In the spring of 2021 the governor announced that state aid for the 20/21 school year would not be reduced. These funds will now be placed in a reserve and will be used to pay terminal leave expenses for future retirees. Placing these funds in the reserve will, decrease the effect of these expenses on future budgets and therefore will reduce the effects on property taxes.


Why don't all students have laptops?

GRADES PREK-2:All Classrooms have shared iPads for the students to use in class (some classrooms are awaiting our final shipment from Apple ETA October 1, 2021).

GRADES 3-6:Every single 3rd-6thgrader was assigned their own individual Chromebook for the first day of school.  Any student that was not assigned a Chromebook or new to the school will receive a Chromebook from the Main Office.  Questions should be addressed to the building principal if a child in grades 3-6 was not assigned a Chromebook.

GRADES 7-12:more than 25% of the students in grades 7-12 were assigned a device (Chromebook or iPad).  There are still hundreds of devices available (Chromebook at Reed and iPads at the High School). Any student who needs a device should speak to the main office or building principal. Questions should be addressed to the building principal if a child in grades 7-12 was not assigned a device and is still in need.  NOTE:  starting Fall 2022 (next year) the High School will phase out iPads and change to Chromebooks. 

GRADES PREK-12 – ANY STUDENT IN NEED OF A DEVICE SHOULD SPEAK TO THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL … NO STUDENT IN NEED WILL BE TURNED AWAY!

Will virtual instruction still be an option for 2021-2022?

NO.  Virtual Instruction will not be offered in the 2021-2022 school year. 

Can our Curriculum be posted online?

Please CLICK HERE for the New York State Education Department Curriculum 

How will we address the new Diversity Curriculum?

Diversity in the Central Islip School District is a multi-faceted educational program that provides various learning platforms that meet the unique learning styles of individual learners. The instructional staff has a repertoire of curriculum materials, data programs, digital devices, and software supporting learners' basic and enrichment needs on every level from Pre-Schoolers to Twelfth Grade. The supplemental dual language program allows families to learn a second language at home while enhancing literacy within the community.  All students, Gen Ed., Special Ed., and Sife, can earn a Seal of Biliteracy on their Diploma, indicating four-year proficiency in a foreign language. The diversity of the teaching staff and the demographics of the school population is the strength of Central Islip UFSD.

 

Can the students have better meals at lunch?

Central Islip UFSD participates in the National School Lunch Program.

At Central Islip, we qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), enabling us to serve Reimbursable Meals to all students at no cost to the student.

The USDA has particular guidelines with regards to the National School Lunch Program. The costs associated with the program rely partially on Government Funding and Surplus Donated Food from the Office of Government Surplus (OGS). We receive commodity food such as Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Cheese, and other items, which can be diverted to companies, which in turn process them into items like Meatballs, Hamburgers, Pizza, Chicken Nuggets, Taco Beef, Canned Fruits and Vegetables, and much more.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was implemented on July 1, 2012, requiring changes to the National School Lunch Program. These standards, also referred to as "the meal pattern," require schools to offer students the right balance of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains, and lean protein with every meal.

There are currently five components to a School Lunch, and students must take a minimum of 3 of the 5 to be considered a lunch.  A selection of a fruit or vegetable is now required. Students can choose a minimum of 3 of the following:  

  1. Meat/Meat Alternate: We offer hot entrée(s), daily sandwiches, and daily salads with protein. We also have available daily the following alternatives: Peanut Butter & Jelly, cheese sandwich, a bagel lunch, consisting of a whole-wheat bagel, with choice of mozzarella string cheese, or a 4 oz. Yogurt. Sandwiches will be made on whole-wheat bread.
  2. Fruit or juice: ½ cup of fresh fruit, fruit cup, dried fruit, or 100% fruit juice. One cup at the High School level.
  3. Vegetable: Hot or raw vegetables - ½ cup. CIHS offers a "Made to Order Salad Station.'"
  4. Bread/grain: This could be part of an entrée or an additional side item.
  5. Milk choice of antibiotic, hormone-free milk, fat-free, 1% or fat-free chocolate. This is only a choice and not mandatory.
  6. Water is available at the refill stations and for purchase. Water is not considered part of a reimbursable meal as it does not contribute to the overall nutritional value of a school lunch.
  7. Students are required to enter a pin number to move thru the register.  This assures the staff that a child with allergies has not selected an item containing an allergen—the Cafeteria Staff work in conjunction with the School Nurse to ensure allergen awareness.

Below are a few of our Healthy Menu offerings:

  • Spinach and Romaine lettuce in all salads;
  •  Whole grain pasta;
  • Whole grain crust pizza;
  • Brown rice only;
  • Whole grain cereals;
  • Whole wheat breaded chicken nuggets;
  • Tuna-Dolphin free;
  • All chicken products- hormone and antibiotic-free;
  • Milk - hormone and antibiotic-free 1% and Fat-Free Milk only;
  • Low fat and baked snacks;
  • Garden fresh salads as lunch alternates;
  • Low-fat Mozzarella cheese;
  • Oven-baked Turkey breast;
  • Turkey sausage;
  • Healthy snacks-7grams of fat or less, 360mg sodium or less, 15 grams of sugar or less;
  • Low-fat yogurt;
  • Whole wheat and whole-grain bread (including hamburger buns and rolls);
  • Oven-baked sweet potato fries;
  • Salads offered as daily lunch alternate;
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables served and much more….

At Central Islip UFSD, we continue to enhance the School Lunch Program by offering healthy and new choices to our daily menus.

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