Quick LinksUpcoming EventsDecember 1, 2023
Parent Teacher Conferences - No Students December 1, 2023 6p Festival of Lights December 11 - 12, 2023 Holiday Boutique December 18, 2023 Ugly Sweater Day December 19, 2023 Family Connect Night December 22, 2023 Holiday Visitor December 25 - January 1 Holiday Recess - School Closed January 9, 2024 Family Connect Night January 15, 2024 MLK Day - School Closed January 22, 2024 6p - PTA Meeting January 23, 2024 4p - Variety Show Rehearsal January 26, 2024 6p - Variety Show |
Featured NewsManetuck First Graders Learn Caregiving, Safety Skills
First graders at Manetuck Elementary School had the opportunity to work as doctors and nurses to care for their stuffed animal during a Teddy Bear Clinic hosted by Good Samaritan Hospital on May 15. Good Samaritan Hospital representatives spoke to the students about staying safe in the car by always wearing their seatbelts and on their bikes by always wearing their helmets. They even demonstrated the benefits of wearing a helmet by dropping an egg. Following their discussions on ways to stay safe, the students took on the role of caregivers as they put on their gloves and masks and cared for their injured stuffed animals. The clinic helps to ease fears about doctors, nurses and hospitals by showing students how to be caregivers. Students cared for their injured stuffed animals, tended to their injuries, bandaged them and gave them instructions on how long to rest. They also wrote down how they could be safer next time to prevent injuries. Manetuck Students Connect with Community
In an effort to connect students with local community members as well as learn about future career opportunities, Manetuck Elementary School in the West Islip School District held Community Connection Days on May 16 and 17. On May 16, kindergarten, first and second grade students met with a pottery maker/ceramics artist, a police officer, a nurse, a firefighter and an Irish step dancing teacher to learn all about their career. Classes rotated to the different stations in the cafeteria. On May 17, the prekindergarten students met with a pet care business owner and an entrepreneur in their classrooms. The third, fourth and fifth grade classes visited with a police officer, respiratory therapist, air traffic controller and horticulturist. Fourth and fifth grade classes also watched a video created by John Franzone, vice president of stadium operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the video, students gained a perspective into his unique career. The fourth and fifth graders will have the chance to ask questions during a live video interactive session at a later date. On the Lookout for Llamas at Manetuck
Manetuck Elementary School had some special visitors on March 20 and 21 courtesy of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association. Suffolk County Farm representatives traveled to the school with two of their farm’s llamas – Becky and Maverick – to teach students about the animals. Each class met the llamas and spent time outdoors learning about the llamas’ behaviors, habitat and fun facts. Orchestra Students Selected for All-County
Several West Islip Long Island String Festival Association participants were selected for the All-County Festival. These musicians were chosen based upon their strong musicianship and prior NYSSMA ratings. Performances will take place in January in Smithtown and Northport. Congratulations to the following students: Paul J. Bellew Elementary – Allison Budnik, Breiann Dahling, Olivia DeMaio, Brooke Hyland and Sofia Rakamaric; Manetuck Elementary School – Gianna Vargas and Chayada Pongvitayapanu; Oquenock Elementary School – Lena Kutch and Mackenzie Sauter; Udall Road Middle School – Kendall Barr, Tyler Burnett and Derica Shi; Beach Street Middle School – Nathaniel Bellini, Molly McGrath, Rishi Patnaik and Sadie Thompson; and West Islip High School – Vivian Gallagher, Nicholas Locurto, Mason Plouffe and Dana Shi. 
Manetuck Manifests the ’80s
It was a trip back in time as the students and staff at Manetuck Elementary School celebrated the 80th day of the school year with a 1980s-themed day on Jan. 10. Dressed in their legwarmers, bright fluorescent colors and warmup suits, the classes even had a chance to pose with the “Back to the Future” DeLorean car parked outside for the day. The lessons for the day were all themed around the number 80 to coincide with the celebration. Making Kindness Matter at Manetuck
Manetuck Elementary School is spreading kindness in many different ways this November. In recognition of World Kindness Day, the school created a kindness rainbow. Students traced their hands and wrote or drew an act of kindness they’ve performed. The kindness rainbow is on display in the school’s hallway. Manetuck’s social worker and counselor shared literacy and video resources with teachers to show students various ways to be kind in and out of school. Additionally, each student was given a calendar at the beginning of the month to record their acts of kindness in and out of school. At the end of November, the students will return their calendars and be recognized for their efforts. Lastly, each grade level throughout the school collected food for the Thanksgiving food drive as part of the kindness month initiative. 
West Islip's new Superintendent, Dr. Romanelli visited Manetuck on the first day of school! He had lunch with 1st & 5th grade students to hear about their start to a new school year.
A rescued seal who was nursed back to health has returned to the wild, thanks to West Islip students.
Manetuck Elementary School students, staff and their families gathered at Robert Moses State Park on Tuesday, as their adopted seal, Williams, was released back into the water. The seal, who was named after the school's principal Vanessa Williams, was rescued in Montauk on April 24 and was found entangled in netting, the West Islip School district said. Weighing 90 pounds, he was taken to New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead, a nonprofit organization. Thanks to the efforts of the students of Manteuck and the school’s community service club, more than $5,000 was raised to help Williams rehabilitate back to health. The three students who raised the most money helped to open Williams’ enclosure as he made his back to the Long Island waters. According to a press release, the Manetuck Elementary has been working with the New York Marine Rescue Center for the past 17 years, raising more than $50,000 for the organization. Manetuck PTA's Variety Show was back and in person this year and what a successful show it was! So many talented scholars right here at Manetuck! Missed the show or want to relive each of your favorite performance? Click the below link to watch the show!
NYS PTA Leaders Met with Governor Hochul, discussed PTA positions
Tuesday, February 8th, President Dana Platin and members of the NYS PTA Governance Team met with Governor Hochul on a host of COVID-19 related matters, including masks, quarantines, and support for students. Click below to read the entire article. https://www.votervoice.net/NYPTA/newsletters/43358?fbclid=IwAR0fRUI6sxFOQkazDNM7RIJmmR19pm3Jsf5E3neDEmPk54P5POeS8zq0gRw Manetuck Elementary School Principal Vanessa Williams was the special guest at Daisy Troop 3737’s meeting on Feb. 3. Ms. Williams was invited as the troop’s guest to help the Daisies work toward earning their Daisy Respect Authority Petal.
The PTA council is holding a February drive to stock the pantry with essential needs items. Please see attached flyer for more information.
If you are a West Islip family needing assistance, please reach out to your building principal or social worker. 
New York State Champs!
Congratulations to the 2021 West Islip Boys Varsity Soccer Team and Manetuck's very own Coach Ed Pieron, Coach Brian Cameron and Dennis Mazzalonga for winning the first New York State boys soccer championship in school history! |
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Friday, October 1 was World Smile Day. Thank you to our District's PTA for putting together this wonderful video - West Islip Smiles.
Manetuck Elementary School was selected as the winner of the New York State Parent Teacher Association’s Pick a Reading Partner award. Manetuck’s two-week long event – Wild About Reading – was chosen as the PARP outstanding program by the New York State PTA PARP Committee.
According to the committee, one of the most outstanding features of Manetuck’s PARP program was a creative theme that tied into each program activity. The selection committee noted how the program incorporated different parts of the school curriculum as students learned about the animals in need around the world. The Wild About Reading theme built excitement at a virtual kickoff with author Jerry Pallotta, involved all the grades, and included a writing component. 
Despite the wet weather conditions, students throughout the West Islip School District were all smiles as they entered their respective buildings for the start of the 2021-2022 schools year on Sept. 1. This year, the pre-kindergarten students are part of a full-day program and are looking forward to their first experiences in the district. Kindergarten and first graders were accompanied off their buses and met by staff and explored their new teachers and classrooms. As the day went on, students eased into their new schedules and routines and settled in for a productive year ahead.
Manetuck celebrated its 16th annual Seal Release, sponsored by the school’s Community Service Club in collaboration with the New York Rescue Marine Center at Smith Point County Park. Students received sponsorships for participating in the Seal Release Walk-a-Thon, with all proceeds used for the rehabilitation of aquatic animals so they can be returned to their natural habitats. This year, Marullo, a seal named in honor of Vince Marullo, was returned to his ocean home.
Summer Reading Club
Tails & Tales: July 6th – August 13th The West Islip Library is offering both virtual & in-person reporting this year! In-person book reporting is optional & you may choose to log your reading online through Beanstack. Join between July 6 and July 11 to automatically be entered for a “Summer Fun!” basket. Visit the library or click here for more information. |
Manetuck Elementary | 800 Van Buren Avenue, West Islip NY 11795
