The district has earned a 2019 Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its exceptional achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

“Our district is proud that our commitment to providing top-notch music education has been recognized,” said Eric Albinder, director of art and music education.

Kindergartners in Christine Chocko’s class at Manetuck kicked off spring by making number flowers, helping their math skills to “bloom.”

More than 85 West Islip outstanding student-musicians from grades 5-10 were selected to perform in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County festivals in March.

High school freshmen and sophomores chosen were Christopher Acosta, Dylan Bruno, Matthew Cammarano, Drake Castonguay, Eve Castonguay, Aidan Ciesluk, Taylor Davies, Jonathan Delanoy, Jack Denning, Amanda Ditaranto, Daniel Himbele, Bruce Konopa, Antonia LaFemina, Marina Lankford, Sophia Lopez, Elizabeth Lundquist, Alexandra Mahany, Grace Mineo, Emma Musial, Andrew Palmer, Lindsey Pritchard, Sophia Randazzo, Luke Schuffenhauer, Dorian Scourtos, Jake Siffert, Kyle Tran and Karina Vartanian.

Udall sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders chosen were Warren Auty, Marissa Beyhl, Carlie Brunengraber, Mia Cuozzo, Jordan Fileti, Michael Harbord, Thomas Kerrigan, Maria Lettieri, James Mattel, Kayla McEvoy, Daniel Pipitone, Mason Ploufee, Andrew Rao, Alexandra Scourtos, Lucas Scourtos, Nicholas Soulos, Aaron Tomasello and Nicholas Vallejo.

Beach Street sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders chosen were Sophia Bahm, James Delanoy, Andrew DiStefano, Jack Dyer, Emma Fallon, Vivian G, Julianna Gargiulo, Abigail Huners, Isabella LaBarca, Avery Lanzarotta, Alexander Lee, Nicholas Locurto, Sophia Marker, Shane Marshall, Alexandra Martorella, Lauren McCann, Grace Mileski, Teagan McGuire, Kevin Pilewski, Kevin Ryan, Mason Solomon, Sophia Stehlik, Skylar Zimmerly and Carter Zito.

Bayview fifth-graders chosen were Leah Gallagher, Caitlin McNamee, Cara Thaxter, Francesca Tofano and Angelina Tummel.

Bellew fifth-graders chosen were Anthony DeMaio, James Kennedy, Gianna Owens and Gavin Pollock.

Manetuck fifth-graders chosen were Bruno Basile, Jovan Brewster, Christopher Gee, Kaitlyn Kelly and Noah Pipitone.

Oquenock fifth-graders chosen were Brienna Baione, Elizabeth Mastroddi, Vanessa Rogler and Caitlyn Vail.

This school year, the district appointed Byron McCray as director of school safety. McCray is responsible for overseeing peace officers, investigators, school security and training, working in close collaboration with district and school administrators to further develop appropriate procedures and protocols to provide a safe and secure school environment.

He joined West Islip after many years in public service and law enforcement, including serving as a supervisor at Brentwood School District, a New York State Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security instructor, a sergeant and officer in charge of training as well as an academy instructor for the New York Racing Association, and regional director of operations and community relations for criminal justice agency NYC TASC.

A native of Brooklyn now residing in Bay Shore, McCray was educated at John Jay College, FEMA Emergency Management Institute and Pace Law School, and also attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Rockland County Police Academy and SUNY Delhi Police Academy for law enforcement training and professional development.

“I have a strong interest in school safety, community relations, transparency in law enforcement and the development of programs that focus on community engagement and interaction,” said McCray. “I believe that this coupled with my extensive experience and proven leadership abilities will serve as a vital resource to the West Islip School District for years to come.”