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June SEL Newsletter

Posted Date: 06/26/26 (08:45 AM)


June Newsletter

Celebrating Growth at Southampton Intermediate School

SEL Theme of the Month: Growth

As we close another incredible school year at Southampton Intermediate School, our June SEL theme, Growth, provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on how far we have come together. Growth is not only about academic achievement—it is about building character, strengthening relationships, overcoming challenges, and discovering new possibilities for the future.
This month, students reflected on their goals, celebrated their accomplishments, and looked ahead with excitement and confidence. We are grateful to our dedicated staff members who have supported, encouraged, and inspired our students every step of the way. Their commitment has helped every student grow throughout the year, and we thank them for making SIS a place where all students can thrive.

Celebrating the Class of 2026

On June 23, we proudly celebrated our 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony. As our students prepare to begin the next chapter of their educational journey in high school, we reflect on the many memories, accomplishments, and friendships they have built during their time at SIS. While we will miss our 8th graders, we are confident they will continue to achieve great things in the years ahead.
The evening before, students gathered for the annual 8th Grade Banquet. This year's beach-themed celebration provided one final opportunity for classmates to come together as SIS students. The evening was filled with dancing, treats, laughter, and special memories that will last for years to come.

SIS Students Help Preserve History

On June 24, students representing various clubs and organizations participated in a truly unique community event: the burial of the Southampton Village Time Capsule at Moses Park. The project commemorates America's upcoming 250th birthday, with the capsule scheduled to be opened in 2076 during the nation's 300th birthday celebration.
Over the past several weeks, SIS students prepared thoughtful contributions, including letters to future children, letters to their future selves, reflections about life in 2026, photographs, school newspapers, a yearbook, and other artifacts representing life at Southampton Intermediate School today. We are honored that Southampton Village invited our students to help preserve a snapshot of our community for future generations.

Peace Pole Dedication

Earlier this month, Southampton Intermediate School proudly participated in a Peace Pole Dedication made possible through the generosity of the Southampton Rotary Club. The ceremony featured performances by our talented student musicians and inspiring speeches from Rotary Club student members.
The Peace Pole serves as a powerful reminder that peace begins within each of us and extends outward into our homes, schools, communities, and the world. It encourages us to be builders of understanding, voices of hope, and examples of unity.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Rotary President Rosane Cassella and the Southampton Rotary Club for this meaningful gift to our school community. Thank you to Rotary Club advisor Mrs. Rosanne Gentile for her continued support of our student scholars. We also thank Ms. Schulman and Mr. Benaburger for helping create a beautiful dedication ceremony.

Superior Success at the Long Island Music Festival

Congratulations to all of our student musicians who represented SIS at the Long Island Music Festival on June 4. The Intermediate School Chamber Choir, Band, Orchestra, and 7th/8th Grade Choir each earned the festival's highest rating of Superior.
Students performed before a panel of judges at Suffolk County Community College alongside schools from across Long Island. After weeks of preparation and hard work, students celebrated their achievement with an afternoon at Adventureland. We are incredibly proud of the 140 students who represented SIS with excellence both on stage and throughout the day.
Thank you to Ms. Schulman, Ms. Mandato, and Mr. Benaburger for their leadership and dedication to our music program.

End-of-Year Celebrations and Reflection

As the school year comes to a close, students across all grade levels have been celebrating their accomplishments and reflecting on their growth.
5th Grade
Fifth grade students enjoyed a fun-filled month, including Field Day, outdoor activities, mini golf, ice cream, and their special Fun Day celebration. Students also celebrated being named May's Grade of the Month with extra outdoor fun and even a ceremonial dunking of their favorite principal! Thank you to our physical education teachers and the entire 5th grade team for organizing these memorable experiences.
6th Grade
Sixth grade students participated in their own Field Day competitions, showcasing teamwork and school spirit. Students also reflected on their personal growth through Success Circles in ELA classes and challenged themselves during an exciting trip to the Adventure Park, where they enjoyed ziplining and outdoor adventures. Thank you to the 6th grade team for creating such meaningful end-of-year experiences.
7th Grade
Seventh graders spent time together at the park, enjoying recreation, reflection, and a special visit from Mr. Softee. Students also explored the impact of community role models through end-of-year research projects designed to inspire future leaders and changemakers.
8th Grade
The 8th Grade Awards Ceremony celebrated excellence in academics, athletics, music, theater, kindness, leadership, and community service. Students and families gathered to recognize the many accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and reflect on the positive impact these students have made during their time at SIS.

First Annual SIS SummerFest

On June 18, SIS hosted its first-ever SummerFest, providing students with a fun-filled day of activities and celebration. Students rotated through a variety of stations, including a unique World Cup/U.S. Open-inspired "Soccer Golf" experience on our fields.
We were also honored to welcome visitors from the Southampton African American Museum, who shared lessons about Juneteenth and local historical figure Pyrrhus Concer. Students enjoyed snacks, activities, and opportunities to learn while celebrating together as a school community.

Students of the Month

The following SIS students have been nominated by staff members for showing great growth this school year. Congratulations to our June Students of the Month!

Kabir Vivanco

Kabir has demonstrated tremendous growth this year and has truly transformed himself as a student. He approaches learning with enthusiasm and is eager to challenge himself, especially as he prepares for higher-level math in high school. His hard work, determination, and positive attitude have helped him make remarkable progress. We are incredibly proud of how far he has come and look forward to seeing all he accomplishes in the future.

Josue Benavides

Josue has shown significant growth this year both academically and socially. His confidence has blossomed, and he has demonstrated resilience when faced with challenges. He has worked hard to develop positive relationships and continue growing as a learner. We are proud of the progress he has made and the young person he is becoming.

Bryce McGowin

Bryce has grown in many ways throughout the school year and consistently brings positivity to those around him. His sense of humor and upbeat attitude brighten our classroom every day, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment. Bryce has continued to build confidence and strengthen his connections with others. We are proud of the growth he has shown and the joy he brings to our school community.

Eliseo Reyes Leon

Eliseo demonstrated consistent growth throughout the year in Reading Lab. He strengthened his reading comprehension skills across a variety of genres and embraced new challenges with a positive attitude. Eliseo is always respectful, hardworking, and willing to put forth his best effort. His dedication to learning and personal growth has been impressive to watch.

Christian Sorto Sanchez

Christian showed tremendous growth this year through his strong work ethic and willingness to take on challenges. He worked hard to push beyond his comfort zone and became increasingly independent in his learning. His perseverance and determination helped him make meaningful progress throughout the year. We are proud of the confidence and responsibility he has developed.

Hailey Epley

Hailey demonstrated wonderful growth as she became more independent throughout the year. She embraced challenges with a positive attitude and approached new experiences with confidence. Hailey's growth and resilience have been inspiring to see. We are proud of all she has accomplished this year.

Jean Baselca Yunga

As a new member of our school community, Jean has shown remarkable growth and adaptability. He shared his strengths, particularly in Spanish, while working hard to become an active member of our classroom. Jean approached each day with a positive attitude and a genuine eagerness to learn. We are proud of how quickly he adjusted and all that he has accomplished this year.

Elvis Guevara Gutierrez

Elvis has demonstrated meaningful growth throughout the school year through his dedication and perseverance. He has continued to challenge himself, work hard, and make steady progress toward his goals. His positive attitude and willingness to learn have helped him overcome obstacles and build confidence. We are proud of the growth he has shown and excited to see what he accomplishes next.

Outstanding Attendance Recognition

As we reflect on growth and commitment, we would like to recognize all students who maintained an overall attendance rate of 96% or higher this school year. Consistent attendance demonstrates responsibility, perseverance, and dedication to learning. We are proud of these students and congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on a year filled with learning, friendships, challenges, accomplishments, and growth, we are reminded that every experience helps shape who we become. We are proud of all that our students have accomplished this year and look forward to seeing where their journeys take them next.
Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community partners for making this school year such a success. We wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer!