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SIS September Newsletter

Posted Date: 10/01/26 (06:10 PM)
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SIS September Newsletter

Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!

Welcome Back, Mariners!

What a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year!
It has been so great welcoming our students back to Southampton Intermediate School after a nice, long summer. Our hallways and classrooms are once again filled with energy, learning, laughter, and excitement.
We are especially proud of how well our students have adjusted to the routines and expectations of a new school year. Our 5th graders deserve a special shout-out! Transitioning to a new school can be a big adjustment, and they have done an outstanding job becoming part of the SIS community.
Thank you to our families, faculty, and staff for helping us start the year on such a positive note. We are looking forward to a fantastic year together!

September Theme of the Month: Respect
Our first Theme of the Month for the 2026–2027 school year was Respect.
Throughout September, our activities, conversations, and daily announcements focused on what it means to show respect for ourselves and others. Our teachers and staff helped students understand that respect isn't just important in school, it is a value that helps us build positive relationships and become caring, responsible members of our community.

5th Grade Wins the Anchor Cup!
Congratulations to our 5th Grade for being named our September Grade of the Month!
Throughout the month, grade levels earned points based on areas such as attendance, tardiness, and behavior referrals. Our 5th graders came out on top and earned the honor of bringing home the Anchor Cup, our SIS Grade of the Month trophy!
And, of course, a victory deserves a celebration! As one of their rewards, our 5th graders had the opportunity to dunk Dr. Epley with water!
Congratulations, 5th Grade! We are incredibly proud of how well you have adjusted to SIS and can't wait to see what you accomplish this year.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Throughout September, SIS recognized Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by encouraging our school community to Wear Yellow on Wednesdays.
We also held a schoolwide fundraiser where students, staff, and families could purchase yellow ribbons featuring positive messages. The ribbons were proudly displayed throughout our school, and proceeds from the fundraiser went toward supporting families battling childhood cancer.
This meaningful effort was a combined initiative with Mr. Tenety and the High School Unified Sports program, bringing students from across our school community together to support an important cause. On October 1, members of the High School Unified Sports team joined SIS students to present Nurse Ashley with the donation raised for the Bentley Strong Foundation, an organization supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, wore yellow, and helped make this initiative such a wonderful example of our school community coming together to spread kindness, hope, and support.
Honoring Indigenous Children & Celebrating Shinnecock Heritage
On September 30, SIS recognized Orange Shirt Day in honor and remembrance of Indigenous children.
Our learning continued throughout the final week of September as we prepared to celebrate Shinnecock Heritage Day on October 1. Thanks to the hard work of Mrs. Richard, every student at SIS had the opportunity to visit Ma's House on the Shinnecock Reservation.
Mrs. Richard also provided teachers with articles, videos, and other resources to help students learn about the Shinnecock Nation, Ma's House, founder and artist Jeremy Dennis, and other featured Shinnecock artists.
During their visits, students had the opportunity to meet Mr. Dennis, explore Ma's House, and deepen their understanding of Shinnecock culture, art, and history.
We are grateful for this meaningful learning experience and for the opportunity to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of the Shinnecock Nation right here in our community.

Constitution Day at SIS
SIS celebrated Constitution Day with some very special visitors!
Benjamin Franklin and George Washington made their way through our classrooms to greet students and help bring American history to life. Teachers also facilitated Constitution Day activities in their classrooms, giving students an opportunity to learn more about our country's founding and government as we recognize America's 250th anniversary.


Remembering September 11
On September 11, our school community came together to recognize Patriot Day and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
Throughout the day, classrooms participated in age-appropriate activities focused on our nation's history, the importance of service, and gratitude for the first responders who serve our communities.
A large group of SIS students and staff also walked to the local firehouse to participate in a community remembrance ceremony. Each student placed a flower at the 9/11 memorial outside the firehouse and had an opportunity to quietly pay their respects.
Thank you to our Fire Department and Village for welcoming our students and allowing SIS to participate in such a meaningful community ceremony. We are grateful to our local first responders and all those who dedicate themselves to serving others.

Open House – Thank You, Families!
On September 17, we welcomed our families to SIS for our annual Open House.
It was wonderful seeing our hallways filled with parents, guardians, students, teachers, and staff. We appreciate everyone who took the time to visit classrooms, meet our faculty and staff, and learn more about the exciting year ahead.
Our partnership with our families is an important part of what makes SIS such a special community. Thank you for starting the year with us!
Skate Night Is Back!
September also brought our first Skate Night of the year, and it was great seeing so many students having fun together!
A huge thank you to our PTO for their generous donation of new roller skates for our students to enjoy throughout the school year.
We would also like to recognize the McGowin family for their generous donation of wrist guards, helping our students stay safe while having fun.
We are incredibly fortunate to have families and community members who continue to support opportunities for our students. Thank you!

New at SIS: The Little Free Bakery!
There's something delicious happening at SIS this year!
Mrs. Duryea's Baking Class has introduced The Little Free Bakery, a wonderful new addition to our school community.
Students in the baking program prepare samples featuring local and New York State ingredients, which are then placed at The Little Free Bakery near our back security desk for staff and visitors to enjoy.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to practice their baking skills, learn about locally sourced ingredients, and share what they create with the SIS community.


What a Start to the Year!
From welcoming our students back, celebrating respect, recognizing our Students of the Month, honoring our local Shinnecock community, supporting important causes, learning about our nation's history, and simply having some fun together, September was a busy and memorable month at SIS!
Most importantly, we are proud of the way our students have started the school year. They have embraced new routines, built relationships with their teachers and classmates, and helped make SIS a welcoming place to learn and grow.
Thank you to our students, families, faculty, staff, PTO, and community partners for helping make the first month of the 2026–2027 school year such a success.
We can't wait to see what October brings!
Go Mariners! 

Faculty and staff also nominated students who consistently demonstrated respect in their classrooms and throughout our school.

Congratulations to all of our Students of the Month! Thank you for setting a positive example for the entire SIS community.

Rudy Molina

Rudy is a kind and respectful member of our school community. He shows consideration for others and works to create a positive environment for his classmates and teachers. Rudy's willingness to treat others with kindness and respect makes him deserving of this recognition.

Cisne Barros

Cisne is the definition of respectful and is a wonderful role model for her peers. She is polite and kind to both her teachers and classmates, consistently follows classroom expectations, and takes pride in completing her work. Cisne raises her hand, waits patiently for her turn, gives others an opportunity to participate, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Her thoughtful and considerate behavior makes her a true example of respect.

Alexandra Alfaro

Alexandra is an incredibly respectful student who makes a positive impact on everyone she encounters. She is always kind, looks for opportunities to help others, and goes out of her way to brighten someone's day. Alexandra follows school expectations, comes to class ready to learn, and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Her positive attitude and caring nature make her a wonderful role model.

Nolan Douglas

Nolan consistently demonstrates respect through his interactions with classmates, teachers, and staff. He is a thoughtful student who understands the importance of treating others with kindness and consideration. Nolan's positive attitude and respectful behavior make him a wonderful example for those around him.

Andres Moyano Yunga

Andres consistently demonstrates what it means to be a respectful and caring member of our school community. He is always willing to help his classmates, whether by assisting with challenging biology coursework or simply picking up something someone has dropped. Andres is kind and attentive toward both his teachers and peers, makes meaningful eye contact, and treats others with the same respect and kindness he would like to receive.

Gabriel Escobar

Gabriel demonstrates respect through his positive interactions with both his peers and teachers. He is a thoughtful student who understands the importance of being kind, considerate, and responsible. Gabriel's respectful attitude contributes to a welcoming and supportive classroom environment.

Quinn Poremba

Quinn consistently shows respect to her teachers, classmates, and school staff. She is a kind-hearted student who enjoys learning and always puts forth her best effort. Quinn treats others with kindness and consideration and demonstrates respect in everything she does. She truly embodies the spirit of respect in our school community.

Heather Rojas

Heather is always smiling and brings a positive energy to our school community. She is a wonderful student and an even more wonderful person who treats those around her with kindness and respect. Her cheerful personality and warm smile help make our school a happier place.

JT Ingram

JT consistently goes above and beyond to demonstrate politeness and respect. He is always willing to help other students and makes a point of greeting his teachers with a cheerful “good afternoon” when entering the classroom and wishing them a good day when he leaves. JT makes sure to acknowledge and show respect to all of his teachers and classmates. He is also an exemplary student in ELA 7, always challenging himself and showing respect for himself by giving his very best effort.