News & Announcements

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  Distance Learning Parent Survey

  Parents,

  Please respond to the survey below to help the District understand your level of satisfaction regarding distance learning during the extended school closure. Survey responses will be accepted through noon on Monday, April 6, 2020.

  Thank you,

  Vincent Randazzo
  Assistant Superintendent
  Island Park UFSD

  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SGM7227

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Grab and Go Meals @ LOMS, 3/30/20

  Beginning tomorrow, March 30, we will resume our Grab and Go food distribution program at Lincoln Orens Middle School. Meals are for Island Park children who are eligible for free or reduce price meals. Please pick up your child’s breakfast and lunch meals from 8:30 to 11AM.  Thank you Mrs. DeBari, food service staff members, and our custodians who are making this program possible!

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Get Well Wishes to Our IPS Employee

  See: Cards...

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Alert: Students Eligible for Free Meals Go to Long Beach

  Because of the confirmed case of COVID-19 at Lincoln Orens Middle School, the building is closed.  Island Park students will join Long Beach students and go to St. Ignatius Church in Long Beach for their meals. Breakfast is 7:30am-9:00 am in the morning, and lunch is 11:30 am-1:00 pm. The address is:  721 W Broadway, Long Beach.

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Meals for Island Park Students

  Families eligible for free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches as well as any family residing in Island Park and whose children attend our schools who is not able to provide these meals, please note the following:

  " Island Park UFSD is providing Grab and Go Meals.

  " The meals are available for pick up from Lincoln Orens Middle School, 150 Trafalgar Blvd. Island Park, NY 11558.

  " We distribute the meals through a sliding window from the kitchen cafeteria in the back of the school during the hours of 8:30 am to 11:00 am.

  " Breakfast includes: milk, fruit juice , fruit cup or fresh fruit, choice of bagel, roll or cereal with cheese stick or yogurt.

  " Lunch includes: milk, fruit juice, fruit cup or fresh fruit, choice of deli sandwich or pre-packaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

  " All students with records of allergies have an allergy-free meal prepared for them that are kept separate from the other meals. Each allergy-free bag is labeled with the student's name on it.

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  IPS RELATED SERVICES

  ISLAND PARK SCHOOLS 

  RELATED SERVICES: 

  The following are activities for physical therapy and occupational therapy.  These activities and supports may provide each student equitable access in order to maintain or promote meaningful progress in accordance with his/her IEP, 504 Plan, or other educational needs.  

  SPEECH 

  Please visit Ms. Marconi’s (for Mrs. Gold) or Mrs. Lynch’s website for related activities.  These pages are posted under “Teacher Pages” for both Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and Lincoln Orens Middle School.  On the teacher page, there are activities specifically targeting student skills and IEP Goals. 

  PHYSICAL THERAPY 

  Games  

  • Simon Says
  • Bean bag or balloon toss
  • Hot potato 
  • Egg in spoon
  • Hop scotch 

  Outdoor Activities 

  • Jump rope 
  • Ride a tricycle or bicycle 
  • Jumping or jumping jacks
  • Playing ball – bounce/catch
  • Bubble play 

  Indoor Fun 

  • Dance party 
  • Building a fort – boxes, blankets 
  • Walk like an animal
  • slither like a snake
  • hop like a frog
  • gallop/horse
  • bear/all 4s tummy down
  • crab/all 4s tummy up

  On Line Resources 

  • Let's Move with Michelle Obama https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/(Open external link) 
  • Yoga https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/yoga-for/kids(Open external link)
  • GoNoodle https://family.gonoodle.com/(Open external link) 
  • Energizers https://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/resource/energizers-for-schools/ 
  • Move to Improve https://www.weteachnyc.org/resources/collection/move-improve/(Open external link) 

   

  Preschool Students 

  Get Moving 

  • Take the stairs, not the elevator 
  • Walk around the block- play I spy while walking 
  • Run relays with siblings and/or caregivers 
  • Step on/off a step stool 
  • Place pillows on floor and have child walk on them

  Doing Other Activities 

  • Do puzzles or play with building blocks while squatting 
  • Read a book while lying on belly 
  • Do chores like setting/clearing the table, 

  Play Games 

  • Head, shoulders, knees, and toes 
  • Act out animal walks

  Outdoor Activities 

  • Visit the playground 
  • Play ball- catch, throw, kick
  • Push heavy items in a stroller/wagon

  Games You Can Play 

  • Simon says 
  • Scavenger hunt 
  • Bean bag or balloon toss
  • Hot potato 
  • Egg in spoon

  Outdoor Activities  

  • Play ball – bounce/catch 
  • Bubble play 
  • Wet sponge toss 

  Indoor Fun 

  • Obstacle courses around household items
  • Army crawl race for those that can get out of their chair.
  • Wheelchair(seated) Zumba: https://youtu.be/JqlRGLPlJ7A(Open external link) 
  • Inclusive yoga: https://youtu.be/5FxIbzvdBzA(Open external link) 
  • 8 minute wheel chair workout: https://youtu.be/q0ttPm8LSEk(Open external link) 
  • Wheelchair Boxing 10 minute Workout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n76J1q6nZec(Open external link) 

   

  OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 

  Fine Motor, Visual Motor, and Perceptual Skills 

  Cutting Tips 

  • Bold the outline with a highlighter or marker.
  • Hold scissors and paper with “thumbs on top.” You can place a sticker on your child’s thumb nail as a reminder.
  • Begin first with cutting straight lines, then basic shapes, then complex shapes.
  • Use hand-over-hand assistance as needed.

  Gluing Tips 

  • When gluing, put the glue on the object being glued and NOT the paper.
  • Make a mark or draw a line as a visual of where the glue should go.
  • Try glue sticks for children with decreased strength.

  Pencil Grasp Tips 

  • Use broken crayons and short pencils to encourage an efficient grasp
  • Have your child hold a small coin or cotton ball with their pinky and ring fingers leaving only their ring finger, middle finger and thumb available to hold the pencil.

  Hand Strengthening Activities 

  • Hand weight bearing activities, such as wheelbarrow walks, crab walks, push-ups, and crawling.
  • Lego and Playdoh play: roll into balls, make a snake, press with stamps, hide and find pegs or beads, etc.
  • Pinch clothespins, paint with eyedroppers, & pick up items with tweezers.
  • Crafts, such as beading, lacing, ripping paper to make a collage, and hole punch activities.
  • Use a spray bottle to play in the bath, help with cleaning, etc.
  • For in-hand manipulation, place coins in a piggy bank or make your own with a coffee can with a slot in the top.

  Visual Skills Activities 

  • When reading use an index card or ruler to help isolate one line or word at a time.
  • Activities such as mazes, cryptograms, Dotto-Dot, word finds, puzzles, ball or balloon toss, etc.
  • To view more visual perceptual activities, visit the free website: eyecanlearn.com(Open external link) (Open external link)

  Writing Skills 

  Proper Posture When Writing on a Table Top 

  • Feet flat on the floor (A footstool or thick book can be placed under the feet to assist if feet do not reach the floor.) Sit upright in chair.
  • Wrist supported on table. Paper stabilized by nonwriting hand.

  Letter Formation 

  • When printing, prompt your child to use a top down formation: “Start at the top!”
  • Try this routine: You write the letter…Your child writes the letter…You write the letter…Your child writes the letter.

  Spacing 

  • Have child use their finger or a Popsicle stick after each word to create an appropriate space before beginning the next word.
  • Use graph paper to give a visual cue for spacing out words and letters.
  • There are many types of writing paper. Be sure to check with your child’s therapist on the best type of paper or strategy for your child.

  Letter and word placement 

  • Draw a green line along the left margin of the paper and a red line on the right to signal where to “start” and “stop.”
  • If your child has difficulty writing on the line, darken the baseline with a marker.
  • Use a highlighter to indicate where to write between lines.

  Typing 

  • To work on typing skills, visit one of the free websites below:
  • freetypinggame.net(Open external link)
  • funtotype.com(Open external link) (Open external link)
  • http://games.senselang.org(Open external link)
  • http://www.freetypinggaus/(Open external link) (Open external link)

  Practice Writing Skills 

  • Schedule a 10 minute interval daily to practice writing.
  • Encourage your child to write about a preferred topic of choice.
  • Help your child make greeting cards for family and friends.
  • Write a grocery list together.
  • Make lists: favorite TV programs, movies, things to pack before a trip.

  Self-Regulation and Sensory Processing 

  Self-regulation is the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotional responses, actions and level of alertness/attention. It can be influenced by several different factors including sensory processing. Sensory processing is how we process information from the world around us as well as what is going on inside of us to produce an appropriate behavioral response. 

  Calming Activities 

  • Play games that reinforce structure and require waiting/ turn-taking: red light green light, freeze dance, Simon says.
  • Yoga, meditation and belly breathing will help child develop better control of their physical body, thoughts, and emotional states. You can start by sitting still with eyes closed with a slow count of 5.
  • Routines, structure and clear expectations will help your child with selfcontrol. Review any changes to normal routine early.
  • Provide a quiet personal space for your child to calm. Relaxing music, a bean bag chair or soft pillows to burrow in may be helpful.
  • Encourage a variety of play/work positions such as standing, lying on the floor, kneeling.
  • Offer your child a chewy snack to provide organizing sensory input (i.e. Twizzlers, dried fruits, bagels, etc.).
  • “Heavy work” activities (carrying heavy items, push/pull activities, etc.)

  Energizing Activities 

  • Have your child jump on a mini-trampoline, perform jumping jacks or play hopscotch.
  • Push-ups on the floor or push-ups against the wall.
  • Organized sports activities- running, yoga, karate, gymnastics, bike riding.
  • Climbing on or hanging from playground equipment.
  • Eating crunchy foods (i.e. popcorn, pretzels, carrots, apples, etc.).
  • Play and dance to loud, fast-paced music.
  • Use toys that make noise or light up.

  Tips for Children with Tactile Sensitivities 

  • Gradually expose your child to different textures going from the least to most messy. (i.e. Play-doh is less messy than shaving cream or finger paints.)
  • Provide firm pressure rather than light touch when holding hands or giving hugs.
  • Make sure that blankets, pajamas and clothes are comfortable for the child as this may disrupt their sleep and other daily activities. (i.e. Cut out clothing tags if causing discomfort, wear socks inside out if irritating, etc.)
  • Use unscented laundry detergent.  

  Attention and Focus 

  Also refer to the Self-Regulation and Sensory Processing section; strategies may also result in improved attention and ability to focus. 

  • Choose a location in the home with minimal distractions when completing structured activities such as homework or studying.
  • Break down instructions into simple 1-2 step directions.
  • Have child repeat directions to reinforce understanding.
  • Use a visual timer to gradually increase attention to a non-preferred activity.
  • Allow your child to take short, intermittent movement breaks.
  • Use a reward chart with stickers or checkmarks to reinforce positive behaviors.

  Toilet Training 

  • Look for signs for readiness, like discomfort when wet or soiled or staying dry for several hours at a time.
  • Have your child wear easy to manage clothing (i.e. sweatpants).
  • Establish a schedule according to wetness pattern.
  • Toileting symbol may be helpful for requests.
  • Use charts for positive reinforcement and celebrate each success.

  Shoe Tying 

  • Children typically require demonstration, explanation, and lots of practice to master tying their shoes.
  • Remember there are two common methods for tying laces; the bunny ear approach using two loops, or the wrap-around technique, making one single loop then wrapping the other string around and tucking through. Try both and see what works best for your child.
  • Be sure laces are long enough so that your child can make large loops if needed.
  • Practicing knots on a jump rope or pipe cleaner can also make it easier and more fun.

  Dressing 

  • Practice dressing skills through pretend play with dress-up clothes or dolls.  
  • Help your child up until the very last step to allow him/her to successfully complete the dressing task. Do less and less as your child can do more and more. For example:
  • Assist with fastening the zipper but allow the child to pull it up.
  • Help your child put each leg into his/her pants but have your child pull his/her pants up independently.  
  • Insert a button halfway into the hole, but let your child pull it fully through.
  • Teach your child to locate the tag first to identify the front when putting on shirts or jackets.  

  Hand Washing 

  1. Use Soap
  2. Scrub palm to palm
  3. Scrub back of hands
  4. Wash between fingers
  5. Wash thumbs
  6. Scrub fingernails
  7. Wash wrists
  8. Rinse hands
  9. Dry Hands

   

  • IPS RELATED SERVICES.pdf

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Postponing Mandatory Pre-K Meeting

  Dear Parent/Guardian,

  Please be advised that out of an abundance of caution, and to minimize instances of parents assembling in our schools, all large group gatherings have been postponed until the end of the April break. Therefore, the mandatory UPK parent orientation meeting that was to take place on Thursday, March 26, 2020 has been postponed. We will inform you as soon as a new date is determined. If you have any questions, please call the F.X. Hegarty office at (516) 434-2670.

  Sincerely,

  Cynthia Cameron
  Principal

  • Letter regarding postponing mandatory pre k meeting 3 20.pdf

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Digital Learning During School Closure

  FRANCIS X. HEGARTY ELEMENTARY

  • FXH Class Directory

  LINCOLN ORENS MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • LOMS Class Directory

   

  Instructions for Connecting to i-Ready

  1. Log on to www.clever.com
  2. Click on Log in as a student
  3. Type in Francis X. Hegarty where it says, "Search for School."
  4. Click on where it says, "Log in with LDAP."
  5. Username - first initial of first name and last name (ex. Joe Smith = jsmith)
  6. Password- password you use to log into your school computer account
  7. Click log in
  8. Click on i-Ready icon
  9. Click on a subject

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Superintendent's Message Re: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 3-13-20

  March 13, 2020

  Dear Parents/Guardians and School Community Members:

  I am writing to keep you informed with respect to the District’s efforts as we move forward with teaching and learning amidst reports from county, state, and federal officials concerning the new Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please be advised that out of an abundance of caution, and to minimize instances of students, parents and community members assembling in our schools and so that at our buildings can be thoroughly cleaned every night the District is suspending all large group gatherings and postponing several events:

  1. All field trips and after-school sports practices and games are cancelled through the end of the April break.
  2. All after-school clubs are cancelled through the end of the April break.
  3. All adult and student recreation activities are cancelled through the end of the April break.
  4. All large group gatherings and assemblies are cancelled through the end of the April break. The following events are postponed and will be rescheduled after the April break:

  • Defensive Driving- Saturday 14^th LOMS
  • LOMS Theatre Production- Friday, March 20^th – Sunday, March 22^nd
  • Site-Based Meetings- Monday, March 23^rd
  • Music in Our Schools- Wednesday, March 25^th – Friday, March 27^th
  • UPK Parent Meetings- Thursday, March 26^th
  • NJHS Induction, Thursday, April 2^nd
  • Recreation Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday April 4^th is CANCELLED
  • PTA Meeting- Monday, April 6^th
  • District-Wide Art Show- Tuesday, April 7^th

   

  1. FXH parent-teacher conferences will be conducted via telephone.
  2. Pre-K Mystery Readers are cancelled through the end of the April break.
  3. The LOMS and FXH School Store will be closed through the end of the April break.
  4. Pretzel days are cancelled through the end of the April break.
  5. After-school bond work scheduled at LOMS and FXH will be postponed until the start of the April break when students and staff are not in attendance. 
  6. Summer Recreation registration will occur using personal checks through the mail or by credit card only (no in-person registration). 

   

  Please note, early morning activities and early morning Regents classes will be conducted as usual. Also, breakfast will be served for students receiving free or reduced price meals.

  In the event of an extended school closure, digital instruction will be communicated with students and parents via each teacher’s page on the District’s website. All teachers will begin providing students with assignments and due dates by 12:00 PM of the first day that schools are closed. During an extended school closure, a message will appear on the District’s website that will read “School Closure Digital Instruction.” Parents and students will use this link to be directed to either the FXH or LOMS Teacher Pages.  In addition, the District has also acquired the i-Ready online instruction platform for all students to use in school and at home. I-ready offers personalized online lessons in English language arts and mathematics based on each student’s individual skill level and needs. An informative letter about the program including your child’s unique username and password will be sent home today via backpacks and in the mail.

  It is important for us to be prepared in the unlikely event that we must temporarily close our schools. We are sure that questions will arise about the information presented above. A Parents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Regarding School Closures document has been prepared in the hope of addressing some of your concerns and is posted to the District’s website.

  As members of the Island Park Community, it is imperative that we all do our part to prevent the possible spread of any illness. As a reminder, please have children engage in all proper hygiene protocols outlined in my previous letter regarding hand washing, coughing and sneezing and please have children stay home when they are sick.

  Thank you for your understanding and continued support during these challenging times. We will continue to update the community as new information becomes available. Please check our website and Facebook daily as well as the New York State Department of Health website for updates: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

  Sincerely,

  Rosmarie T. Bovino

  Rosmarie T. Bovino, Ed.D.
  Superintendent of Schools

  • En espanol Superintendents Message Re Coronavirus COVID-19 Update 3-13-20.pdf
  • Parent FAQ Re Online Learning.pdf
  • Superintendents Message Re Coronavirus COVID-19 Update 3-13-20.pdf

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  PTA MEETING

  PLEASE JOIN US!

  PTA MEETING

  DATE: MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020
  TIME: 7:00PM
  PLACE: FXH CAFETERIA

  School reports will be given by:

  Dr. Bovino, Superintendent of Island Park School District

  Ms. Cameron, Principal of Francis X. Hegarty

  Dr. Hoffman, Principal of Lincoln Orens Middle School

  PTA Executive Board will provide updates on current and future events/programs

  The Nominating Committee will present their slate for the 2020-2021 Executive Committee

  **Additional nominations may be made from the floor, provided the written consent of the nominee has been secured and the Chair of the Nominating Committee (Marie Boncina) has received notice at least two business days prior to the Election Meeting (April 6th) of the candidate's intention to run (per Island Park PTA Unit Bylaws).

  GUEST PRESENTATION: TBD

  • Memberships, volunteer forms and In-Need donations accepted at meeting
  • Question and Answer session open to the floor
  • Free babysitting is available (children must be at least 4 years of age and toilet-trained)
  • PTA forms and flyers are also available on the Island Park Schools’ website and PTA Facebook Page

  • PTA MEETING APRIL 2020.pdf

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Message From Superintendent - Coronavirus 3-2-20

  Dear Families and Community Members,

  Since my letter to you on Friday, I received additional communication regarding the new Coronavirus (COVID 19) from the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH).  The attachment herewith provides a NYSDOH Situation Summary and an outline of approaches they are using for Identification and Testing of Persons under Investigation (PUIs).  As we know from media broadcasts this morning, the first case of COVID 19 was confirmed in New York City. 

  The district proceeds with daily cleaning and sanitizing protocols for high touch point areas as outlined by the CDC, SED, and NCDH. Students and adults are being directed to wash their hands regularly and to use sanitizer when soap and water are not available.  In addition, we had teams of custodians in each school building “deep cleaning” on Saturday; this is consistent with our ongoing efforts in fall and winter to curb colds and flu.

  As promised, I will keep you informed of any changes with respect to the status of COVID 19 or any other relevant communications.  Please continue to visit our website and FB pages for timely communications.

  Thank you.

  Yours sincerely, 

  Rosmarie T. Bovino, Ed.D.
  Superintendent of Schools

   

  • Corona Virus Letter 3-2-20 NYSDOH.pdf

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary
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  Culture of kindness shines in Island Park

  Island Park’s culture of kindness was especially plentiful during No Name-Calling Week, observed between Jan. 21-24. With the goal of promoting safe and caring environments, Lincoln Orens Middle School and Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School each held activities based on the district’s Six Pillars of Character: Respect, caring, trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship and responsibility.

  Guidance counselor Andrea Porzelt and school social workers Allison Janofsky and Felicita Carranza coordinated an assortment of initiatives that emphasized positive behaviors and actions.

  Lincoln Orens held a “Kindness Counts” campaign in which teachers handed out certificates to students seen demonstrating kindness. At the end of the week, those recognized were entered into a raffle for a snack pass. A mural created by art teacher Naomi Seifert illustrating the six pillars was displayed in the hallway and a No Name Calling Week poem written by Student Council members was read over the PA system. Students promised to carry ethical values into the future and signed a No Name-Calling Week Pledge.

  Hegarty students read and discussed kindness quotes during morning announcements and reviewed related activities such as Anti-Bullying Week and Acts of Kindness Month. They reinforced the significance of the paper chain that was created in December and remains on display in the cafeteria as a year-round symbol of kindness. An at-home activity prompted students to express themselves by listing qualities they would like their peers to notice they possess. The elementary students culminated the week with a special “crumpled paper” exercise that shed light on the lasting negative impact of bullying, while simultaneously promoting empathy and compassion.

  At both schools, students and staff members dressed to show their support of the six pillars. Each day, they wore specific colors representative of the qualities discussed.

  Francis X. Hegarty Elementary