John V. Dolan
Superintendent of Schools
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue, Islip Terrace, NY 11752
Phone: 631-224-2010 Fax: 631-581-1617
www.eischools.org
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April 7, 2017 To All East Islip Community & Staff: It is hard to believe that spring break is upon us. This year spring break coincides with the high holy days of Passover and Easter. Easter and Passover are both symbols of overcoming great challenges and finding a path of forgiveness and progress. If you step back and read the Bible and Koran as works of literature, you will see they are filled with stories of humans facing challenges, persevering and gaining strength from the struggles that they face. It is only when we politicize religious beliefs that problems arise. Educators face the same issues when we allow politics to interfere with what should be the higher calling of educators. As we accept the benefits of freedom bestowed upon us from the Constitution we must accept the responsibility that is spelled out in the Preamble to the Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. As educators we must focus on the line in the preamble that states “the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity…”. As educators we have accepted the calling to prepare our young people for the world they will live in. Over the past two months I have crisscrossed the East Islip School District discussing last night’s Safety, Security and Efficiency Referendum and what I’ve learned is priceless. The first lesson I learned is that East Islip School employees are deeply intertwined with the community. Many live here and those that don’t spend more waking hours here than in their own community. Another lesson is that East Islip has a tough and gritty skin that protects a caring and tender heart. Collectively the community of East Islip has grown weary of being a flashpoint for controversy and the overwhelming majority of people I spoke with truly care about our kids and schools and are ready and willing to support us. Undoubtedly people have scars from the past political battles, but I truly believe people are ready to forgive and pull together to do what’s best for our posterity. Over the next several months I look forward to seeing all of you and clearly outlining our long range vision for East Islip Schools. This is our chance to show the world that we can retool our schools to prepare our students for the world they will live in and do it in an open, transparent and fiscally responsible way. Whatever your beliefs are and whatever you celebrate, it is our hope it includes a lot of time building memories with the ones you love. May you have a healthy, happy and joyous week and I look forward to seeing you rested and rejuvenated to be ready for a big finish to what is the beginning of something very special. At this time I would also like to thank you for your trust and support shown last night. Next time I see you, it won’t be soon enough. Fondly, John V. Dolan Superintendent of Schools