Fifth Avenue School
217 Fifth Avenue, Íæż½ã½ã, NY 11706
631-968-1140
Principal: Dr. Michelle Stowers
Assistant Principal: Ms. Jennifer Maher
Grade Levels: K-2
School Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Total Enrollment: 400
Average Class Size: 23
PFA Presidents: Melissa Alex & Alicia Malakoff
School Motto: A Tradition of Caring
School Mission and Goals: Fifth Avenue School recognizes the unique differences and worth of each individual child. We believe each child has the ability to succeed when given adequate support by a caring school and family. We enlist the support of the parents as co-educators in our goal of nurturing and enhancing each child’s social, intellectual, physical, artistic and emotional development. The school proposes to accomplish these goals through ongoing programs that recognize success, provide incentives, encourage positive behavior and foster an appreciation of the various cultures that make up our society.
Special Recognition and Honors:
New York State Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, 1993-94
Suffolk Reading Council Honor School
Parent-painted school murals highlighting children’s literature
New York State Teacher of the Year Nominee, 1994
New York State Council of English Teachers of Excellence Award Winner, 1992
Islip Town Youth Award Winners
New York State Teacher of Excellence Award Winner, 1997
Channel 55 “Educator of the Week” Award Winner, 2005
National Schools of Character Promising Practices, 2010
Sisters Keeping It Positive Award, 2011
School Background: Fifth Avenue School was built in 1929 and originally housed kindergarten through grade eight. An extension was built to accommodate the ever-increasing enrollment in 1957. The architectural plans for both the original building and the extension were also used to build Fifth Avenue’s sister school, Brook Avenue School.
School Staff: The Fifth Avenue School faculty consists of 30 professional staff members, plus paraprofessionals, custodians, secretaries and good service workers.
Code of Conduct: A Board of Education-approved Code of Conduct outlines rights and responsibilities of scholars, staff and parents.
Curriculum: Under the expert supervision of experienced early childhood teachers, the scholars enjoy a strong foundation for literacy, language development, hands-on math, science and social studies. Teachers enrich learning experiences through art and music activities in the classroom. The physical education staff provides a daily program that integrates curriculum with the total growth and development of young children. Teachers emphasize and promote a love for learning through the use of Smartboard technology. The Library Media Center and Technology Center feature state-of-the-art computer work stations. Yearly school-wide themes interact with the curriculum holistically.
Special Needs: Remedial and support services are available in the areas of reading, speech, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy and English as a Second Language. In addition to support services, Fifth Avenue School also takes pride in Project Success, a special home/school program to improve reading skills in first grade. A school nurse, psychologist and social worker are also on staff.
Testing: Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment, Math-in-Focus-Singapore Math Assessments.
Student Promotion: Scholars successfully completing the Fifth Avenue School curriculum continue on to South Country or Gardiner Manor.
Extra-Curricular Programs and Club: There are extended day programs for reading, mathematics, arts and crafts, and dance.
Computers and Technology: A computer lab with networked IBM computers is used by all scholars. Additional IBM computers, which are online, can be found in the library and in the reading room. These computers are used to encourage individual research skills and communication. Individual classrooms are in the process of being equipped with networked IBM computers. Due to the support of the Parent Faculty Association (PFA), Fifth Avenue School has implemented Smartboard technology into all classrooms.
Parent and Community Involvement: Parents are actively involved in the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) and as volunteers in the classroom. The PFA sponsors a rich cultural arts program, grade level field trips and school beautification projects.
Visitors: Please feel free to visit Fifth Avenue School. Call the school to make an appointment.