South Country School
885 Hampshire Road, Íæż½ã½ã, NY 11706
631-968-1250
Principal: Ms. Johnna Grasso
Assistant Principal: Mr. Duncan MacDougal
Grade Levels: 3-5
School Hours: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Total Enrollment: 480
Average Class Size: 25
PFA Presidents:
School Motto: Together We Give, We Gain, We Grow
School Mission Statement: We believe that each child, when held accountable, can and will reach his/her full potential. Working towards this common goal, staff and parents help all children develop a sense of self-worth and responsibility, and a respect for peers, adults and themselves. Together at South Country School, We Give, We Gain, We Grow.
Special Recognition and Honors:
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (1988)
ASCD Elementary Network School (only 29 in the country)
Suffolk County Honor School for Reading
Islip Town Youth Awards
First and Second Place on Long Island in Odyssey of the Mind
School Background: South Country School was opened in 1957 as a neighborhood school under the guidance of Mr. Jim Romansky. The building accommodated students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Since the mid-1980s and under the leadership of Dr. Florence Wood, the school became an intermediate school housing students in third through fifth grades. In 1996, Mr. Carlton Brown became only its third principal in 41 years. In 2001, Ms. Johnna Grasso became principal of South Country School.
School Staff: South Country School has a staff of 50 full and part-time professionals. In addition, there are paraprofessionals, a school nurse, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, foster grandparents and regular substitutes.
Code of Conduct: A Board of Education-approved Code of Conduct outlines rights and responsibilities of students, staff and parents.
Curriculum: Students in grades 3 through 5 use Math in Focus to meet the demands of the Common Core Learning Standards. The reading program is literature-based and process writing is used to connect curricular areas in a meaningful way for students. Remedial math and reading are offered during the school day and instruction is differentiated throughout the day to meet the individual needs of each student. Students enjoy art, music, physical education, computer and library classes, and individual/group music lessons, as well as band, orchestra and choir.
Special Needs: Students who require special education may receive services in a Class-Within-a-Class (CWC) inclusion program, resource room or self-contained placement. In addition, students can receive speech, counseling, occupational therapy and/or physical therapy. Furthermore, English Language Learners may receive ENL services. There is also a full-time social worker and psychologist on staff.
Testing: NYS ELA Exam in grades 3, 4 and 5; NYS Math Exam in grades 3, 4 and 5; NYS Science Exam in grade 4; NYSESLAT Exam in grades 3, 4 and 5.
Student Promotion: Students are promoted to the Íæż½ã½ã Middle School for grade 6.
Extra-Curricular Programs and Club: Art Club, After-School Sports, Computer Club, Scrabble, Cooking Club, Homework Assistance, Writing Club, Spanish Club, Garden Club, Reading and Math Remediation.
Computers and Technology: Smartboards are available to students in third, fourth and fifth grades. Also, two computer labs with Internet access are available to all students. In addition, there are 3 networked computers and 1 printer in each classroom. Students learn to use technology for research, to create multi-media presentations and to complete interdisciplinary projects. Furthermore, students are taught keyboarding skills, as well as how to create and use databases and spreadsheets.
Family and Community Involvement: Families are involved in the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) and all special events.
Special Events:
Family Workshops and Assemblies (Up in Smoke, Family Album)
Íæż½ã½ã Community Summit
Art Auction
Black History Month
South Country Picnic
Fall Fundraiser
Book Fairs
Holiday Fairs
Cultural Arts Programs
Concerts
Broadway Shows
Multicultural Feasts and Festivals
Dances
Author Visits
Game Nights
Numerous field trips
Visitors: School visitors are welcome anytime school is open. All visitors must first report to the Main Office.