The Week in Review

In case you missed the news around your community, West Islip Patch will wrap up the stories that made headlines this past week.

On Tuesday, the Suffolk County Legislature held a general meeting during which a controversial law involving bullying was discussed. The proposed law could fine principals of schools civilly $1,000 if the legislature determines that the school administration didn't take necessary steps in reported incidents of bullying. The proposed law requires school administrators to document complaints of bullying and if it is determined that a student has been bullied, the bully or bullies must be disciplined and the school administrators must keep a record of that discipline.

Some school administrators protested the law for being too broad to be effective and raised issues as to whether schools can be held responsible for incidents that occur off school ground involving students. Bullying over social websites, commonly known as cyberbullying, would fall into this category. The legislature will continue the hearing for the proposed law and its June 22 meeting.

Speaking of cyberbullying, the legislature passed a bill making cyberbullying of a person 18 or under a misdemeanor crime punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to a year in prison. 

It was a great week for the West Islip Lions boys lacrosse team. On Tuesday, the Lions captured the Long Island Class A championship with a 13-1 over Farmingdale. Then, on Thursday, the Lions defeated Lakeland/Panas in the New York State Class A semifinals 20-10 before winning the title on Saturday with a 13-5 win over Fairport. It was the second consecutive championship for the Lions and fourth in the last five years. 

In the championship game, senior Nicky Galasso set the all-time scoring record for Long Island with his 500th point, an assist on a goal from junior Mike Sagl.

At Thursday night's meeting of the West Islip Board of Education, the board appointed Richard Simon as the next superintendent of schools. Simon comes to West Islip from the Cold Spring Harbor School District, where he served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. He will begin in the role on August 1. Current superintendent of schools Dr. Beth Virginia Blau will be retiring. A "Meet and Greet" with the new superintendent will be held on June 22 at the Beach Street Middle School.

The board also recognized Valedictorian of the Class of 2010 Krystyna Oszkinis, Salutatorian Kevin Schauer and National Merit Corporation Scholarship winner Melissa Gedney.

The last day of classes for West Islip High School was Friday, June 11. The prom for seniors will be held on Thursday, June 24 at the East Wind in Wading River and graduation will take place on Saturday, June 26 at 9 a.m. at West Islip High School.