A Ribbon Cutting Worth Waiting for at Fishers Island School

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Students, parents, faculty, staff, islanders, and the architects and contractors gathered at School. At 5:30, as the sun had set and the new lights were brightening all the new spaces, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony began in the Fishers Island School Library.

School Superintendent and Principal Christian Arsenault began his remarks, “Thank you all for coming to celebrate our newly renovated school. This is an opportunity to show our appreciation to our supportive community. Fishers Island School is a special place – it starts with the feeling you get when you walk in the doors.”

The process of this capital project began 8 years ago. It has consistently focused on Safety/Security and Academic Instruction – Secure Front Vestiuble, Security Cameras, PA/Bell System, New Roof, Conference Room, Staff Room and:

• Nurses’ Office
• Art Room
• Doors and Walls in the Elementary
• Library Media Center – with new Library Media Specialist Josiah Friedberg
• Playground – McCance Family Foundation in memory of Allison McCance
• Courtyard – Bench dedicated to Carol Doherty for her years of service to FIS

Please click any photo to see a larger image and scroll through the gallery.
Photo Credit: QA+M Architecture

Christian thanked his Board of Education members*, past and present, for their thoughtful work; the faculty and staff for their flexibility and professionalism; the students for helping to stay safe and focused on their school work; Business Manager Jim Eagan and School Secretary Danielle Etes for their support, all during the extensive project and interruptions to routines.

QA+M Architecture (David Quisinberry, Rocco Petitto, Erika Roberts, Dave Noe), and Mattern Construction (Eric Mattern, Lucas Girard, Bryce Mileski, Rodney Young, Kevin Lathrop) teams were also recognised and thanked by Christian and the School community with a round of applause for all their work and care on the capital project.

“Our school now physically matches the vibrancy and positive energy of our students, staff and community. And, we are looking forward to continued opportunities to share our space with the you, including art shows, concerts, sporting events, community meetings and gatherings, and Spanish lessons class!” said Christian in his closing remarks.

Fishers Island School Board Chair Bill Bloethe and 11th grader Caleb Piper, cut the ribbon. The guests were offered student-guided tours of the refurbished school building and then proceeded to the Gym for a Contemporary Band Performance as the evening’s finale.

*Board of Education Members (Past and Present)

A “student-made” bench and plaque dedicated to Carol Doherty for her 32 years of service to Fishers Island School as an employee and past parent. This was included in the renovation project and is in the covered, all-season atrium at the core of the building.