Long Island School for the Gifted builds connections in Syosset

The school's partnerships with local businesses provide students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Since relocating to Syosset last September, the Long Island School for the Gifted (LISG) has become an active and engaged member of the local community. The school has built partnerships with local businesses like Ruta Oaxaca Restaurant and It's Greek to Me, providing students with immersive language and cultural learning experiences.

Why it matters

LISG's partnerships with local businesses help connect students to the broader community and give them opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom in meaningful, real-world settings. This type of experiential learning helps bring language and culture to life for the students.

The details

At Ruta Oaxaca Restaurant, fourth-grade LISG students participated in a Spanish-only immersion experience, ordering food, asking questions, and engaging in everyday conversations in Spanish. The students were also joined by the president of the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the school has partnered with It's Greek to Me, where the owner visited LISG to share Greek culture, language, and traditions with fifth-grade students, and the school will soon showcase Greek-inspired artwork by sixth-grade students at the restaurant.

  • LISG relocated to Syosset in September 2025.
  • The Spanish immersion experience at Ruta Oaxaca Restaurant took place on March 6, 2026.
  • The visit from the owner of It's Greek to Me occurred recently, and the sixth-grade art showcase will happen soon.

The players

Long Island School for the Gifted (LISG)

A private K-9 institution dedicated to meeting the unique educational needs of gifted students in a nurturing environment.

Ruta Oaxaca Restaurant

A local restaurant in Syosset that hosted the Spanish immersion experience for LISG students.

Russell Green

The president of the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, who joined the LISG students for their Spanish immersion lunch.

Kathy Barbalios

The owner of It's Greek to Me, a local business that has partnered with LISG to share Greek culture and traditions with students.

Patricia Geyer

The head of school at LISG, who continues to work to build partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I spent an amazing lunch with the fourth-graders from LISG.”

— Russell Green, President of the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce (Instagram)

“I loved the learning experience in Spanish!”

— Claire (Instagram)

“It really helped our Spanish. It was a great experience!”

— Audrey and Carol (Instagram)

“This is exactly the kind of experiential learning that brings language to life. Our students have been preparing for this moment, and we are grateful to our local partners for helping us make learning authentic and meaningful.”

— Patricia Geyer, Head of School (Instagram)

What’s next

The sixth-grade students from LISG will soon showcase their Greek-inspired artwork at It's Greek to Me, further strengthening the school's partnership with the local business.

The takeaway

LISG's partnerships with local businesses like Ruta Oaxaca Restaurant and It's Greek to Me demonstrate how a school can build meaningful connections within its community, providing students with immersive, real-world learning experiences that deepen their cultural understanding and language skills.