Musketeer Monday Part One: Dennis Solares

This week's Musketeer Monday features a friendly face that is very familiar all around our School District. Get to know Driver/Messenger, Mr. Dennis Solares, a little better!

Mr. Solares can be seen on any given school day delivering interoffice mail to and from all eight of the District's campuses. He can also be seen at the CI Post Office tending to official school district mailings as well.

Mr. Solares takes his duties seriously with CI Pride. Asked about the duties he performs, Mr. Solares explained: "My job entails a few responsibilities. I accept and deliver sensitive correspondence and confidential documents throughout the District on behalf of the Superintendent's Office. I also work directly with members of the Board of Education to ensure they receive important information, and disperse as needed."

Asked to define the most rewarding aspect of his job, Mr. Solares stated: "Working closely with the Superintendent's Office and watching the hard work of Dr. Dungee and her team pushes me to work harder and carry myself with more pride. I have been entrusted with a position that I didn't think possible. I always try to make the District a better place while being ready for whatever the Board of Education, Dr. Dungee, Mr. Matera, and Ms. Iafrate may need."

Mr. Solares exemplifies the concept of teamwork, as he explains: "Day to day, there are tons of people who tirelessly work together to ensure the children of Central Islip can have the best school experience possible, and the most rewarding part of my job is knowing I am a contribution to that."

A resident of CI since 1998, Mr. Solares is very much a fabric of his community. He has been a member of the Central Islip Fire Department for the past 15 years and presently holds the title of Engine and Hose Company #1. In his spare time, Mr. Solares enjoys spending time with, and taking his children to their many extracurricular activities. "If I'm not working or spending time with my children, I'm usually giving my time back to my community," he added.

Familiar with the nuances and complexities of the duties of Driver/Messenger, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sharon A. Dungee offers a testimonial for Mr. Solares: "Since seamlessly assuming the Driver/Messenger role this past March, Mr. Solares has proven to be a dedicated employee. He takes meticulous pride in performing his tasks as he moves the mail between the US Postal Service and our schools. These are enormous responsibilities, and Mr. Solares is to be applauded for the level of professionalism and kindness with which he performs his duties. As the saying goes, 'Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear, and the blind can see.' Mr. Solares embodies this, treating everyone with respect and warmth."