January 2023

Miller Place Debuts Book Vending Machines to Promote Literacy

Students earn tokens for new books based on exemplary behavior

The Miller Place School District recently unveiled three new vending machines at its schools, but instead of dispensing candy or snacks, these machines are full of brand-new books.

The Miller Place Parent Teacher Organization donated the book vending machines as part of its commitment to increasing literacy and generating excitement around reading. PTO representatives and District officials recently held a commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming the vending machines to North Country Road Middle School, Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School and Andrew Muller Primary School.

“Students are already excited about our book vending machines and eager for a chance to use them and get their next favorite book,” said Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie. “Thank you to our PTO for bringing these to our District and putting in place an amazing plan to boost literacy, reward good behavior and get children enthusiastic about reading.”

Each book costs one token, which students earn by displaying good behavior and performing acts of kindness. Earning tokens is built into the District’s existing character education programs, which reward exemplary students each month.

Miller Place is one of the first school districts on Long Island to bring book vending machines to its schools. The Miller Place PTO launched the book vending machine program as part of its Literacy Initiative to engage students in learning. One of their goals was to keep children reading and ensure they could always have books at home and not just in school or at the library. Their research led them to Inchy, the only book vending machine company in the country.

The PTO funded the initiative through the District’s Read-a-Thon, to purchase the Book Vending Machines. The PTO also purchased the books and fully stocked the vending machines. PTO will continue purchasing books for the vending machines in the future.

The PTO executive board includes Kristin Hennig, Suzanne Cloke, Jackie Maloney, Monique Caccavale, Sharda Soohkdeo, Gayle Mancini and Dawn McCarthy. Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner presented the District and PTO with proclamations to praise their success in bringing the vending machines to Miller Place.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.

*Third-grade student Hazel Kamath and LADSBS Assistant Principal Nicole Farley marvel at the school’s new book vending machine.*

*Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, left, at a commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony with third-grade student Hazel Kamath and Miller Place PTO representative Dawn McCarthy.*

*PTO members at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new book vending machines.*

Third-grade student Hazel Kamath is given a chance to use the book vending machine. She is pictured here with Councilwoman Jane Bonner, left, PTO representative Dawn McCarthy and Miller Place Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie.

From left to right AMPS students Mia Cruz Rodriguez, Jonathan Acosta, Paul Adams, Fionn Gallagher, Brayden Franzese, Vivian McNaughton, Milller Place PTO members, Superintendent Mr. Seth Lipshie and AMPS Principal Ms. Gewurz.

*Miller Place Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie cuts the ribbon at the commemorative book vending machine ceremony.*

North Country Road Middle School Book Vending Machine ribbon cutting. From left to right, PTO representative Jackie Maloney, PTO representative Suzanne Cloke, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie, PTO representative Dawn McCarthy, PTO representative Kristin Hennig, NCRMS Assistant Principal Christine Mangiamele, Library Media Specialist Veronica Farrell.

*Seventh Grade North Country Road Middle School student Johnny Adler showing off the book he chose from the school’s new book vending machine.*

Miller Place Students are Successful Entrepreneurs

Students excel at Long Island Regional Trade Show and Business Plan Competition

Thirty-nine students in Mr. Thomas Frank’s Virtual Enterprise class at Miller Place High School excelled at the Long Island Regional Trade Show and Business Plan Competition. Students were tasked with either setting up a business to sell their products at a trade show or pitching a business idea to Angel Investors.

“Our Virtual Enterprise students did an amazing job and were part of a very successful field trip. Everyone who participated represented Miller Place with pride and enthusiasm and exceptional skill,” said Superintendent of Schools Seth Lipshie. “Congratulations to all of the students who participated at the trade show for the professionalism and passion they demonstrated while promoting their ideas to investors.”

The Deja VR business set up by student CEO Gianna Benavides is a virtual reality company that sells headsets with a wide variety of games, sports, music, history and travel options. Gianna’s company took home the silver trophy in the website competition. Website creator for Deja VR, Salome Davoudiasl, commented, “the company I am a part of made it entertaining to choose an electric color palette for the website. Once the simple mechanics of our website were evaluated, it became an awesome project to work on throughout the course of the school year.”

Deja VR, which earned $150,000 at the trade show, placed among the top 10 schools on Long Island in the competition, which included 3,000 schools across Nassau and Suffolk County and New York City.

The Sand N’ Shade business, established by student CEO Alexandra DeAmario, sells customized sunglasses, snow goggles, watches and hats. Sand N’ Shade set a school record by selling over $170,000 in merchandise at the trade show.

*Student business Deja VR took home the silver trophy in the LI Regional Trade Show website competition.*

*Student business Sand N’ Shade sold over $170,000 in customized sunglasses, snow goggles, watches and hats at the Long Island Regional Trade Show.*

Miller Place High School Holds Annual OAK and OAR Ceremony

Eighteen students honored for exceptional character and academic excellence

Miller Place High School recently recognized eighteen outstanding students at its 22^nd annual OAK (Outstanding Acts of Kindness) and OAR (Outstanding Academic Recognition) ceremony. Students were recommended by staff members for performing inspiring acts of kindness or demonstrating excellent work ethic or improvement in their classes.

“The District is so proud of these eighteen model students who have shown acts of compassion and lent a hand to their peers in need or achieved remarkable academic progress and development,” said Superintendent of Schools Mr. Seth Lipshie. “These accomplished students represent the best of our Miller Place community with outstanding pride and character. They are positive role models for their peers and continue to impress their teachers and faculty each day.”

OAK award recipients are recommended for performing gestures of kindness and displaying compassion without expecting anything in return. This year’s recipients are Olivia Bloom, Elianna Charbonnier, Eileen Duffy, Klarissa Escobar, Justin Forlano, Jacob Huwer, Lucas McGuire, Sara Mendes, Joseph Ritieni, Natalie Shurbet, Jay Sun and Skye Welch.

OAR award recipients are recommended for achieving academic excellence by maintaining high scores, improving their scores or taking harder courses and rising to educational challenges that may be outside of their comfort zone. This year’s recipients are Christopher Barton, June Colletta, Mathilda Dottori, Eileen Duffy, Jacob Huwer, Aidan Maloney, Maya Murphy and Adrian Tamayo.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the district’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com and ‘like’ our Facebook page.