Miller Place High School Celebrates World Kindness Day
Miller Place, N.Y. (November 2019)—In celebration of World Kindness Day, the School Improvement Team (SIT) Committee at Miller Place High School welcomed students with positive affirmations and inspirational messages throughout the building. The day was devoted to promoting generous acts that bring people of every type together and emphasize the power behind small and large kind gestures. Nearly 900 Post-It Notes covered students’ lockers and classroom doors with phrases like, “In a world where you can be anything—be kind” and “you’ve got this.” World Kindness Day, an initiative of the World Kindness Movement, highlights good deeds in the community by focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness that binds people.
Students in LADSBS Promote ALS Awareness with Ride for Life Founder
Miller
Place, N.Y.
(November 2019)—Miller Place School District (MPSD) recently welcomed
back Ride for Life Founder Chris Pendergast for a special assembly at Laddie A.
Decker Sound Beach School (LADSBS). Mr. Pendergast, a beloved member of the
community and courageous fighter of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS), returned to the District to speak with elementary students about his journey
over the last several years and inspiration behind founding Ride for Life, a
charity that raises money and awareness for ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“Every
year, we welcome Mr. Pendergast for his heartening story of perseverance and
commitment,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School
District. “He is a special member of the Miller Place-Sound Beach community,
and it’s an honor to have him speak to our students and inspire them to play
their part in raising awareness for such an important cause.”
Students at LADSBS listened attentively to Mr. Pendergast’s story about his advocacy efforts and how his devotion and perseverance inspired the Ride for Life organization. The presentation relayed an important message for students to never give up and overcoming the odds. Students were also amazed by Mr. Pendergast’s ability to utilize advanced technology equipment to type using his eyes and speak through a computerized voice.
Ride
for Life is an annual public awareness and fundraising campaign to spread ALS
awareness. Each year,
ALS patients ride their electric wheelchairs across Long Island as they are
escorted by hundreds of students from local schools and community groups.
Miller Place, N.Y. (November 2019)—As the Star-Spangled Banner played in the background, Mrs. Shaw’s second grade class at Andrew Muller Primary School (AMPS) in Miller Place opened its doors to United States military veterans to thank them for their service. After the students and military veterans began the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the class’s special guests then taught the students about the importance of respecting the flag as a symbol of America and the freedoms they enjoy daily. The second-grade students then participated in a fill-in-the-blanks exercise by completing the phrase, “I think veterans are ____ because ____.” Following collection and sharing of their responses, the students and military veterans read “Veterans Day,” by Jessica Hawkins. Near the end of the visit, one of the veterans gave the students a demonstration of how he played the bugle during his time in the military. Before the veterans departed, the students presented letters of appreciation and showed their respect by saluting them.
This event is part of the District’s
initiative to teach students the meaning of Veterans Day and raise student
awareness about what it means to be a member
of the military during Veterans Day.
Local Elementary Students Learn How Every Day Materials Can Conduct Science Experiments
Miller Place, N.Y. (November 2019)—Students at Miller Place School District’s Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School recently learned how household items can teach lessons in science. The “Dirtmeister,” Steve Tomecek, taught students how materials such as coffee cans, soda bottles, mixing bowls and a toilet plunger can help students explore the science behind gravity, air pressure and sound. Students participated in the experiments during the assembly and were challenged to repeat them at home with the help of their parents.
Miller Place, N.Y. (November 2019)—Miller Place School District recently hosted representatives of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office to discuss the effects of vaping with sophomore and junior students in Miller Place High School’s auditorium. Deputy Sheriff Investigator Michael Kern and Public Relations Assistant Kelly Mazzotta educated students on the implications of nicotine and illicit drug use on human brains and bodies, the long-term effects of nicotine and drug use, and emphasized the various laws surrounding substance use and minors.
Miller
Place, N.Y. (November 2019)—Miller Place
students at North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) proudly participated in
Red Ribbon Week, a week dedicated to promoting drug awareness and empowering
each student to live drug-free lives. This year, the District welcomed
representatives of the Suffolk County Police Department and the Long Island
Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Red Ribbon Week serves as a call
to action for our students and community members to become empowered to make
healthy life decisions,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller
Place Schools. “As role models and educators, our staff members and administrators
are dedicated to informing our students about the importance of choosing
drug-free lifestyles through initiatives like Red Ribbon Week, as well as
several other programs and guest speakers the District provides throughout the
year.”
NCRMS
kicked off Red Ribbon Week this year with a visit from Officer George Lynagh of
the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD). Officer Lynagh met with each grade
level to discuss his career working in NYC law enforcement prior to SCPD, the
dangers youth face on a daily basis, and the destructive implications of drug
abuse.
Officer
Charles Bernard, Long Island Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent, spoke
to NCRMS’s 7th and 8th grade students about the dangers and effects of drug
abuse. He utilized real-life scenarios to depict the local drug issues on Long
Island. While sharing a powerful message, Agent Bernard encouraged positive
decision making for the District’s adolescents.
Throughout Red Ribbon Week students showcased their artistry and
creativity during a building-wide poster contest. Students with the most
informative posters promoting important messages of Red Ribbon Week were
selected as winners. This year’s winners of the poster contest are Amelia Avalos, 6th grade; Emily Darragh,
7th grade; and Mary Duffy, 8th grade.
Red Ribbon Week was established in 1985 to honor
Enrique Camarana, a drug enforcement officer who gave his life in the fight
against drugs. The Red Ribbon became a symbol of awareness to reduce the use of
illegal drugs and violence. As the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign
in the country, Red Ribbon serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals
to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment
to drug prevention and education.
Miller Place Sixth Graders Launch Self-Made Rockets for Science Class
Miller Place, N.Y.
(November 2019)—Sixth grade students at
North Country Road Middle School in Miller Place recently sent their science
knowledge sky-high during the culmination of the school’s recent science unit—rockets!
“The District strives to
provide an engaging curriculum that enables students to utilize their
creativity while taking part in interactive lessons,” said Dr. Marianne
Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “Classroom projects
like the rocket launch provide enhanced learning experiences for our students
by allowing them to bring their textbook lessons to life. Well done, NCRMS!”
Over the last several
weeks, Mrs. Cuba’s science classes performed a comprehensive science experiment
to learn how a rocket works and demonstrate Newton’s third law of motion. After
designing and constructing their own rockets from scratch, the sixth graders
joined for a class wide rocket launch where students had the opportunity to
watch their science knowledge take off!
NCRMS Students Give Back for Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
Miller Place, N.Y. (October 2019)—A round of a paws to students at North Country Road Middle School in Miller Place for their community service! During lunch periods, the middle schoolers did their part to give back during Adopt a Shelter Dog Month by visiting the library during their periods to make dog chew toys out of recycled t-shirts. Collectively, NCRMS’s students made 33 dog chew toys, which will be donated to Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton.
Miller
Place, N.Y. (October 2019)—A total of 75 extraordinary
students in Miller Place were recently inducted into the National Junior Honor
Society at North Country Road Middle School. Dr. Marianne Cartisano,
superintendent of Miller Place School District, addressed the inductees and
congratulated them on this momentous achievement. Also in attendance at the
annual ceremony were club advisors Mrs. Nicole Farley and Mrs. Rose Ferro,
family and friends of the inductees, and several District administrators and
staff.
“Congratulations to these 75 distinguished students who have
demonstrated excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship and
service,” said Dr. Cartisano. “This honorable membership is an ongoing
responsibility to continue demonstrating these outstanding qualities and also challenges
all of our inductees to develop further through academics and active
involvement in service. On
behalf of the District, we are excited to see what our newest members of the
NJHS accomplish as they grow into leaders of their generation.”
To be considered for membership, students must maintain a
grade-point average of 92.5% or higher and excel in the five pillars of NJHS:
scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. They must also
submit an essay, letters of recommendations and a comprehensive list of
activities and organizations in which they participate.
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: @MillerPlaceSchoolDistrict.
2019-2020 National Junior Honor Society Inductees:
Miller
Place, N.Y. (October 2019)—The Miller Place School District is pleased
to announce Jenna Ely, library media specialist at Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach
School (LADSBS), has been recognized by the Suffolk School Library Media
Association with the Fresh Start award. This award is presented to a school
librarian after their first year in the profession or their first year in a new
school.
“Jenna has been a tremendous asset and contributor to the
educational excellence we have in the District,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano,
superintendent of Miller Place School District. “This award is representative
of her forward thinking, diligence and ability to integrate her digital media background
with classroom learning styles. Jenna has been instrumental in enriching our
students’ library experiences and helping to enhance the District’s educational
offerings. Congratulations, Jenna!”
Since joining the District for the 2018-2019 school year, Jenna
has created a welcoming, safe space for students at LADSBS where they can feel
free to learn, explore and grow. With a comprehensive background in digital
media, Jenna has worked closely with classroom teachers to align library
lessons with grade level curriculums and foster a passion for reading and
learning. Jenna has also helped spearhead updating the library collection for
the building’s students and staff.
Founded in 1890, the New York Library Association (NYLA)
leads, educates and advocates for the advancement of the New York library
community. The NYLA Section of School
Librarians was organized in 1944 to lead the advancement of the librarian
profession; to encourage, promote, and advocate the interest of school library
programs; school librarians and school library systems; and to ensure that each
student becomes an active reader, responsible information seeker, and critical
thinker.
