May 2018

Miller Place School District’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition

District Receives Recognition for Third Consecutive Year

In recognition of its outstanding commitment to music education, the Miller Place School District was recently honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation with the NAMM 2018 Best Communities for Music Education Award. This is the third consecutive year the District has received this award. Less than 10 percent of school districts nationwide received the prestigious award in 2018. The honor comes as a result of the outstanding efforts of Miller Place teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum.

“We are honored to receive this designation from the NAMM foundation for the third year in a row,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano. “Our artistic faculty pours hours of dedication and talent into creating and building upon the District’s outstanding fine arts curriculum, including music, art and drama. This recognition is a well-deserved tribute to the dedication, diligence, passion and excellence of our students, our music department and our community.”

In addition to providing daily music education on the elementary, middle and high school level, the District’s music department provides frequent opportunities for students to perform as well as innovative lessons that go beyond the classroom. Students perform in concerts, plays and recitals for classmates throughout the year.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the distinction, the Miller Place School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“Music education is an essential part of our students’ growth into well-rounded individuals, scholars and good citizens,” said Miller Place High School Principal Kevin Slavin. “A strong musical background supports students’ creative problem solving abilities and teamwork while providing the skills necessary to excel both inside and outside the classroom.”

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,000 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.

For more information regarding Miller Place Schools and district happenings please visit the district’s website: http://www.millerplace.k12.ny.us/

Miller Place School District Forges Bonds Across the Pond

Miller Place School District senior student at Miller Place High School, Joseph Panico, recently participated in the prestigious American Football Worldwide (AFW) ELITE High School program. The football league gives well-accomplished high school football players from throughout the United States an opportunity to travel around the world to compete against the best U19 football players from other countries. Panico and the AFW team recently returned from their trip with a 28-7 victory against the Italian National 19U Team, the team’s 4^th consecutive victory. Panico was the only student from New York State who was selected to participate in this opportunity.

“I loved getting to practice in different European cities each day and meeting with the Italian team,” said Panico. “After the game both teams shared stories and experiences from our home countries and we broadened each other’s cultural perspectives.”

The Miller Place School District offers a rigorous athletic program that helps students improve their athletic ability and fitness in addition to their classroom performance, teamwork, confidence and leadership. This opportunity was part of the Miller Place School District’s commitment to providing students with a variety of athletic and cultural experiences in which they can broaden both their physical and intellectual skills. To learn more about the Miller Place School District please visit: www.millerplace.k12.ny.us

Elementary School Students Receive Trees for Arbor Day

Rocky Point Lion’s Club and Local Legislators Give Miller Place School District 4^th Grade Students Saplings to Symbolize Hope

More than 200 Miller Place School District 4^th grade students at Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School recently received pine tree saplings during the school’s annual celebration of Arbor Day. Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Supervisor Edward Romaine and members of the Rocky Point Lion’s Club distributed more than 200 pine tree saplings to students while our special guests discussed the importance of trees and protecting the environment. Students then took the trees home to plant in a symbolic gesture of hope for the future. The act of planting a tree symbolized a belief that the tree will grow and, someday, provide wood, a wildlife habitat, erosion control, shelter from the wind and sun, beauty, and inspiration for years to come.

This event is sponsored by the Rocky Point Lion’s Club and supported by the Town of Brookhaven, and is part of the Miller Place School District’s commitment to the environment. For more information please visit www.millerplace.k12.ny.us.