Month: October 2026

Fifth-grade students at Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, in the Miller Place School District, welcomed Detective Delfina Rivera of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crime Unit for an engaging discussion about bullying, respect, kindness, and inclusivity. The visit gave students practical tools for treating others well and making safe choices, both in person and online.

“As our students approach middle school, it is especially important that they understand how to treat others with respect and make safe, responsible choices in person and online,” said Dr. Jean Marie D’Aversa, Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School Principal. “As many students are gaining access to cell phones, social media, and online video games, conversations about respectful, safe communication help students recognize the impact of their words and actions, identify cyberbullying, and understand when and how to seek help from a trusted adult.”

Through real-life scenarios, students explored how to respond to teasing, exclusion, and hurtful comments, as well as situations in which others are treated unfairly because of their differences.

Detective Rivera also addressed the growing impact of social media, cyberbullying, and online interactions, including those that happen while playing video games. Students were encouraged to think carefully before posting or sending messages, to protect their privacy, and to remember that respectful behavior matters online just as much as in person.

Throughout the discussion, Detective Rivera emphasized the importance of being an upstander and speaking up when something is wrong to help others feel safe and accepted. The visit gave students valuable opportunities to reflect and ask questions to build the awareness and skills needed to foster a school community rooted in kindness, empathy, and inclusion.

The Miller Place community came together to celebrate Homecoming with a lively parade and an exciting win on the field, as the Miller Place Panthers defeated the Kings Park Kingsmen 36-20.

Festivities began with a fun, spirited parade filled with creative floats, energetic marching, and plenty of Panther pride. Students, clubs, families, and staff all played a part in making the parade a highlight of the day, and supportive community members lined the route to cheer them on. The Panthers then ended the celebration with a victory over Kings Park. The win gave players, coaches, and fans a memorable finish to a day that brought the entire community together.

“This year’s Homecoming was truly a day to remember,” said Dr. Marc Ferris, Superintendent of Schools. “The parade was so much fun, and it was wonderful to see so many families out cheering along the route. Thank you to our students, clubs, families, and staff for all of their hard work in making it happen. And we’re so proud of our Panthers, who fought hard on the field and came away with a great win.”

Students at Andrew Muller Primary School and Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, both part of the Miller Place School District, took part in Fire Safety Day, an annual, age-appropriate fire safety presentation. After the presentation, students met firefighters up close, explored fire trucks, and saw firefighting equipment and gear in action.

Throughout the day, students learned essential safety lessons, including how to stop, drop and roll, why to stay low under smoke, the importance of knowing two ways out of every room, and having a family meeting place. They also learned that a firefighter in full gear is a friend coming to help, not something to fear.

At Andrew Muller Primary School, students in kindergarten through second grade moved through rotating stations where they heard directly from firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), asked questions and got an up-close look at the trucks and equipment.

“Fire Safety Day gives our youngest learners the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves and their families safe,” said Ms. Laura Gewurz, Principal of Andrew Muller Primary School. “The rotating stations kept students engaged and gave them the chance to meet our firefighters and EMTs face-to-face. We are so grateful to the volunteers who gave their time to teach our students these important lessons.”

At Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, each grade attended a comprehensive presentation on fire safety tips from the Miller Place and Sound Beach fire departments. Students also watched demonstrations of firefighter gear and emergency medical services, or EMS, procedures, helping young learners understand what to expect if emergency responders ever come to help.

“Our partnership with the Miller Place and Sound Beach fire departments is something our school community truly values,” said Dr. Jean Marie D’Aversa, Principal of Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School. “Seeing a firefighter in full gear can be frightening for a child, so it means a great deal for our students to learn that these responders are friends. The lessons they learned are ones they can bring home and share with their families.”

Miller Place High School has been recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) with two prestigious honors. The school received the Sportsmanship Promotion Program Award for the first time and was named a Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction for the fourth consecutive year and the ninth time in the past 12 years.

“These honors capture exactly what we want Miller Place Athletics to stand for,” said Mr. Ron Petrie, Administrator for Physical Education, Health, Athletics and Intramurals. “Earning the Sportsmanship Promotion Program Award for the first time shows that our student-athletes compete with respect for their opponents, the officials and the game. Being named a Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction for the ninth time in 12 years shows they bring that same commitment to the classroom. I’m proud of our athletes, our coaches, and a community that sets the right example from the stands.”

The Sportsmanship Promotion Program Award marks the first time Miller Place has received this honor. NYSPHSAA’s Sportsmanship Promotion Program recognizes schools that take a proactive approach to keeping sportsmanship at the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities. Schools complete a sportsmanship survey reviewing their policies and practices, and each Section selects its award recipients.

The recognition reflects the commitment of Miller Place student-athletes and coaches to respect, integrity, and positive sportsmanship in every contest.

Miller Place High School was also named a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction, the association’s highest academic honor for a school’s athletic program. It is the ninth time in 12 years the Panthers have earned the designation, and the fourth year in a row.

To qualify, 100 percent of a school’s varsity teams must earn NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team recognition during their seasons. A team earns that recognition when at least 75 percent of its roster maintains a grade point average of 90 or higher. Schools apply after the spring season, and awards are presented at each Section’s Athletic Director Workshop in the fall.

“Together, these awards reflect the kind of student-athletes Miller Place develops: young people who excel in the classroom and conduct themselves with integrity in competition,” said Dr. Marc Ferris, Superintendent of Schools. “Every one of our varsity teams earning Scholar-Athlete recognition for a fourth straight year, alongside our first Sportsmanship Promotion Program Award, speaks to a culture built on academics, character and respect. I am grateful to the coaches, teachers and families who support our students every day.”