Author: MillerPlace

Miller Place Students Host Multicultural Holiday Celebrations with Old Friend Holiday Henry

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (JANUARY 2021)—Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach’s students kicked off their multicultural holiday celebrations this year with some help from an old gnome and friend, Holiday Henry. After four years of worldwide traveling, Holiday Henry returned to LADSBS to share his insight on cultural and religious traditions that take place in other parts of the world. 

The initiative, designed to encourage students to value and appreciate the winter traditions and holidays of others, began in 2016 when Holiday Henry made his first arrival at LADSBS as part of his long quest to acquire knowledge of December holidays. He visited 15 classrooms in the building where he witnessed kindness that radiated from each LADSBS classroom before heading off.

Miller Place High School to Enhance Students’ College and Career Readiness through Partnership with College Board

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (JANUARY 2021)—The Miller Place School District (MPSD) is proud to announce it will be implementing the AP Capstone Diploma program, an initiative through College Board that focuses on college-level research, collaboration, and presentation skills crucial for college and career success, beginning in Fall 2021.

“We are thrilled to be among only 2,000 schools in the world to implement this program for our students,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place Union Free School District. “This initiative will help enhance our District’s offerings by providing our staff with more leeway in curriculum choices and enable our students access to more challenging coursework.”

Students who qualify for the AP Capstone Diploma must score a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as four additional AP Exams of their choice. Students scoring a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research, but not on four additional AP Exams, earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

AP Seminar, a project-based learning course typically taken by 10th or 11th grade students, requires students to choose and evaluate complex topics through multiple lenses, identify credibility and bias in sources, and develop arguments in support of a recommendation. Students’ scores are derived from a set of assessments, including research reports, written arguments, timed essays and presentations, that are completed throughout the year. 

AP Research, also a project-based course, has students build upon their skills acquired in AP Seminar through design, execution, presentation and investigation. The course teaches students how to understand research methodology; employ ethical research practices; and collect, analyze and synthesize information to contribute to academic research. Students’ scores are derived from their academic paper, presentation and oral defense.

“We’re proud to offer AP Capstone, which enables students and teachers to focus on topics of their choice in great depth,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president for AP and instruction at College Board. He adds, “This provides terrific opportunities for students to develop the ability to write and present their work effectively, individually, and in groups—the very skills college professors want their students to possess.”

MPHS’s Andrew Bova Selected for 2020 All-National Honor Ensembles Virtual Event on January 7–8, 2021

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (JANUARY 2021)—Miller Place High School senior Andrew Bova was selected among 552 student musicians in the United States to perform in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2020 All-National Honor Ensembles (ANHE) Virtual Event on January 7–8, 2021. Each ensemble will create a final, recorded performance that will be premiered online during the NAfME Music in Our Schools Month® in March 2021.

Andrew, who was chosen through an audition process, will be rehearsing a challenging repertoire in preparation for performing under the direction of six of the most prominent conductors in the United States: Frances Fonza (Mixed Choir); Nobuyoshi Yasuda (Symphony Orchestra); Rodney Dorsey (Concert Band); Todd Stoll with Terell Stafford (Jazz Ensemble); Chuck Hulihan (Guitar Ensemble); and Tony Sauza (Modern Band). The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, and modern band. The concert band and symphony orchestra will each have 120 instrumentalists, the jazz ensemble 13 instrumentalists, the mixed choir 241 vocalists, the guitar ensemble 45 instrumentalists, and the modern band 13 performers.

During his time in the District, Andrew has participated in numerous All-County music festivals, was chosen to participate in the 2019 New York All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble and has starred in several MPHS musical theatre productions. Upon graduation this year, Andrew intends on studying acting/musical theater while attending college next fall.

Christian Kimmy’s Holiday Wish Transforms into a Communitywide Initiative Benefiting Others

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (DECEMBER 2020)—What began as a classroom literacy activity soon became a building wide initiative to give back to families in need—all thanks to Christian Kimmy, a 4th grader at Miller Place’s Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School (LADSBS). With the holiday season in full swing, LADSBS students took pen to paper to highlight their wishes after a class discussion about donations. Fortunately, Christian’s wish, asking his classmates to donate to those who are less fortunate, is being granted this holiday season.

“I am humbled by Christian’s generosity and thoughtfulness, particularly at such a young age. On top of that, I’m touched by his drive to inspire those around him to follow suit,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place Union Free School District. “This initiative is just one example of what takes place every day in our classrooms—the transformative power of an effective teacher like Justine Parcelluzzi and our students’ determination to leave their mark on the world for the better.”

In a personalized letter to the class, Christian asked for his peers’ help in donating to Toys for Tots, a charity that works to collect new and unwrapped toys to distribute to the less fortunate around Christmas. Since then, a collection box has been placed outside the Comsewogue Library to encourage students to bring their unwrapped toys there to donate.

Virtual Enterprise Students Hone Entrepreneurship Skills for National Branding Competition

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (DECEMBER 2020)—Throughout this school year, Miller Place High School (MPHS) student entrepreneurs in Mr. Fank’s Virtual Enterprise (VE) class developed a company, As Scene on the Screen, that specializes in selling authentic movie, television, and sports memorabilia. Recently, the company participated in a national branding competition through the VE National Online Competition, an initiative that provides high school students with the unique opportunity to develop and demonstrate their career readiness in various aspects of business.

Ahead of the competition, As Scene on the Screen split into two teams to spearhead their national branding packet. One team, while working in-person, organized themselves into subdivisions—sales, accounting, design and marketing—to simulate the different specializations when working in a business environment. The other team, while working entirely via Google Meet, ensured company operations were running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Throughout the competition process, the company developed their branding package which included the company logo, fonts, and color palette. The package also featured a letterhead, business cards, envelopes, cover pages, sales materials and other similar company documents. As Scene on the Screen’s collective goal was to distinguish their company by creating a memorable brand package that’s versatile and consistent across all elements of the business.

Miller Place Students Participate in State Senator Lavelle’s Thanksgiving Celebrations

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (DECEMBER 2020)—In celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, 37 students from Ms. Christine Luchsinger’s sixth grade class at North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) took pen to paper in New York State Senator Kenneth P. Lavelle’s Thanksgiving Day Creative Celebration detailing what they’re thankful for this year.

The program, designed to understand and amplify the creativity of students while honoring the most important people in their lives, encouraged Miller Place’s students to showcase their creativity and experiences through literacy.

Miller Place High School’s National Honor Society Students Carry out Annual Food Drive

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (DECEMBER 2020)—With the holiday season here, the National Honor Society (NHS) students from Miller Place High School (MPHS) facilitated their annual school wide food drive. Led by NHS officers, students and staff aimed to provide non-perishable food assembled in the form of packaged baskets, filled with the donations as well as personal notes, for those in need.

Across the school, students were encouraged to bring canned and other nonperishable items into school each day to contribute to the school’s donations. As an incentive, students in the first period classroom that donated the most items were rewarded with a bagel breakfast to celebrate their classroom’s commitment to the cause. After donations were compiled, NHS officers assembled the items into baskets with hand written notes included in each.

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 2020)—The Miller Place School District’s North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) is proud to announce its November Coupons for Character recipients—Trianna Corrodus, grade 6; Brennan Sock, grade 7; Nick Calandrino, grade 8—who are being recognized for acting as positive role models, promoting respect and encouraging their peers to build a caring school community.

Each month, the names of students who have demonstrated exceptional character are put into a container in the building’s main office. When the month concludes, three students’ names are randomly selected to receive accolades for their leadership. Students whose names were put into the jar, but not selected, earn a letter of recognition for their commitment to making NCRMS an outstanding place to learn and gain leadership skills.

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.

North Country Road Middle School Students Celebrate Bus Driver Appreciation Day

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (DECEMBER 2020)—In recognition of their gratitude and appreciation, North Country Road Middle School Student Government in Miller Place organized a drive-up hot breakfast and coffee station for the District’s transportation team. The annual initiative, Bus Driver Appreciation Day, acknowledges all the hard work, flexibility and dedication of the District’s bus drivers who ensure the safety of our students while traveling between home and school. The leadership and unique qualities displayed by each driver every morning and afternoon is an inspiration to our students to put their best foot forward and lead with kindness.

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Miller Place High School Celebrates Collegiate Signings for Student Athletes

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 2020)—It’s that time of year again for Miller Place High School’s talented student-athletes—collegiate signings! The Miller Place School District recently celebrated the long-time accomplishments and hard work of their student-athlete seniors who will be on their way to play collegiate sports at the conclusion of this school year.

“The Miller Place Athletic Department is excited and proud to promote the achievements of these four student-athletes,” said Ron Petrie, Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health. “Their commitments represent years and years of individual hard work, along with the dedication, sacrifice and support of their parents, families & coaches.”

Nicholas Belvedere will be attending Manhattan College, the Jaspers, with business as his intended major. Nicholas will be playing D1 lacrosse, under Drew Kelleher’s coaching, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

Ashley Bonitch will be attending Manhattan College to play D1 lacrosse under Coach Jenna Dingler in the MAAC. Ashley intends to obtain her undergraduate degree in mathematics.

Alexa Corbin will be attending Rutgers University where she intends to pursue a duel major in biology and chemistry. Alexa will be playing lacrosse for the Scarlet Knights in the BIG-10 conference under the coaching of Melissa Lehman. Angelina Harris will be taking her talents across the country to Arizona State University, the Sun Devils, and will pursue a major in biological sciences. Under the coaching of Bob Bowman, Angelina will take part in the PAC-12 conference for D1 swimming.