Author: MillerPlace

Laddie A. Decker Elementary School 5^th grade students recently celebrated International Peace Day. Students kicked off the day by watching a screening of “The Day After Peace,” an inspirational film which follows peace-activist Jeremy Giller as he puts the concept of peace in action during an average day. Following the screening, students were led in small groups to reflect on how they personally can make peace in their lives. To raise awareness and promote international peace, during recess periods the entire 5^th grade class gathered on the playground blacktop to create a giant peace sign.

 

The Miller Place School District held this event to teach students the importance of developing a global perspective on conflict and conflict resolution as part of its dedication to providing an outstanding academic and character education for all students. Laddie A. Decker Elementary School encourages students to “think globally and act locally” on their ideas and visions, a program spearheaded by Student Assistance Counselor Phoebe Arancio.

 

Students at  Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School form a peace sign and take a picture on the playground blacktop. They were celebrating the International Day of Peace to raise awareness and reflect on how they can create peace in their own lives.

Miller Place High School was recently recognized by New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) as a Scholar Athlete School for each of its varsity teams earning a grade point average of a 90 percent or higher during the 2015-2016 school year. With a total of 794 members of NYSPHAA, Miller Place was one of only thirty-two school districts to be distinguished for excellent grades.

“This award is a true testament to the diligence and dedication of each of our student athletes and coaches of Miller Place,” said Dr. Marianne F. Cartisano, Superintendent of Miller Place School District. “Our high school students should be proud of the great decisions they are making to become successful students on and off the field and future well-rounded adults upon graduation.”

At the end of each sports season, NYSPHAA seeks to distinguish scholar athlete teams whose players excel both on the field and in the classroom. In order to be considered for the award, varsity team players must receive a 90 percent from 75 percent of its players or more.

Seven of Miller Place High School’s varsity teams were awarded, including the boy’s baseball, boy’s lacrosse, boy’s tennis, girls’ softball and both the boy’s and girl’s track and field teams. The girl’s lacrosse team held a grade point average of 97.09 percent, the highest of Miller Place’s honored sports teams.

The Miller Place School District recently announced its students returned  to school with all of the programs implemented last year and a few more. The District’s careful budgeting procedures will provide students with the opportunity to continue to participate in the many science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), arts, athletic and other academic opportunities they have in years past. After a summer of “Mad Science,” “Fine Arts,” athletic camps, and Drivers Ed, the District is excited to see what their new and returning students will accomplish.

“We are very excited to be returning to school after implementing enrichment camps over the summer for the first time in our District’s history,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano. “We believe our students will be able to apply that knowledge to the classroom and expand upon those experiences throughout this year to become well-rounded critical thinkers and to reach their full potential.”

This year, the District will continue to implement the “Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Read 180,” a reading comprehension program across the elementary, middle and high school levels. The “Read 180” model supports reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills, incorporating whole group instruction, guided reading, and independent reading opportunities.

In addition to Read 180, the District has adopted Math 180, a math intervention model for students at the North Country Road Middle School.  Math 180 follows similar instructional strategies as the Read 180 model.

The District will continue to enrich and encourage students as they embark on the new school year and hopes to repeat some of the achievements of last year. Miller Place High School was named a scholar athlete high school, meaning that each varsity athletic team maintained a grade point average above 93%. In addition, the Miller Place High School music department was recognized last year as a GRAMMY Foundation Semi-Finalist for its outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year. As a semifinalist, the school was one of 119 schools nationwide in the running to receive a grant to support the music program.

For more information about academic programs available at the Miller Place School District and a calendar of events, please visit www.millerplace.k12.ny.us/.