New class will be inducted during Homecoming weekend
A new group of talented athletes who have made a lasting impact on their community and beyond will be inducted into the Miller Place School District Athletic Hall of Fame during this year’s Homecoming weekend, from September 16 to 18.
First, inductees must be chosen from a pool of nominees. The MPSD Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is currently accepting nominations for graduates through the Class of 2000 and invites anyone with a candidate in mind to apply.
Forms for new applicants, or any updates to current nominees, must be postmarked by June 27. No verbal nominations will be considered. The Committee will finalize its voting process by July 15 and immediately begin notifying selected candidates.
Categories for submission include athletes, coaches/administrators, and honorary members. Honorary members are those individuals who though they were not athletes or coaches or district administrators, have supported or made a significant contribution to the Miller Place School District athletic program.
Athletes will be considered based on their athletic accomplishments and/or impact on an athletic program in high school and/or after graduation. Nominees must have character, leadership and citizenship that is representative of the Hall of Fame honor.
Coaches and administrators will be considered if they have made an outstanding contribution, shown leadership, reached an accomplishment and/or made an impact on Miller Place Athletic programs. Coaches still employed by the district are eligible for three years after separating from the sport. Retired coaches/administrators are immediately eligible after retirement.
Nomination forms are available on various social media platforms, including the MPHS Athletic Hall of Fame Facebook page, @mphs_athletic_hof Instagram page, MPSD Facebook page and MPSD Athletics Website. Good luck to all the candidates and thank you to everyone who have already submitted a nomination.
Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School launches virtual Suffolk County math tournament with 30 teams competing
To close out its Math Olympiad season, the Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School launched the first Virtual Suffolk County Math Tournament for fourth and fifth-grade students from schools across the county.
Math Olympiad Coordinator Evan Curran, who teaches fourth grade at LADSBS, created and organized a challenging and engaging full day competition that included 30 teams made up of both group and individual participants.
“The first county-wide virtual math tournament was a huge success and our students were outstanding with the effort and passion they displayed throughout the competition. I’m so happy with how it turned out and I appreciate every student who was involved out of a love for math and friendly competition,” said Mr. Curran.
Teams participated in the competition through Google Meet, where students could share their ideas with their teammates or meet teams from other schools as they took on various problem-solving activities throughout the day. Students representing LADSBS were chosen based on how they performed throughout the Math Olympiad season. Those who ranked among the top five in their grade level were the first invited to participate.
Fourth grade competitors included Zoe Brown, Liam McGrath, Joey Poerio, Anna Thompson and Luke Vogt. Fifth-grade competitors included Madison Chacon, Emmanuel Dada, Kellen Davidson, Lexis Goldberg and Conrad Lindemann.
The fifth-grade team representing LADSBS finished the competition in first place, with the highest overall score of all competing teams. The fourth-grade LADSBS team finished in third place. Fourth grader Zoe Brown finished in third place in the individual competition, with fellow fourth grader Liam McGrath finishing in seventh place. Fifth grader Emmanuel Dada finished the individual competition in third place, with fellow fifth graders Kellen Davidson in fourth place and Lexis Goldberg in tenth place.
“I want to congratulate everyone who competed from Miller Place and thank Mr. Curran for organizing such a phenomenal event. I’m thrilled that it was a success and everyone had a great time participating,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano. “We are looking forward to hosting next year’s competition again in Miller Place.”
The Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School launched the first Virtual Suffolk County Math Tournament for fourth and fifth-grade students from schools across the county.The fifth-grade team representing LADSBS finished the competition in first place, with the highest overall score of all competing teams. The fourth-grade LADSBS team finished in third place.
Miller Place High School students in Michael Stano’s Design and Drawing for Production course were tasked with designing and constructing a chair out of cardboard that could support at least 120 pounds or be used by a student without breaking. Students were only permitted to use cardboard – meaning they needed to come up with a way to construct their chairs without using tape, glue, staples, nails or any other adhesive.
“This was such an exciting and challenging task for my students and I’m very impressed by the results. Not only did they listen to and apply the lessons we discussed in class, but they used their own creativity and innovation to create amazing final products,” said Mr. Stano. Prior to being assigned the task, students reviewed information related to the strength of certain materials and methods of construction, such as using tabs or slots in their cardboard to create a chair without other supplies. Students also took a deep dive into ergonomics, or the study of how someone’s working environment affects their performance. One example includes how a chair without proper posture support could impede someone’s pace or concentration. Using all that they were taught, students created various cardboard chair designs that some even used during class to work from their computers.
Miller Place High School students in Michael Stano’s Design and Drawing for Production course created chairs entirely out of cardboard as part of a design challenge.Students were tasked with creating chairs that could support at least 120 pounds or be used by a student without breaking.Students tried different methods or constructing their chairs without using tape, glue or any other adhesive.Mr. Stano taught students about the strength of certain materials and methods of construction, such as using tabs or slots in their cardboard to create a chair without other supplies.
Board of Education recognizes outstanding athletes, community service and science club accomplishments
Student excellence was celebrated at a recent Board of Education meeting in the Miller Place School District, where several students were recognized for their accomplishments in areas including athletics, community service and science.
The Board recognized the athletic achievements of Justin Klein, a senior on the Miller Place High School wrestling team; Liam Preston, a senior on the MPHS swimming team; and Danielle Cirrito, a senior on the MPHS girls’ basketball team who was also named News 12’s Scholar-Athlete. Mary Fleckenstein, a retiring MPHS swimming coach, was also honored for her dedication to the district.
The Board also lauded the community service of the North Country Road Middle School family for their launching of a food pantry to feed local families in need. The Parent Teacher Organization was acknowledged for inspiring the idea, middle school students in Boy Scout Troop 204 were recognized for their role in collecting and replenishing the pantry with food, and eighth-grade student Quinn Cantone received a special thank you for coordinating donation pick-ups in her neighborhood.
The Miller Place High School Science Club earned praise from the Board for bringing home two medals from the recent Regional Science Olympiad, where the Miller Place team participated in 12 of 21 events.
“Our students dedicate themselves and devote their time and energy to their passions while focusing on their academic careers. The Miller Place community would like to acknowledge their achievements and extend our congratulations,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano.
Justin Klein, a senior on the wrestling team at Miller Place High School with Coach Dom LoRe, left, Coach Matt Kaszubski and Athletic Director Ron Petrie.Liam Preston, a senior on the boys’ swimming team at Miller Place High School with Coach Mary Fleckenstein, left, and Mr. Petrie. Danielle Cirrito, a senior on the girls’ basketball team at Miller Place High School, pictured with Mr. Petrie.The Miller Place Board of Education congratulated the community service of the North Country Road Middle School community, including the NCRMS PTO, students in Boy Scout Troop 204 and 8th grade Quinn Cantone.Miller Place High School Science Club members with Advisor Ron Skolnick, left, and Principal Kevin Slavin.
Troop 960 Scouts plant flower beds outside elementary school
Rows of pink tulips and multicolored pansies adorn the entrance to Andrew Muller Primary School thanks to a group of the school’s students in Girl Scouts/Daisy Troop 960. The young Scouts planted the spring flowers, which were donated by local garden center GardenWorx LI, at the entranceway of their elementary school to celebrate spring and spread joy to their teachers and classmates as they enter and leave the building.
“I’m so proud of these girls for creating such a beautiful display for staff and students to see as they come and go to school. What a great way to welcome the new season and give back to the Miller Place community,” AMPS Principal Laura Gewurz said.
The project is part of the Girl Scout’s commitment to make their community and the world a better and more beautiful place. Through the beautification effort, the Scouts completed their Flower and Garden Journey badges. Earning the Flower and Garden Journey badge includes exploring the world of gardening, starting a mini garden at home, learning about composting and learning how insects like ladybugs and bees help flowers grow. Daisy Scouts also take a field trip to a public garden and talk to a gardener or beekeeper.
Once all the above is completed, Scouts earn three leadership awards – the Watering Can Award, Golden Honey Bee Award and Amazing Daisy Award. Then, Scouts plan a “Take Action” project that involves bringing what they learned to their community through a beautification project.
Students who contributed to the project at Andrew Muller Primary School and earned their badges included Molly Samonas, Jessie Maldonado, Delaney Kruse, Ellie Jackowski, Hailey Fisher, McKenna Stingo, Sadie Pachter, Elaina Giannino, Lylah Anschel, Lilah Ebert and Addie Lafler.
Andrew Muller Primary School students in Girl Scouts/Daisy Troop 960 recently planted tulips and pansies in the entrance of the elementary school to welcome spring and complete their Flower and Garden Journey badges.
Miller Place High School gave its psychology students a dog day afternoon – literally – with a lesson on the benefits of dog-assisted therapy.
Classes met with volunteers from the Long Island chapter of Love on a Leash, a nonprofit that provides dog-assisted therapy to facilities like nursing homes and hospitals. Volunteers shared how animal-assisted therapy is used to enhance the recovery of patients with varying physical and mental illnesses. At the end of the presentation, students had a chance to meet the dogs and their handlers.
“This program gave our students a chance to learn about a valuable therapy practice from those who practice it. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” said psychology teacher Tara Penske.
While animal-assisted therapy has been growing in popularity in recent history, the practice has been studied for over a century. Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern nursing, recognized its potential in the late 1800s when she paired children and adults in psychiatric institutions with small pets. In her renowned 1859 book, Notes on Nursing, she recorded how having an animal companion helped her patients recover.
Dr. Sigmund Freud revived a public interest in animal therapy, specifically with dogs, in the 1930s when he brought his own pet Jo-Fi to therapy sessions and noted the calming affect it had on his patients.
In 1961, Dr. Boris Levinson became known as the “father of animal-assisted therapy” when he accidentally left his dog Jingles alone with a young patient who was withdrawn and nonverbal. On returning, Dr. Levinson found the boy communicating with Jingles. He began using Jingles in his child psychotherapy sessions and wrote a book in 1969 called Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy.
Dogs are most often used in animal-assisted therapy because of their nonjudgmental nature and desire to protect others, which helps patients break down their emotional barriers.
“This was such a great opportunity for our psychology students to learn about a unique therapy technique that is becoming increasingly prevalent. It’s always great to bring experiential learning to the classroom and I’m grateful for our psychology teachers for hosting such a great program,” said Kevin Slavin, Principal of Miller Place High School.
Love on a Leash is a nonprofit that offers a certification process for volunteers to become qualified to provide effective dog-assisted therapy services in their community. Therapy pets and their handlers visit wherever they are invited and have held sessions at nursing homes, hospitals, schools, behavioral centers, private homes and other facilities – all free of charge.
The nonprofit launched in San Diego in the 1980s and has since expanded to almost every state in the U.S. As of April 2022, there are over 2,400 members volunteering as therapy teams with dogs, cats and rabbits.
Emma LaMountain and Diya Saini are the Class of 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian
Emma LaMountain and Diya Saini have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the Class of 2022 at Miller Place High School. Emma has earned the top-grade point average (GPA) of her graduating class with a cumulative GPA of 101.69. Diya has the second highest, with a cumulative GPA of 101.52. The academic success of both students exemplifies the intellect and commitment they have put into their education throughout their academic careers.
Emma is an Advanced Placement Scholar, was awarded Academic All-County by the Suffolk County Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and was named to the Suffolk County Girls Soccer Academic All County team. She was also recognized as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete and is captain of the Miller Place Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse and Basketball teams. Emma is a member of the National Honor Society, Athletes Helping Athletes, and the Service Club.
Emma plans on attending Cornell University to study Biology on a pre-medical school track in September.
Diya is an Advanced Placement Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society and the Foreign Language Honor Society, and was a participant in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Summit.
Diya is the Class of ‘22 Vice President. She is also a member of the Miller Place School Improvement Team and the Service Club. As a sports standout, Diya is captain of the Miller Place Varsity Girls’ Badminton team. She also boasts a music background and is a member of the Panther Players pit orchestra and was selected as an All-County bassoonist. Diya is a member of the Miller Place School Improvement Team (SIT) and Service Club, and is a coordinator for the NSHOA Cancer Specialists medical group.
Diya is awaiting a response from her first choice, Yale University. She has also applied to Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Northeastern, Princeton, Stony Brook and Tufts. She plans to study environmental science.
Emma LaMountain has been named valedictorian for the Class of 2022 at Miller Place High SchoolDiya Saini has been named salutatorian for the Class of 2022 at Miller Place High School
Abigail Specht honored at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Bixhorn Technical Center
MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (MARCH 2021) — Miller Place High School student Abigail Specht was named Employee of the Month for March 2022 in her Career Technical Education program at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Bixhorn Technical Center, part of the Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology in North Bellport. Abigail is studying Professional Photography & Digital Imaging and was recognized as a student whom her instructors would want to hire. The Bixhorn Technical Center awards Employee of the Month honors to those students who show professionalism and a desire to be trained, along with having the best technical skills.
“Being selected as the Employee of the Month is a high honor, and these students should serve as role models for their peers,” said Nicole M. Zergebel, the Principal of the Eastern Long Island Academy Of Applied Technology. Dr. Marianne Cartisano, Superintendent of the Miller Place City School District, added, “Abigail is an outstanding student. This award is well-deserved and is indicative of the hard work Abigail has been devoting to refining her photographic and digital imaging skills, a career path that offers many future opportunities for Abigail if she chooses to pursue it.”
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. #PantherPride
Book Authored and Illustrated by Students as Marine Biologists Officially Available
Miller Place, NY (March 12, 2022)—The Miller Place School District recently celebrated the official book launch of Peachy Keen, a book written and illustrated by Science Club students from North Country Road Middle School about their adventures rescuing a local sea turtle. The book launch was the culmination of a year-long science club project in partnership with the NY Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead. Canon USA sponsored the Marine Center program and graciously covered the costs of printing 250 copies, which are on sale at the NY Marine Rescue Center, the aquarium gift shop and at the MacArthur Airport gift shop. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to supporting the work of the NY Marine Rescue Center.
“This activity is exemplary of the Miller Place School District’s mission to empower students to creatively put their classroom lessons into action and make the world a better place,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marianne Cartisano. “The entire school community is proud of what these students accomplished, and we are grateful to the NY Marine Rescue Center and Canon USA for providing our students with this life changing opportunity.”
The turtle, which the students affectionately named Peachy Keen, was released back into the ocean in August of 2021 at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays. Since that time, students and marine biologists have been tracking Peachy Keen’s progress from Long Island down the East Coast to Northern Florida. The book, written and illustrated by the 17 students of the NCRMS Science Club, tells the story about the students’ experiences and the lessons they learned about marine mammals that inhabit NY waters and the importance of keeping beaches clean. It also includes photos of Peachy Keen’s rehabilitation and journey back to the ocean.
The New York Marine Rescue Center is a rescue and rehabilitation organization that promotes marine conservation. Its mission is to preserve and protect the marine environment through conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, education and research. Since its inception in 1996, the New York Marine Rescue Center has rescued more than 3,900 animals including over 119 sea turtles, 762 seals and seven cetaceans.
Special thanks to Science Club Advisor Mrs. Opitz who coordinated and supervised the activity. To continue tracking Peachy Keen, visit the NY Marine Rescue Center Tracking site at https://bit.ly/3w1HT3k.
PHOTO: North Country Road Middle School Science Club students join with Miller Place School District officials, NY Marine Rescue Center and Canon USA representatives in celebration of the publication of the students’ book, The Adventures ofPeachy Keen.
Deputy Superintendent with More Than 30 Years of Experience in the District Selected as Successor
MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2022)—Starting this summer, Miller Place School District Deputy Superintendent Seth Lipshie will take on the role of superintendent of schools at Miller Place, succeeding Dr. Marianne Cartisano, who is retiring at the end of the 2021-2022 school year after nearly 20 years working in the district.
“Two thirds of my professional career in education have been in Miller Place,” Dr. Cartisano said. “It’s been a wonderful experience to serve in a district that values education and allows us to partner with the community to increase student achievement.”
Dr. Cartisano joined Miller Place in 2003 as assistant superintendent for business, and she was appointed superintendent in 2012. Among her proudest achievements include the implementation of a full-day kindergarten program in 2013 and pre-kindergarten, which became universally available to Miller Place School District families in the 2021-2022 school year.
Dr. Cartisano also spearheaded the implementation of technology in the classroom, helping Miller Place become, in 2005, one of the earliest districts to introduce Smart Board technology in every classroom and teaching environment. In 2020, the district completed its one-to-one learning device initiative, which ensured that every student in the district had a personal internet-connected device to augment learning. Dr. Cartisano said other achievements she is most proud of include expanding secondary opportunities for students to pursue their interests in athletics, business, and the arts; placing Miller Place on solid financial footing; and boosting the district’s bond rating with Moody’s Investor Services to Aa2, which is among the highest a municipality can achieve.
Dr. Cartisano said she feels confident that her successor, Seth Lipshie, will maintain Miller Place’s long-term financial planning and positive Moody’s rating, build upon the positive relationships the district has developed with its bargaining units and the community, and continue the district’s initiatives focused on technology integration in the classroom.
“I want to thank the leadership teams, board trustees, union presidents and the building and district-level administrators who make it all happen in Miller Place,” Dr. Cartisano said.
In selecting Seth Lipshie as the district’s next superintendent of schools, Board President Johanna Testa noted Mr. Lipshie’s more than 30 years of experience working in Miller Place, and the fact that he has spent most of his entire career in the district. From 1990 to 2001, Mr. Lipshie was a social studies teacher and in 2001 he became assistant principal at North Country Road Middle School. From 2002 to 2010 he served as principal of Miller Place High School before being appointed as assistant superintendent in 2010 and deputy superintendent in 2014.
“I pretty much knew in third grade that I wanted to be a teacher, and I’ve never wavered from that,” Mr. Lipshie said while noting the impact of educators. “Students spend one-third of their day with teachers, and when you’re an adult, and you look back at the most influential people in your life, one or two will probably be a teacher.”
The appeal of working in education and Miller Place has not faded. “I’m still just as excited to come to work every day as I was 20 to 25 years ago,” he said.
Going back to the earliest days of his career, Mr. Lipshie said he is proud that after launching the National Junior Honor Society at North Country Middle School and the Mock Trial Club at Miller Place High School, the two organizations still operate to this day.
“When you build a structure that can continue after you’re gone, that’s an achievement,” he said.
Mr. Lipshie looks to continue his solid relationships with the various stakeholders in the district, through discussions and negotiations with staff and union representatives ensuring that all parties walk away having felt that their voices were heard.
“Initially, stability and continuity are things I bring to the table, and I have a good handle on,” Mr. Lipshie said. “I’ve built collaborative cultures within the administration and among the staff, and I look forward to interacting more directly with students, parents/guardians and the community.”
Looking to the future, Mr. Lipshie seeks to continue the integration of technology in the classroom and the incorporation of evidence-based research into learning. “I look forward to using data, research and feedback from both the community and staff,” he said, “to shape learning for student success.”
