Author: MillerPlace

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.”

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.

Schedule an Appointment Now to Register Your Incoming Kindergartener for the 2022-2023 School Year

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2022)—Miller Place School District’s annual registration process for Andrew Muller Primary School’s kindergarten begins Tuesday, March 1, 2022 and runs through Friday, March 18, 2022. Miller Place-Sound Beach children who are five years old on or before December 1, 2022 are eligible to enter kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year.

As part of the two-step process, residents will begin by scheduling a mandatory appointment via the district’s online platform. In order to avoid any delay in the registration process, please have the following documentation accessible and available for each child that is entering kindergarten at the time of your scheduled appointment: 1) completed registration packet, 2) original birth certificate, 3) immunizations and current physical from your child’s physician, 4) proof of residence, and 5) custodial documentation (if applicable). Please note, incomplete registration packets will not be accepted, and you may be asked to reschedule.

Registration appointments will be conducted at Central Office located at 7 Memorial Drive, Miller Place. For more information regarding the registration process, please call Elizabeth Cascione at 631-474-2700 ext. 728.

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.

MPHS Social Studies Teacher Mr. Beyersdorfer Chosen as Honorary NHS Inductee by Students

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 2021) — This year, the Miller Place High School National Honor Society (NHS) Chapter selected Mr. Beyersdorfer, aka Mr. B., as its honorary member for his commitment to teaching and helping his students with their education and application processes. Mr. B. has been teaching at Miller Place High School for 22 years. He is currently a Global History teacher for 9^th and 10^th grade students, and strives to help his students learn, grow, and meet their full potential.

According to his students, Mr. B. takes time out of his day to meet with students, offer extra help sessions, and write letters of recommendation for college bound seniors. His students say he frequently checks in with past students in the hallways to see how they are doing and asks about future college or career plans.

In addition to being a teacher, Mr. B. is involved in extracurricular activities at Miller Place High School. He is the coach of the varsity badminton team, as well as keeper of the scorebook at basketball games. Mr. B’s commitment to Miller Place High School and his students is demonstrated through his numerous extracurricular activities and commitment to help all students who pass through his classroom.

Honorary NHS membership grants to the recipient all of the privileges of membership without the obligations associated with active member status. Honorary membership can be awarded to school officials, principals, teachers, NHS advisers, or other adults in recognition of achievement and/or outstanding service rendered to the school in keeping with the purposes of the National Honor Society.

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.

MPHS SIT Committee Members Connect with Newly Enrolled Students

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 2021) — Recently, Miller Place High School students on the SIT (School Improvement Team) Committee held a breakfast for newly enrolled Miller Place High School students, grades 9-12, to help them meet more of their classmates and become more comfortable with the new school environment. Approximately 30 new students have enrolled at the high school this year so far.

The students on the SIT Committee had the opportunity to give a presentation to the new students and share their own personal experiences at Miller Place High School. Student-assistant counselors and support staff also developed fun ice breaker activities at the conclusion of the breakfast to break any tension and make the students feel at ease.

Students were offered an overview of the high school’s staff members, athletic and extracurricular opportunities, and were provided with tips on how to build supportive relationships with their fellow peers. This initiative successfully aided new students at each grade level to have a more seamless transition into the Miller Place school community. 

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.

Spirit Week Ends with Annual Homecoming Celebration, Panthers Win 41-27

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 2021) — The Miller Place School District (MPSD) welcomed alumni and friends back to Miller Place for its annual Homecoming celebration, which took place on October 23, 2021. Throughout the week, students and staff members at all buildings displayed their school spirit for “Spirit Week” in preparation of the weekend parade and football game.

“Homecoming is always a terrific chance for the community to demonstrate our Panther Pride and rally our students to support their classmates in athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, Superintendent of Schools. “It’s wonderful to see everyone smiling in-person, especially after the last year we’ve had. It was great to share the enthusiasm with families, friends, and past students who came to celebrate with us.”

To kick off Spirit Week, students celebrated Pajama Day, coming to school dressed in their coziest pajamas. On Character Day, the hallways were full of students dressed as their favorite persona. Outfits ranged from Disney characters to professional athletes to literature characters and historical figures. On Wacky Wednesday, students sported their most imaginative and funky outfits wearing mismatched socks, neon colored clothing, and silly hairstyles. On Throwback Thursday, students dressed in various decade-themed apparel from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s eras.

On Homecoming Day, Panther cheerleaders, members of the MPHS pep band, and students from each building in the District marched alongside the handcrafted homecoming floats. The parade began at the Miller Place Fire Department South and navigated to the high school’s football field where the MPHS Panther’s football team played against the Mount Sinai Mustangs. The Panthers took home the win, defeating the Mustangs 41-27.

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.

NCRMS Science Club Partners with NY Marine Rescue Center to Rehabilitate Sea Turtle

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (OCTOBER 2021) — In partnership with the NY Marine Rescue Center, the North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) Science Club’s adopted turtle, “Peachy Keen,” was released back into the ocean at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays. Taking part in the event were six NCRMS students and their parents along with Science Club Advisor, Mrs. Opitz, and Math & Science K-12 Curriculum Specialist, Matthew Baruch.

Since being released in August, Peachy Keen has made his way across the south shore of Long Island and has been most recently tagged on the south shore of Nassau County near Long Beach, NY. The NY Marine Rescue Center is currently working in collaboration with Canon to create a book about the program which will include NCRMS students’ experiences and photos about Peachy Keen’s rehabilitation and journey back to the ocean.

For more information on Peachy Keen, please visit the NY Marine Rescue Center Tracking site at http://nymarinerescue.org/what-we-do/?doing_wp_cron=1628868110.0963339805603027343750#tracking, scroll down to the maps, and click on Peachy Keen to track his movement along the Fire Island seashore.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Liam Preston, Grade 12, Recognized for both Academic and Athletic Success 

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (OCTOBER 2021) — Miller Place High School student Liam Preston, grade 12, was recently named to the USA Swimming 2021 Scholastic All-American Team—an achievement that recognizes student success both in and out of the swimming pool.

To be selected for this honor, the swimmer must achieve a national meet cut time and have a GPA of 3.5 or greater. The USA Swimming Committee reviews the swimmer’s time and school transcript to approve the award. Only 650 male student swimmers were named across the country with only 286 coming from the Eastern Zone.

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States. USA Swimming is responsible for selecting and training teams for international competition, including the Olympic Games, and administering competitive swimming in accordance with the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act.

The Miller Place School District is extremely proud of Liam for not only his athletic talent, but his ability to commit to such vigorous training while maintaining an excellent academic record.

Miller Place and Sound Beach FD Teach AMPS Students About Fire Safety

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (OCTOBER 2021) — Recently, Andrew Muller Primary School in the Miller Place School District invited the Miller Place Fire Department as well as the Sound Beach Fire Department to spend a day with their kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students to learn about fire safety.

Students were ecstatic to see the shiny red fire engines pull up to their school. The firefighters demonstrated how they gear up to enter a fire and expressed to the students how dangerous their job really is. Students learned about the importance of fire safety and the departments provided them with the tools they need to stay safe at home in case of a fire.

The members of both departments were successful in stressing safety while also making the day fun-filled and memorable for the students. Students were able to get an inside look at the engines and ambulances, some even being strapped to a gurney to demonstrate how EMTs and paramedics process the injured. Firefighters pulled out the water hose and helped the students spray an imaginary fire. Before their departure, the departments handed out coloring books and firefighter hats to students.

The Miller Place School District thanks the Miller Place and Sound Beach fire departments for their service and devotion to keeping the community safe. Andrew Muller Primary School looks forward to hosting more fire safety days in the future, as teaching students valuable skills to use both within and outside the classroom remains a top priority.

Nick Tokman from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch Speaks to MPHS Students

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (OCTOBER 2021) — Miller Place High School recently hosted guest speaker Nick Tokman, also known as “Sunshine” on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, to speak to students about accomplishing their goals.

Nick delivered a message that empowered students to overcome all of the distractions and obstacles that get in the way of owning who they are so that they can achieve their definition of success. Conquering negative influences, connecting with your voice, creating your success and becoming your own captain were a few of his ideas that were threaded into his presentation. 

The Miller Place School District actively encourages students to discover their passions and to work hard to achieve success. Bringing guest speakers like Nick Tokman in to speak to students reminds them that life is not always going to be easy but if you put your mind to something you can accomplish amazing things.

LADSBS 5^th Graders Raise Awareness and Support Peace on International Peace Day

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (SEPTEMBER 2021) — The Miller Place School District’s Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School’s (LADSBS) 5^th grade students recently celebrated International Peace Day. The day began with a showing of “The Day After Peace,” an uplifting film that follows peace activist Jeremy Giller as he puts the notion of peace into practice on a typical day.

Following the film, students were divided into small groups to discuss how they may achieve personal peace. During recess periods, the 5^th grade class gathered on the playground blacktop to build a big peace sign to support the day’s theme.

As part of its commitment to provide an exceptional academic and character education for all students, the Miller Place School District organized this event to further demonstrate to students the significance of having a global perspective on conflict and conflict resolution. Students at LADSBS are encouraged to “think globally and act locally” in their daily activities and aspirations.