Author: MillerPlace

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.

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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.

MPSD Began the 2021-2022 School Year on September 1^st

MILLER PLACE, NEW YORK (SEPTEMBER 2021) — The Miller Place School District (MPSD) officially welcomed students back for the 2021-2022 school year full time and in-person. Friends were reunited and those new to the District were warmly welcomed as the newest members of the MPSD community. Despite quite a bit of rain, students of all ages were eager to begin a new year of learning and fun experiences.

“The Miller Place School District is ready to welcome students for another exciting year for both new and returning students alike,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of the Miller Place School District. “From our graduating class of 2022, to our youngest students starting kindergarten, we are confident that this year will be one of growth, knowledge and discovery.”

Students had their backpacks and masks on and were eager to head into the building for the year ahead. Adhering to District protocols, students arrived at school and had their temperatures taken prior to entering the building for the day. After they received the approval to proceed, they headed to their new classrooms that feature sneeze guards and desks that are socially distanced.

At Miller Place High School, the driveway leading up to the building was lined with signs of yellow ribbons to honor their former classmate, Thomas Scully, who passed away from pediatric cancer in 2016 at the age of 12. Students entered the building through a golden balloon arch in Thomas’ honor as this would have been his senior year.

At the elementary level, students at Andrew Muller Primary School (AMPS) and Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School (LADSBS) ran off their buses with joy as they greeted their principals and found their way to their new classrooms. Students at North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) were ecstatic to be reunited with their friends and peers as they entered the building together.

Keith Frank Appointed to Serve Remainder of Term

MILLER PLACE, N.Y. (JULY 2021) – Miller Place School District Board of Education member Noelle Dunlop has advised the District of her resignation from the Board on July 7, 2021, effective immediately, due to family and professional reasons. Dunlop was elected to the Board in 2013. Her term was slated to end at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year.

“I have been happy to serve the Miller Place community in this volunteer capacity for the past 8 years and feel that it has been a worthwhile endeavor,” said Dunlop. “I wish my fellow board members well as they welcome new board member Bryan Makarius and I thank them all for their continued service in this difficult but also rewarding and extremely important role.”

Keith Frank, who did not run for re-election in this past May school board election, was appointed by the Miller Place Board to complete Noelle’s term at its July 7, 2021 organization meeting.

In discussing Mr. Frank’s appointment, Board President Johanna Testa stated, “The District decided not to hold a special election to fill the seat of Noelle Dunlop due to the financial burden it would put on our taxpayers – a special election could cost the District upwards of $20,000. We felt it was the correct decision to ask Mr. Frank to serve our community for one final year as a member of the Board and not have our taxpayer’s incur such a large expense.”

Along with being a father of three children, Keith’s 30 years of high level experience in both the government and private sector in counseling, representing businesses, unions, and other groups as a labor and employment attorney, and his knowledge of our District and Board operations make him the perfect choice to serve out the final year of Noelle’s term.

Miller Place High School Students Celebrate Commencement at Stony Brook University

MILLER PLACE, N.Y. (JUNE 2021) – The Miller Place School District recently held its annual commencement ceremony for Miller Place High School graduating seniors at Stony Brook University. The Class of 2021 was celebrated collectively for their hard work and perseverance throughout all four years of their high school careers, but especially for their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One by one, graduates were called up on stage to receive their diplomas and commendations for all of their hard work during the past four years. Members of the Miller Place School District Board of Education, superintendent and high school administration congratulated each student and offered best wishes for the future.

“You learned to live on the edge of change, with the constant shifts and unexpected turns, the likes of which we have never experienced,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of the Miller Place School District, while addressing the graduating class. “To say as a class that you are amazing individuals is an understatement. Our community looks forward to watching you succeed in the future as your journeys help you grow into the fine and respectful people you are destined to be.”

During the ceremony, Valedictorian Kyla Bruno and Salutatorian Jason Cirrito took the podium to reflect on the last four years of their journey in high school and to wish their fellow classmates well and encourage them to continue to work hard and to follow their dreams. Principal Kevin Slavin also shared motivational words of encouragement to the graduates as they begin the next chapter in their lives.