Miller Place, N.Y. (October 2019)—Evan Curran, fourth grade teacher at Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School (LADSBS), was among 228 educators from across the state selected for the New York State Master Teacher Program.

“Throughout his 13 years here in the District, Evan’s keenness and dedication as an educator have been instrumental in his professional growth and the success of the District’s students,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “This well-deserved honor will continue to encourage Evan to be a thought-leader in our District as a STEM educator and enhance our students’ experiences and skills. Congratulations, Evan, on this prestigious recognition!”

The New York State Master Teachers Program is comprised of 1,200 steadfast professionals who teach courses for grades K-12 in science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, math, and integrated STEM. This also includes Advance Placement, Honors, Regents and International Baccalaureate levels. During the four-year program, Mr. Curran will share his passion for STEM learning and collaborate with colleagues throughout the state to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

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.

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—The Miller Place School District recently announced that five students—Alexander Wang, Olivia Shamberger, Oliver Pitts, Skyler Goldberg, and Joseph Bisiani—have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship® competition.

“The District is proud to celebrate this momentous achievement with five exceptional students,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “Being named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program is a testament to our students’ work ethic and character in the District. Congratulations to all.”

Students recognized as Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition, as a result of their high achieving scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). In order to be considered for the competition, students must be enrolled in a United States high school or submit citizen documentation for high schools outside the states, submit standardized test scores from a PSAT/NMSQT, and intend to accept admission to college no later than the fall semester following completion of high school.

Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for academically skilled high school students throughout the nation. The National Merit Scholarship Committee has allocated over 423,000 scholarships valued at nearly $1.7 billion dollars to more than three million students nationwide.

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—Miller Place School District (MSPD) is proud to share that an outstanding 33 students at Miller Place High School (MPHS) have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievements on the Advanced Placement exams last May.

“This achievement is a testament to the variety of opportunities the District continues to provide to our students, encouraging them to push themselves to the next level academically and earn college credit while still enrolled in high school,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “These 33 students as well as their AP teachers have worked diligently throughout the school year and we are proud to congratulate them on their well-earned recognition.”

AP Scholar status is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. The following Miller Place students were recognized by the CollegeBoard as AP Scholars: Madalyn Hymowitz, Jane Murphy, Nicole Cordes, Dimitra Miloulis, Hannah Anderson, Alexa Zicchinelli, Julianne Cerato, Amanda Piecora, Deirdre Doherty, Larry Davis, Dana Moss, Julianna Campo, Grace Patterson, Oliver Pitts, Olivia Shamberger, Skyler Goldberg, Danelle Rose, John Mari, Lucas Stahlmann, Adam Tarsia, Alexander Wang, Joseph Bisiani, Jack Schiefer, Colin Brennan, Timothy Hirdt, Thomas Cirrito, Andrew Friedman, Ty Young, Wade Tucker, Nicholas Leone, Henry Shemet, Rachel Dreilinger, and Jack Follo.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at ww.millerplace.k12.ny.us. ‘Like’ our Facebook page: @MillerPlaceSchoolDistrict.

Miller Place Students to Celebrate Summer Reading Achievements

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—As part of a District initiative to promote childhood literacy, more than 100 elementary school students at Andrew Muller Primary School (AMPS) participated in the District’s summer reading program, A Universe of Stories. Throughout the summer, students were encouraged to visit public libraries, check out and read books, and strive to reach different levels of academic achievement.

In October, AMPS will be hosting an in-school reading celebration to commemorate each students’ summer reading milestones. Students will collaborate with one another to make crafts, dance and sing, and take part in numerous relay races. Each student will take home a small bag filled with pencils, erasers, bookmarks and stampers as a reward for all of their hard work and dedication.

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.

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—Miller Place School District (MPSD) is thrilled to announce that ten of it musically gifted students have been selected as either a participant or alternate in the New York All-State Music Festival. Chosen for their musical talent and excellence, these students will collaborate with numerous other NYS high school musicians to advance and hone their skills. 

“We are extremely impressed by the amount of talent that exists in our student body. These ten students are shining examples of the passion and work ethic we attempt to instill in our students,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “I’d like to extend my congratulations to everyone chosen for the New York All-State Music Festival. Their drive and dedication are truly something to be amazed by.” 

The MPHS students chosen as participants by NYSSMA this year are Andrew Bova, vocal jazz; Larry Davis, symphonic band; and Will Dunlop, symphonic orchestra. Alternates are Emma Davis, instrumental jazz; John Mari, band; Jodie Cui, orchestra; Marianna Kalin, band; Patrick Serrentino, instrumental jazz; Jack Schiefer, instrumental jazz and band; and Wade Tucker, band.

These gifted individuals were chosen based on their performances at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) in the Spring. Students prepared a solo to perform in front of a NYSSMA certified All-State adjudicator who evaluates the performance. Every student who earns a score between 98 and 100 is recommended for All-State consideration. The New York All-State Music Festival will take place from December 5 to December 8 in Rochester, N.Y. 

NYSSMA is an organization committed to advancing music education across New York State. As New York’s most significant professional force in music education, NYSSMA holds numerous festivals, exhibits and events throughout the scholastic year with over 100,000 students participating annually in Spring adjudication festivals around N.Y. NYSSMA is considered the largest and most successful National Association for Music Education (NAfME) state unit in the country. 

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us.‘Like’ our Facebook page: @MillerPlaceSchoolDistrict.

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—Miller Place School District is excited to announce Larry Davis, a senior at Miller Place High School, is the recipient of the Long Island Scholar Artist Award of Merit for Music. The Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) recognized Larry among other select students deemed the “best of the best” in the Class of 2020 at the LIAA Induction Ceremony held at Long Island University on September 11, 2019.

“Larry is a remarkable student and musician, and we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “The District aims to encourage students to embrace what they are passionate about, utilizing that passion to become the best that they can be. Larry is a role model for all our students and the community, showing dedication and passion in all that he does.”

While in the high school, Larry has been involved in the MPHS Symphonic Band as a horn musician and is a trumpet player in the MPHS Instrumental Jazz Ensemble. Larry also was recently selected as a member of the New York All-State Symphonic Band and will serve as a representative of MPSD at the All-State Conference this coming December.

The Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) is an alliance of and for the region’s not-for-profit arts, cultural and arts education organizations. Formed in 2003, LIAA promotes awareness of and participation in Long Island’s world-class arts and cultural institutions. LIAA is an organization that truly serves the community, as they offer leadership and diverse support services to arts organizations, serve as an advocate for arts education in our schools and collaborate on strategies for economic development and community revitalization. ​

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—In honor and remembrance of the lives lost 18 years ago, several teachers at North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) in Miller Place took the initiative to educate students and encourage dialogue about the horrific attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Mrs. Saulle’s 7th grade English classes listened to and discussed several recorded interviews from the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s oral history collection. The videos captured the different perspectives and emotions of individuals who experienced the 9/11 attacks firsthand. Students then reflected on each person’s perspective and touched upon what they found most shocking or moving in each person’s story. They also took pen to paper to write about a memory from their past and share with their teacher. Mrs. Saulle’s classes also gained a new perspective while reading the article “Growing Up Muslim” and the first chapter of Tahereh Mafi’s A Very Large Expanse of Sea, a novel that depicts the life of a Muslim-American girl following the tragedy of 9/11. To conclude the lesson, Mrs. Saulle had her students analyze Laureate Billy Collin’s poem, “The Names.”

Mrs. Hibbard, a 6th grade social studies teacher, used a lesson on artifacts to educate students on the 9/11 attacks. The lesson taught students about their significance and how they provide us insight into our past. The class also viewed a video about 9/11 which showed students real-life artifacts, including artifacts recovered from Ground Zero.

Mrs. Luchsinger’s 6th grade classes paid tribute to September 11th with a series of writing and literacy activities. Students wrote friendly letters to heroes, poems that express their thoughts on September 11th, and drew pictures that showcased patriotism.

In Ms. Suppa’s 7th grade classes, students read and analyzed the lyrics to Alan Jackson’s “Where Were you When the World Stopped Turning?” Together, the class discussed the events that occurred on September 11th and emotions attached to the day.

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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.

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—Miller Place School District’s North Country Road Middle School is thrilled to announce that six of its finest musicians have been offered positions in the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association All-County Jazz Ensemble. The SCMEA All-County Jazz Ensemble presents an opportunity for musically inclined students across Long Island to join together to advance and hone their musical abilities.

“The District is immensely proud of these students for putting forth the work and effort to earn a spot in this esteemed organization,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “By encouraging students to become involved outside of the classroom and to further pursue their passions, the District hopes to instill a sense of independence in the students, as well as a level of self-confidence. The District believes that a diverse curriculum results in a knowledgeable and well-rounded student body. It is of great importance that we lay the foundation to help our many students grow into successful, well-adjusted individuals.” 

To audition for the SCMEA students are given a composition to rehearse and learn, performing it in front of a set of judges who evaluate each participant based on skill and ability to read music. Those who qualify to move on are instructed to become familiar with the pieces selected for the performance. Shortly before the day of their performance the ensemble rehearses as a group for the first time. This year, these talented young jazz musicians will be performing on November 2.

Miller Place’s SCMEA All County Jazz Ensemble participants this year are Nick Vallary, saxophone; Michael Drago, trumpet; Evelyn Paul, trumpet; Wyatt Shattes, trumpet; Carrie Davis, low brass; Noah Samonas, low brass.

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.

Miller Place, N.Y. (September 2019)—The Miller Place School District is thrilled to announce that Mr. Domenico Lo Re and Dr. Elizabeth Bradshaw will assume the role of Dean of Students at North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) throughout the 2019-2020 school year. Dr. Bradshaw and Mr. Lo Re will succeed the previous dean of students, Mr. Christopher Cherouvis, who was recently appointed by the Board of Education in August as Assistant Principal of Miller Place High School.

“During their careers both Mr. Lo Re and Dr. Bradshaw have been instrumental in nurturing and mentoring middle school and high school students,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, superintendent of Miller Place School District. “Each will act as dean of students part time while continuing their current teaching positions. We are confident Mr. Lo Re and Dr. Bradshaw will help propel student achievement and continue improve the quality of education in the District.”

Mr. Lo Re has dedicated his professional life to education, spending nearly two decades as a teacher and the coach of multiple interscholastic athletic teams within the District. Mr. Lo Re is currently, and is expected to remain, a health education teacher at Miller Place High School, junior varsity wrestling coach, junior varsity girl’s lacrosse coach, and middle school football coach. Previously, Mr. Lo Re was a health education teacher at Oakdale Bohemia Junior High School and a special education teacher’s assistant in Sachem Central School District.

Mr. Lo Re received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Ithaca College. At Stony Brook University, he received a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies as well as a NYS Permanent Certification in School District Administration.

With nearly two decades of experience in the education field, Dr. Bradshaw brings a seasoned background at the middle school and high school levels, including her current position as an English teacher at North Country Road Middle School and Miller Place High School. Previously, she served as Literacy Collaborative Coordinator at NCRMS as well as an English teacher at M.S. 210 Elizabeth Blackwell in Queens.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Villanova University, Dr. Bradshaw received a Masters of Education from Hofstra University and a Doctor of Education from St. John’s University. Dr. Bradshaw also holds a NYS Certification in Coaching, NYS Certification in School Building and School District Leader, and a NYS Permanent Certification in Secondary Education Grades for 7-12.

Mr. Lo Re and Dr. Bradshaw will be available to the NCRMS community as they transition into this new dual role within the building. We encourage parents to contact the building principal or the dean of students directly if they can be of assistance regarding their middle school child.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at ww.millerplace.k12.ny.us. ‘Like’ our Facebook page: @MillerPlaceSchoolDistrict.

Miller Place, N.Y. (August 2019)—Miller Place’s faculty and staff at North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) recently hosted orientation for the building’s sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students to help them become more acquainted with school routines and prepare for the 2019-2020 school year. Students were offered an overview of the middle school’s academic and social philosophies and were given an opportunity to meet some of the middle school staff. The event is an annual initiative organized by the Miller Place School District to help students seamlessly settle back into their school routine after summer vacation.

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.