Rock climbing during the school day?

At Miller Avenue School, are enjoying rock climbing, rope climbing, crawling and swinging as the school gymnasium was transformed into Whittle Gym, a longstanding tradition.

Students maneuvered through a colorful obstacle course as they worked to improve their stamina, strength and coordination during the physical education unit. Physical education teachers Josh Bonventre and Katherine Donofrio speak to the students about safety and courtesy before they start the activities.

The course, which features a variety of obstacles to cross, climb and scale, affords students an opportunity to build their core strength while advancing their climbing skills. The Whittle Gym unit also teaches and reinforces many character education skills including working together, encouraging one another, critical thinking, goal setting and problem solving.

 

Click here to view the Gaining Strength and Social Skills with the Whittle Gym slideshow.

 

Date Added: 3/14/2025

Seven first graders in The Leadership Club at Miller Avenue School shared their views at the March 11 Board of Education meeting.

Introduced by club adviser Lauren Santagata, Luka Asllani, Victoria Brady, Ellsy Byrne, Marcelo Costa Braga, Jordan Moreira, Quinn Ruisi and Alina Teague each took to the podium and shared how they help to make the world a better place. They shared their super power pizza drawings and unique talents of making new friends, drawing, writing, sports and reading. They also spoke of the schoolwide Kindness Campaign they developed and the cards they created and breakfast and parade they hosted for veterans.

“As leaders, it’s important to make others feel good,” Quinn Ruisi said.

 

Date Added: 3/13/2025

Miller Avenue School’s Student Council members and teachers and advisers Allison Quenzer and Cara Behrens were special guests at the March 11 Board of Education meeting. Miller Avenue School Principal Claudia Smith introduced the students and highlighted their efforts in service to the community while developing leadership skills.

Students Hunter Bernardino, Ireland Einhorn, Lucas Lauckhardt, Casey McSloy, Brynna Reed and Isabella Santillo spoke about the projects they headed up including making poppy pens for veterans, serving as ambassadors at the Veterans Day parade, collecting food and supplies for Save-A-Pet in Port Jefferson, a Thanksgiving food drive and toy drive for Branches Long Island, a community outreach organization based in Middle Island.

Ms. Behrens also shared upcoming projects including creating keychains for Teacher Appreciation Day and school beautification ideas such as creating birdhouses.

 

Date Added: 3/13/2025