A sport with origins dating back more than 900 years is generating excitement in the gymnasium at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Students in grades 3-6 have been learning the intricacies of lacrosse.

Guided by physical education teachers James Breslin, the young athletes have been practicing catching, throwing and stick-handling. The first few classes focused on skills, which students then put into action through partner practice and game play.

Mr. Breslin said that lacrosse has been an annual spring unit in physical education for more than 20 years. The goal is to introduce students to a sport that they can play when they get to middle school. By equipping them with the fundamentals of lacrosse and some basic skills, the goal is to give them confidence to try out if it’s a sport they enjoy.

Click here to view the Max Effort for Lax Unit at Newbridge Road slideshow.

Date Added: 4/15/2025

“The best is yet to come,” North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa said of the eight educators who officially received tenure at the April 10 board of education meeting.

During a standing room-only celebration at Martin Avenue Elementary School, the newly tenured administrators and teachers were lauded for their hard work and dedication to students during their probationary periods. They reflect the strength, breadth and excellence of the district, Ms. Testa noted.

Receiving tenure were:

Amanda Licci, principal, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Daniel Madden, assistant principal, Saw Mill Road Elementary School

Danielle Calapai, instructional coach

Alexa Cappuzzo, second grade teacher, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School

Yvonne Francolini, librarian

Kerri Maxwell, first grade teacher, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Alyssa Parker, physical education teacher

Catherine Schlaich, computer science teacher

The night was filled with speeches celebrating each tenure recipient from proud colleagues. They also had the honor of achieving this career milestone with their families in attendance.

“We know the amount of time and effort and care and love that goes into being a teacher or an administrator,” Ms. Testa said. “Tenure reflects our confidence in their ongoing impact and their role in helping all learners succeed.”

Date Added: 4/22/2025

While students were making baskets at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, they were simultaneously thinking about their cardio well-being and the heart health of others. A basketball unit coincided with the annual Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser, which generated $771 for the American Heart Association.  

Physical education teacher Jim Mulvey has hosted the fundraiser for more than a decade in the district, including the past seven years at Dinkelmeyer. Students made donations to the cause while also working on their basketball skills. During physical education classes, they practiced dribbling, passing and shooting skills, and played competitive games including Around the World, Challenger Champ and three-on-three. 
 
“The students gave great effort this year,” Mr. Mulvey said, “and they’re helping the global community which reflects our district mission statement.” 

Date Added: 4/15/2025

First graders explored the animal kingdom for their research projects at Martin Avenue Elementary School. The month-long process culminated with a writing celebration on April 7.

Students in Debra Ferretti’s and Nicole Huttner’s classes each picked an animal to research, using both books and online resources. Each child took notes on his or her animal’s body, food, habitat and life cycle, then created a book with information on those topics as well as other fun facts.

The project helped students work on their note-taking skills and writing stamina. Ms. Huttner said the goal was for them to write longer, more detailed sentences. The young authors also explored the elements of nonfiction books like a table of contents, headlines and illustrations.

At the publishing party in the cafeteria, students from the two classes proudly sat at the tables and waited for their guests to come in. They then got to share the story with their parents, their fourth and sixth grade reading buddies, teachers, administrators and each other. Up next, first graders will dive into opinion writing and craft toy reviews.

Click here to view the Martin Avenue Authors Share Animal Books slideshow.

Date Added: 4/10/2025

"Watch a movie” may not be a typical homework assignment, but it was one that third graders certainly welcomed at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. The task was part of a project to help them with their persuasive writing. 

For an argumentative writing unit, each student had to write a review of a favorite movie. The young writers had to state a claim and back it up with reasons, examples and details while using movie terminology. It was the first major essay of third grade and supported the Writer’s Workshop philosophy of student choice.

Teacher Cindy Quinn explained that they could pick any movie they liked, and were encouraged to watch it again so get a refresher on the evidence that would back up their claims. The persuasive writing unit started by reading a mentor text, “I Wanna Iguana,” followed by a discussion on the differences between claims and opinions. 

“The work that they did was sensational,” Ms. Quinn said, noting that the movies they picked spanned multiple genres and eras. “I loved the way they used movie vocabulary as the reasons that supported their claims.”

Date Added: 4/8/2025