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

A months-long art project is taking shape at Park Avenue Elementary School. The creation of a new mural is being spearheaded by art teacher Jillian Bock and will feature a contribution from every child in the school.

The sunrise and meadow scene is being created on an upper section of wall on the first floor. At 16 feet wide and 4 feet tall, it is a sizeable piece that should bring joy to generations of students. Ms. Bock said that she was approached by Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle to come up with ideas to beautify the school. From there, the mural was born.

Painting began in November and Ms. Bock expects to wrap up work in May. The idea for the meadow with flowers is connected to the school’s culture, as students and staff maintain a community garden adjacent to the building. Children are contributing to the mural by using their fingerprints as the petals of the flowers.

Ms. Bock said that students are excited to leave their mark in this legacy project. They have been invested in watching the mural come together over the past few months as more elements are added and more students make their imprint.

“It adds a sense of happiness and pride,” she said. “It feels good to be a part of something, and they feel good that had a hand in it.”

Click here to view the Uplifting Mural Blooms at Park Avenue School slideshow.

Date Added: 4/3/2025

The arrival of spring made the perfect time for a lesson about the growth cycle of plants at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Students in first through third graders were the beneficiaries of expert knowledge.  

Representatives from Cornell Cooperative Extension visited the school on March 28 as part of its Agricultural Literacy Week program. Volunteers read “The Pie that Molly Grew,” a realistic fiction book that educated students on the growth cycle of a pumpkin. As a gift, Saw Mill Road received a copy of the book for its school library. 

Students learned the basics of what plants need to grow, such as water, soil and sunlight. They also took part in a hands-on activity to plant pumpkin seeds. Each child received a plastic cup, a clump of dirt and a pumpkin seed. Students then placed the cups in near the windows and each class can spend the next several weeks observing as small plants begin to grow.  

Judith Wilansky, a volunteer with CCE who is known as “Farmer Judy,” said that the activity supports the elementary science curriculum, which educates students about life cycles. She hopes that children have meaningful scientific discussions as the seeds sprout.  

Click here to view the Saw Mill Students Get Their Green Thumbs slideshow.

Date Added: 4/2/2025

Students are “Wild About Reading” year-round at Newbridge Road Elementary School, which made it the perfect theme for this year’s Pick a Reading Partner week from March 17-21.

The annual literacy program is designed to engage children and their families in shared reading experiences. PARP emphasizes the importance of reading as a tool for success and strives to fortify each child’s reading habits. The school partners with the PTA to provide meaningful and authentic opportunities for students to read with their families.

Principal Amanda Licci said that this year’s theme corresponds with the transformation of her office into Mrs. Licci’s Lair, where she hold read-alouds. While PARP is about encouraging children to read at home, there are many activities in school designed to get them excited about reading.

The Scholastic Book Fair featured opportunities for students to purchase new books, and the PTA provided each child with a $5 credit. On the evening of March 17, Ms. Licci hosted a virtual read aloud of “Edward the Emu” that all families could join. Over the next several days, masked readers read pages of the sequel, “Edwina the Emu,” during live Zoom sessions for the school.

March 18 featured an in-person PARP night. In addition to a night book fair, librarian Yvonne Francolini and students from the Junior Library Club set up books around the cafeteria for families to come in and read together.

Spirit Club and the junior librarians led safari tours around the school to find all of the words in the hallways, from signs to student work. The second annual “new to you” book swap on March 20 featured hundreds of books donated by students. Ms. Francolini and PTA volunteers sorted books by age group and category. Each class visited the auditorium and there were enough donations for each child to go home with three books.

“The most important piece of PARP is getting books in the hands of children,” Ms. Licci said.

At home, students were encouraged to do reading activities from a choice board. They could visit the North Bellmore Public Library, read to a pet or stuffed animal, read with a sibling or friend, or create their own reading lair, among other choices. The public library even planned a series of animal-themed experiences for Newbridge Road students. Ms. Licci said that if 150 students completed five or more activities, she would complete a principal’s challenge.

Date Added: 3/31/2025