Reading was front and center at Saw Mill Road Elementary School and throughout the North Bellmore School District, which celebrated the 16th annual World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 7.

Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madded shared “The Reflection in Me,” written by Marc Colagiovanni and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, for the monthly principal’s read aloud. After reading the book at a pair of assemblies, they discussed the themes of self-love and self-acceptance with students. Each class was then gifted a mirror as a way of remembering the book’s message.

Mr. Rosof said the book was recommended by librarian Laura Stasi.

“Mr. Madden and I selected this book because it has a beautiful and profound message,” he said. “Often, these picture books share messages that can resonatewith all ages. It is supremely important to me that all Saw Mill Road citizens feel good about who they are.Hopefully, sharing this story helped with this.”

Reading activities took place in classrooms throughout the day. Chrissie Migliano read “Henny” to her fourth graders. The book about the chicken with arms is about accepting and embracing each other’s differences.

Patricia Graham’s kindergartners were visited by sixth graders frm Danielle Houghton’s class for buddy reading. The classes get together once a week for various activities. For World Read Aloud Day, the kindergartners and sixth graders took turns reading to each other.

“It makes me feel good because it makes my buddy smile when I read to them,” sixth grader Kyle Peponakis said.

His classmate, Sila Asif, added that is very rewarding to assist the kindergartners in their quest to become better readers and learn new words.

Click here to view the Saw Mill Road’s Worldly Readers Share Stories Together slideshow.

Date Added: 2/14/2025

The smiles and laughter from both children and adults showed that it was mission accomplished for Global School Play Day at Martin Avenue Elementary School on Feb. 5. The North Bellmore School District embraced the annual initiative nearly a decade ago as a reminder that learning can be fun.

Each class at Martin Avenue blocked out time for unstructured play. In many rooms, students played with games and toys they brought from home.

Second grade teacher Mary Carrea said no electronics were allowed as she wanted her students to play the old-fashioned way. She noted the many benefits of playing board games like teaching compromise, fair play and sportsmanship.

Fifth graders in Ashley Vella’s class played bingo and charades before unstructured free play began. All of the desks were pushed to the edge of the room to create a wide-open space for play. Even the back table was transformed into a ping-pong table. In addition to board games, her students could be found drawing and playing with action figures.

“It’s always a fun day,” Ms. Vella said, adding that it’s a good chance for her students to tap into their creativity, bond over common interests and expand their friend groups.

First grade teacher Nicole Huttner had her students rotate through stations with different games that students brought in from home. Rachel Graber’s sixth graders hosted their buddies from Antonietta Fischetti’s second grade class. While the older students usually serve as the leaders, this time it was flipped as it was the second graders who brought in their games and taught others the rules.

“Unstructured play provides students the opportunity to develop their communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci said. “It supports the ongoing efforts of our teachers to build caring and compassionate classrooms.”

Click here to view the Learning Through Play at Martin Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 2/11/2025

As part of a social studies lesson on needs and wants, kindergartners in Stephanie Meehan and David Lopez’s class at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School decided to spearhead a community service project.

Students decided to focus on the “needs” aspect of the lesson and launched a schoolwide drive to collect food and toiletries. They learned how to be problem solvers by creating a plan and putting it into action. Their goal is to collect 100 items before winter recess, as counting to 100 is a kindergarten standard.

To prepare for the drive, students decorated collection boxes and made posters seeking donations from students and teachers. Once the drive wraps up, students will count and sort the items.

Click here to view the Dinkelmeyer Kindergartners Become Community Helpers slideshow.

Date Added: 2/10/2025

It’s award season for school librarians, who every January look forward to the announcement of the Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for the best illustrated children’s book. North Bellmore librarian Yvonne Francolini turned it into a learning experience for her students at Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road and Park Avenue elementary schools. 

Leading up to the Jan. 27 announcement, her students reviewed 12 books that had “buzz” around them as possible Caldecott Medal recipients. They were asked to make predictions on if they felt each book could be a winner. The medal is part of the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards.  

This year’s gold medal winner was, “Chooch Helped” authored by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. Although it did not make the list of the 12 books that students reviewed, a pair of Caldecott Honor Books were there – “Noodles on a Bicycle” and “Home in a Lunchbox.”   

Some of the books that the students reviewed were strictly picture books, while others included both words and illustrations. Before making their judgments, students reviewed the Caldecott Medal criteria and also looked at past winners.  

“I love seeing the students get so excited about books,” Ms. Francolini said. “This lesson exposes them to some of the best picture books. There’s a real-world connection when they get to see the actual Caldecott Medal winners and compare it to their picks.” 

Click here to view the Readers Explore Best Children’s Books slideshow.

Date Added: 2/6/2025