With their future high school standing tall in the background, sixth graders from the North Bellmore School District had a picturesque day for the annual track meet on May 19. The sun was shining and a steady breeze was a delight for the runners who participated in several different competitions.

The event brought together nearly 300 soon-to-be graduates from John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools. Students proudly wore their respective Class of 2025 shirts. The setting was the track at Mepham High School, a place they will become familiar with following a two-year stop in middle school.

Physical education teachers coordinated the track meet, which consisted of short- and long-distance races. The events spanned from 50-meter sprints to the 800-meter race that was two laps around the track. There were also four-person relay races. Students practiced for their different events in the weeks prior during physical education classes.

Parents and family members were invited to sit in the bleachers and cheer on the students. Sixth graders left with pride for their elementary schools and with excitement for a future together with all their North Bellmore peers.

Click here to view the Track Meet Unites North Bellmore Sixth Graders slideshow.

Date Added: 5/27/2025

From their first day of kindergarten, students in the North Bellmore School District are nurtured to become joyful lifelong learners. Please view the district’s spring newsletter and Kindergarten Experience video to learn more about all facets of the program:

Spring 2025 Newsletter:
Please click here to view the Spring 2025 Newsletter.

Kindergarten Experience Video:

Date Added: 5/14/2025

Second graders welcomed spring at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School by growing their own grass. Students in Ellen Tournour’s class each grew grass in a cup, then added eyes and a mouth to the outside to create their own grassheads.

After a weeks of growing, it was time for a “haircutting” party. Each student grabbed his or her scissors and gave the grass a trim. Some children even worked on stylish cuts for their grassheads.

The project was part of a science unit on the life cycles of plants. They put grass seed and dirt into a stocking, tied it up and placed it in a clear cup. Ensuring their seeds got regular sunlight and water, students observed the roots growing in the soil and then the grass sprouting through the stocking.

Ms. Tournour also connected the science project to literacy, as students gave their grassheads names and wrote fictional stories about them. After the cutting party, they were able to take their grassheads home.

Click here to view the Grassheads Engage JGD’s Young Scientists slideshow.

Date Added: 5/8/2025

The North Bellmore School District celebrates its fabulous educators for Teacher Appreciation Week. Students from our five elementary schools share the qualities that make their teachers special in this video:

Date Added: 5/6/2025

“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