North Bellmore School District

Graduates are Ready to Take on Middle School

More than 300 soon-to-be middle schoolers walked across three stages on June 21 as the North Bellmore School District held its sixth grade graduations. They arrived in caps and gowns and left with diplomas in hand.

Saw Mill Road Elementary School’s ceremony was held at the Brookside School, John G. Dinkelmeyer and Park Avenue elementary school programs were back-to-back at Merrick Avenue Middle School, while Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road graduates got a sneak peak of their next stop – Grand Avenue Middle School.

Park Avenue Principal Michael DeBlasio marveled at the strength of his graduating class – both collectively and as individuals.

“When I use the word strong, or strength, I am not referring to your physical stature or ability, but rather the conviction with which you make your decisions,” he said. “As I do every morning on announcements, I tell you to make good choices. And you have, you all truly have made great choices.”

Middle school, Saw Mill Principal Jeffrey Rosof explained, means more freedom, more choices, more temptations, more responsibility and more work – all challenges they are prepared to meet.

“Use what you have learned to move forward with courage” he told his 109 graduates, the largest class among North Bellmore’s five schools. “Rely on your foundation from your family and Saw Mill to continue to grow intellectually and socially.”

At Martin Avenue, “pride” is a regular reference and Principal Jim O’Brien expressed how proud he is of the graduates for all they have accomplished over the years. He noted that they always faced challenges with a positive attitude and lived their lives with integrity.

Dinkelmeyer Principal Danica Brugge recounted meeting her “treasured learners” when they were second graders and quickly learned they had a contagious energy that was a mix of positivity, excitement and sweetness.

“The strong connection you have with one another can be felt,” she said. “The reputation that you have established as individuals and as a group is that of warm, kind and caring classmates but also hard-working and dedicated scholars.”

Newbridge Road Principal Amanda Licci said that elementary graduation is just one of many milestones they will reach in life. She encouraged students to take in the moment, reflect on the memories and show their “Newbridge heart” by thanking the people who have made an imprint on their lives.

Board of Education trustees also addressed the graduates. President Melissa Cmar-Grote, who spoke at Dinkelmeyer’s ceremony, made connections to the poem, “Children Are Like Kites.”

“Graduates, today is one of the days your family lets out more string,” she said. “It may be bittersweet for them – happy you are soaring, but sad you rely on them less and less. Always remember you can still follow that string, your lifeline, right back to them when you need support.”

Student speakers reflected on their time in elementary school while also looking at the road ahead. They also made sure to thank their principals, teachers and parents for the support along the way. Dinkelmeyer graduate Christian Truglio said he remembers being in kindergarten, looking up the sixth graders and thinking, “Wow, they are so cool. I can’t wait to be them.” That time has come.

“Now that we are going to middle school,” he said, “we all must start to prepare ourselves in every way possible. This is a big step and I am confident that every single one of us students in this room are capable of conquering this next stage in life.”