Two new leadership opportunities are launching for students in 2026 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Tiger Birthday Boosters started on Jan. 5, followed by Thunder’s Greeting Squad a week later. 

Every day after the morning announcements, Birthday Boosters travels the school with a calendar and deliver birthday greetings. They can sing “Happy Birthday,” give high-fives or fist bumps and deliver handmade cards or posters. The Boosters are tasked with making the moment festive and special for Newbridge Road students celebrating their milestone day.  

“The whole point is to make it really fun and exciting,” Principal Amanda Licci told the first group of Birthday Boosters at an introductory meeting on Dec. 22. 

Students take on the role twice per six-day cycle throughout January and February. There will then be two more groups of Birthday Boosters before the end of the school year.  

Starting Jan. 12, student greeters will be stationed inside the school near the arrival entrances and throughout the hallways. They must get to school by 8:15 a.m. and go to their assigned posts so they can welcome students and staff with a friendly and positive attitude. One of their responsibilities will be offering smiles and kind words to help everyone start the day on a warm note.  

Student greeters will rotate each day of the week. They will support faculty and staff who already greet students outside of the building. One of the benefits of adding student greeters, Ms. Licci said, is increasing child-to-child interactions and ultimately building a stronger school community. 

Thunder’s Greeting Squad and Tiger Birthday Boosters are both named for the school mascot. The leadership groups are open to grades 3-6, and interested students had to complete an application and be recommended by either Ms. Licci or a teacher. To feel like the adult leaders in the building, students in both get ID badges. 

“Reading the applications, you could see how serious they took this process, so it’s very meaningful and impactful for them,” she said. “This is just another step toward growing student leadership.” 

The two new groups are in addition to several existing leadership roles through student council, Beautification Club, Café Club, Junior Librarians, Smile Club, Spirit Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

 

 

Date Added: 1/7/2026

String students from North Bellmore’s five elementary schools came together for the annual District Orchestra Winter Concert on Dec. 8 at the Brookside School. Proud parents, siblings, teachers and administrators filled the auditorium to enjoy holiday and winter tunes. 

The young musicians learned the concert music together during early morning districtwide rehearsals over the last several months, as well as during their small-group lessons. The fifth grade ensemble was conducted by Patrice Ryan and the sixth grade group was led by Lisa Uckardes. Individual school winter concerts are also taking place throughout December. 

Date Added: 12/9/2025

JoAnn Belferder’s classroom was filled with energy for a lesson on that scientific concept on Nov. 20 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Working in groups, students made rubber band racers that helped them understand the difference between potential and kinetic energy. 

The young scientists followed instructions to build the racers from two clear plastic cups and tops, along with paperclips, a pony bead, rubber band, straw and tape. They also need a pencil to help stretch the rubber band through two cups. When complete, they spun the straw to twist the rubber band, then put the racer on the floor and watched it move. 

After the contraptions were complete, the class came together to share the observations. They learned that potential energy was represented by the twisted rubber band, which became kinetic energy once the racer was free to move. Students also understood how it was essentially a simplistic version of a car engine. 

The science project fostered numerous skills including collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving. While every student in each group was assigned a specific role, their racer build wouldn’t be successful without teamwork and efficient communication. 

Click here to view the Swift Scientists Explore Energy at Newbridge Road slideshow.

 

Date Added: 12/4/2025

 

The generosity of Newbridge Road School students will benefit local families for Thanksgiving. The student council partnered with the PTA for a food drive, which resulted in the donation of hundreds of nonperishable goods.

Each grade was assigned specific items to donate, to ensure a variety of food was collected, including canned vegetables, cookies, juice, pasta and soup. Student council members checked the expiration dates on items, then sorted the food and packed bags to be distributed to local families before Thanksgiving. Extra donations will go to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard.  

Date Added: 11/21/2025