• Web sites of Interest for Parents

• Public Notifications
• School Attendance
• Emergency Closing
• Early Dismissal
• Home Instruction
• Safe Schools
• Transportation

• Health Services
• Parent/Teacher Communication
• Parent Teacher Associations
• Who Do I Call With A Question Or A Suggestion?
• Telephone Communications
• Days Of Religious Observance

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access.

• The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

When adverse weather conditions arise, the Superintendent may determine to close schools for the safety of children. In such cases the following radio/television stations are notified.

• WOR 710 AM
• WGSM 740 AM
• WINS 1010 AM
• WHLI 1100 AM
• WCBS 880 AM
• K-JOY 98.3 FM
• B103 103.1 FM
• WBAB 102.3 FM
• CHANNEL 12 CABLE

To assist us in distributing important and urgent messages to our school community, we utilize the Blackboard Connect service. The Blackboard Connect service enables us to personally communicate with parents about emergency situations, school events and important issues impacting your child. It will allow us to send personalized voice messages to your family’s home, work or cell phones. Essentially, the district representative can make one phone call and reach all of his or her students’ families within minutes. Click here for more information about the Blackboard Connect service.

In addition, closings will appear on our home page at www.NorthBellmoreSchools.org and www.LongIsland.com. In the event of an emergency during the school day Blackboard Connect will be used. If necessary we will alo use the PTA phone chains and radio announcements. However, no children will be dismissed before the regular time unless parents or designated contact persons are notified. The closing announcement will be for the North Bellmore Union Free School District . The decision to close school due to inclement weather will be consistent with the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District .

Please Note: One snow make-up day has been noted on the calendar. The date is Tuesday, April 6^th, 2010. If additional days are needed they will be added to the end of the school year. This information is being provided early so that you may plan accordingly.

Parents are encouraged to make appointments for medical and dental work after school. However, this is not always possible. Parents requesting that children be released prior to the usual dismissal time must send a note explaining the reason. Children must be picked up at the nurse's office or main office. Parents should familiarize themselves with their home schools early dismissal procedure. No children will be dismissed to anyone other than a parent or designated adult. Parents and designated adults are required to sign for the release of the student.

Children who miss school should, whenever possible, keep up with their academic work. Teachers prepare assignments which parents may obtain at the end of the day. The school district will provide home instruction for youngsters who must be absent for an extended period of time. In such cases, please contact the principal.

The goal of the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (SAVE), enacted in July 2000, is to promote “a safe and healthy learning environment, where students are secure in their pursuit of educational success.” This legislation required districts to develop school safety plans at both the district and building levels, including a Code of Conduct for Students, a Code of Conduct for Parents and Visitors, and a Student Dress Code. The original North Bellmore safety plan was developed by the district school safety team, and is reviewed annually.

In North Bellmore we wish to create a safe learning environment emphasizing mutual respect for pupils, parents, and staff. We see discipline as a process that fosters responsibility and caring for self and others. The goal for our discipline process is to be firm, fair, positive and respectful of the child's dignity, with due process being practiced and taught at all times. At the beginning of each school year, we distribute a copy of the district Code of Pupil Discipline/Cooperation for parents to read and discuss with their children.

All students are expected to dress appropriately for school and school functions, so that they are safe and their appearance is appropriate and non-disruptive. Guidelines are contained in the School Dress Code which is distributed at the beginning of the school year.

ELIGIBILITY: School district policy provides transportation for students in grades K-3 living more than one-half mile from school and for students in grades 4-6 living more than one mile from school. The building principal can tell you if you qualify. Children who have a temporary or permanent medical disability may be eligible for special bus service. Requests must be submitted to the principal for review. Since most families live within the one mile limit, most children must walk or be driven by parents. For those who walk, crossing guards are provided by the Nassau County Police Department. Parents should instruct children to cross major streets only where a guard is assigned. Parents who drive children should be sure to respect the rights of our neighbors by parking only in legally designated areas. They must also take great care in watching for children who walk.

Transportation to a day care provider living within the district may be provided under certain circumstances. 

The same provisions for transportation of public school children shall apply to children within the district who attend private or parochial schools.

TRANSPORTATION DEADLINE: New York State Law requires that all requests for school bus transportation to private/non-public schools be submitted to the North Bellmore School District Transportation Office by April 1^st, for the following school year. Applications may be obtained by visiting the Transportation Office located in the Administrative Offices adjoining the Martin Avenue School or calling Ms. Linda Van Name, Transportation Coordinator at (516) 992-3000 ext 4017.

To download the transportation form click here .

In order to be eligible for transportation to a private or parochial school, the parent or guardian must make a written request for such transportation prior to April 1^st of each school year.   This will enable the school district to budget the necessary funds to provide this transportation the following September. All requests made must be accompanied with proof of residency. Please visit our enrollment page for proof of residency requirements.

Requests should be addressed to the:

Business Office / Transportation Department
North Bellmore Union Free School District
2616 Martin Avenue
Bellmore , New York 11710

Please Note : Some private and/or parochial schools submit a register of names to the district listing potential students. Your name appearing on one of these lists is NOT considered application for transportation.

Applications for students entering Middle School or High School can be obtained at the Bellmore-Merrick Central Administration Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick , New York 11566 or by calling 516-992-1025.

HOW DISTANCES ARE MEASURED: The actual distances are measured from the center of the street opposite the property line nearest to the school, along the center line of the streets, to the curbline of the nearest entrance to the school grounds.  Measurement is made by a licensed survey company which has been employed by the school district.

BUS SAFETY INFORMATION

The North Bellmore Public Schools have developed Guidelines for Safe and Efficient Bussing to help your children travel safely to and from our schools. We suggest you read and print out this information, then review it periodically with your children. Our children's safety can never be stressed enough.

The nurse in each building provides first aid and comfort to children who are ill and/or injured. New York State law prohibits nurses from providing medical treatment, except for emergency first aid. When children are injured or ill, parents are contacted immediately. Therefore, it is most important that parents provide complete and accurate information on the emergency contact card and notify the school of any changes.

MEDICATION

Nurses will administer medication to children or a child may self- administer only under the following circumstances:

• Parents must provide a written request.
• The request must include a note from the family physician indicating the need for medication, the appropriate dosage, and time to be taken. (The district provides a form for this information, which may be obtained from the school nurse.)
• The request must be reviewed and approved by the school physician.

EXAMINATION AND SCREENING

Children in grades kindergarten, second and fourth and those transferring in, are required to have physical examinations. These may be provided by the family physician, who must complete a form provided by the school. If this is not possible, the school physician will conduct examinations and notify parents of conditions requiring further attention.

Children in certain grades also have their hearing and vision tested by the school nurse. Youngsters in grades 5 & 6 are also screened for scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Parents are notified only if a potential problem is revealed by these screenings.

It is important to remember that these tests and examinations are required to ensure early detection and correction of problems, which could hinder the development of our children.

Additional examination and screening information can be found by visiting Enrollment .

A comprehensive list of all medical procedures, guidelines and policies can be found in the Health Services Handbook.

In addtion to previous immunizations required for enrollment, the New York State Department of Health now requires that students entering sixth grade must receive a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster (Tdap)

Parents are encouraged to discuss concerns with teachers as soon as they are evident. Appointments for conferences can be made by telephoning the school.

There is also a formal reporting process, which includes report cards, Back to School Nights, and conferences. Early in the fall, each school schedules a Back to School Night, which parents are encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity for parents to meet the classroom teachers and to learn about the academic and social expectations for the school year. In November and March, Pupil Progress Report (PPR) conferences are scheduled with all parents to discuss students' achievement and adjustment. Written report cards are sent home three times per school year: December 11, 2009, March 12, 2010 and June 25, 2010.

Please note the following Back to School Night dates:

• Dinkelmeyer - September 16
• Gunther - September 16
• Martin Ave. - September 16
• Newbridge - September 16
• Park - September 22
• Saw Mill - Gr. K-3 September 15; Saw Mill - Gr. 4-6 September 16

Pupil Progress Report Conferences:

While students will not be required to report to school on Election Day, November
3, 2009, parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled for that date.

Please note the following PPR Parent Conference dates:

• November 2 - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• November 3 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• March 18 - (11:30 a.m. dismissal for students) 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and
  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Conferences are scheduled by your child's classroom teacher. Parents who have questions regarding the reports should make appointments to meet with teachers. Remember, only by working together can we provide our children with high quality educational experiences.

School-Parent Compact :

The School and parents agree to work cooperatively to maximize educational opportunities for children. Read More...

The North Bellmore UFSD PTAs play an important role in providing our children with a high quality education. Our PTAs are very supportive and adhere to the following mission:

Support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; assist parents in developing skills they need to raise and protect their children; encourage parent involvement in public schools in this nation.

All parents are invited and encouraged to join the PTA. Please visit the PTA home page for further information.

The District has established procedures to respond to questions and suggestions from parents and residents. The procedures start with the person closest to the situation as it is that person who will have the most information. Because situations sometimes require that additional staff be involved in the conversations, we have listed the major areas of interest, with those responsible for each area. If you have any questions about the school district or your child's progress, please do not hesitate to call. We encourage any and all questions from parents and residents concerning school matters.

North Bellmore UFSD
2616 Martin Ave.
Telephone: 516-992-3000