North Bellmore School District - News Feed http://www.northbellmoreschools.org Copyright 2024 Syntax Communications Saw Mill Second Graders Become Community Creators Second graders took a crack at city planning during the Challenge Island in-house field trip at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. The STEAM activity focused on collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Toni Wren, a Saw Mill Road parent, is a franchisee for Challenge Island, a national STEAM education program. She brought the activity to second grade classes throughout the week of March 11. Students were put into teams and tasked with creating either a rural, suburban or urban community. On a large posterboard, they designed their communities. Ms. Wren provided each group with buildings such as a bank, a hospital, a school and various businesses, as well as different street signs. Students not only decided which of these elements they wanted to include, but could also contribute their own ideas. Children added airports, basketball courts, parks and lakes to their communities. One of the challenges for students was to create a cohesive city. There needed to be roads that led to each location. After their cities were built, they had to test how effective the designs were by driving around miniature cars. The supplies were minimal – besides the posterboard and landmarks, students just had tape, small paper cups, crayons and pencils. There were few instructions either. Ms. Wren explained that the goal was for students to transform a blank canvas using their imaginations. To add a little excitement, students wore bandanas and put on face paint based on their team colors. Teachers noted that Challenge Island supports the second grade social studies curriculum which focuses on citizenship and communities. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 3/26/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175687 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175687 JGD Student Teachers Embrace Giving Spirit A pair of aspiring teachers are inspiring students to help others at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Student teacher Ryan Catalano and student observer Sarah Enderle both spearheaded community service projects that were quickly embraced by the Dinkelmeyer community. Mr. Catalano and Ms. Enderle both took on passion projects as part of their participation in the graduate elementary education program at Molloy University. At Dinkelmeyer, where students embrace the district’s mission statement of “contributing to our global community with creativity and compassion,” they found willing participants. Fifth graders donated new and used sports equipment to a drive run by Mr. Catalano, a sports enthusiast. Over two weeks, they filled two large boxes with bats, balls, sticks, protective gear and more for multiple sports. “So many students got on board and were super excited to participate,” said Mr. Catalano, a student teacher in Melissa Halaris’ class for seven weeks. “It was a great opportunity for them to learn about the needs of other children around the world.” The items will be given to Game Changers New York and shipped to low-income and high-needs communities across the globe. “It felt good to donate because it’s going to help other kids around the world that don’t have the money to buy this equipment,” said David Holmes, who donated several items include a basketball, baseball bats, helmets and shin guards. “Just letting other kids play different sports, it makes me feel like I’m giving something to someone,” added Jake Duverneau, who contributed a football and handball. Ms. Enderle’s project was to collect new and gently used books for The Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization based in Freeport that redistributes reading materials to under-resourced communities on Long Island. She is a student observer in Stephanie Meehan’s kindergarten class, and children from Dinkelmeyer’s three kindergarten classes were invited to donate. “I’ve always really liked reading and I think every kid should have access to books,” Ms. Enderle said. Date Added: 3/22/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175590 Fri, 22 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175590 Emerging Readers and Writers Get a Strong Foundation Helping their students develop a thorough understanding of letters, sounds, words and linguistic patterns is a process that teachers take seriously in the North Bellmore School District. They recognize that the ability to read, write, listen and speak is central to knowledge acquisition in all other areas. Alexa Laskowitz, a first grade teacher at Park Avenue Elementary School, makes sure that significant time each day is devoted to language development. Her classroom is an example of how early childhood literacy instruction takes place across the district, using numerous resources and techniques. North Bellmore uses the Heggerty phonemic awareness program, a listening-based approach to help students hear and identify different sounds. Students make chopping motions for each sound in a word, and even a one-syllable word can have three or four chops depending on the combination of letters. By seeing connections among words, consonant blends or vowel sounds, students become stronger spellers. Ms. Laskowitz explained that they take this knowledge from their carpet meetings back to their desks to use in their reading and writing. A teacher-led lesson must be followed by opportunities for students to apply what they’ve learned, either through independent, partner or small-group activities. “It’s been beneficial to them for both reading and writing,” she said. “It’s fun and the students enjoy learning.” Fundations is another tool Ms. Laskowitz and her early elementary colleagues use for literacy development. The program focuses on written letters and words, and uses a research-based approach for instruction in reading, spelling and handwriting. She has a wall full of Fundations sound cards, with individual letters and letter combinations. Students become the teacher as they point to the different letters and blends to help spell out a word. Ms. Laskowitz said that each lesson focuses on a specific language skill, such as closed-syllable words, which end in a consonant and have a short vowel sound, or open-syllable words which end in a vowel sound. During a recent class, she read “Fred the Frog” to her class, then had students go back to their desks and reread portions of the story on worksheets. They were tasked with marking any blends, closed syllables and bonus letters. Using components of both Heggerty and Fundations has enhanced literacy instruction, Ms. Laskowitz added, and she is noticing the difference on iReady diagnostic assessments as well as her own evaluations of student progress. Date Added: 3/20/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175548 Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175548 2024-2025 School Calendar 2024-2025 School Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175405 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175405 Newbridge Road Dog Supply Drive Fetching Donations Helping others is the mission of the student council at Newbridge Road Elementary School, but once in a while, they extend their generosity to four-legged friends. Student leaders decided to collect supplies for dogs as their March community service project. The drive runs from March 4-22 to support BARRK Long Island, an animal rescue and rehab organization. Newbridge Road student and staff can donate blankets, dog beds, leashes, towels, toys and more. A donation box was placed in the lobby and Principal Amanda Licci said it was filled within a week so they had to put out another one. Student council members worked hard to promote the dog supply drive. During the March spirit assembly for the entire school, third grader Aarnav Ranga, fourth grader Sylvia Tarr, fifth grader Sean Burke and sixth grader Samantha Novoni did a presentation about the service project. They spoke about BARRK’s mission and the donations that were being requested. Student leaders also made posters that were placed around the school. Date Added: 3/14/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175378 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175378 3/14/24 Budget Presentation Click HERE to view the Budget Presentation from 3/14/24 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175139 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175139 Building Knowledge Block by Block at Martin Avenue A thousand wooden blocks are turning out to be a simple, but valuable learning tool for students at Martin Avenue Elementary School. The school recently received a KEVA Maple Plank set which is inspiring students to imagine, converse and create. Fifth grade teacher Ashley Vella gave her students their first opportunity to work with the KEVA Planks on Feb. 16. The large wooden box, filled to the top with the blocks, rolled into her classroom and students began building. They were encouraged to first build structures from the KEVA Maple challenge booklet to familiarize themselves with the planks before coming up with their own designs. Ms. Vella said that building with KEVA Planks promotes many important skills like critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork. She enjoyed watching her students share ideas as they built ramps, towers, pieces of furniture and more, and declared this endeavor a great success. “It’s something different that really engages them,” Ms. Vella said. “This gives them the opportunity to work together and be innovative.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 3/8/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175251 Mon, 11 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT false175251 Melting Hearts with Kindness at Park Avenue The snow may have melted outside, but that didn’t stop a snowball fight from breaking out inside the gymnasium of Park Avenue Elementary School on Feb. 27. There weren’t real snowballs, and the activity was actually designed to spread good will. Each grade participated in the kindness snowball fight, hosted by Students Against Destructive Decisions. There were soft, fake snowballs and crumpled up pieces of paper that, when opened, revealed compliments and positive messages. A large sign on the gymnasium wall reminded students to “Spread kindness like snow.” Students in grades K-2 each took home one of the compliment sheets that were created by SADD club members. For grades 3-6, students wrote kind messages to specific classmates after a friendly snowball fight. SADD’s faculty advisers Alexis Fassenfeld, a health and wellness teacher, and Holly Sugarman, school counselor, spearheaded the event. They were assisted by sixth grade SADD club members, who led discussions about kindness. “The purpose of the kindness snowball fight is to encourage students to spread kindness amongst each other,” Ms. Fassenfeld said. “The SADD club hopes that this activity will allow all students to leave feeling good about themselves.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 3/6/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175164 Thu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT false175164 Saw Mill Students Spread Good Will February was full of generosity at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. The student council spearheaded two initiatives – Valentine’s for Veterans and a Souper Bowl food drive. Students in every class at Saw Mill Road made a card for a veteran with a personalized message of appreciation. Student council members helped by providing each class with construction paper and other supplies. Hundreds of completed cards were given to Congressmen Anthony D’Esposito’s office to distribute to veterans and active members of the military. Every school in the district hosted a Souper Bowl food drive, and students were encouraged to donate canned goods and other nonperishable items. There were boxes for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers and they could place donations in the box of representing the team they expected to win the big game. At Saw Mill Road, fourth grade student council members made announcements to promote the Souper Bowl, while fifth graders added to the promotional effort by making about 20 signs to hang around the school. Sixth graders had the biggest task. They visited the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard on Feb. 12 to sort and organize the donations from North Bellmore’s five elementary schools. “It’s a happy feeling that you’re giving to people who need things,” Saw Mill Road sixth grader Dylan Korman said. “If there’s people that don't really have food, we can give it to them.” Kelly McDonough said that charitable service is contagious. Once people started putting food in the boxes, it encouraged more students to donate. Anaya Cadet and Ramin Atiq added that participating in service activities at a young age creates a lifelong mentality. “It teaches us that it’s important to give to others and help our community,” Ramin said. Date Added: 3/5/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=175101 Tue, 05 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT false175101 District Gives Accolades to Young Artists Two dozen young artists from the North Bellmore School District were recognized for their talents at the North Bellmore Board of Education meeting on Feb. 8. Their drawings and paintings were displayed for all to see, and proud parents snapped photos before art teachers presented certificates. Artists from the five elementary schools were honored. North Bellmore’s art teachers, Jillian Bock, Erica Farley and Amy Lopez, selected works to showcase a variety of projects across all grade levels that students completed in the first half of the school year. The pieces reflected the use of different artistic techniques and mediums. “This art show is a visual representation of students’ artistic learning and growth, and the positive impact of arts education in our schools,” said Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeffrey Rosof, who supervises the district’s art program. The district congratulates its featured artists: John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School: Siya Gahra, Erin Loechner, Vincent Maltese and Yirui Zhang. Martin Avenue Elementary School: Tess Daly,Vivienne Ferrie, Vincent Samaniegoand Reese Walker. Newbridge Road Elementary School: Kayla Diaz,Paul Sloven,Luke Watson andConnor Weidemann. Park Avenue Elementary School: Catalina Fioranelli, Caleb Littman, Wyatt Roussine and Madison Scholl. Saw Mill Road Elementary School (Ms. Lopez): Grace Cho, Sean Egan, Noah Gwyther, Alexa Olmo, Lucas Shek, Brielle Tambini, Olivia Thomas and Averie Volpe. The framed student artwork will be on display throughout the district for the next year. Central office and building administrators proudly selected pieces of art to hang in their offices. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 2/29/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174985 Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174985 Bellmore-Merrick Childcare Registration Information Click HERE to view the registration information for the BMCCP. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174967 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:00:00 GMT false174967 Valentine’s Day is All About Kindness at JGD The purpose of Valentine’s Day is to spread love, and that’s exactly what students did at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. As soon as they arrived at school on Feb. 14, children went on a mission to bring kindness to others. Christine Shahin’s second graders made a kindness bulletin in the hallway. Each student contributed a paper heart listing one way to be kind. The goal was to share their ideas with the entire school and watch kindness spread. In Kim Rackley’s fourth grade class, students worked on kindness messages to their families. They wrote letters to parents and siblings to bring home at the end of the day. The papers were folded up like an accordion with a heart on top so when opened up, it would reveal the message. Fifth graders in Melissa Halaris’ class spent part of the day delivering kindness clips. Each student wrote positive messages on three wooden clips – one for a teacher, one for a student in another grade and one for his or her kindergarten buddy. “It shows that we care about the staff members and other students here,” Nicole Quevedo said. “I’m happy to see other people happy and knowing that we can make a small difference in someone else’s day.” Fellow fifth grader Cameron Nobile said it was a good way to spread positivity throughout the school. Among the recipients of his kindness clips were his fourth grade teacher, Kathleen Kee, and his sister. “It gives people a little smile to their day,” he said. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 2/21/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174841 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174841 Martin Avenue Marks Black History Month From athletes to activists to elected leaders, first graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School studied Black Americans who have made a positive difference in society. In honor of Black History Month in February, students in Nicole Huttner’s class learned about the contributions of many notable figures from the past and modern day. Every morning, Ms. Huttner gathered her students on the carpet for a read aloud or to watch a video on famous figures such as Simone Biles, Ruby Bridges, Michael Jordan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman and Barack and Michelle Obama. Students then went back to their desks for a follow-up activity. At the end of Black History Month, Ms. Huttner’s students will choose one of the famous people they studied and write a short biography report. She said the goal is for them to get to know people who helped make the country and the world a better place. Date Added: 2/21/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174840 Mon, 26 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174840 Reading Role Models Shine at Newbridge Road World Read Aloud Day in the North Bellmore School District on Feb. 2 wasn’t just about fostering a love of literacy. There were also messages of acceptance and inclusion, as principals at the five schools read “Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You.” Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci read the book during a morning Zoom assembly, with students and teachers watching from their classrooms. “Just Ask,” written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael Lopez, celebrates the different abilities of people and validates the natural curiosities of children. Ms. Licci explained that when kids ask questions about something that is different, it isn’t out of malice but out of a desire to understand and accept. The book teaches how to ask those questions respectfully. “Many of the issues that the author addresses, in a developmentally appropriate way, kids can connect to,” Ms. Licci said. After the schoolwide read aloud, Ms. Licci then visited classrooms to spread a love of books. JoAnn Belferder’s second graders were treated to a reading of “Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School” by Mark Teague. Before the lunchtime bustle began, kindergartners and sixth graders met in the cafeteria to read together. Youngsters from Mary Yager’s class brought their favorite books and were paired with buddies from Gayle Angert’s ALPHA class, which included sixth graders from both Newbridge Road and Saw Mill Road schools. The kindergartners were proud to showcase their reading abilities to their older friends. The day concluded with a spirit assembly and another read aloud. Students gathered in the gymnasium and watched a recording of sixth graders from the Spirit Club read “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch” by Eileen Spinelli. The recording was made with support from instructional coach Danielle Calapai. At the end of the assembly, each student received a paper heart to eventually pass along to someone else and spread love in the school or at home. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 2/16/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174746 Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174746 100-Day Parade at Saw Mill Students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 8. Kindergartners paraded through the school with their special, homemade hats of 100 objects, such as balloons, jewels, Legos and stickers. The entire school joined in the festivities as students from the upper grades, many wearing 100-day shirts, lined the halls to cheer on the kindergartners. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 2/13/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174636 Wed, 14 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174636 Dancing is Hip at Park Avenue Fifth and sixth graders have sure got the moves at Park Avenue Elementary School, and they were thrilled to show them off during a weeklong dance residency from Jan. 22-26. For four days, each class spent time working with instructors from The Dance Place, a local studio which has locations in Bellmore and Merrick. They learned basic hip hop moves like donkey kicks, turtle spins and break dancing. Every class choreographed a unique routine to showcase for parents on the final day. The dance residency has been a tradition at Park Avenue for more than a decade. It is a partnership between the school, The Dance Place and the PTA’s Arts in Education committee, which funds the experience. It builds confidence for students as they grow up and will have social events in their lives with dancing. Students also feel a sense of accomplishment and pride after completing their choreographed show. Several of the participants are also students at local dance studios and were thrilled to have an activity they enjoy come to Park Avenue. “I love dancing, and it’s great to do the thing I love in school,” Zara Zytkowicz said. “I looked forward to performing at the end of the week so everyone could see what we did.” Holly Schellberg, a competitive dancer outside of school, added, “When I dance in school, I can just have fun. It gives me a break to get my body moving.” The dance residency continues in February for students in grades 2-4 who will do musical theater. Kindergartners and first graders will have creative movement workshops in the spring. Date Added: 2/12/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174567 Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174567 Martin Avenue Third Graders Mark Lunar New Year Third graders from Martin Avenue Elementary School recently came together to celebrate the Lunar New Year. To mark the Year of the Dragon, students made a dragon craft by tracing and cutting out their handprints on different color pieces of construction paper. Teachers Jillian Estelle, Danielle Kalinowski and Judie Wakie explained that they emphasize the celebration of all cultures in their classrooms. The third grade social studies curriculum focuses on communities around the world, and their students reflect diverse backgrounds. “We want to immerse our students in all cultures,” Ms. Kalinowski said. “It is important for them to learn about and understand each other’s traditions.” This year, Lunar New Year is celebrated on Feb. 10. Martin Avenue third graders read “Lion Dancer” by Kate Waters, and then discussed traditions associated with the holiday. They also read “Cat and Rat” to learn about the origins of the Chinese zodiac signs. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 2/8/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174457 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174457 Newbridge Road Third Graders Help Moon Bears After reading a book about the plight of moon bears, third graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School decided to take action. And they sure did – raising hundreds of dollars for bear rescue efforts in Asia. The student-led service project was a huge success, as Lynda Brust’s class collected $799.13 in just a few days. They split into teams to carry out the initiative. The different roles included promoting the fundraiser, educating other students about moon bears, providing each class with bags for donations and counting the money. The latter was quite the task, as most the donations came in the form of spare change. “It’s heartwarming to see passionate students take ownership of their learning,” Ms. Brust said, who said the service project was sparked by a book that was part of the nonfiction reading unit. “It was a teamwork effort. Every student in the class was part of the moon bear effort in some way.” Students, whose motto was “No bear left behind,” hope that their efforts will make an impact. The money they raised will be given to AnimalsAsia, a group devoted to ending bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals across Asia. The organization operates bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam, and also fights against abusive animal practices at safari parks and zoos. “We’re saving animals and that’s a good thing,” third grader Dominic Mitchell said. “It’s so nice that the whole school can do something together and it just feels amazing to help these animals," added Maya Zucker. Andrew Boylan was touched by the generosity of his fellow Newbridge Road students, saying, “Look at how much money people gave to save these animals, and I think that’s really kind.” Date Added: 2/6/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174432 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174432 Dinkelmeyer Readers Snap and Study Books There’s a lot to think about in the books that fifth graders are reading at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, but students had to pick the page that stood out the most. Melissa Halaris’ students completed a technology-based book snap project. Each reader selected one page that he or she felt was important, whether for a major character development or a key plot point. On their iPads, students used either PicEDU or SeeSaw to make a one-page summary sheet with their observations, thoughts and analysis. Ms. Halaris said that the project helped students build their reading comprehension skills, as they had to use evidence from the books to back up their assertions. They also analyzed writer’s craft by highlighting different styles and techniques used by the authors. “It grows their thinking as readers and writers,” Ms. Halaris said, who said that students did such a great job, she hung printouts of the projects in the hallway for the whole school to see. For their independent reading, students can either select books from the classroom library, bring a book from home, or access digital books through Epic on their iPads. Date Added: 2/1/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174322 Thu, 01 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174322 Winter 2024 Newsletter Date Added: 1/31/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174303 Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174303 Martin Avenue Sixth Graders Spearhead Crayon Collection Thousands of broken and worn down crayons are filling boxes at Martin Avenue Elementary School, as the sixth grade is spearheading a community service project to benefit The Crayon Initiative. The nonprofit organization gives children in hospitals the tools to make art. It recycles old crayons by melting them down and making new three-sided crayons that can’t roll off a hospital tray or table. It also keeps the old crayons out of landfills. Every winter, Martin Avenue’s sixth grade classes come together to complete a service project. Teachers Rachel Graber and Stephanie Speciale leave it up to the students to research and select a charity. This year’s group wanted to help other children, and selected The Crayon Initiative. They began collecting old crayons after returning from the holiday break, and the drive runs until Feb. 14. The sixth graders designed posters, which they hung throughout the school encouraging their peers to donate. They also presented to other classes, to share The Crayon Initiative’s mission. Additionally, the young philanthropists provided each class with a plastic bag to hold the old crayons, which they collect once a week and empty into large cardboard boxes. “We’ve been doing pretty good,” sixth grade Michael Shevlin said, noting that they already have several boxes filled up. Kayla Waszczuk said that she and her classmates watched a video about The Crayon Initiative and really are taking its message to heart. “It is scientifically proven that when kids draw, they get smarter and more creative,” she said. “It feels pretty good that we’re doing this because we’re helping children in hospitals.” The Crayon Initiative partners with more than 240 hospitals across the country, including Cohen Children’s Medical Center, NYU Winthrop Hospital Children's Medical Center and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital on Long Island. Date Added: 1/30/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174274 Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174274 A Flurry of Gratitude at Park Avenue Second graders at Park Avenue Elementary School are learning to show gratitude for the simple things in life. That’s a regular practice in Nancy Del Rosario’s class, where each day begins with an entry in their gratitude journals. Ms. Del Rosario gives students a daily prompt so they can reflect and write about the people, possessions and experiences that they treasure. As an extension of their journal writing, students made gratitude snowflakes. Each student shared six aspects of the season that he or she enjoys, such as a favorite winter activity, beverage or movie. The snowflakes were hung around the room so they could share their gratitude with others. The goal, Ms. Del Rosario explained, is for her students to build a mindset of appreciation. She added that the gratitude activities connect to the core values of the district as well as the character traits of the month at Park Avenue. Date Added: 1/24/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174160 Fri, 26 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174160 Saw Mill Students Hear a Tale of Tradition The first Friday of every month is a special occasion at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. It’s a school spirt day, where students are decked out in blue and white attire, but it’s also the monthly principal’s read aloud. The read aloud, led by Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, serves a dual purpose. It promotes both a love of reading and togetherness. This year’s theme at the school is “All Are Welcome,” and each month’s assembly has a message related to community, diversity and inclusivity. On Jan. 5, students gathered in the all-purpose room as Mr. Rosof and Mr. Madden read “The Lucky Grape: A New Year’s Eve Story” by Tracey Kyle. The book is centered around a family’s New Year’s Eve tradition in Spain. The book was also projected on the screen so students could see the illustrations. Sixth grader Saray Beltran Torres began the program by reading a poem in Spanish. Mr. Madden, who also read the poem in English, noted that many students at Saw Mill are multilingual, which is part of the diversity that is celebrated and valued. Mr. Rosof said that the message for students is that while they may have many different family traditions, they come together in joy to form the Saw Mill Road community. They also share many traditions together at school, like the monthly spirit days, concerts and field day. “I want students have a sense of community and belonging,” Mr. Rosof said. “I hope that with the help of our teachers, we can connect the dots to celebrate our diversity.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 1/23/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174116 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174116 Newbridge Road, Nassau Police Celebrate Commitment to Safety Hundreds of children and adults from the Newbridge Road Elementary School community packed the gymnasium on Jan. 19 to show Nassau County police officers well-deserved gratitude for their response to a threat at the school just three days earlier. The appreciation was mutual. Patrick Ryder, commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, had equal praise for students, faculty and staff for their exemplary implementation of the emergency safety plan on Jan. 16. They calmly enacted the practices and procedures learned in lockdown drills. The threat turned out to be unfounded, everyone went home safe, and school resumed the next day. The shared commitment to safety between the school community and the police department was a cause to celebrate. Students, staff, Board of Education trustees, district administrators and officers from multiple divisions of the police department came together. Commissioner Ryder and officers passed out frisbees and squishy balls to students. Children handed out handmade cards to the police and held up thank-you signs. Music blared as the commissioner introduced officers from the different bureaus that responded on Jan. 16, including emergency services, Homeland Security, POP, special operations, and the canine, motorcycle and mounted units. Superintendent Marie Testa said that one of the goals of the assembly was for students to see police officers in a fun and relaxed setting, after seeing them during a serious situation a few days earlier. She wanted to remind the children that police officers are community helpers. “We have a very strong relationship with the Nassau County Police Department,” Ms. Testa said. “We are coming together to celebrate our partnership for safety and security.” Principal Amanda Licci said that Newbridge Road is a home away from home for students and staff, it is important for everyone to feel safe and secure there. She thanked the police officers for their commitment to the safety of the hundreds of people who call the school their second home. Ms. Licci presented Commissioner Ryder with a Newbridge HEART award that is based on the school’s values – honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect and teamwork. To thank the police officers on behalf of the Newbridge Road, main office secretary Diane Agoglia read a poem that she wrote for the event. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 1/19/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174046 Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174046 Dinkelmeyer Students Gain ‘Snow’ Much Knowledge Kindergartners and fourth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School bundled up and braved the cold for a few minutes following the first snowfall of the season on Jan. 16 to make some observations. Students used their senses to observe how the snow looked, sounded and felt. Kindergartners in Jennifer McGovern’s class wrote letters and sight words in the fresh snow. Nick Assande’s fourth graders recorded their observations in their science journals and had discussions about the effects of temperature on precipitation. Date Added: 1/18/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=174009 Thu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false174009 Give a Book, Get a Book at Martin Avenue Books changed hands at Martin Avenue Elementary School as fourth graders came together for a literary swap. Each student from Lauren Fasano’s and Janine Steinert’s classes contributed a gently used book from home he or she has already read. All of the books were laid out on the carpet, and names were drawn so students could come up and pick a new book. The teachers said that students were encouraged to step out of their comfort zone by choosing a book from a different genre than what they normally would read. The book swap launched a literary essay writing unit, in which students will be analyzing a fiction story. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 1/16/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173955 Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173955 Musicians Earn All-County, LISFA Selections Nearly three dozen students from the North Bellmore School District were selected to the 2024 All-County music festival, hosted by the Nassau Music Educators Association. Fifth and sixth grade band, chorus and orchestra students were recognized for their musical talents. All-County rehearsals and concerts were held throughout the first two weeks of January. The district congratulates the following students: John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School: Adriana Aglio and Viana Olson, sixth grade chorus; Jake Duverneau, Charlotte Giannetta, Madison Lau, Brielle Orphee and Nicholas Truglio, fifth grade chorus. Martin Avenue Elementary School: Summer Ferrie, sixth grade band; Seraphina McGill and Ariana Vargas, sixth grade chorus; Adalyn Perez, sixth grade orchestra; Alayna Mangels, fifth grade orchestra. Newbridge Road Elementary School: Brian Barrera, sixth grade band; Daniella Capritto and Keira Ferris, sixth grade chorus; Thomas Howe, sixth grade orchestra. Park Avenue Elementary School: Arya Chandhok, sixth grade band; Andrew Udilovich, fifth grade band; Carlos Flores and Camilla Roman, sixth grade chorus; Giuliana Ferraro, Harnoor Kaur, Elianna Macaluso, Micah Millington and Olivia Sparks, fifth grade chorus; Temitayo Otuyemi, sixth grade orchestra; Michael Liguori, fifth grade orchestra. Saw Mill Road Elementary School: Ryan Paruch, sixth grade band; Sean Egan and Shira Rosen, sixth grade chorus; Isabella Rodriguez, Kayla Schieren and Madison Tam, fifth grade chorus; Charlotte O’Hea, sixth grade orchestra. Additionally, Michael and Temitayo from Park Avenue and Charlotte from Saw Mill Road were selected to participate in the Long Island String Festival Association’s Nassau intermediate festival in early March. North Bellmore’s music students are under the direction of music educators Desiree Behr, Christopher D’Orio, Dana Hirsch, Maritza Lopez, Ed McCullagh, Carol Ng, Alexander Roff and Lisa Uckardes. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 1/11/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173862 Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173862 Applications for Transportation (Private or Non-Public Schools) The application deadline for transportation to or from private or non-public schools for the 2024-2025 school year is April 1, 2024.No application will be approved after the April 1st deadline. Applications may be found on the Transportation page or by clicking the following link. PLEASE NOTE - DISTRICT OFFICE IS CLOSED FRIDAY, MARCH 29, AND MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024. TRANSPORTATION APPLICATION NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS Date Added: 1/10/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173824 Wed, 10 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173824 Rolling and Sliding for Science at Park Avenue Kindergartners are exploring the world around them at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, and recently they had some help for an experiment on the principles of motion. The young scientists in Sarah Mazeika’s class dropped different objects down a ramp to see if they would slide or roll. They were assisted by their buddies from Amanda DiMonda’s sixth grade class, to share their experience on the scientific process and help kindergartners record their observations. Ms. Mazeika said her students watched videos and read books about pulling and pushing forces. Then it was time to put their knowledge into action. The objects they dropped included balls, glue sticks, pencils and blocks in different shapes and sizes. They also placed the ramp at different angles. Date Added: 1/10/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173773 Wed, 10 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173773 District Accepting Applications for Pre-K Lottery The North Bellmore School District is accepting applications for its Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2024-2025 school year. While the district recently received expanded grant funds and anticipates having a spot for all applicants, a lottery will still be held to assign placements. The program is contingent upon state funding. Children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2024, and will be eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2025, may participate in the lottery. The program is administered by the North Bellmore School District and is provided by community-based preschools. It is funded by the New York State Education Department through a UPK grant so there is no cost to families. The district anticipates hosting both half-day and full-day programs. The half-day program is offered two and a half hours per day, five days a week, and the full-day program is offered five hours per day, five days a week. Both programs will follow the North Bellmore school calendar. Children are expected to attend every day. Parents cannot choose the school location and transportation is not provided. The deadline for applications is Friday, Feb. 16. UPK applications are available online at www.northbellmoreschools.org, and at each elementary building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on school days. For more information, contact the Curriculum Office at (516) 992-3000, ext. 3009. Date Added: 1/8/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173749 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173749 Dinkelmeyer Sixth Graders Ready to Ace Middle School In less than a year, sixth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District will find themselves in new surroundings. To help them with the transition to the middle school, they were visited by juniors and seniors from Mepham High School on Dec 14. The ACES program – Athletes Compassionately Educating Students – provides connections between student leaders in Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and their younger peers in the elementary schools. This was the first of three meetings between the sixth graders and the high school leaders. The first visit featured getting-to-know-you activities as well as some games. The high school student leaders discussed the benefits of being involved in athletics, clubs, community service and student government. Sixth graders were also able to have their questions answered about middle school and high school. Their curiosities ranged from changing classes to lockers to academic expectations. The goal of ACES is to foster connections between students and promote positive behaviors. The next two sessions between the high school leaders and Dinkelmeyer’s sixth graders will focus on healthy choices. ACES sessions will take place at all five North Bellmore elementary schools this year. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our sixth graders to meet positive peer role models, who exhibit many of the character traits that we begin instilling in them in kindergarten,” Dinkelmeyer Principal Danica Brugge said. “It’s also great because it helps ease their minds knowing what to expect with their transition to middle school.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 1/4/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173685 Thu, 04 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173685 Universal Pre-K (UPK) Information 24-25 Application Link 24-25 FAQ Document 24-25 UPK Post Card Date Added: 1/2/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173619 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173619 Newbridge Artists Have Winter Thoughts in North Bellmore From snowmen to polar bears to natural phenomena, young artists at Newbridge Road Elementary School have been creating winter-themed projects. Under the tutelage of art teacher Erica Farley, they are working with a variety of media while also exploring different techniques. Fourth graders have been doing textured polar bear drawings. Students chose from oil pastels, pencils or Sharpie markers. They learned how to create implied texture through the use of shading techniques. First graders completed guided polar bear drawings and then made cool-color background with tissue paper. In third grade, students explored the northern lights with chalk pastel drawings. Their depictions included snow-covered mountains silhouettes of cabins and trees. They used a folding and pressing technique to create reflections. Kindergartners made snowmen collages using found objects after reading the Lois Ehlert book, “Snowballs.” “I want my students to see art all around them and feel connected to their art,” Ms. Farley said. “Bringing the world around them, such as scenery of the season, into the classroom is very beneficial for them as artists.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 1/2/2024 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173632 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT false173632 Saw Mill Students Celebrate Community’s Diversity The student body of the North Bellmore School District hails from many towns, states and countries, and sixth graders from Saw Mill Road Elementary School proudly shared the diversity of the community at the Dec. 14 board of education meeting. A multilingual presentation opened the meeting, with six students speaking in both English and their native languages, including Creole, Mandarin, Spanish, Ukrainian and Urdu. Students touted the benefits of being bilingual and attending school with children from many different cultural backgrounds. “One of the wonderful features of North Bellmore is we are a diverse community,” Principal Jeff Rosof said. Assistant Principal Daniel Madden then introduced the students, who came up one by one. Children spoke about themselves, their families, their backgrounds and their journeys to North Bellmore, while also connecting their remarks to the district’s mission statement and core values. The speakers included Maryam Khan, Mysha Liu, Elijah Marcelin, Edwin Escobar Miranda, Anastasiia Nikitina and Saray Beltran Torres. They were supported in the audience by their parents, siblings and teachers. The presentation concluded with each student saying “thank you” in his or her native language. Each month’s board meeting begins with a presentation by sixth graders from one of the district’s five elementary schools. Mr. Rosof said that Saw Mill wanted to “focus on who we are” by highlighting students on a personal level. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 12/22/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173564 Fri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173564 Students Show Compassion Through Toy Drives The generosity of North Bellmore students will mean hundreds of children will get toys this holiday season. Elementary schools are holding toy drives for several organizations. John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School’s student council and PTA partnered to hold a toy drive from Dec. 4-15. It will benefit the Child Life program at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island Cancer Center for Kids. The toys will be given to children undergoing medical care. Dinkelmeyer’s toy drive is being held in honor of a first grade student who is currently battling leukemia and is being treated NYU Langone. Students in Michelle Mittler and Tracy Kelly’s third grade class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School are also collecting for children in the hospital. Their toy drive will benefit Cohen Children’s Medical Center, with Mittler personally delivering the toys to the hospital. Ms. Mittler explained that the toy drive connects to the social and emotional learning program, which emphasizes being caring compassionate and empathic. There is no greater way to demonstrate those traits, she said, than giving to others. At Newbridge Road Elementary School, the student council is collecting new toys for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, based in neighboring Wantagh. The donations will support the foundation’s 32nd annual toy drive for sick and underprivileged children on Long Island. Date Added: 12/20/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173487 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173487 Martin Avenue Spreads Cheer With Kind Cards The season of giving has begun and second graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School have embraced it. The students recently made holiday cards for residents of nursing homes in the hope of spreading joy. Students from Mary Carrea’s, Antonietta Fischetti’s and Tiffany Joosten’s classes came together in the cafeteria on Dec. 1 where they drew, folded, glittered and glued. The youngsters were assisted by parent volunteers. Ms. Fischetti said that this is the second year the students have taken part in the service project. She added that it connects to the second grade’s “act of giving” reading unit. The school provided all of the supplies such as construction paper, crayons and stickers, while students brought their creativity and imaginations. “The main goal is for them to realize the importance of giving to others,” Ms. Fischetti said, “not just during the holiday, but always.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 12/18/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173405 Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173405 Library Lessons Expand for Grades 4-6 Digital literacy and research skills are among the concepts that North Bellmore’s fourth, fifth and sixth graders are learning during their every-other-week library instruction. The district’s library media program was expanded this year with lessons for students in the upper grades. Previously, they would only visit the library once a cycle for book exchange. Library skills continue to be taught in grades K-3. Laura Stasi, the librarian at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, said that her goal is to support classroom instruction and student writing projects. Research skills are an important topic as fourth, fifth and sixth graders are assigned more in-depth writing projects. Ms. Stasi has been teaching students how to find reliable information online, such as by using databases over search engines. “These are life skills that they will use in middle school, high school, college and as graduates,” she said. “The students are so excited to learn these skills and we’re really making it fun.” Ms. Stasi recently met with sixth graders at Saw Mill Road to teach them about plagiarism. She discussed how to paraphrase and how to properly cite information if they do quote someone else’s work. Additionally, she shared cautionary tales about people who have been caught plagiarizing. Students then played an interactive game using BrainPop that further enhanced their knowledge. Sixth grader Kelly McDonough she appreciates learning skills that she will need as she gets older, especially on how to produce original work and find reliable sources of information. “You want to make sure that it’s a trustworthy website,” she said. “It will help you get true facts about your subject.” Date Added: 12/13/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173324 Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173324 Newbridge Smile Club Builds Bridges A leadership opportunity has emerged for sixth graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District with the creation of the Smile Club. The new initiative pairs the school’s most seasoned students with second and third graders to foster new friendships. Smile Club members meet in the library during recess, once per six-day cycle, with their younger buddies. They play games, build with Legos, read books and talk about their lives. “It gives our sixth graders an opportunity to be a companion to a younger student,” Principal Amanda Licci said. “It establishes positive relationships.” Ms. Licci said that as part of an application process, interested students wrote why they wanted to be a part of Smile Club and why they would be a good role model. From there, seven students were chosen. “I really like hanging out with the younger kids and spending time with them,” said Daniella Capritto. “You can teach them some new things.” Kaitlyn Kuchynskas, the youngest of three siblings, wanted the chance to be a role model for others. She also said it will be a good experience for her career aspirations. “I want to be a teacher when I’m older,” she said. Dylan Alonzo is a new student at Newbridge Road Elementary School this year and signed up for the Smile Club as a way to meet new people. He also wanted to give back to a school that has so warmly welcomed him. “I wanted to make more friends and I want to be a role model,” he said. Date Added: 12/11/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173237 Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173237 Martin Avenue Engineers Float Their Ideas After watching a video about the Mayflower, second graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School were immersed in a STEAM project to design and build boats. The supplies were simple for students in Tiffany Joosten’s class – each group had one large piece of aluminum foil. They could tear it or fold it however they wanted to make a boat that could not only float, but also hold weight. Students followed the engineering design process, so each group drew up a plan before building. When the work was done, they brought it to Ms. Joosten for the testing phase. She put each boat in a large bucket of water and added marbles, as students eagerly watched. Some boats held up to 50 marbles without sinking. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 12/7/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173068 Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173068 Exploring Entrepreneurship at Park Avenue It’s just about every kid’s dream to open up a lemonade stand, and Park Avenue Elementary School third graders recently learned what it would take to be successful entrepreneurs. As part of an economics unit in social studies, students had to come up with a concept for a lemonade stand. Students weren’t limited to just lemonade, so they determined what other products they might sell and what prices they would charge. Each team also had to decide on a name for their stand and identify the resources they would need to get their business started. Every group designed a poster and made a class presentation about their proposed business. Date Added: 12/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173088 Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173088 Reflective Writers Learn From Each Other at Saw Mill The watermelon and the seed was just a metaphor, but a powerful one for sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School as they crafted their personal narratives. Teacher Katelyn Hodkinson’s students learned how to take a big idea and select a small moment to write about. “That’s the challenge, picking that specific moment,” Ms. Hodkinson said, noting that the brainstorming process is just the first part of a writing process that lasts for several weeks. Once their topic is selected, students create an outline, then a first draft, then go through a peer editing process before it’s time to publish. For peer editing, students share their drafts with classmates to get feedback. Not only do they look at spelling, grammar and punctuation, but they look at the content of a story – if it flows well, or if it needs more detail or dialogue. “It allows them to be able to see things through a different lens,” Ms. Hodkinson said of her young authors. “Another set of eyes may catch something they didn’t see.” When the students publish their pieces, the class will host a writing celebration. Each student will share one paragraph in front of the class, then they will have a chance to go around the room and read each other’s full pieces. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 12/5/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173022 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173022 Bellmore-Merrick STEAM Expo for Sixth Graders http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=173002 Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false173002 District Seeks Memories, Photos for Newbridge Centennial For nearly a century, Newbridge Road Elementary School has been a beacon of learning. The North Bellmore School District is seeking memories and photos from former students and staff as its prepares for the 100th anniversary celebration in the spring. Newbridge Road opened in 1924 and is the district’s oldest elementary school, and it was nearly a quarter century until other North Bellmore school opened as the community grew. An anniversary celebration is being planned for May 3, 2024. Additionally, the district will be marking the milestone with a newsletter, video and social media posts, and invites contributions from anyone who was part of the Newbridge Road family. Have an old class picture or a photo from a school event? Want to write about your fondest memory, favorite teacher or a lifelong friend you made at Newbridge? The district has established an email address, Newbridge100@northbellmoreschools.org, for photos and memories. The deadline is April 1, 2024. Please include your name and graduation year, or name and years you worked at the school. Newbridge Road has a storied history and this is a great chance to be a part of the centennial celebration. Date Added: 12/1/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172952 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172952 Martin Avenue Kindergartners Gain by Giving Service learning is an important part of the curriculum for kindergartners at Martin Avenue Elementary School. At a young age, they completed a successful Thanksgiving food drive that could help dozens of local families. The weeklong food drive culminated on Nov. 17 when students sorted items and packed boxes. The nonperishable goods were donated by Martin Avenue students and staff. Several of the boxes will be given to specific families in the community, while the rest of the food will go to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard. Kindergarten teachers Melissa DeBlasio and Jennie Kuhn noted that this project ties into the district’s mission statement in “contributing to our global community with creativity and compassion.” It also supports the kindergarten social studies curriculum, which focuses on communities. “Our goal of this service-learning project for our kindergarten students is toshift from an inward focus on themselves to an outward focus on others while contributing to our school and eventually our global community,” said Ms. DeBlasio, who spearheaded the project. “Through this process, our students develop a stronger sense of compassion, empathy and personal responsibility.” Last year’s kindergarten service project was a collection drive for a local animal shelter. Ms. DeBlasio explained that service learning opportunities help students develop critical thinking skills, create positive relationships, increase awareness of community issues and develop a deeper understanding of empathy and respect for others. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/29/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172820 Wed, 29 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172820 Fall Inspires Artists at Park Avenue Through colorful and creative fall projects, young artists are expanding their talents at Park Avenue Elementary School. Sixth graders drew oil pastel fall landscapes under the direction of art teacher Jillian Bock. She explained that the purpose of the project was for students to learn how to create the illusion of depth and space in their artwork. The only requirement was that the landscapes needed to include pumpkins, while the rest of the setting was up to their imaginations. For the pumpkins, students practiced light and shadow techniques to make them appear round. “The pieces are awesome and I’m very proud of the work they’re doing,” she said. “It’s great to watch them channel their own creativity and individuality.” The work began with pencil sketches before they began coloring with oil pastels. Finally, they went over their pieces gently with a wet paintbrush, as the water gave it a smooth appearance. Fifth graders worked with multiple mediums, using colored pencils and oil pastels for their fall projects that had to feature a tree missing its leaves. Students learned the Y-tree technique, using the letter repeatedly to create the trunk and branches. When it was time to add color, they had to decide a time of day their artwork would reflect, such as morning, sunset or night, and choose the appropriate hues. They also explored perspective and worked with color blending. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/27/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172819 Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172819 Dinkelmeyer Students Gobble Up Math Knowledge The second grade turkey trot was all about exercising the brain at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Wearing their paper turkey hats, students in Christine Shahin’s room went around the room solving math problems on Nov. 20. The young mathematicians are learning to add double-digit numbers using the break apart strategy, in which they split numbers into tens and ones. They traveled the room in small groups with clipboards and number charts to work out several equations and have conversations about their solving strategies. First graders also did seasonal math projects. They have been working on double facts – adding the same number twice – and wrote doubles equations and solutions on the feathers of paper turkeys. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/22/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172816 Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172816 Martin Avenue Celebrates School Related Professionals “It takes a village” is not just a saying in the North Bellmore School District, where hundreds of a adults share their talents to educate children and provide safe, clean and welcoming schools. Martin Avenue Elementary School is recognizing several important staff members for School-Related Professionals Day on Nov. 21, including custodians, food service staff, lunch-recess aides, nurses, paraprofessionals, secretaries and security guards. Students wrote thank-you letters and made cards to show their appreciation for staff who are vital to the operations of their school. “The School-Related Professionals at Martin Avenue go above and beyond, every day, in service of students,” Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci said. “Our school couldn't function without the dedicated service of these colleagues. I would like to thank all of our school-related professionalsfor always rising to the challenge and meeting the needs of all our students.” Date Added: 11/21/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172741 Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172741 Footballs Fly at Punt, Pass, Kick Competition Footballs soared through the air behind Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Nov. 8 as the North Bellmore School District held the championship round of its annual Punt, Pass, Kick competition. Grade-level winners from the five elementary schools gathered at the turf field to complete for the districtwide title. Following a football skills unit, students in grades 3-6 took part in the preliminary rounds during their physical education classes. The top boy and girl from each grade level from the five schools were invited to the finals. Long tape measures lined the field to determine the distance the ball traveled in each event. First, students tested their throwing abilities in the pass competition. Next was the punt, in which they dropped and kicked the ball. Finally, they kicked off of a tee. Each competitor was allowed to redo one event to try for a better score. Park Avenue Elementary School Principal Michael DeBlasio, who oversees the district’s physical education department, noted that the sunny but chilly day was “perfect football weather.” He said it was a great opportunity for students to compete in a fun and friendly environment while also getting to meet their peers from other schools. Running the events were physical education teacher James Breslin, Tim Byrne, Bill Green, Jim Mulvey, Alyssa Parker and Michael Weiner. When all of the events were complete, they tallied up the scores and announced the winners. The districtwide champions are: Third grade girl: Nina Hendershot, Saw Mill Road Elementary School Third grade boy:Egan Malloy, Saw Mill Road Elementary School Fourth grade girl: Xcenia Benden, Park AvenueElementary School Fourth grade boy: Brody Hislop, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School Fifth grade girl: Lea Pagnotta, Saw Mill Road Elementary School Fifth grade boy:Chase Almona, Martin Avenue Elementary School Sixth grade girl:Hailey Smith, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School Sixth grade boy:Caleb Shogan, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/20/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172699 Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172699 A Full Body Commitment to Health at Saw Mill The connectedness of mind and body come together in physical education classes at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Teachers Tim Byrne and Alyssa Parker are incorporating social and emotional learning into their lessons to focus on overall student health. Each class starts off with a warmup exercise, and students follow the moving mood meter as their guide. They do an exercise for 30 seconds based on how they are feeling. Ms. Parker said that the actions correlate to each mood so, for example, a student with lower energy might do a more intense exercise to get them prepared for class. The exercises also change each month so children explore different ways to stay fit. The moving mood meter sparks conversations, so Mr. Byrne and Ms. Parker learn what is going on in the students’ lives and might be impacting them in school. Giving them that avenue to talk and express their feelings creates a more positive learning environment in which students can thrive in class. “We’re getting to know the students a lot better,” Ms. Parker said. “The students are feeling more heard. It gives them an opportunity to share what’s going on with them personally.” Mr. Byrne and Ms. Parker also created the Zen Zone, filled with calming activities like balls, books, pictures and small toys. Additionally, each class ends on a relaxing note with breathing exercises. Date Added: 11/15/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172603 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172603 Learning to Be Leaders at Dinkelmeyer At an early age, students learn how to be leaders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Teacher Kelly Navin explained that her first graders have recently been studying leadership as part of the social studies curriculum, which focuses on community building. Students learned the traits that leaders possess and discussed ways they can be leaders at home, at school and in their community, then drew pictures. On their iPads, students looked at Boom Cards, which are digital task cards about leadership. Each card illustrated a social situation and the young citizens determined if the person depicted was showing leadership by giving it a thumbs up or a thumbs down. “We’re working in first grade on building community and culture of kindness,” Ms. Navin said. “The goal is to build maturity and help students with friendship and conflict resolution.” Ms. Navin said that a focus on leadership will help students navigate situations not just in the classroom, but in all facets of school life such as in the cafeteria and on the playground. Date Added: 11/14/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172545 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172545 Fall 2023 Newsletter Click here to view the newsletter. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172548 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172548 Newbridge Road Writers Find Inspiration Strong writers emerge from strong readers at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Recent fifth grade lessons have been connecting the two cornerstones of literacy. In Michele Hooker’s class, students turn their reading into writing by crafting book reviews. Periodically throughout the year, they are asked to make recommendations on the books they are reading, either in class or at home. Time is set aside during school each day for independent reading, and students can choose from hundreds of books in the classroom library and book bins. They are also asked to read every night. For their reviews, students are asked to give it a rating out of five stars, draw a picture of the main character and write a summary. The reviews are then hung up for all students to see. Ms. Hooker challenges her students to read 40 books throughout the school year, between home and school. They are encouraged to read a variety of genres including biographies, fantasy, mystery, poetry and realistic fiction. The book reviews give students great suggestions to help them complete the challenge. “It’s nice to get the perspective of your peers,” she said. In Karen Barrins fifth grade class, students are getting started on their memoir writing unit. But before they put pen to paper, they read published memoirs to explore effective writing techniques and strategies. These mentor texts serve as a guide to help the young writers craft their own original pieces. While students did explore books by noted authors, they also read memoirs that were done by other children their age. “It makes it tangible for them,” Principal Amanda Licci said. “They think, ‘If a fifth grader did that, I can do it, too.’” Whether they are writing about books or generating ideas for stories, “It all comes back to reading and thinking about what they’ve read,” Ms. Licci added. Date Added: 11/9/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172469 Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172469 Park Avenue Draws a Red Line Against Drugs From eating well to saying “no” to drugs, students at Park Avenue Elementary School to healthy choices during Red Ribbon Week. The national anti-drug campaign was observed from Oct. 23-27. To begin the week, Park Avenue students wore red and went out to the community garden class by class to tie red ribbons to the fence. Students made promises to themselves to make good choices while creating a visual display of the school’s collective commitment to healthy minds and bodies. This year’s theme for Red Ribbon Week was “Be Kind to Your Mind, Live Drug Free.” Park Avenue partnered with the PTA for spirit days throughout the week to unite students behind the message. Besides wearing red, students also donned sports jerseys, crazy socks and Park pride gear. They closed out the week by wearing pajamas as a reminder to follow their dreams. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172340 Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT false172340 At Martin Avenue, Barbies and Kens and witches, oh my! Everyone was living in Barbie world at Martin Avenue Elementary School on Halloween. While there was plenty of variety, many costumes related to the popular movie for the afternoon Halloween parade. Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci and several teachers dressed up as Ken boxes, while other faculty and staff wore white T-shirts with pink “Martin” script. There was also a Barbie photo station in the lobby. Parents lined the sidewalk along Martin Avenue and Oak Court for the Halloween parade which did two full laps around the building. Students showcased their costumes which ranged from movie and cartoon characters to notable athletes to skeletons and zombies. As the parade passed the doors to the central office wing, a gathering of friendly witches waved to the students. Before the parade began, there were lots of fun Halloween activities in classrooms. Third graders made crafts such as sticker artwork, bookmarks and pumpkins with green and orange beads. They also played Halloween bingo and “pin the tail on the zombie.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/2/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172308 Fri, 03 Nov 2023 04:00:00 GMT false172308 District Announces Kindergarten Registration for 2024-25 The North Bellmore School District will be conducting its annual central registration process for incoming kindergarten students for the 2024-25 school year. Eligible students must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024 in order to register for kindergarten. Registration for the upcoming school year will commence on Nov. 13, 2023, and will run through Feb. 2, 2024. Registration is by appointment only at the North Bellmore’s District Office located at 2616 Martin Ave. in Bellmore (west side of the Martin Avenue School). Parents and guardians may access the district’s registration packet online under the Central Registration Department. Please complete the registration packet and attach all required documentation prior to your registration appointment. No child will be fully registered for kindergarten until all the required forms have been completed, received and verified by the district. To schedule an appointment or for questions relating to registration you may contact the District Registrar at 516-992-3000, ext. 3821. Date Added: 10/31/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172214 Wed, 01 Nov 2023 04:00:00 GMT false172214 A Pumpkin Probe for Saw Mill Scientists Third graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School took part in a Halloween-themed science investigation on Oct. 24 as they explored a staple of the season – pumpkins. Students in Christine South’s class worked in groups and each had a pumpkin to weigh, measure and place into a bucket of water to see if it would sink or float. The pumpkins were a variety of sizes so each group had different measurements. Before each part of the experiment, they had to make predictions, just like real scientists would. Students also completed a pumpkin five senses worksheet, observing how it looked, felt and smelled, how it sounded when they thumped it, and what they know about how it tastes. Date Added: 10/26/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172088 Thu, 26 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false172088 Book Characters Spotted in Pumpkin Form at Park An annual Halloween tradition continued at Park Avenue Elementary School this year with the character pumpkin contest. Students were encouraged to create pumpkin designs that resembled character from books, including fairy talks, novels, nursery rhymes, picture books and tall tales. Children could design their pumpkin independently or with the help of their family, and winners in each category will be unveiled on Oct. 31. Date Added: 10/24/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=172014 Tue, 24 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false172014 JGD Fifth Graders Share Tech Smarts With Kindergartners Tech-savvy fifth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School shared their knowledge with kindergartners about a digital learning tool they will use frequently over the next seven years. Youngsters in Jennifer McGovern and Dave Lopez’s class recently received their first iPads, which are filled with educational apps. Ms. McGovern and Mr. Lopez explained that it is a school tool, so they will be using it different than they would an iPad at home. Kindergartners then got a personalized overview of the iPads with their fifth grade buddies. During the tutorials, fifth graders showed their kindergarten peers how to log on to the iPads using a QR code, how to access the different apps through Clever, and how to care for the devices. Fifth graders then watched as kindergartners navigated the iPads themselves, which providing support along the way. “It’s an opportunity for the fifth graders to be leaders and role models,” Ms. McGovern said, “and the kindergartners get one-on-one instruction.” In kindergarten, students will primarily use the iPads to access iReady, an enrichment tool for literacy and math, and RazKids, where they can access digital books customized to their reading levels. Fifth grader also showed kindergartners the whiteboard app, a fun tool for free drawing. Date Added: 10/18/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171874 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171874 Writing From the Heart and Martin Avenue Fourth graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School write from their hearts and minds, and that was the purpose behind the writer’s profiles they recently created. In Lauren Fasano’s class, students made heart maps that will serve as inspiration for writing pieces throughout the year. “It’s something they can look back on to become engaged writers and remember why they’re writing,” Ms. Fasano said. Through writer’s workshop, students explore different types of writing but select topics based on personal interest. For their heart maps, students noted their interests and hobbies, important people in their lives, valued possessions and treasured memories. The completed “pieces of my heart” sheets will be kept in their writing folders and will be drawn upon to generate ideas. Fourth graders will do an author study of Cynthia Rylant, who has penned more than 100 children’s books, to analyze her writing style. Using inspiration from her writing techniques and their personal heart maps, students will then complete literary essays. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 10/11/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171645 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171645 Fostering Family and Community at Newbridge Road The 100th anniversary is right around the corner for Newbridge Road Elementary School. Principal Amanda Licci said this year’s theme is marrying the history of the school with today’s core values. Newbridge Road was built in 1924 and has served tens of thousands of children in the last century. The school is steeped in history yet continues to evolve to serve each generation of students. On opening day, Ms. Licci read “Our School is a Family” via Zoom to Newbridge’s 330 students plus teachers and staff. She wanted to start the year off by reminding them that the school is their second home and their second family. At the first spirit assembly of the year, the entire student body gathered in person for a community-building program. Students sang the school song so kindergartners and others new to the Newbridge family could become familiar with it. Each class in the school is designing a flag that will be unveiled at the next spirit assembly in October. Students provide their input on their design to show what makes each class unique. Ms. Licci explained that flags are symbols for a group of people, whether a country, a state or class in school, and the images and colors should have meaning. In Joann Belferder’s second grade class, the flag will be a collection of puzzle pieces, with each student contributing one piece. The purpose is to show that the class is comprised of unique individuals who wonderfully fit together. “Newbridge Has Heart” continue to remain the school’s motto and a new bulletin board outside of the cafeteria that reflects this is a focal point for the year. It showcases the five values that makeup Newbridge’s “HEART” – honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect and teamwork. Date Added: 10/11/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171646 Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171646 Every Child is Unique and Welcome in North Bellmore Students throughout the North Bellmore School District shared in a common literary experience, as principals at the five schools read “All Are Welcome” by author Alexandra Penfold and illustrator Suzanne Kaufman. The picture book celebrates diversity through a warm and encouraging story of children from different backgrounds who play side by side. At an assembly with the entire student body, Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci read the book aloud, then discussed its message. He explained that just like in the book, the school is made up of students who hail from different towns, states and countries. “It’s about making each other feel like they belong, making each other feel supported,” he said. Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof read the book, then students embarked on an art project under the direction of Amy Lopez. Each child created a self-portrait, which were then hung together on a bulletin board near the main office. “No one is the same,” student Sean Egan said. “We’re all different and that works.” Newbridge Road Elementary School students worked on a similar project after Principal Amanda Licci read “All Are Welcome” during a Zoom assembly. Under the direction of art teacher Erica Farley, students made paper self-portrait dolls that reflected their interests, talents and style. The pieces then adorned a first-floor bulletin. “We have lot of different individuals who come together to make a beautiful school community,” Ms. Licci said. “Everyone has different talents and beliefs that help our building thrive.” Date Added: 10/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171491 Fri, 06 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171491 Park Promise Emerges From District’s Core Values At Park Avenue Elementary School, young learners promise every day to make a positive difference in their school community. The new Park Promise is based on the North Bellmore School District’s core values and was introduced to students at a welcome back assembly with Principal Michael DeBlasio. “I want to give our children avenues to be problem-solvers,” he said, adding that if a student struggles to keep the Park Promise, they have the tools to forgive themselves, self-reflect and make a good choice. The six tenets of the Park Promise are: Be an upstander when someone needs help. Respect all individuals at Park Avenue School. Encourage others to be their very best. Give compliments and lift others up. Make great choices every day. Accept and appreciate others and their differences. Mr. DeBlasio said the goal is to create a school climate where students feel loved, included, supported and welcomed, all of which leads to a learning environment where they can be successful. He also wants students to use their voice by going above and beyond the Park Promise and making their own promises that help achieve this vision. The Park Promise, he explained, was created with input from teachers and uses common language across all grade levels. While some character education programs are rewards-based, Mr. DeBlasio noted that Park Avenue’s initiative is based on the premise that students and staff want to unite to make the school the best place possible. “The reward is being a good person,” he said. “The Park Promise is bigger than earning an award or a reward. And it lives everywhere throughout our school community.” Date Added: 10/3/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171441 Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:00:00 GMT false171441 Students Don Gold for Cancer Awareness Go Gold day is an annual tradition in the North Bellmore School District for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. On Sept. 29, students and staff across the district’s five elementary schools wore gold and yellow shirts, pants, shorts and shoelaces to show their support for children who have or are currently battling cancer. Date Added: 10/3/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171431 Tue, 03 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171431 Saw Mill Readers Taste the Possibilities With tablecloths covering the desks and soft music playing in the background, fifth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District certainly felt like they were in a café. But instead of eating fine delicacies, they were sampling different books. The book tasting on Sept. 18 was organized by teachers Kara Pulsinelli and Kristin Henchel. The desks were combined into five tables, each featuring a different genre – biographies, fantasy, fiction, realistic fiction and graphic novels. Each table had a tray of books for students to sample as they rotated around the room. Ms. Pulsinelli explained that because it was a book tasting, students were asked to look at the cover, read the summary and check out a few pages. If it was a book a student would like to read this year, he or she could make note of it on their “Don’t forget these titles” sheet. Those lists will be kept in their reading folders. All of the books are available in the extensive classroom library, which includes classics and modern stories, as well as fiction and non-fiction books. Students have independent reading time every day in class, and they are also allowed to borrow the books to read at home. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 9/29/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171361 Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171361 Dinkelmeyer Kindergartners Make Their Mark John G. Dinkelmeyer kindergartners in Lauren LoBello’s class celebrated International Dot Day. Following a reading of the popular Peter Reynolds book, “The Dot,” students discussed the themes of the book – bravery and kindness. The youngsters explored the main character of the book, who made her mark in art class with a simple dot. On Sept. 18, students did their own dot artwork with watercolor paints. Their designs showed their creativity and uniqueness. Ms. LoBello and her students also discussed the “power of yet.” Children learned that although they might not yet be able to do something, they should keep trying and work toward their goals. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 9/25/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171242 Mon, 25 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171242 Martin Avenue Sixth Graders Eyeing Service Projects “Contributing to our global community with creativity and compassion” is part of the mission statement of the North Bellmore School District, and sixth graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School are looking to accomplish just that. They’ll probably start small with some volunteer work at home or in their local community, but it will hopefully set the stage for a lifetime of charitable endeavors. Students in Rachel Graber’s and Stephanie Speciale’s classes are each being tasked with completing 10 hours of community service this year. The discussions first began on Sept. 11, which has been designated a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Students were encouraged to do a helpful act after school that day. The following morning, the two classes gathered together to learn more about community service opportunities to complete the 10 hours. Sixth graders were presented with many ideas, such as helping a younger sibling with homework, shoveling snow for a neighbor this winter, participating in a local fundraiser walk or organizing a clothing or food drive. They learned how to earn community service hours through the teen room at the North Bellmore Public Library. At school, they could get involved in service clubs such as Student Council or Students Against Destructive Decisions. Ms. Graber and Ms. Speciale said it counts as community service if they’re not paid, and they're not told to do it. Community service for Martin Avenue sixth graders is a longstanding tradition and helps prepare them for middle school and high school, where service hours are required. Leahna Graziano said there are lots of ideas for community service. After helping out at a summer camp, she is considering working with children to complete her hours. “I think it will help us in the long term,” sixth grader Summer Ferrie said. “It makes you better people when you do kind things.” “I just like to help out the community,” added Mason Torres. Ms. Graber and Ms. Speciale said that students are welcome to go beyond the 10 hours, and have had sixth graders in the past who have exceeded 300 hours of community service in a year. Date Added: 9/19/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=171113 Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT false171113 Students, Staff Show Their Patriotic Pride Across North Bellmore schools, students and staff marked Patriot Day by wearing red, white and blue to school on Sept. 11. The day commemorated the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Children showed their patriotism and wore the colors of the United States flag to honor those who lost their lives. Sept. 11 also marks the National Day of Service, and students discussed ways they could help their communities through acts of kindness, both big and small. Date Added: 9/13/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170995 Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170995 New Beginnings for North Bellmore Students On a day that perhaps felt more like the start of summer vacation than the end of it, students returned to school in North Bellmore for the first time since late June. The doors of the five elementary buildings opened up on Sept. 5 and the 2023-24 school year was promptly under way. Children were excited to meet their teachers and see who was in their class. They unpacked supplies, learned classroom routines and expectations, and shared tales of their summer adventures. New kindergartners began their seven-year journey in North Bellmore, with teachers taking them around the school to show them important places like the cafeteria, gymnasium and library. At the other end, the sixth graders settled in for their final year before heading off to middle school in a year. The year will be filled with lots of celebratory activities like the sixth grade track meet, a picnic, special field trips and, of course, graduation. “Throughout my elementary experience,” Martin Avenue sixth grader Inayah Zahid said, “I’ve seen sixth graders do a lot of fun things, and I want to do those things. I’m looking forward to all of the projects and celebrations.” Martin Avenue students welcomed their new principal, Dr. Michael Yannucci, who spent the day visiting classrooms and learning names. In Debra Ferretti’s first grade class, students completed their first piece of writing for the year by sharing their back-to-school feelings. She said that an emotional check-in with students will be part of the daily classroom routine. Students and staff at Martin Avenue and John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School also enjoyed brighter classrooms and hallways following a ceiling and lighting improvement project over the summer. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 9/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170849 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170849 Community Connection Newsletter- Fall 2023 Community Connection Newsletter- Fall 2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170812 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:00:00 GMT false170812 Ms. Testa Joins Superintendents’ Council Board North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa has been named to the Executive Board of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents. Ms. Testa will serve as the board’s secretary for 2023-2025. NCCSS is a professional organization representing all 56 Nassau County school districts and Nassau BOCES. School superintendents work together to advocate at the local, state and federal level on behalf of Nassau County’s students. Ms. Testa has been a longtime member of NCCSS, serving as a leader for the Southeast Quadrant. She also has chaired a committee that provides professional development opportunities for superintendents. “For me, it’s about giving back to an organization that stands for the best interests of students,” Ms. Testa said. “It’s also about ensuring that I’m a leader in all senses of the word, as I connect with other educators in the county and throughout the state.” The vision of NCCSS is “Leading for the success of all students in Nassau County,” and its mission is to provide visionary leadership to ensure the highest quality of public education in Nassau County. The mission is accomplished through advocacy, information sharing and professional development. Ms. Testa said that as an active member of NCCSS, she keeps abreast of current trends in education, county and state issues, and best practices. In addition to continuing monthly meetings with fellow superintendents in her quadrant, Ms. Testa will now also meet monthly with the NCCSS Executive Board. She also attends component meetings, which includes the five superintendents in Bellmore and Merrick. The Executive Board will benefit from Ms. Testa’s 20 years as an educational leader. She is in her 11th year as North Bellmore superintendent, and was previously a principal in the district for nine years. “I want to make a positive impact as a leader, both in North Bellmore and in the greater educational community,” Ms. Testa said. “I greatly admire my fellow colleagues and appreciate the opportunity to learn from them and alongside them in the name of our county-wide students.” Date Added: 8/30/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170720 Wed, 30 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170720 A Joyful Start for District’s New Teachers Newcomers to the North Bellmore School District’s faculty got a warm welcome on Aug. 16 as they gathered in the Park Avenue Elementary School library for new teacher orientation. There are 15 new full-time and part-time teachers joining the district this year. They represent multiple grade levels and subject areas, and collectively will be working across all five elementary schools. Among the new faculty are several grade-level teachers, two art educators and a pair of Prevention Department specialists. New teacher orientation featured a review of the district’s mission and core values, an overview of instructional technology and welcoming remarks from administrators and the North Bellmore Teachers Association. During afternoon breakout sessions, the new teachers worked with administrators and instructional coaches based on their instructional area. Tillie McNamara, the director of educational programs and staff development, said the goal of the orientation program is for new teachers to “feel a part of this amazing team” of educators. At orientation, they experience the collaborative spirit that exists in North Bellmore and learn how to use their strengths in the service of children. “North Bellmore is a great place to learn and grown and continue to move forward in your career,” Ms. McNamara said. “We want our teachers to have long, joyful journeys with us as they bring the district’s missions and core values to life for students.” “We welcome our new faculty and staff to our family,” added Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt. “We want to show them all that North Bellmore has to offer.” Date Added: 8/23/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170649 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170649 North Bellmore Schools Now on Instagram The North Bellmore School District has launched a new Instagram account to share photos and information with the community. Parents, staff, alumni and community members are invited to follow the district’s new account, @NBUFSDPride. Additionally, there will be an Instagram account for each of the district’s five elementary schools: John G. Dinkelmeyer School: @jgdpride Martin Avenue School: @martinavepride Newbridge Road School: @nbrpride Park Avenue School: @parkavepride Saw Mill Road School: @sawmillpride North Bellmore’s board of education continually strives to build and strengthen relationships between the school district and the community. Through the use of the popular and easy-to-use social media platform, the district can share good news with the broader community. “Every day, wonderful learning takes place in our classrooms, and the new Instagram account highlights the great work of our joyful learners and our fabulous teachers and staff,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “We encourage our community members to follow @NBUFSDPride and the building accounts to keep up to date on our community schools.” The district will be discontinuing all X (formerly Twitter) accounts, and will be using Instagram as its primary social media platform. North Bellmore’s website, www.northbellmoreschools.org, continues to remain a robust source of information, featuring school and district news, academic resources, announcements, contact information and important dates. Date Added: 8/17/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170599 Thu, 17 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170599 Summer Work Brings Upgrades to JGD, Martin It’s been a busy summer in the North Bellmore School District, with facilities upgrades taking place at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Martin Avenue elementary schools. Ceilings and lighting are being replaced in classrooms and hallways in the original sections of the two schools, which were built in the late 1940s. Many of those classrooms are also getting a fresh coat of paint. Site work is being completed around the two schools. New sidewalks and blacktop, along with some fencing upgrades, are part of the summer work. The work was approved by district voters in May 2021, and is being funded through a Capital Reserve Fund created in 2020. Ceiling, lighting, pavement and sidewalk upgrades are scheduled to be completed at the remaining four buildings over the next two summers. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 8/15/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170563 Tue, 15 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170563 2023-2024 Full District Calendar Date Added: 8/10/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170534 Thu, 10 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170534 A Scholarly Summer for North Bellmore Students Hundreds of North Bellmore School District students are keeping their minds active this summer thanks to materials provided through the Summer Scholars program. In late June, more than 900 children entering grades 1-6 stopped by Park Avenue Elementary School and received a backpack filled with books, worksheets, flashcards and more. This is the third year the district has offered the Summer Scholars materials, which were funded through a federal grant. The initiative was spearheaded by the curriculum and instruction department. North Bellmore’s student ambassadors, who are entering sixth grade, were on hand to help hand out the backpacks. Each backpack included a grade-specific summer activity workbook, fiction and nonfiction books, sight word flashcards for first graders and math flashcards for second through sixth graders, as well as a parent user guide. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 7/18/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170353 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170353 Summer 2023 Newsletter Date Added: 7/14/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170329 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170329 APPROVED 2023-2024 Districtwide Safety Plan ClickHERE to view the APPROVED 23-24 Districtwide Safety Plan http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170286 Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:00:00 GMT false170286 Bench Dedicated to Former Newbridge Road Secretary She was organized, she was fashionable, her family was her pride and joy and she was always kind and loving. Those are how Chris Kropp’s former colleagues remembered her during a bench dedication at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District on June 22. Ms. Kropp served as a secretary in the Newbridge Road main office from 1999 to 2022, and passed away last September, just a few months after retiring. Now, she is immortalized with a bench in front of the school. “Chris is the most special person to have ever walked through the doors of Newbridge Road,” said Director of Personnel Denise Fisher, who was the school’s principal from 2015 to 2021. “I know that Chris is with all of us today and I know that she is smiling.” Music teachers Dana Hirsch, Carol Ng and Lisa Uckardes performed a pair of music pieces, and Dianne Agoglia, Ms. Kropp’s colleague in the main office, did a poetry reading. More than 60 people attended the afterschool ceremony including Newbridge Road teachers and staff, central office administrators, Board of Education trustees and Ms. Kropp’s family. Superintendent Marie Testa noted that the bench is a beautiful, tangible way to remember her. “This bench will serve as a lasting reminder of the indelible mark Chris Kropp made on the lives of the Newbridge Road and North Bellmore communities,” Ms. Testa said. “The story of Chris Kropp can live on for generations.” The school calendar was Ms. Kropp’s annual project and the 2023-24 calendar will be dedicated in her honor, Ms. Testa added. Teacher Courtney Myers said that the initial plan was to plant a tree in Ms. Kropp’s honor, but ultimately they decided on the bench under Newbridge Road’s flowering trees. She thanked Facilities Director Richard Russo and the buildings and grounds department for installing the concrete pad and bench in time for the ceremony. “I’m a firm believer that the little things make up the big things in life,” Ms. Myers said. “It is my hope that this bench will be a way to honor and remember all of the little things we will miss most about Chris.” Date Added: 7/10/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170242 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170242 Park Avenue Students Find a Passion for Teaching Fifth graders get to share their interests while also experience life at the front of the classroom for their passion projects at Park Avenue Elementary School. It is an annual end-of-year tradition in Melissa Danowski’s and Jenna Stack’s classes. Throughout the year, students learn and practice public speaking skills, which prepares them for the June presentations. Each student is tasked with presenting a lesson on a personal interest, then leading a hands-on activity for their classmates. Ms. Danowski and Ms. Stack were pleased with the wide variety of interests that students showcased this year, which ranged from the arts to science to sports. Maddi Scholl taught her classmates about theater, then had the class split into groups of four to create short plays based on four lines of dialogue as a starting point. Amber Kaur led students in an anime-style portrait drawing demonstration and Chris Prill showed his classmates how to make a lava lamp in a water bottle. For his lesson on hockey, Lewis Olmo brought everyone down to the gym and had them take a slapshot and a wrist shot following his demonstration. “It’s really interesting because we’re introduced to things we might never have tried,” said Ms. Danowski, who steps into the role of student during the lessons. “This is their favorite part of the year and this something they remember. They really get to shine and show each other what they love.” Date Added: 7/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170210 Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170210 District Names New Principal for Martin Avenue The North Bellmore School District announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Yannucci as the new principal of Martin Avenue Elementary School, effective July 1. He brings more than 15 years of experience as an elementary administrator and teacher and has a strong background in early childhood literacy. Dr. Yannucci comes to North Bellmore from the Massapequa School District, where he served as an elementary school principal. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District. He began his career in education as an elementary reading teacher. “I’m excited about the opportunity join the Martin Avenue family, to work in a school that shares my values and collaborate with staff and students,” he said. “There was a sense of family from the beginning. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming.” Dr. Yannucci holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Oneonta, a master’s degree in childhood education and literacy from C.W. Post, an advanced certificate in educational administration from the College of St. Rose and a doctorate in educational administration, leadership and technology from Dowling College. He is an active member of the Nassau County Principals Association and LIASCD. Reflecting his belief in a strong foundation for children, he also teaches early childhood classes at the College of Mount St. Vincent on topics such as literacy assessment, literacy for the young learner and integrating play into learning. “Dr. Yannucci brings a wealth of instructional knowledge, talent and enthusiasm to this position,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “He truly values a collaborative approach, where students, families, faculty and staff work together to create a safe, supportive and engaging learning environment. He will work diligently to build upon the tradition of excellence at Martin Avenue School.” Date Added: 7/3/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170206 Mon, 03 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170206 Dinkelmeyer Sixth Graders, Teachers Serve Up Some Fun The student and staff volleyball game is a favorite end-of-year tradition for graduating sixth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. This year’s event on June 7 brought great enthusiasm and was a true showcase of Bulldog pride. Each sixth grade class had its time on the court. Students split into two teams, with teachers joining each side. While one class competed, the other two classes cheered from the sidelines, along with students from the younger grades. Physical education teacher Jim Mulvey said that this is a highly anticipated event each year for the soon-to-be graduates. He explained that students can use their skills from a volleyball unit in physical education. To make the game a little easier, they played with a giant inflatable basketball instead of a regular volleyball. Sixth grade teacher Matthew Puerta served as the announcer, calling the action and keeping everyone fired up. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/29/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170180 Thu, 29 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170180 District Construction Letter to Community District Construction Letter to CommunityJune, 2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170163 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170163 Proud Poets Present to Parents at Saw Mill Young poets at Saw Mill Road Elementary School worked hard on their writing, and proudly shared with their families at a recent poetry celebration. Teacher Josephine Leach said that students embarked in a month-long study of poetry. They read dozens of poems and wrote their own. She said that they explored many different writing techniques such as alliteration, repetition and rhyming. At the poetry celebration, the entire class recited a song that was turned into a poem. Then each child had a chance to share one of his or her original works. Students wrote “I Am” poems and also did sensory details poems, using prompts like “I see” and “I feel.” Date Added: 6/28/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170106 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170106 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.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/23/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=170075 Fri, 23 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false170075 District Gives a Fond Farewell to Retiring Staff The North Bellmore community paid tribute to educators and support staff members for their service to the district’s children at a retirement celebration on June 8. The retirees, whose collective employment totals 333 years, were recognized prior to the Board of Education meeting. “The people that are retiring tonight are part of the fabric of North Bellmore,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. There were speeches about each retiree, and large crowd of administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents were on hand to send their well wishes. The district recognized: Riva Bazarewski, clerical staff, 35 years Marianne Devine, teacher, 20 years Gwenn Eiger, physical therapist, 30 years Jill Emmer, art teacher, 22 years Karen Hartnett, clerical staff, 21 years Emily Hronec, paraprofessional, 24 years Agata Kaminska, special education teacher, 22 years Monica Kerning, teacher, 22 years Anna Maria Paoli, teacher, 34 years Tina Smart, prevention specialist, 14 years Susan Salvo, clerical staff, 6 years Carol Sena, clerical staff, 29 years Jill Skelly, art teacher, 26 years Stacey Theodore, teacher, 28 years Date Added: 6/21/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169983 Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169983 A Field of Fun and Friendship at Martin Avenue There were games, races and even some entertainment at Field Day at Martin Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District on June 2. Each grade rotated through different stations which included gaga ball, an obstacle course, tag and more. With summerlike temperatures, students didn’t mind getting a little wet in the water relay race, where they had to use sponges to move water from one bucket to the other at opposite sides of the course. Students were also delighted by a bicycle trick show from the Freestyle Connection BMX Stunt Team. They particularly enjoyed watching one of the tricksters successfully complete a jump over a few of their teachers and Principal Jim O’Brien. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/16/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169908 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169908 Saw Mill History Buff Competes at National Competition From ancient civilizations to America’s past, Christopher Bahamonde loves learning about history. The fifth grader at Saw Mill Road Elementary School recently put his knowledge to the test at the National History Bee in Arlington, Va. Gayle Angert, teacher of the district’s ALPHA gifted and talented program, provided students and their parents with information about the bee. Christopher decided to take a preliminary test, which focused mostly on American and European history, and qualified for the regional competition. He took first place among six finalists and advanced to the national level. The National History Bee, sponsored by International Academic Competitions, was held from June 1-3. He was one of approximately 120 fifth grade participants from across the country and was joined on the trip by his mother, aunt and uncle. Although Christopher did not place, he did enjoy the experience and hopes to return again, as he remains eligible to compete through eighth grade. “I enjoy learning about all the different events, when they happened and where they happened,” he said. Christopher said that competitions like the National History Bee are a good way to expand his knowledge and that getting a question wrong is just an opportunity to learn a new fact. History is his favorite subject in school, and he particularly enjoys studying advancements in technology and medicine. “It’s fascinating how we went from using just rocks,” he said, “to now having cars and being able to contact people all over the world.” Date Added: 6/15/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169819 Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169819 Dinkelmeyer Fifth Graders Step in the Shoes of Legends Famous figures from the past and present found their way to North Bellmore on May 25, specifically the cafeteria at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Fifth graders hosted their living wax museum, with each student dressing up as the subject of his or her biography report. Parents were invited in to see the students, who researched athletes, authors, entertainers, entrepreneurs, scientists and more. The youngsters created tri-fold display boards to share the knowledge they learned. The unit began with students reading biography books, to get a sense of the information they should include their reports. Fifth graders then chose people they found inspirational, and used books and online sources to do research. Each student then completed a five-paragraph essay. After editing and revising their work, they published their finished pieces. Then it was time for the wax museum. Students prepared their display boards and their costumes and fifth grade teacher Jeanne Patterson marveled at their attention to detail to resemble the famous people they researched. “I am so proud of them and they worked so hard,” Ms. Patterson said. “A lot of thought went into their costumes, and their display boards are very creative.” Her colleague, Melissa Halaris, said students also had to write about life lessons they learned from researching their subjects. She noted that the variety of people students chose showed outside-the-box thinking, as the famous figures represented many different cultures, nationalities and professions. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/12/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169689 Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169689 Park Avenue Third Graders Sound Off on Recorders For most third graders at Park Avenue Elementary School, learning the recorder this year was their first deep delve into instrumental music. The skills they acquired will serve them well, as North Bellmore students are eligible to play instruments for school ensembles beginning in fourth grade. Students showcased their musical knowledge at an afternoon recorder concert on May 31. The audience consisted of their teachers and family members, as well as the second graders who will begin recorder instruction next year. Third graders have been learning the recorder under the tutelage of music teacher Carol Ng since January. Students received their instruments and learned finger positions and movements before they began to play basic songs. The concert opened with students singing the National Anthem. Then, it was time to showcase their recorder knowledge, playing songs such as “Hot Cross Buns,” “Merrily We Roll Along” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” “They worked very hard,” Ms. Ng said. “You can tell how much they practiced and I’m very proud of them. They’re talented musicians.” Ms. Ng said that all students will be members of the chorus in fourth grade. Additionally, they may choose to play in the band or orchestra. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/8/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169538 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169538 Sixth Graders Are Off to the Races Soon-to-be graduates from the North Bellmore School District enjoyed sunshine, fresh air and camaraderie while getting some great exercise at the annual sixth grade track meet on May 23 at Mepham High School. More than 300 sixth graders from the John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools took part in the event. It is an annual tradition for students as they near the end of their elementary years, and a chance to meet some of their future middle school classmates. The morning began with track events including the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 200-, 400- and 800-meter races, the 4 x 100 relay race and the 4 x 100 mixed relay race. After lunch, students took part in field events including discus, javelin, running long jump and shot put. Families were invited to watch from the stands. The event was coordinated by Park Avenue Principal Michael DeBlasio and physical education teachers James Breslin, Tim Byrne, Bill Green, Jim Mulvey, Alyssa Parker and Michael Weiner. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/5/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169283 Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169283 Saw Mill Students, Parents Tackle STEM Challenges Kindergartners frequently put their problem-solving skills to the test at Saw Mill Road Elementary School with STEM challenges. Recently, they got some extra help. Parents were invited in to work with their children in a series of tower-building challenges. They got to see and experience the activities that their young learners do on a regular basis to explore science, technology, engineering and math. Students and their parents rotated among four different stations. The challenge at each was to build the tallest tower possible, but the materials were different and so was the level of difficulty. Kindergarten teacher Marylou Tolle said the stations to stack pencils and plastic cups were the easiest, while the centers to build with pipe cleaners and wooden sticks and clothes pins were the hardest. “We thought this was a great opportunity for parents to come in and do a hands-on activity with their children,” Ms. Tolle said. She added that trial and error was an important aspect of the challenges and the message to students and parents was “don’t give up.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 6/1/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169282 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169282 Martin Avenue Students Send Birthday Wishes to Veteran A Long Island veteran celebrating her 104th birthday will have the well wishes of dozens of students at Martin Avenue Elementary School. They recently made birthday cards for Loretta Weiss, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Fourth grade teacher Janine Steinert, whose students made cards on May 18, explained that the idea came from the grandfather of Martin Avenue fifth grader Max Struck. Max’s grandfather volunteers at the veterans home where Ms. Weiss lives, and would be delivering her the cards. Before creating the cards, students heard about Ms. Weiss’ service in the Army. She rose to first class sergeant and was a fierce advocate for equal rights for women in the armed forces. Students also learned about the different branches of the military and discussed what it means to be brave and courageous. This was the second year that Martin Avenue students made cards for Ms. Weiss. On red and blue construction paper, students wrote birthday wishes as well as messages of gratitude for her service. Many of the cards included patriotic symbols. Date Added: 5/30/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169281 Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169281 Students Artists Shines at District Exhibition The North Bellmore School District held its annual art show on May 16 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. The cafeteria featured display boards with hundreds of student drawings and painting, along with tables filled with sculptures and other 3D artwork. Students and their families were invited in to tour the exhibit, and children proudly showed off their featured pieces. All five elementary schools – John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road – were represented as well as all grade levels from kindergarten through sixth grade. Students completed their work under the direction of art teachers Jill Emmer, Amy Lopez and Jill Skelly. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 5/25/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169210 Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169210 Video: North Bellmore Kindergarten Showcase - May 16, 2023 Video: North Bellmore Kindergarten Showcase - May 16, 2023 Date Added: 5/25/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169230 Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169230 Spring 2023 Newsletter Now Available Date Added: 5/23/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169139 Tue, 23 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169139 Students Select Sports Theme for District Spirit Day North Bellmore students picked Jersey Day as the districtwide spirit day during the annual Kids Vote on May 16. The vote was held at Newbridge Road School to coincide with the budget vote and Board of Education trustee election, and more than 720 students cast a ballot. The Kids Vote was sponsored by the North Bellmore Coordinating Council of PTAs. Children could choose between crazy hair, jersey, mismatch or tie-dye day on iPads that were set up adjacent to the polling place. Jersey Day took place on May 19 with students across the five elementary schools celebrating their favorite professional teams. Many children also wore their own jerseys, representing local youth teams. The class at each school with the highest percentage of students participating in the vote won a pizza from the PTA Coordinating Council. The winning classes were Ellen Tournour’s second graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer School, Mary Carrea’s first graders at Martin Avenue School, Jennifer Campbell’s first graders at Newbridge Road School, Robyn McClellan’s fourth graders at Park Avenue School and Melissa Mignoli’s fifth graders at Saw Mill Road School. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 5/22/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=169092 Mon, 22 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false169092 Newbridge Students Sample Self-Care Strategies Instead of food and drinks, strategies for social and emotional well-being were on the menu at Newbridge Road Elementary School on May 1. At the Coping Skills Café, fifth and sixth graders visited six different stations to learn how to take care of their mental health. School counselors Keara McNamara and Holly Sugarman spearheaded the hands-on program, which they plan to bring to other elementary schools in the district later this year. Students learned productive and healthy ways to cope with stress, frustration or other negative feelings. At the first station, students learned breathing techniques to help them relax. Next, they made coping skills tool boxes, filled with suggestions of activities they can do that promote positive feelings. Some popular choices included cuddling with a pet, eating healthy food, drinking a glass of water or playing a game. Students explored art, journaling and humor as coping strategies. At the last station, they learned yoga poses, as Ms. McNamara led them through a series of stretching exercises. Fifth grader Emma Traynhan said she likes having these new ideas to help her be calm, and she found the yoga and stretching poses to be particularly beneficial. “These skills are not just for the classroom,” Ms. Sugarman said. “It’s for any time they’re having big emotions. We want students to remember that it’s OK to feel stressed or anxious, and now they have the tools they need to re-center themselves.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 5/18/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168933 Thu, 18 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168933 JGD Student Earns National Reflections Award John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School second grader Rajon Vessup received a National PTA Reflections Award of Merit in the dance composition category. He submitted a video of his performance with a stilt dancing team. Rajon and his family participate in parades across the region, and the video he sent was from a Halloween event. Rajon advanced to the national competition after he received an Award of Excellence at the state level. He willbe recognized for his accomplishment at the Nassau Region PTA Spring Conference Dinner being at the Hilton Long Island in Huntington on May 23. Date Added: 5/16/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168820 Tue, 16 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168820 Martin Avenue Learners Grab New Note-Taking Skills Third graders are trying out a new note-taking strategy that combines words and pictures at Martin Avenue Elementary School. Instructional coach Krista Zucker and teacher Danielle Kalinowski worked together to introduce Sketchnotes, a way for students to summarize ideas by using both writing and drawing. They explained that it is a note-taking technique that can be used across all subject areas. For the demonstration, students used Sketchnotes to review a science lesson on animal adaptations to light. Using the whiteboard app on their iPads, students identified which animals need light and which creature thrive in the dark. They used a shape guide that helps them draw complex objects using simple shapes. When they were done, they were able to save their notes to their camera roll to have for future reference. Ms. Zucker said that the Sketchnotes strategy helps students prioritize the most important information when reviewing a topic. “Your brain responds nicely to the visuals and the words,” she said, “and it makes it more likely you’ll remember the contents.” Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 5/11/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168715 Thu, 11 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168715 Spring Concerts Rock the House North Bellmore’s student musicians shared their vocal and instrumental talents at recent spring concerts, which were held during the last week of April. The concert line up included a district orchestra concert on April 24 at Brookside School, followed by Park Avenue’s school concert. On April 25, John G. Dinkelmeyer and Martin Avenue elementary school students showcased their musical talents. Newbridge Road’s concert followed on April 26, with Saw Mill Road closing out the set on April 27. In addition to evening performances for parents, the musicians performed during daytime assemblies for their peers. The district thanks music education teachers Desiree Behr, Dana Hirsch, Maritza Lopez, Ed McCullagh, Christopher D’Orio, Carol Ng, Alexander Roff and Lisa Uckardes for their hard work preparing the fourth, fifth and sixth grade musicians for the concerts. Date Added: 5/8/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168575 Mon, 08 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168575 Shooting Hoops for Healthy Hearts at Dinkelmeyer Students at John G. Dinkelemyer Elementary School once again took part in the Kids Heart Challenge to raise money for the American Heart Association. Through their fundraising efforts, they collected $511 to fight heart disease. During physical education classes, students took part in various basketball competitions including Around the World, Challenger Champ and one-on-one games. Youngsters learned how to make physical activity a lifelong habit to keep their hearts healthy. Physical education teacher Jim Mulvey said that this was the fifth year Dinkelmeyer students participated in the event, and districtwide students have been raising money for American Heart Association for more than 20 years. Date Added: 5/4/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168482 Thu, 04 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168482 Children’s Author Inspires Saw Mill Road’s Young Writers There’s lots of ways to get ideas for books, author Alicia Klepeis told students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. She was the featured speaker for a pair of assemblies on April 17, saying that writers draw inspiration from their personal interests and life experiences. She is the author of about 190 books, mostly nonfiction. A majority of her books are about animals and countries, and Ms. Klepeis explained how those are based on her travels around the world. Good writers, she said, read a lot, keep a journal and have a natural curiosity. She reminded students that writing is a process and they must be patient, as a book is never complete on the first try. Each assembly ended with a question and answer session between Ms. Klepeis and Saw Mill Road’s young authors. Her visit was hosted in partnership with the PTA’s Cultural Arts Committee. Date Added: 5/2/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168281 Tue, 02 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168281 Newbridge Goes Blue for Autism Acceptance Newbridge Road Elementary School held “Light it Up Blue” day on April 28 for Autism Awareness Month. Students and staff donned blue attire in recognition of World Autism Month and to promote acceptance. Date Added: 4/28/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168341 Fri, 28 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168341 Technology Educators Spread Knowledge Nationally A pair of technology teachers from the North Bellmore School District shared their expertise with educators across the country when they presented at recent national conferences. Leslie DiChiara, the district’s assistive technology specialist, and Cathy Schlaich, a computer science teacher, spoke about current trends in technology education. Ms. DiChiara presented two sessions at Access2Education, hosted by PATINS in Indianapolis. In “EdTech Playlist: Tools for Accessibility and Inclusion,” she discussed Web 2.0 tools that support collaboration and innovation while also meeting the needs of a variety of learning styles. The second session, “Comparing Universal Tools: Feature Matching for Reading, Writing and Research,” focused on an ever-evolving collaborative document created by assistive technology specialists that lists different applications, platforms and tools that can be used to meet student needs. She also spoke at the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference in Orlando, Florida. Ms. DiChiara and other assistive technology specialists presented “AT Design Lab.” The hands-on session provided educators with a chance to explore a wide range of technology tools and create a vision to use those resources for student success. She and the other facilitators provided mentoring support to help participants implement an effective inclusive technology plan. “When selecting and creating the sessions, I often try to merge together my background as a classroom teacher and my current role as an assistive technology specialistto ensure that the topics are relevant, current and practical in their application,” she said. “It’s important that the sessions include topics that address the current needs of our students.” Ms. Schlaich was a presenter at the Future of Education Technology Conference in New Orleans. The annual event brings together educators, technologists, thought leaders and pioneers in the field to discuss best practices and issues surrounding educational technology in schools. She led a session on the successful implementation of the engineering design process for robotics and 3D printing. “Educators in the field of technology come from all over the country to share their experiences and learn from one another,” Ms. Schlaich said. “Technology in our lives changes so quickly. Keeping current with new technologies, learning from others in the field, and sharing and listening to educators discuss best practices and details of implementation is truly essential in the field of computer science.” In the workshop, Ms. Schlaich showcased the use of Cubelets and Lego robotics, discussed how to connect literature with the engineering process, and highlighted specific apps to create meaningful 3D prints.She cited the successful work of North Bellmore’s computer science department, which strives to design lessons that focus on bringing real-world ideas and issues that challenge students to devise unique solutions. This includes identifying a problem, doing research and working with others to brainstorm ideas. “Focusing on the process usually leads to a better product,” Ms. Schlaich said. “The heart of the process is when students design, build or create and test their creations.” Ms. DiChiara said she enjoys attending national conferences to network and learn from other professionals in the same field. The knowledge that she gains benefits North Bellmore students and teachers. For her presentations, her goal is for participants to leave with tangible and realistic strategies or tools that they can use. “It is important for them to see how I have utilized the tools or strategies and to find ways to then bring it back where they can utilize and adapt to their own needs if necessary.There is a certain responsibility when presenting at these conferences to ensure that the participants feel they have taken away something valuable and also practical.” Date Added: 4/27/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168278 Thu, 27 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168278 Seeds Are a Sign of Spring at Park Avenue Spring was in the air as first graders at Park Avenue Elementary School tended to the community garden on April 3. The youngsters also got a treat to take home to get their own gardens started. Park Avenue’s community garden, on the south side of the school, opened a dozen years ago as an outdoor classroom. During their spring celebration, first graders planted seeds in the large garden beds for basil, lettuce and snap peas. The activity was a collaboration between the first grade teachers and class parents. Every child also made a seed starter kit. Students filled egg cartons with dirt, then planted seeds for the same three vegetables. They got to take those home to care for and then plant in their own gardens later in the spring. Date Added: 4/25/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=168141 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false168141 Spare Change at Newbridge Road Makes a Big Impact The student council at Newbridge Road Elementary School set a modest goal of raising $550 for Share the Voice, an organization that provides adaptive tricycles and other mobility equipment to physically disabled children. When the grand total was announced, they had nearly tripled that amount. Throughout March, students and staff were encouraged to donate loose change, with collection bins in every classroom. The month closed out with a schoolwide assembly, in which the total donation was announced – $1,575.12. Lynda Graham, president of Long Island-based Share the Voice, visited the school to accept the donation. She was joined by her son, John, who is the inspiration for the organization. Ms. Graham said Share the Voice has gifted 286 adaptive tricycles to children and even a few adults over the last decade, and Newbridge Road’s donation will benefit a person on their wait list. “We wanted the children to see where their money is going to go,” Principal Amanda Licci said, of why they invited the organization’s founder and her son to the school. The idea originated with first grade teacher Kerri Maxwell, who was familiar with the organization and thought it would be a great charitable endeavor for Newbridge Road students. She partnered with Joann Belferder and Cristina Guadagnino, the student council advisers, to make the project a reality. “We liked the fact that it was kids helping other kids,” Ms. Maxwell said. “Our Newbridge Road School students really embraced the mission and wanted to do their part to help other children.” Ms. Guadagnino added that student council members set the goal and also came up with the idea for incentives. The class that raised the most money would get an extra period of recess. That honor went to Lynda Brust’s third graders, who alone collected $220. There was also a schoolwide incentive that if they reached the goal, there would be a fun activity at an assembly. After the total was announced, students took part in an over-under relay. Students were split into the blue and yellow teams and the goal was to be the first team to move a ball from end to end, alternating between passing it over and under. Date Added: 4/11/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167925 Fri, 21 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167925 District Honors Newly Tenured Staff There was a large turnout of faculty and staff at the North Bellmore Board of Education meeting on April 4, as they came to celebrate colleagues who were being awarded tenure that night. Nine educators were recognized for this important milestone including administrators, teachers and pupil personnel services staff. Superintendent Marie Testa said that this is a significant achievement in their careers. She added that the district takes its tenure decisions very seriously, with a thorough and challenging observation process for all staff. Every educator in North Bellmore is tasked with bringing the district’s mission and core value to life for its students. The district congratulates: Jacqueline Rehak, assistant superintendent for business. Danica Brugge, principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Melissa Danowski, fifth grade teacher at Park Avenue Elementary School. Julia Kriegel, special education teacher at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Pauline Lanzillo, speech teacher at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Jennifer McGovern, kindergarten teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Kelly Navin, first grade teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Melissa Reime, kindergarten teacher at Martin Avenue Elementary School. Jillian Sears, social worker at Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools. Each tenure recipient was celebrated during speeches by principals, teachers, support staff and PTA members. Date Added: 4/19/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167885 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167885 A Parade of Words at Dinkelmeyer Young linguists had some fun while learning some new words at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, which hosted its first vocabulary parade. Students in grades 3-6 marched through the school in costumes that represented a vocabulary word. Their younger peers lined the hallways to cheer them on and expand their personal dictionaries. Third grade teacher Cindy Quinn, who coordinated the parade, said that it was based on the book, “Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster,” by Debra Frasier. Students in the book participated a parade showcasing a variety of words, so Ms. Quinn decided to bring the concept to Dinkelmeyer School. Each student had to explore the definition of his or her word and create a visual representation of it. Principal Danica Brugge was Miss Alaineus herself, with a costume full of miscellaneous items. Students selected words big and small to showcase, with many choosing words based on their interests. There were even a few partner costumes. Ms. Quinn said the goal of the parade was to help students increase their general and academic vocabularies. She hopes is to make it an annual event. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 4/17/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167884 Mon, 17 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167884 Saw Mill Fact Finders Think Outside the Box Cereal boxes, once filled with tasty breakfast food, were repurposed to serve up some knowledge at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Fifth graders used the boxes for their nonfiction book reports. Instead of writing an essay, they created 3D displays for their research projects. Students could pick topics based on personal interests or something they wanted to learn more about, such animals, cars, science and sports. They did their research the old-fashioned way – using books. Students found these books at home, in the classroom, their school library or at the public library. The cereal boxes were covered with the information they learned, along with pictures and graphics to liven up the displays. Date Added: 4/12/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167883 Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167883 Blue Attire Raises Awareness The North Bellmore School District marked the beginning of Autism Awareness Month with Light It Up Blue day on April 3. Students and staff were encouraged to incorporate blue into their outfits. April is World Autism Awareness Month, an initiative of Autism Speaks. At Park Avenue Elementary School, Principal Michael DeBlasio was joined by fourth grade students who raised awareness with blue shirts, shorts and socks. Date Added: 4/5/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167761 Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167761 Students Earn Statewide Reflections Honors A pair of students in the North Bellmore School District were named New York State winners in the 2023 PTA Reflections contest. John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School second grader Rajon Vessup received an award of excellence and moves on to national PTA judging. He entered the dance choreography category after submitting a video of his performance with a stilt dancing team. Rajon and his family participate in parades across the region, and the video he sent was from a Halloween event. Jordan Lass, a fifth grader at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, received an award of merit in photography. His picture is a group selfie featuring himself and two friends from his ice hockey league at Newbridge Road Park. Coincidentally, Jordan noted, he happened to take it on team picture day. Date Added: 4/3/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167727 Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167727 Writers Are in the Spotlight at Newbridge Road When students search for writing role models at Newbridge Road Elementary School, they don’t have to look very far. The Writer’s Wall of Fame bulletin board, across from the main office, is continually updated with student work that showcases best practices. Principal Amanda Licci said that one of the goals this year was to have hallway displays that reflect the school’s values. Writing workshop is a major literacy initiative at Newbridge Road and throughout the district, with units of study that focus on narrative, informational and persuasive writing. There is a spot for each class on the Wall of Fame, so every teacher can highlight a piece of writing. Ms. Licci noted that it includes student work from kindergarten through sixth grade, so it showcases the progress students make as writers during their time at Newbridge Road. Not all of the work that gets chosen is a finished piece, Ms. Licci said. Teachers often submit “in progress” student writing that shows good use of a writing strategy. When work is submitted by a teacher, Ms. Licci personally invites the student to the Wall of Fame. Each child gets to hang up his or piece and then have a conversation with the principal about it. Ms. Licci also puts a sticky note on each with a compliment, and she invites teachers throughout the school to do the same. Following a writing prompt on “If I had one hundred dollars,” sixth grader Henry Elhardt explained that he would use it to help the poor. Ms. Licci’s note commented how Henry’s kind and giving spirit was reflected in his writing. “It’s a big deal to be on here,” she said. “You can see the confidence grow when they are selected to the Writing Wall of Fame. It’s just a great way to build a writing community.” Date Added: 3/30/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167592 Thu, 30 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167592 Martin Avenue Scientists Explore Phases of Matter Young scientists investigated chemical reactions at Martin Avenue Elementary School during an experiment that focused on the phases of matter. Teacher Elizabeth Gorman guided students through the process, as they put Alka Seltzer tablets into water in plastic bags and observed the reaction. The variable in the experiment was that some groups put the tablet in whole, while others broke it into pieces, to see if it made a difference. One student in each group used a stopwatch to record the time from when the tablet hit the water to when it was fully dissolved. Each group shared their results and students discussed the findings. They had to conclude if a new substance was formed. Martin Avenue Principal James O’Brien said that hands-on science experiments are an important part of the elementary curriculum. In addition to learning about the scientific process, students become engaged in meaningful conversations about their observations. “Any time the students can work collaboratively to explore areas of science, it helps them grow as thinkers,” Mr. O’Brien said. “It allows them to think deeply and expand on their existing knowledge.” Date Added: 3/28/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167591 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167591 Saw Mill Fourth Graders are Mad for Reading It’s March, and there’s certainly madness in Chrissy Migliano’s fourth grade classroom at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, but it’s for reading, not basketball. Students are competing to be the top reader in the class and are filling in a March Madness-inspired bracket as they earn points for the time they spend with books. They can read in school or at home, or any place they find themselves with a book and few minutes to spare. No student is ever eliminated in the contest. Anyone who is “knocked out,” Ms. Migliano explained, becomes a free agent and can be drafted to join the team of a reader who has advanced. That keeps every student involved in the contest until the end. Just a couple of weeks into the reading contest, Ms. Migliano said it has already been a success. Many students have expanded their reading interests by discovering new books or series to read. Popular series in the class include “Babysitter’s Club,” “Dog Man,” “Goosebumps” and “I Survived.” There’s no shortage of reading material for Ms. Migliano’s fourth graders. The classroom library is filled with hundreds of books, and they also can go to the school or public library. Many students also have fresh books at home from a Scholastic book fair earlier in the year. The reading contest is also teaching the students responsibility. They have to remember to complete and bring in their reading logs each day to earn points, and they are also accountable to their teammates. While Ms. Migliano has enjoyed the energy the competition has brought, she is most proud of seeing her entire class embrace books. “Everyone is a good reader,” she said. “The more you do it, the more you’ll love it.” Date Added: 3/23/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167480 Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167480 Safety and Security Zoom Meeting Info Please use the links below to join our livestreamed Safety and Security meeting on Zoom. https://zoom.us/j/91815605279 To submit a question to the Board of Ed, the following link will be active during theSecond Visitors' Portionof the meeting: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BOE_Meeting_PublicParticipation http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167454 Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:00:00 GMT false167454 Seeking Leprechauns on the Loose at Park Avenue When they arrived at school on St. Patrick’s Day, kindergartens at Park Avenue Elementary School checked to see if their leprechaun traps had worked. A day earlier, the youngsters worked with their sixth grade buddies to design and build the traps. The seasonal STEAM activity fostered critical thinking and collaboration, as each group worked to create a trap in which the leprechaun could get in, but couldn’t get out. They used recycled materials such as cardboard boxes and tubes, along with pipe cleaners, string and wooden sticks. Students from Sarah Mazeika’s kindergarten class and Amanda DiMonda’s sixth grade class used gold coins and drew symbols like shamrocks as a clever ruse to entice leprechauns. Before they went home for the day on March 16, kindergartners put their traps out to see if they could, in fact, catch a leprechaun. Date Added: 3/21/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167332 Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167332 Dinkelmeyer Fifth Graders Embrace Kindness Kindness has been a focal point in fifth grade classrooms at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Students have been exploring ways to spread goodwill in their school, their community and throughout the world. It started with watching a video that featured people doing kind deeds for others, and how that kindness could be contagious. Then, students from Melissa Halaris’ and Jeanne Patterson’s classes came together and worked in small groups to identify specific kind acts they could do. For the last part of the project, students wrote Haiku poetry. The three-line poems were concise but powerful, summing up kindness in a total of 17 syllables. Date Added: 3/17/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167280 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167280 Story Sparks Slimy Science at Saw Mill Road Reading and science came together in kindergarten classrooms at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, when students did a Dr. Seuss-inspired experiment on March 3. The young scientists made their own slime, known as Oobleck, using cornstarch and water. It was based upon the book, “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” Kindergartners in Soula Sotirakos’ class were assisted by their sixth grade buddies from Katelyn Panchyn’s class. Together, they combined the ingredients and felt their gooey creations. The two classes get together every Friday for different activities including crafts, reading and science experiments. “It’s not just beneficial for them,” sixth grader Sophia Hoffman said of their younger buddies. “It's beneficial for us because it’s amazing experience to help little kids.” In Marylou Tolle’s kindergarten class, her students worked in pairs to create the slimy substance. She noted that it served as a great math lesson, as children needed to measure the ingredients correctly to get their Oobleck just right. Click here to view the slideshow. Date Added: 3/15/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167172 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT false167172 Cultivating Good Citizens at Martin Avenue During a schoolwide character education assembly, Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal James O’Brien read “What if Everybody Did That?” by Ellen Javernick. The book, through its colorful and humorous illustrations, shows the consequences of thoughtless behavior in a child-friendly way. Students learned how their thoughtful, positive actions can make the world a better place. The read aloud supported the mission of the North Bellmore School District, which emphasizes contributing to the global community with creativity and compassion. Date Added: 3/10/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=167033 Fri, 10 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT false167033 North Bellmore SCOPE Summer Program Date Added: 3/9/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166994 Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166994 Saw Mill Students See Impact of Food Donations After collecting food for a week, a group of students from Saw Mill Road Elementary School got to see the impact their donations will make. Schools throughout the North Bellmore District participated in the Souper Bowl from Feb. 6-10, with students and staff encouraged to bring in canned goods like soup and vegetables. Those donations were delivered to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard on Feb. 14. That morning, 22 members of Saw Mill Road’s student council went to the Cupboard at the Brookside School to learn about the facility that helps about 50 families per month, providing food, household goods and personal hygiene products. Eric Arlin, Catrina Christensen and Karin McMahon explained its mission and operation, and showed students the two rooms where food and other goods are stored. In the cafeteria, students unpacked food from more than two dozen boxes of food, that reflected the collective donations from North Bellmore’s five elementary schools. They checked expiration dates and sorted items. “It made me feel happy to know that Bellmore and Merrick are such great communities where we donate to people in need,” said sixth grader James Canner, “and people in need have a way of getting help.” James said it was heartwarming to see how much food was on the shelves in the Community Cupboard, knowing that it was all the result of community donations. Cadence Greene said it’s always good to help people in need, especially within their own community, and knows that the food donated by North Bellmore students will make a big difference. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 3/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166750 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166750 Universal Pre-K (UPK) Information 23-24 Application Link 23-24 FAQ Document 23-24 UPK Post Card Date Added: 1/2/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164417 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT false164417 JGD Writers Get to the Point Sixth grade writers at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School are working on argumentative essays in writing workshop. Students began by reading examples and noting techniques that make a compelling argumentative piece. Teacher Matthew Puerta said that students identified the claim, reason and call to action in each sample. They then had to brainstorm topics for their own opinion writing pieces. He encouraged them to come up with ideas that are relevant to their personal interests. Additionally, Mr. Puerta explained that even though they would be taking a position in their pieces, effective opinion writers consider both sides of an argument. Date Added: 3/2/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166746 Thu, 02 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166746 A Personalized Approach to Learning at Park Avenue Every child is a unique learner and filled with potential. That is the philosophy behind an instructional model at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District that puts great emphasis on the individual needs of every student. Principal Michael DeBlasio said that the Multi-Tiered System of Supports approach provides targeted instruction to ensure academic success. It is a data-based model and teachers use information gathered through many means, such as tests, student work and their own observations, to make instructional decisions. “It’s about knowing the student,” Mr. DeBlasio said. “Our evaluations are specifically tailored to a child. We’re intentional in what we’re doing.” Beyond class lessons, teachers meet with small groups to reinforce skills and content knowledge in all subject areas. Mr. DeBlasio noted that those groups are based on a common skill that the teacher is looking to reinforce. First grade teacher Alexa Laskowitz is working with some of the school’s youngest readers to help them understand letters, sounds and blends. Small-group instruction, she says, allows her to see how each student is progressing. These sessions include resources for tactile learning, like magnetic letter boards that students can use to spell out words, and flashcards with words and pictures. It’s all part of the science of learning how to read, she explained. By fifth grade, students are reading to learn. Melissa Danowski’s students recently worked on group projects about the Earth’s four spheres. In small-group sessions, she assessed their research abilities by talking to students about how they were gathering and comprehending information. Ms. Danowski also used it as an opportunity for a refresher on grammar and punctuation, as their research project culminated with a digital presentation. To have successful small-group meetings, other students in the class must be involved in meaningful independent work. Ms. Laskowitz often uses resources available on the iPads, as technology is appealing to that age. She can push out specific activities to each student that follow up the small-group lessons and promote skill mastery. Students frequently work in pairs to support each other through academic conversations. Mr. DeBlasio said that regardless of the content area, small-group instruction reinforces essential life skills like critical thinking, extracting information and problem solving. Independent and partner work, he added, promotes creativity and collaboration. During student review meetings, Mr. DeBlasio, classroom teachers and support specialists like reading teachers discuss how each child is progressing toward his or her targeted academic goals. The educators determine the best resources to use and any additional intervention services that might be needed. “We do beautiful work here and I want this building to lead the way,” Mr. DeBlasio said. Date Added: 2/28/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166638 Tue, 28 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166638 Saw Mill Students Spread Valentine’s Day Kindness Students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School were in the Valentine’s Day, spreading love and kindness within their classrooms and throughout the school. Each sixth grader in Katelyn Panchyn’s class received a heart-shaped compliment card, filled with kind messages from his or her peers. Cards were passed around the room that morning so students could write a personal note to every classmate. An idea sparked by a pair of fifth graders turned into a Valentine’s Day surprise for their younger peers. Students Maryam Khan and Cristel Maromlejos showed their classmates how to make squishy dolls from materials in the classroom, to gift to their first grade buddies. The project came about after Maryam and Cristel made a squishy dog for their teacher, Laura Conway. It was simply created by putting some crumpled up paper between two other pieces of paper, taped together, with a handmade drawing of a dog on the outside. Touched by the gesture, Ms. Conway suggested that all students in her class make them as presents for their buddies in first grade. After a demonstration by Maryam and Cristel, fifth graders worked on hard on the presents, which included animals and sports jerseys. Students then made mystery packages, so on Valentine’s Day the first graders could open them up and get a surprise toy. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 2/23/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166636 Thu, 23 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166636 Dual Milestones Reached on the 100th Day The 100th day of school was a reason to celebrate on Feb. 10 in the North Bellmore School District. The milestone mark also turned out to be the 1,000th day of school in the educational career of fifth grade students. Kindergartners are 100 days into a journey that will total more than 2,300 days of school from last September through their high school graduation. At Newbridge Road Elementary School, they made special projects by filling plastic bottles with 100 objects. They wrote clues so their classmates could guess what the mystery objects were. Park Avenue Elementary School kindergartners wore their special crowns declarning themselves “100 days smarter” at did various counting activities. Newbridge Road second graders made Valentine’s Day monsters. They had a budget of 100 cents to buy the different parts of their monsters, including the body, arms, legs, eyes and accessories. Teacher Cristina Guadagnino said it was a fun way to celebrate the special day while helping students work on their addition and subtraction skills. Fifth graders began the day with a question to ponder – how are they 1,000 days smarter? Quickly, they figured out that they had 900 days of school through fourth grade, plus 100 days this year. Students made 1,000-day eyeglasses and posters, read for 1,000 seconds and did a marshmallow STEAM challenge. Students worked in teams to build 10 structures, each with 100 marshmallows that were held together with toothpicks. Click here to view the slideshow. Date Added: 2/17/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166502 Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166502 Art is Groovy at Martin Avenue Fourth grade artists at Martin Avenue Elementary School learned how to make tie-dye designs with oil pastels and watercolor paints. Under the direction of art teacher Jill Emmer, students drew different shapes and patterns with the pastels such as letters, numbers, shapes and squiggly lines. Then, they painted over the designs with watercolors to create a tie-dye effect. Ms. Emmer explained that this would serve as the background for artwork of animals made using heart shapes. Date Added: 2/16/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166468 Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166468 Saw Mill Students Thank Veterans With Valentines Saw Mill Road Elementary School students recently spread some love by creating handmade cards for the Valentine’s for Veterans program. The initiative allows students to show appreciation for the freedoms they enjoy by thanking the men and women whose sacrifices helped preserve that freedom. The school partnered with the office of Nassau County Legislator Thomas McKevitt, which distributed the cards to local veterans. Saw Mill Road students put much thought into their colorful designs and poignant messages to express their gratitude. Date Added: 2/14/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166386 Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166386 Learning is Reimagined During North Bellmore’s Play Day For young minds, play is an essential part of learning. The North Bellmore School District emphasizes this every year for its 2,000 plus elementary students by taking part in the Global School Play Day initiative. Now a long-standing tradition in the district, Play Day was celebrated on Feb. 1 with activities that were both fun and educational. Kindergartners at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School started off the day by creating with Play-Doh. Teacher Lauren LoBello said that it helps students work on their fine motor skills while also using their imaginations, as they could make anything they wanted. “They can see where their mind takes them,” Ms. LoBello said. “Students have a sense of pride when they share with their classmates and say, ‘Look what I did!’” First graders brought in games from home and played with their classmates in small groups. Teacher Kelly Navin said that the goal was for each student to teach their peers how to play. It was a chance for them to take on a leadership role in class, while learning about teamwork and sportsmanship. “Everyone got a turn to be the teacher,” Ms. Navin said. Second graders in Jennifer Kafka’s class worked on the English language arts skills by playing a variety of games. In roll-a-sentence, students took turns to roll dice with pictures of different objects, then had to create full sentences that included those words. They also played Pop, a sight words game. In Kim Rackley’s fourth grade class, students worked on their math skills in a fun way. They rolled two dice and had to mark off on the board the fraction, or an equivalent fraction, that it made. Students competed to see who could make the most fractions. Dinkelmeyer Principal Danica Brugge said that Play Day is a reminder that learning takes place in many ways, not just through typical structured activities. Ms. Brugge made sure there were plenty of chances for play, with tubes of bubbles outside for students to use when they arrived at school and a small trampoline by the main office. “We believe in the power of play as it provides students with opportunities to be creative, problem solve and explore their imaginations,” she said. “All of these skills prove to be beneficial within the classroom.” Click here to view the slideshow. Date Added: 2/9/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166180 Thu, 09 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166180 North Bellmore accepting applications for pre-K lottery The North Bellmore School District is accepting applications for its Universal Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2023-2024 school year. Due to limited spaces available, enrollment will be determined by a lottery drawing. The program is contingent upon state funding. Children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2023, and will be eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2024, may participate in the lottery. The program is administered by the North Bellmore School District and is provided by community-based preschools. It is funded by the New York State Education Department through a UPK grant so there is no cost to families. The district anticipates hosting both half-day and full-day programs, depending on grant allocations. The half-day program is offered 2 ½ hours per day, five days a week, and the full-day program is offered 5 hours per day, five days a week. Both programs will follow the North Bellmore school calendar. Children are expected to attend every day. Parents cannot choose the school location and transportation is not provided. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 10. UPK applications are available online at www.northbellmoreschools.org, and at each elementary building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on school days. For more information, contact Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt at (516) 992-3000, ext. 3002. Date Added: 2/7/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166145 Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166145 Read Aloud Day Features A Bounty of Books Books were everywhere at Park Avenue Elementary School on Jan. 27 as the North Bellmore School District hosted its annual Read Aloud Day. The celebration of reading stretched from kindergarten to sixth grade classrooms, and even into the cafeteria where Park Avenue’s youngest and oldest students came together. Anne Griffin’s and Sarah Mazeika’s kindergartners were joined by their sixth grade buddies from Amanda Dimonda’s and Nicole Giusto’s classes. Sixth graders welcomed the chance to act as reading role models for their younger peers. They not only read aloud to their buddies, but also helped the novice readers improve their abilities. Together they also made short videos, using either Clips or Flipgrid, about the favorite parts of the books they read. In Alexa Laskowitz’s first grade class, students worked on their reading fluency. Using Seesaw on the iPads, children recorded themselves reading books aloud, then played the videos back. She said they worked on different skills, such as reading with punctation. “Giving them a chance to read is giving them a chance to love books,” Ms. Laskowitz said. Click here to view the slideshow. Date Added: 2/6/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=166085 Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false166085 Fifth Graders Perfect the Art of Persuasion Fifth graders in the district are immersed in a persuasive writing unit, learning just what it takes to pen a convincing argument. At Martin Avenue Elementary School, students in Elizabeth Gorman’s class did a social media project about endangered species. Their goal was to create mock Instagram or TikTok posts that would persuade others to help those animals, including amur leopards, black panthers, orangutans and sea turtles. Ms. Gorman said that students first read “Can We Save the Tiger?” by Martin Jenkins as a mentor text. Students then did research on endangered species, selected an animal they would like to help, and created their posts. In Melissa Mignoli’s class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, students began an opinion writing unit by answering subjective multiple choice questions, and giving at least three reasons why they made their selections. Question topics included the most important quality in a friend, the most needed school supply and what they wanted for dinner. The purpose of this activity, Ms. Mignoli explained, was to show students about the importance of backing up their arguments with evidence. This knowledge will help them as they move on to writing persuasive essays on topics of their choice. As part of their writing process, they will do online research to find factual information to support their opinions. Click here to view the slideshow. Date Added: 2/2/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165668 Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165668 Winter 2023 Beacon Newsletter Date Added: 2/1/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165664 Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165664 Penguins Emerge at Park Avenue A few dozen cold-weather birds were found at Park Avenue Elementary School on Jan. 27. They may have been just kindergartners in disguise, as they youngsters celebrated Penguin Day, an annual winter tradition. Students dressed in black and white to look like the birds found in the Southern Hemisphere. The kindergartners read books to learn various facts about penguins, and made miniature books to sum up their new knowledge. Wearing their special hats, children did a penguin dance, waddling along to music. Date Added: 1/31/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165605 Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165605 Dinkelmeyer Students Tackle Home Building A book inspired a building project in Ellen Tournour’s second grade class at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Students read “How a House is Built,” then turned their attention to construction. The book was part of a writing workshop author study of Gail Gibbons. Students explored nonfiction texts to learn techniques for writing informational stories. They noted her style of explaining the steps in a process. After reading the book, students researched various types of homes. They worked in small groups to construct models of brick, clay, cinder block, glass, wood and tree houses, as well as an igloo and a log cabin. Ms. Tournour provided each group with a flat piece of cardboard as their plot of land. From there, it was up to students to find the necessary supplies to build their models. Just like real homebuilders, they first had to draw up a design and map out the steps for construction. Once the models were complete, students presented the homes to their classmates, along with their research. The young architects had to determine the climate, region and natural resources used for their specific type of home. Ms. Tournour said students gained valuable skills including research through technology, planning a project, gathering materials, problem-solving, collaborating with a partner and public speaking. She added that students enjoyed making connections to their reading through a hands-on project. Click here to view the slideshow. Date Added: 1/27/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165514 Fri, 27 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165514 Martin Avenue Sixth Graders Have Vivid Visions A new year meant it was time for new goals at Martin Avenue Elementary. Sixth graders in Stephanie Speciale’s class created 2023 vision boards with attainable objectives. Students made their vision boards with Google Slides and selected pictures that would remind them of their goals. Ms. Speciale noted the importance of selecting goals that are challenging but achievable, and can be accomplished through their own hard work, determination and commitment. Olivia Zukowski said she is looking to improve her softball skills so she can help her team as a pitcher and first basemen. The vision board, she said, will remind of this goal. “It pushes me to work harder in what I want to do,” she said. Dylan Hanovic has several ambitions, from academics to athletics to self-care. He wants to get good grades, read more, win a sports championship with one of his teams and spend less time playing video games and more time outdoors. “It’s a checklist,” he said of his vision board. “Once in a while, I can look at it, see what I have to do, and do that.” Ms. Speciale said that her students recently began using Google Classroom apps, so this project gave them an introduction to Google Slides, a popular presentation tool. They improved their technology skills while also setting a path to self-improvement. “This was something they were very enthusiastic about and focused, because it was personal to them,” Ms. Speciale said. “It was centered around their new year so it was about new opportunities.” Date Added: 1/24/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165414 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165414 Newbridge Readers Review and Recommend Sixth graders are immersed in literary discussions every day in Danielle Calapai’s class at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Recently, they added a technology component by making digital book reviews with Google Slides. With the book club model, each group selects a common book to read and analyze. Reading takes place at home, and students meet the next day to discuss the plot, characters and other literary elements. Each member of a reading group has an assigned task, such as summarizing the previous night’s reading, making predictions or creating discussion questions. During the discussions, Ms. Calapai meets with the groups to assess their understanding of the book and reinforce literacy skills. Recent books included “The Boy Who Saved Baseball,” “Resistance,” See You on a Starry Night” and “The Tiger Rising.” After finishing the book, each group collectively wrote a book review. Then, students individually made Google Slide presentations about the book and stating whether or not they would recommend it. Students linked their presentations to QR codes, which were printed out and hung in the hallway for anyone looking for a book recommendation. Date Added: 1/20/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165271 Fri, 20 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165271 JGD Kindergartners Honor Civil Rights Leader Kindergartners at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the lens of kindness and respect. To celebrate the renowned Civil Rights leader, students in Jennifer McGovern’s class studied the impact he made on the United States through his fight for equality. On Jan. 13, kindergartners decorated peace symbols and wrote “I can” sentences with ways they can spread peace. They also wore “I Have a Dream” hats to invoke Dr. King’s famous speech. Ms. McGovern said that she wanted her students to understand the significance of the holiday, which was observed this year on Jan. 16, and reflect on the positive values that Dr. King stood for. Date Added: 1/17/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165228 Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165228 2023-2024 Calendar At-A-Glance Click HERE to view the approved 2023-2024 Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165169 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:00:00 GMT false165169 Talented Musicians Earn All-County Nod The North Bellmore School District congratulates 43 students who were selected to the All-County music festival, hosted by the Nassau Music Educators Association. Fifth and sixth grade musicians were selected to countywide ensembles in band, chorus and orchestra. Rehearsals and performances are held in January at the Tilles Center at LIU Post. The All-County musicians are: John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School: Alina Chan and Carlyn Masiulis (band), London Abbott, Adriana Aglio, Lennyuyshka Cadet, Giuliana Gibaldi, Cole Marullo, Vianna Olson, Charli Polihronopoylos, Ava Rothschild, Meghan Saint Joy, Emma Schowerer and Christian Truglio (chorus) and Kailin Connizzo (orchestra). Martin Avenue Elementary School: Catherine Arnoff and Lui Dorsainvil (band), Nora Daly, Chloe DeTurris, Ellie Jakubowski and Asher Katz (chorus) and Caylee Aiello and Rochelle Mangles (orchestra). Newbridge Road Elementary School: Brian Barrera and Matthew Dworkin (band) and Charlotte Belliveau, Hadley Gross, Quinn Gross and Kingston Lambre (chorus). Park Avenue Elementary School: Arya Chandhok and Colin Crichton (band), Giavanna Artale, Macey Cataldo, Carlos Flores, Gianna Hayes, Amber Kaur, Julianna Nardo, Camilla Roman and Reagan Tyskowski (chorus) and Michael Liguori (orchestra). Saw Mill Road Elementary School: Caitlin Anderson (band), Shira Rosen (chorus) and Charlotte O’Hea and Katherine Rios (orchestra). North Bellmore music teachers include Desiree Behr, Christopher D’Orio, Dana Hirsch, Maritza Lopez, Ed McCullagh, Carol Ng, Alexander Roff and Lisa Uckardes. Date Added: 1/13/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165053 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165053 Math is in Season at Martin Avenue Martin Avenue Elementary School sixth graders learned about the coordinate plane while creating some seasonal artwork. Students said it was a fun way to learn math. As part of a lesson on graphing, students worked in teams to plot points on the X and Y axis. When all of the points were plotted, they connected the dots to reveal a winter-themed picture, such as a penguin, a snowman or an ugly holiday sweater. For the final step, students colored in their pictures for some festive classroom and hallway decorations. Date Added: 1/11/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165071 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165071 Bike Book Creates Charity Mindset at Saw Mill  A book about a bicycle sparked a desire among sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School to help others. They researched ways they could make a difference while living up to the district’s mission statement, “Contributing to our global community with creativity and compassion.” In Tiffany Zocchia and Kristin Henchel’s class, students read “The Red Bicycle” by Jude Isabella, about a boy who donates his bike. It is shipped by an organization to Africa and finds many new owners over time. Ms. Zocchia said that the book prompted discussions within in the class about practical ways they could give back. It also happened to coincide with a time of year known as the “season of giving.” The teachers provided students with an article that listed 11 different charities that help children. Some of them take monetary donations while others accept items likes toys and stuffed animals. “Once they read the book, they were really inspired,” Ms. Zocchia said. “We saw that there was such as a passion, so we decided to take it a step further.” Ms. Zocchia said that students were asked to select one charity that appealed to them and do further research. On a sheet, each sixth grader identified an organization, its mission and ways to donate. She and Ms. Henchel added that they hoped this project would lead to conversations in students’ homes about charitable giving. Date Added: 1/9/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=165029 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false165029 Dinkelmeyer Second Graders Create Birthday Boxes Second graders received the gift of giving at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. On Dec. 21, they embarked on a charitable endeavor to support other children on Long Island. With the help of teachers and parent volunteers, students put together birthday boxes for a Hicksville-based nonprofit, Birthday Wishes. The organization provides children and their families with supplies to host a birthday party. Dinkelmeyer second graders wrapped large boxes and then filled them with all of the necessary party items including cups, plates, napkins, decorations and juice boxes. Each box also included three presents – glitter glue and two board games. The idea was spearheaded by second grade parent Kimberly Cassara. Students from Jennifer Kafka’s, Stephanie Meehan’s, Alexa Rossi’s and Ellen Tournour’s classes came together in the cafeteria after lunch to create the birthday boxes. The initiative captured the giving spirit of the holiday spirit and students left with a sense of fulfillment. Click here to view the Photo Slideshow. Date Added: 1/5/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164934 Thu, 05 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false164934 Riding and Writing Into the Holidays at Park Avenue There was lots of holiday spirit at Park Avenue Elementary School on Dec. 23. The last day before the holiday break featured plenty of festive outfits and some fun activities. Third graders in Jennifer Howe’s class made winter break journals, which they assembled from kits provided by class parents. Students used string to bind the journal cover and pages, then decorated them with winter stickers. Ms. Howe said that these journals support their development as writers. They are encouraged to write about their endeavors over the holiday break, then share with their classmates when they return to school in January. Second graders in Nancy Del Rosario’s and Melanie Purificato’s classes were immersed in a popular holiday story, “The Polar Express.” After reading the book, students discussed and wrote about the theme of the story. They had a Polar Express winter party, with each student receiving a train ticket to board, as well as a red sleigh bell. Date Added: 1/3/2023 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164883 Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT false164883 Giving Season in Full Force in North Bellmore  Students throughout the North Bellmore School District have been involved in charitable initiatives for the past several weeks. They have embraced the giving spirit to help others near and far. Saw Mill Road Elementary School continued its long-standing partnership with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Leading the effort was North Bellmore resident and retired FDNY firefighter Tom O’Connor, whose grandchildren attend Saw Mill Road. The annual toy drive, organized by the Students Against Destructive Decisions club, will benefit children in Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian. The partnership began in 2005, when toys were collected in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Since then, Saw Mill students and staff have donated toys to help children impacted by disasters across the country, including Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Sandy in New York, among others. On Dec. 6, Mr. O’Connor and his fellow volunteers came to Saw Mill to pick up the toys, filling 10 large bags, which were then loaded into the back of a pickup truck for a long journey down south. Social worker Jo Ann Signorelli, co-adviser of SADD with school counselor Keara McNamara, said that this effort helps fulfill the district’s mission in contributing to the global community with creativity and compassion. Ms. Signorelli also noted that by having the children meet with the volunteers who bring the toys to impacted children, it helps them better understand the value of their charitable acts. “After everything that’s happened in Florida,” sixth grader Sophia Hoffman said, “this is going to help a lot of kids and bring a little more joy into their lives.” Students at John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road elementary schools donated toys for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, based in neighboring Wantagh. Toys will be distributed to sick and underprivileged children across Long Island, from infants to 17 years old. Date Added: 12/23/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164756 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164756 A Giving Operation Takes Place at Martin Avenue  First graders are learning why it’s called the “season of giving” at Martin Avenue Elementary School. Students in Nicole Huttner’s class took part in the United States Postal Service’s Operation Santa. The program helps make holiday wishes come through for children. Ms. Huttner went online and selected the letter of a woman who was looking to provide presents for her seven grandchildren. Each student in the class provided a gift, which included books, jewelry, toys and gift cards. On Dec. 15, students wrapped the presents and wrote personalized letters to the family, so they could be shipped in time for the holidays. Date Added: 12/20/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164614 Tue, 20 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164614 Fourth Graders Bring Greek Tales to Life in ALPHA Ancient Greek folklore and theater came together in a pair of harmonious productions by for fourth graders in the North Bellmore School District’s ALPHA program. Teacher Gayle Angert said students have been learning about Greek mythology for several weeks, and the culminating activity was a play about Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, and her daughter Persephone. The story explained how the four seasons came to be. Ms. Angert provided the script but students in each of the two fourth grade ALPHA groups were in charge of assigning roles, making sets, building props and selecting backdrop photos for the SmartBoard. “They got to see what goes into putting on a play,” Ms. Angert said, noting that a show cannot go on without the contributions of each person. Some students took on speaking roles for the plays, which were performed on Dec. 12 and 13 in the ALPHA classroom at Newbridge Road Elementary School, with others focused on behind-the-scenes work. Fourth graders had clay, cardboard, construction paper and other materials to build props such as a chariot, a house, trees, a throne and even Zeus’ lightning bolt. The activity fostered teamwork as students in each group had to listen to each other and incorporate different ideas into their shows. ALPHA is the North Bellmore School District’s gifted and talented program featuring themed activities throughout the year. Date Added: 12/16/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164542 Fri, 16 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164542 A Planetary Exploration at Park Avenue  Students got a full look at the Earth, and they only had to go as far as the gymnasium at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. The 19-foot inflated globe, known as the Earth balloon, was set up on Nov. 28 and 29, and each class got a chance to visit to learn more about the world. Educators from Nassau BOCES, which presented the program, explained that the images of land and water were based on actual satellite photos. As they circled the globe, students learned about the seven continents, the five ocean and notable rivers, mountains and even manmade features like the Panama Canal. Then, children were invited to the inside of the balloon to get a look at the Earth from a different perspective and explore plate tectonics. The lessons were tailored for each grade, and topics included animal habitats, rain forests and deserts, water conservation and the Earth’s place in the solar system. The Earth balloon program was presented in partnership with the Park Avenue PTA. Date Added: 12/14/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164418 Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164418 Seeds Grow Into Big Stories at Martin Avenue  Fourth graders took a big idea, selected a small moment and put their writing skills to the test at Martin Avenue Elementary School. In Janine Steinert’s fourth grade class, students have been working on their narrative writing assignments for about six weeks. They began with a study of books by author Cynthia Rylant, which serve as an example of good storytelling. The young writers then followed the watermelon approach – they started by thinking of important memory, narrowed it down to a slice, then wrote a seed story about a specific moment that had a major impact on their lives. Ms. Steinert said that many students chose to write about a trip to an amusement park, so their “seed” could be taking on new challenge by going on a ride for the first time. In writing workshop, students develop their skills and incorporate new techniques every year. As fourth graders, Ms. Steinert said, one of their goals is to include dialogue in their stories, which helps the reader feel the same emotions as the writer. After the first draft is complete, students join Ms. Steinert for one-on-one writing conferences. She offers suggestions to help them polish their stories in the editing and revision process. Students also become illustrators by creating colorful covers for their finished pieces. Date Added: 12/12/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164341 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164341 Saw Mill Students Get a Taste of Research  Fourth graders had an appetite for research as they delved deep into the sweet treats that have been enjoyed by people for generations. The annual project at Saw Mill Road Elementary School gives them insight into the research process while writing about something every kid loves – candy. In each fourth grade class, every child was assigned a different type of candy to study, from gum to chocolate bars to lollipops. Students had to look up information about the candy, including when it was made, who invented it, what company produces it and what flavors it comes in. They used online resources, and the young researchers said that candy company websites were often the best source of information. Each student wrote a research paper with historical information and fun facts. They also made large versions of the candy, which were displayed in the hallway, perhaps sparking a craving or two from passersby. Date Added: 12/7/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164240 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164240 Bond Vote Results Click HERE to view the results http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164336 Tue, 06 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164336 Bond Vote - Dec. 8 Click here for more information on the bond. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164253 Tue, 06 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164253 A Music Snapshot Music is an important part of the curriculum in North Bellmore. Students take general music classes from kindergarten through sixth grade, learning concepts such as melody, pitch and rhythm. They learn how to keep the beat an play basic harmonies on instruments such as ukuleles and xylophones, and then begin playing the recorder in third grade. Students in grades 4-6 can join the chorus, band or orchestra. In addition to large ensemble rehearsals, instrumental musicians have small-group lessons with their music teachers. Concerts are held in the winter and spring. Here’s a snapshot of general music classes and instrumental music lessons over the first few months of the school year. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 12/5/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164149 Mon, 05 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164149 Balloon Parade an Uplifting Event at Newbridge Road An idea born from the minds a few sixth graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School became a reality on Nov. 23, when students walked through the hallways with their customized balloon designs. The event was their take on the popular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. Sixth graders read “Balloons Over Broadway,” a book about the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons that are synonymous with the parade. A few students then asked Principal Amanda Licci about doing something similar at their school. Balloons Over Broadway at Newbridge soon became a reality. A video of sixth graders reading the inspirational book was created and shared with the other grades to give students some background about their upcoming task. Ms. Licci said that every child was invited to make a balloon creation at home for the parade, noting that it was a great way for families to get involved. “The balloons reflected their personalities,” Ms. Licci said, noting that the creations celebrated holidays, favorite sports teams, movie and cartoon characters, animals and more. “It was great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they came to school with their balloons and marched proudly through the halls.” Ms. Licci said that this was the inaugural Balloons Over Broadway at Newbridge and the hope is for it to become an annual event. In addition to being fun, she explained, it is also educational as it combines art and engineering, and promotes teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Click here to view the photo slideshow. Date Added: 12/1/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=164084 Thu, 01 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT false164084 Bond Fair Flyer Click HERE to view the Bond Fair Flyer http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=163943 Tue, 22 Nov 2022 21:00:00 GMT false163943 Community Invited To Nov. 30 Bond Fair The North Bellmore School District will host an informational Bond Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Saw Mill Road Elementary School about its upcoming facilities bond vote. Community members are invited to the bond fair to learn more about the projects contained in the $39,018,234 referendum, with voting taking place on Dec. 8. Proposed work includes upgrades to the HVAC system, new playground equipment, the installation of elevators at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Saw Mill Road elementary schools and other projects identified in the building condition survey. Several district officials will be in attendance to answer community questions about the proposed bond including Superintendent Marie Testa, Assistant Superintendent for Business Jackie Rehak, and the district’s architects and financial advisers. Residents can learn about the projects specific to each of the district’s six buildings. This is the schedule for the night: • 6:30–7 p.m. – Open forum: meet and greet, visit bond information tables, look up tax impact. • 7-7:30 p.m. – Presentation by superintendent and assistant superintendent for business. • 7:30-8 p.m. – Question and answer session with panel: Board of Education President Melissa Cmar-Grote, Ms. Testa, Ms. Rehak, Director of Facilities Richard Russo, architect John Grillo from JAG Architect P.C., Senior Vice President Anthony Nash from Capital Markets Advisors LLC and William Jackson, Esq. from Hawkins, Delafield, and Wood LLP. • 8-9 p.m. – Open Forum: visit bond information tables, mix and mingle, look up tax impact. “We invite all North Bellmore residents to attend the November 30 bond fair and learn more about the proposal to enhance our district facilities,” Superintendent Marie Testa. “As we ask the community to invest in our school and our students, we want residents to be well-informed, and the bond fair will allow them to have their specific questions addressed.” The bond vote will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Date Added: 11/22/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=163908 Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT false163908 Bond Newsletter Click HERE to view the Bond Newsletter http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=163759 Thu, 17 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT false163759 Bond Presentation 11/16 and 11/17/22 Click HERE to view the Bond Presentation from 11/16/22 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=161770 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT false161770 Spanish Program Delights Language Learners Asked if they are excited to learn another language, the answer by students across the North Bellmore School District is simple – “Si.” The district relaunched its Spanish program this year, with regular instruction for fifth and sixth graders at the five elementary schools, as well as a kindergarten enrichment program. Spanish teacher Kristen Giris incorporates Spanish language and culture into her lessons. Early topics have included the Spanish alphabet, numbers, greetings, feelings, holidays, the calendar, weather, colors, shapes, family members, classroom objects and adjectives. “To get students engaged in learning language, I like to make the class fun,” Ms. Giris said. “I incorporate a lot of games, pictures, choral repetition, songs and movement. Language in meant to be spoken and we work in groups and pairs frequently.” Spanish culture is an important part of her lessons. Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, gave Ms. Giris an early opportunity to integrate Spanish customs into her instruction. Students also learn about the history of Latin American nations, famous Hispanic people and points of interest in Spanish-speaking countries.Music frequently plays in the background during class. Students say the Spanish skills they are developing now will help them in middle school and beyond. Martin Avenue Elementary School fifth grader Kendall Cava said the vocabulary sheets provided by Ms. Giris help her memorize words. Her favorite assignment was a research project on famous people from Spanish-speaking countries and she chose Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa. Kendall said that learning Spanish will help her communicate better with several relatives. Sixth grader Rex Dietrich, whose great-grandfather hails from Argentina, enjoys connecting with his Hispanic heritage. He appreciates that Ms. Giris spends most of class speaking Spanish, not English, which helps him learn the language better. “It’s important because around this age, we’re going to start meeting people who speak other languages, and one of the most popular languages is Spanish,” Rex said. Kallyx Agpalo fondly remembers an activity about feelings. Working with a partner, one student would say an emotion in Spanish, and the other would match it to a card with a picture of that emotion. Sixth grader Shiba Das loves learning other languages and about other countries. He has already been overseas with aspirations to travel to even more places, so he knows that knowledge of any language will be a great benefit. Madison Badillo, a sixth grader, said she looks forward to speaking with her grandfather in Spanish. She has particularly enjoyed studying Hispanic culture and liked writing poems inspired by a tradition from the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. “It’s a really good opportunity for us because we get to be exposed to Spanish before we go off to middle school,” she said. Madison plans to continue with Spanish in middle school to master the language, while other students say they’d like to use the spark that was lit this year to add a third language to their repertoire. Kallyx explained that he is thinking about taking French or Italian next year because it’s good to learn multiple languages and be able to communicate with many different people. Fifth and sixth graders receive one 40-minute block of Spanish per six-day cycle. The kindergarten enrichment program is designed to expose the children to the language at a young age, focusing on basic vocabulary and phrases. Ms. Giris described the classes as fun and communicative, with lots of singing and games. “Learning languages at the elementary level provides a huge benefit for students,” Ms. Giris said.“At a young age, they are more inclined and open to trying new things. Research shows that when students begin language learning at the elementary level, they are able to pick up languages faster with more native-like fluency and a higher level of proficiency. A language is a bridge to understanding and an appreciation of differences in a rapidly diversifying world.” Date Added: 11/15/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=161721 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT false161721 Park Avenue Writers Stage a New Reality Children love their stuffed animals and for fifth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School, those fluffy friends are serving as inspiration for a writing and technology project. Students recently read “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” which follows the tale of a China rabbit and how his personality evolves over time. The story served as an example on how to identify character traits in literature. Fifth graders then wrote stories from the perspective of their own stuffed animals. Teachers Melissa Danowski and Jenna Stack said that the students had to write action and dialogue in their original stories that reflected the characteristics they gave their stuffed animals. The project then continued with a technology component. On their iPads, they used the camera and an augmented reality app, AR Makr, to create scenes for their animals with 3D objects. Click here to view photo slideshow. Date Added: 11/9/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=161544 Wed, 09 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT false161544 Bond Newsletter Now Available! To view the newsletter regarding the Dec. 8 proposed bond vote, please visit the Bond 2022 page. Date Added: 11/9/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=161547 Wed, 09 Nov 2022 05:00:00 GMT false161547 Saw Mill Students Become Fire Safety Experts Volunteers from the North Bellmore Fire Department visited Saw Mill Road Elementary School at the end of October, which is Fire Prevention Month, to share some potentially life-saving information. Students got to check out a fire truck and learn about the equipment and tools on board. They also got to see the gear that a firefighter wears, so they understand that underneath is a person who is there to help them. In their visit to the fire safety trailer, children learned how to escape their homes in case of an emergency and understood the importance of knowing two ways out. The simulated bedrooms filled with fake smoke, and students made their way to a window where they were led to safety by firefighters. Children were sent home with plastic fire helmets and goodie bag with a coloring book and important fire safety information. Date Added: 11/4/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=160383 Fri, 04 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT false160383 Cultivating Community at Newbridge Road Community building is a major emphasis this year at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. The entire school recently gathered for an assembly to celebrate their Newbridge Pride. In music classes with Alexander Roff, students learned the Newbridge Road song. They sang it together as a school for the first time in the assembly, led by reading teacher Michellene Barrett. Thunder the Tiger, the school’s mascot, danced along and gave high-fives to students. Principal Amanda Licci explained the communities live, work and play together, but they also strive to help others. She announced that the school had raised almost $600 during its September fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Gold ribbons throughout the school show the collective commitment of students and staff to helping others. Each class will participate in a community building activity by designing a class flag that represents their values. Ms. Licci explained that when the flags are completed, they will be displayed at all future schoolwide assemblies. Fourth grade teacher Joann Belferder, who advises the student council along with second grade teacher Cristina Guadagnino, then met with children in grades 3-6 to tell them how they can get involved in an organization that supports both the Newbridge Road and North Bellmore communities. She explained that the student council is tasked with coming up with ideas that raise school spirit and help people in need. Past projects have included food and toy drives. In class elections, two students from each class will serve on the student council. Ms. Licci added the community and citizenship are part of the social studies curriculum in each grade, and now students can experience those concepts first-hand in their school. She emphasized the importance of students having a voice in their school. Date Added: 11/2/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=160342 Wed, 02 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT false160342 Saw Mill Buddies Take on a Spooky Task Every Friday, kindergartners and sixth graders have a standing appointment to get together at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Students from Soula Sotirakos’ kindergarten class look forward to the visit from their older buddies in Katelyn Panchyn’s class, so they can read together or play educational games. With Halloween approaching, students did a fun craft on Oct. 28, making haunted houses. Each pair received a piece of paper with a blank house, and another with graphics they could add like doors, windows, ghosts and bats. The kindergartners and their sixth grade friends colored, cut and glued to make a spooky decoration. Date Added: 11/1/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=160276 Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT false160276 Kindergarten Math Family Game Night: November 16 Date Added: 10/31/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=160219 Mon, 31 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false160219 Giving of All Kinds is Honored in North Bellmore Community service is highly valued in the North Bellmore School District, and the board of education and administration took some time to recognize several important contributions at the Oct. 13 board meeting. Last spring, the district launched its Student Ambassador program, which consists of students from each elementary school who volunteer their time at districtwide events. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt said that 25 fifth graders were selected, so they would be able to serve in the position for the rest of the school year and all of sixth grade. She said the goal of the program is to make students the face of district events and empower them with leadership opportunities. They were selected based on their dedication to their school community, good character, communication skills, leadership qualities and having a positive mindset. Their first event was the kindergarten showcase in May, which was attended by about 150 families. The student ambassadors greeted visitors, worked the registration table and guided families to the different stations. They were back in late June, helping out at the Summer Scholars kickoff event by handing out more than 900 backpacks with grade-specific educational resources for the summer. The next assignment for the sixth grade leaders will be the kindergarten math game night in November. The board and Superintendent Marie Testa honored Abigail Ptacek, who for the past eight years has donated backpacks filled with school supplies to the district. Ms. Testa explained that Abigail started the project when she was 8 years old and her grandmother was a teacher in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. Since then, she has donated nearly 500 backpacks, filled with specific supplies for each grade level, that have benefitted North Bellmore students. “She’s been a true gift to our community,” Ms. Testa said. The Bellmore Lions Club donated backpacks and supplies that will be used for Abigail’s next round of donations to the district. That is just one example of the local organization’s record of service to North Bellmore schools, and a reason why they were honored by Ms. Testa at the meeting. She recognized officers in the Lions Club and thanked them for their donations to the district that have totaled more than $100,000 over the years. Additionally, they have helped out many local families who have suffered tragedies such as an illness or fire. Invited to represent the Lions and accept the honor were President Camille Raia, vice presidents Gene Judd, Sal Briganti and Gabriella Lanci, Secretary Paige Raia, Treasurer Nina Lanci, members Sue Briganti, Melissa Cmar-Grote, Nick Dupas, Josephine Parlagreco and Jack Skelly. Ms. Cmar-Grote is president of the North Bellmore school and board and Ms. Lanci is a trustee and past president. Date Added: 10/27/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159931 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159931 Fall 2022 Beacon Newsletter Date Added: 10/27/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=160173 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false160173 Students Don Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Children at the five elementary schools in the North Bellmore School District wore pink on Oct. 14 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, a large number of students incorporated the color into their outfits including pink shirts, pants, socks and accessories. Many students wore “In October We Wear Pink” shirts, as the entire month is devoted to raising awareness for a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people a year. Students showed their support for those who have battled breast cancer and are currently undergoing treatment. Date Added: 10/25/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159885 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159885 Buddies Learn Together at Park Avenue Kindergartners and sixth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School will get together throughout the year for shared learning opportunities. During their first meeting, buddies were paired up and they read books to each other. The kindergarten classrooms of Anne Griffin and Sarah Mazeika, as well as the sixth grade rooms of Amanda DiMonda and Nicole Giusto, gave the buddies ample space to spread out. The sixth graders served as reading role models for their younger peers, while kindergartners were able to show how much they progressed as readers in the first few weeks of the year. The students also worked on drawings together based on the books they read. The goal is for the buddies to get together at least once a month for reading, seasonal activities and other fun collaborative projects. Date Added: 10/21/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159886 Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159886 Bond resolution adopted by North Bellmore Board of Education Following an extensive review of its facilities, multiple community meetings, and recommendations from the district’s architect, the North Bellmore School District Board of Education adopted a bond resolution for renovations to the district’s six building facilities and infrastructure, including Jacob Gunther School. With a proposed total not to exceed $39,018,234, specific projects include districtwide upgrades to HVAC and electrical systems, ADA elevator installations at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, and playground improvements at all six elementary schools. Additional projects would focus on areas noted in the Building Conditions Survey, including chimney reconstruction, skylight replacement, and door replacement. “Our buildings are aging, ranging from 65 to nearly 100 years old,” Superintendent of Schools Marie Testa said. “The North Bellmore community has been continuously supportive of our shared mission of providing children with a well-rounded and academically challenging education. Our schools are a second home to our students and staff and their health and safety are the district’s foremost priority. Overhauling the HVAC systems will create a healthier learning environment by improving air quality with adequate filtration maximizing long-term cost and energy efficiency. After a thorough review by the district architect and engineer in accordance with the State mandated Building Condition Survey, it was recommended the HVAC systems be replaced and upgraded. The board of education and administration recognize the need for this investment in our schools.“ The bond vote will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. at Newbridge Road School. More information on the projects and financials, including a tax calculator, are available on the district’s website. A voter guide will be mailed to all community residents in mid-November. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159777 Fri, 14 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159777 2022 Bond Vote Information To learn more about the bond, visit the Bond 2022 page. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159762 Thu, 13 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159762 New Leadership for North Bellmore Teacher Center Saw Mill Road Elementary School teachers Janice Jackson and Samantha Paolillo are the new directors of the North Bellmore Teacher Center. The center is located at the Jacob Gunther School and its mission is to “support professional growth and development for teachers, parents and other members of the educational community that will result in a positive impact upon teaching and learning in the classroom.” Ms. Jackson is a speech-language pathologist who has been in the district for 11 years, and Ms. Paolillo is a special education with a decade of experience in North Bellmore schools. The Teacher Center is a statewide network comprised of a professional learning system organized and operated by teachers to improve their own educational performance. Local Teacher Center directors are responsible for providing opportunities for professional growth by organizing learning courses for teachers within their school district. Ms. Jackson and Ms. Paolillo said their goal is to support North Bellmore’s teachers by providing learning opportunities that inspire, support and enable teachers to address the various needs of their students. The Teacher Center offers professional learning opportunities to assist educators in continuing to improve their teaching practice and develop new strategies to teach their students. The co-directors look forward to bringing new classes and instructors to the Teacher Center as well as to learn and grow with their North Bellmore colleagues. Date Added: 10/13/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159723 Thu, 13 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159723 Kindergartners Learn Math in a Number of Ways Kindergartners in the North Bellmore School District have been working on their ABCs but also are making lots of time for their 123s. Since the beginning of the school year, the district’s youngest learners have been focusing on the numbers 0 through 10 with a variety of hands-on activities. In Samantha Sclafani’s class at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, kindergartners learned nine different strategies to represent numbers. They can use numerals, words, pictures or tallies. They can count with their fingers, or the dots on dice and dominoes. Number lines and 10 frames are also useful tools. In math centers, Ms. Sclafani’s students use these different resources to practice counting and to work on basic addition. During center time, she walks around the room to visit each student, assess their understanding and address individual needs. At Martin Avenue Elementary School, children in Melissa Reime’s kindergarten class also work in math centers. They rotate through multiple stations which have different activities that foster teamwork as well as independent thinking. One station always focuses on small-group instruction, in which Ms. Reime meets with a few students at a time to review a skill or concept. Recently, she worked with students on the different numbers that add up to five. Across the room, another group built towers with unit cubes based on the numbers on small math mats. Each child in Ms. Reime’s class has a math box, with items such as counters, dice, a ten frame and number line. “As the year goes on,” she said, “we put more into their toolkit as they learn.” Date Added: 10/11/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159665 Tue, 11 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159665 Students Take Aim at Cancer With Gold Garb “Compassion” is a cornerstone of the North Bellmore School District’s mission statement, and students and staff at the five elementary schools showed their care and concern for others on Go Gold Day in support of children battling cancer. On Sept. 30, gold could be found just about everywhere. The color was chosen because the gold ribbon is the symbol of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Children and adults united for a good cause by adding splashes of yellow, gold and neon green to their wardrobes. They made a bright statement in the fight against pediatric cancer. At Park Avenue Elementary School, a high number of students were donning gold. Every classroom was filled with children in yellow shirts and a few even added gold coloring to their hair. “We want to represent the cancer patients and we want to save lives,” said Park Avenue fourth grader Catalina Fioranelli. Date Added: 10/4/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159529 Tue, 04 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159529 National Custodian Day National Custodian Day was celebrated on Oct. 2! We thank the hard working members of our facilities department for all they do to keep our buildings safe and clean. Thank you! http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159502 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159502 An Empowered Lunch for Newbridge Road Students With a well-deserved break in the middle of the day, students at Newbridge Road Elementary School are striving to make the most out of that time. After a few hours of hard work in the morning, they head off to lunch and recess, before learning literacy, math and more resumes in the afternoon. But, as Principal Amanda Licci points out, their education doesn’t stop during that lunchtime break. It’s where children develop important social skills, learn how to be good citizens of their school and understand how to be responsible for their own actions. With that in mind, Ms. Licci launched a new initiative this year to give students a greater voice in the school while helping them to have the best lunch and recess times possible. At the beginning of the school year, she met with each grade level, in which students outlined expectations for themselves during their midday break. Empowered to set their own rules, students took the responsibility seriously. Posters outlining these expectations are displayed prominently in the cafeteria and are signed by every student. Students in the younger grades set more specific rules, such as using inside voices during lunch, cleaning up after themselves and including others during games at recess. The fifth and sixth grade promises reflect their standing as role models in the school, focusing on the virtues of acceptance, fairness, honesty and respect. They vow to use good manners and make good choices. Newbridge Road’s lunch recess aides were also involved in the process so they can proactively and positively communicate with students and use consistent language. Each aide has laminated copies of the signed promises from each grade. “It’s much more meaningful and impactful if it comes from the children,” Ms. Licci said. “Students are very receptive to this, and these are documents that hopefully lead to a positive lunch and recess all year.” Ultimately, Ms. Licci said, the goal is to maximize the time that students can eat their lunch and play with friends. She noted the correlation that exists between good behavior and personal enjoyment. Date Added: 9/28/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=159396 Wed, 28 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT false159396 Book Sparks a Self-Esteem Boost at Saw Mill Children know it’s what’s on the inside that matters, but they also take pride in the physical features that make them unique and help them explore life. At Saw Mill Road Elementary School, fifth graders recently completed writing pieces based on the book, “The Best Part of Me.” The book, by Wendy Ewald, is told from the perspective of children through photographs and stories. Students in Kara Pulsinelli and Kristin Henchel’s class did their own “The Best Part of Me” pieces as a way of building confidence and self-esteem. Each child selected a feature to highlight, and their writing piece was paired with a photo and displayed for the whole class to see. Students selected many different body parts and wrote why their choice was valuable to them. One student’s hands help her create artwork; another’s arms help him play sports. Feet help them go new places, hair can be a distinguishing trademark and their hearts allow them to show kindness to others. Noelle Fischetti wrote about her eyes because, “They help me see what I’m writing and what I’m reading, that way I could learn.” Date Added: 9/22/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=157341 Thu, 22 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT false157341 Twitter Highlights- September 2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/slideshow/View_Full.aspx?id=42306 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=157298 Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:00:00 GMT false157298 Patriotism, Heroism Lauded at Martin Avenue To mark Patriot Day and commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, students and staff throughout the North Bellmore School District wore red, white and blue to school on Sept. 9. At Martin Avenue Elementary School, students learned how many acts of bravery and heroism took place in the aftermath of the attacks. Children learned how ordinary people can be heroes by doing kind deeds for others. They read a heroes poem and identified words that represent the traits of a hero. Date Added: 9/13/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=157144 Tue, 13 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT false157144 Conference Day Lifts Up North Bellmore Educators As about 400 administrators, teachers and support staff gathered in the Saw Mill Road Elementary School all-purpose room on Aug. 31, they were greeted with a simple message: lift each other up. Superintendent’s Conference Day in the North Bellmore School District, a day before students returned to the classrooms, was about creating a positive energy and supportive environment for the year ahead. The districtwide celebration brought together staff from the district’s five elementary schools and central office. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt began the meeting by welcoming everyone back and expressing optimism that they could move beyond the challenges of the pandemic. Superintendent Marie Testa introduced this year’s theme, “We rise by lifting others.” She said that can come in very simple ways – a smile, a hello, a compliment or asking how someone is doing. Mrs. Testa also honored a team of educators and support staff who bring a wide variety of experience and perspective to the schools. First, she asked all first-year staff to stand up. Then, she recognized staff who have been in the district up to 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. Everyone in the district entering his or her 21st year or beyond was invited up, including a handful of teachers who have reached the 30-year milestone. The veteran staff, she said, know North Bellmore’s history, what the district has achieved and where it is going. They a valuable resource for newer staff members in need of guidance and support. Anyone seeking expertise, Mrs. Testa said, “We’ve got it right here.” Mrs. Testa asked everyone to rub their hands together for 45 seconds, then hold them apart about six inches. The movement they felt, she said, represents the energy they have within themselves that they can bring to school with them every day and use to inspire children, collaborate with colleague and lift each other up. Date Added: 9/8/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156990 Thu, 08 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156990 Day One Filled With Positive Vibes There was a buzz in the air at the five elementary schools in the North Bellmore School District on Sept. 1 as a new year began. More than 2,000 students arrived with great enthusiasm for the year ahead, along with new sneakers and backpacks. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, third graders in Celeste Diogo’s class had some time to catch up while they unpacked and sorted their school supplies. Kindergarten teacher Lauren LoBello reviewed daily routines with her students and emphasized that she wants them to feel at home in her classroom. Sixth graders talked about the exciting activities ahead in their last year of elementary school, such as a canoe trip, a volleyball game against the teachers, building bridges out of wooden sticks and a year-end picnic. Date Added: 9/6/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156929 Tue, 06 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156929 North Bellmore Schools to present information on potential bond At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, the North Bellmore Board of Education will hear a presentation from Superintendent of Schools Marie Testa and Assistant Superintendent for Business Jacqueline Rehak regarding a potential bond referendum. During the meeting, Ms. Testa and Ms. Rehak will present projects to be included for consideration in a December 2022 bond vote. Included in that presentation will be proposed districtwide upgrades to the HVAC system, playgrounds for all six district-owned school buildings, infrastructure upgrades and installation of elevators at schools to be determined. This meeting is a follow up to the presentations given in July and August. Residents are invited to attend the meeting to hear the presentation. The meeting will take place at Martin Avenue School. For those who cannot attend, the meeting will also be held virtually. Zoom credentials will be available on the district website on Sept. 8. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156873 Thu, 01 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156873 ’22 Saw Mill Grad Wins Mets Kidcaster Contest Hundreds of thousands of Mets fans heard the voice of North Bellmore youngster Eddie Kraus on Aug. 25, as he won SNY’s 2022 Kidcaster contest and got to call a half-inning of the game against the Colorado Rockies. Eddie, 12, graduated from Saw Mill Road Elementary School in June, and many of his friends and former teachers tuned in to hear him during the bottom of the second inning. He sat alongside three of his idols – Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez. A few months ago, he found out about the Kidcaster contest on Twitter and sent in an audition tape, in which he had to provide his own commentary for a clip of first baseman Pete Alonso hitting a walk-off homerun. Following an interview, he was named one of two finalists before SNY contacted him with the news that he was chosen as the winner of the annual contest that debuted in 2009, and resumed this season following a two-year pause. On game night, Eddie and his family arrived about an hour and a half early and were welcomed to the SNY suite, where he got to meet the three broadcasters. Eddie said Cohen reminded him to stay calm and enjoy the moment. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing and it’s a dream come true,” said Eddie, who came prepared with his media guide, lineups and defensive charts. He got to call base hits by Alonso and outfielder Tyler Naquin during his half-inning, when he sat in the chair normally occupied by Darling. Eddie also got to banter with the announcers, talking about his favorite Mets player (Mark Canha) and how ketchup is not an acceptable condiment for a hot dog. A lifelong Mets fan who fondly remembers the Mets World Series run in 2015, Eddie even wore a blue and orange tie. When he wasn’t in the SNY booth, Eddie and his family got to enjoy the game. Although he’s only entering seventh grade, Eddie has his career path planned out, intent on becoming a sports broadcaster. And he has done his homework on the chances he will have in Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District to expand his knowledge, including a radio club at Grand Avenue Middle School and broadcasting classes at Mepham High School. “When I get older, I want to be a play-by-play guy,” Eddie said. “That’s my dream job.” His ambition and determination have him on a path to achieve that dream. Last year, Eddie got to spend a period with Islanders broadcaster Brendan Burke and Butch Goring, and this past summer he took part in a two-week journalism camp at Hofstra University. Eddie thoroughly enjoyed his seven years at Saw Mill, where he had great teachers and made many long-lasting friendships. It’s where he developed a love for reading and writing and, as someone who loves to talk, was known as an active participant in class. As a member of student council, he got to do the morning announcements on several occasions, and for career day he came to school dressed as a broadcaster. His love of baseball also took him to the fields behind Saw Mill on a regular basis, as he plays for the North Bellmore-North Merrick Rebels. Date Added: 8/29/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156780 Mon, 29 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156780 North Bellmore Board to Discuss Potential Capital Projects Dear North Bellmore Community, Following the completion and review of their state-mandated five-year building conditions survey during their July 7 and after their facilities presentation at their August 11 meeting, the North Bellmore School District Board of Education will continue to discuss the future of the district facilities at their August 30 work session. Residents are invited to attend the meeting and listen to presentations on potential capital projects at its elementary schools, including an overhaul to the district’s HVAC system, provided by district administration. For residents who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be live-streamed via Zoom - Click Here The work session meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m at Martin Avenue School, 2616 Martin Ave., Bellmore. We hope you will join us. Sincerely, Marie Testa, Superintendent Date Added: 8/29/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156314 Mon, 29 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156314 New Teachers Ready to Shape Young Minds Filled with enthusiasm, passion and a desire to make a positive difference, North Bellmore’s newest faculty members got an introduction to the school district and the community at new teacher orientation. The 17 newcomers bring one to 20 years of teaching experience. The full-day program on Aug. 17 at Newbridge Road Elementary School was facilitated by Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt, Director of Educational Programs and Staff Development Tillie McNamara and Director of Personnel Denise Fisher. Instructional coach Krista Zucker presented on instructional programs and practices, while ENL teacher Samantha Schwartz discussed effective lesson planning. Computer science teachers Michael Bevilacqua and Kerry Pentek gave an overview of technology and digital learning resources. This year’s additions to the staff include elementary classroom, ENL, math AIS, reading and physical education teachers, a speech pathologist and a nurse. North Bellmore is also adding a Spanish teacher, who will serve all five elementary schools, as it is bringing back the language program for fifth and sixth graders. “Our goal is to provide teachers with the resources and information necessary to implement North Bellmore’s rich educational programs,” Ms. Pollitt said. “The orientation program is the start of a supportive and nurturing environment to help teachers be successful, which in turn provides the best learning experiences for our students.” The district welcomes Danielle Calapai, Alessia Giliberti, Kristin Giris, Jacqueline Goode, Nicole Huttner, Alexa Laskowitz, Katherine Masters, Kimberly Mathison, Emily McClernon, Rosalie Napolitano, Kristine Occhino, Alyssa Parker, Samantha Sclafani, Nicole Stratton, Dana Turkel, Victoria Van Wie and Hayley Yackavage. Date Added: 8/19/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156680 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156680 2022-2023 Full Calendar - Now Available Click here to view the 20222-2023 Full School Calendar Date Added: 8/1/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156410 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156410 North Bellmore Students Immersed in Summer Reading To keep their literacy skills sharp throughout the summer, more than 200 students in the North Bellmore School District are taking part in a pair of grant-funded programs. After great success last summer, the virtual book clubs are back for a second year, as approximately 180 incoming first through sixth graders are taking part in the ongoing literary discussions. The book clubs are facilitated by North Bellmore teachers. The primary book clubs for first and second graders meet once a week online and include read-alouds along with activities and crafts based on popular children’s literature. “Our young readers listen to great stories, inquire, explore and exchange ideas with their peers, all keys to fostering a lifelong love of reading,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt. The intermediate book clubs for students entering grades 3-6 are held twice a week for four weeks. With two reading options per grade level, students could select a book club based on their interests. Selections this summer include “The Chocolate Touch,” “Ivy + Bean,” “The Wild Robot,” “Wonder,” “The Bookwanders,” “Out of My Mind,” “Restart” and “Ungifted.” Ms. Pollitt said every student was provided with a hard copy of the book, which was funded through the grant. In the intermediate book clubs, students read independently, then convene via Zoom to share their thoughts. Teachers guide the discussion with questions about the different story elements. Word Wizards is a four-week program, from July 5-29, with a total of 40 students entering first and second grade. Children were recommended by their teachers for the in-person program at Park Avenue Elementary School. The classes meet daily for an hour and provide targeted instruction for foundational literacy skills, such as decoding, fluency, handwriting and spelling. Ms. Pollitt explained that the program is designed to help students be more prepared for the next level of Fundations in September and foster greater reading success. Date Added: 7/29/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156395 Fri, 29 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156395 North Bellmore Sixth Grade Graduation Video 2022 Date Added: 7/21/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156310 Thu, 21 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156310 Summer Newsletter – Now Available Date Added: 7/21/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156309 Thu, 21 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156309 North Bellmore Scholars Work on Their Summer Smarts The North Bellmore School District recently provided hundreds of students with a wealth of resources to help them keep their minds sharp this summer. About 850 Summer Scholars backpacks were distributed during the first week of vacation. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt said most bags were handed out during a distribution event on June 27 at Martin Avenue Elementary School for students entering grades 1-6. Each backpack included a grade-specific summer bridge activity workbook, two fiction books, two nonfiction books, sight word flashcards for first graders and math flashcards for second through sixth graders, and a parent user guide. If students complete the self-guided activities by the end of the summer, they can turn in a completion form to receive a Summer Scholars certificate and pencil. The backpacks and resources were funded through a grant. Helping with the distribution of materials were 14 sixth grade student ambassadors from the five elementary schools. Other summer learning opportunities include virtual book clubs, a summer learning website and access to digital subscriptions. “In order to stay connected academically and retain valuable skills over the summer, we have put together a variety of resources and experiences to engage and enrich our learners,” Ms. Pollitt said, adding that participants are encouraged to use the resources for 15 minutes a day. “Students will have the opportunity to inquire and reflect, practice and review, as well as challenge themselves with critical and creative thinking tasks.” Date Added: 7/13/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156213 Wed, 13 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156213 Building Conditions Survey- BOE Presentation 7/7/22 Click HERE to view the Building Conditions Survey Presentation from the 7/7/22 BOE meeting http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156209 Fri, 08 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156209 Ms. Licci is at Newbridge to Stay After a year as interim principal of Newbridge Road Elementary School, Amanda Licci will be its leader going forward, following her permanent appointment by the Board of Education. Effective July 1, “interim” was removed from her title. Ms. Licci has been with North Bellmore since 1998, teaching kindergarten, first, second and third grades, and also serving as a districtwide instructional coach. She became interim principal of Newbridge Road in August 2021 when Denise Fisher was named the district’s personnel director. Superintendent Marie Testa noted that during Ms. Licci’s year as interim principal, she demonstrated key leadership skills and qualities that support the academic growth of students as well as their social and emotional wellness. “Ms. Licci is an outstanding instructional leader whose depth of curricular knowledge has fostered academically rich partnerships with our talented teachers and staff leading to increased positive outcomes for students,” Ms. Testa said. “Her commitment to the Newbridge community is visible in her positive relationships with staff, students and families. I am confident that Mrs. Licci will continue the legacy of excellence that is synonymous with Newbridge Road School.” Date Added: 7/7/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156139 Thu, 07 Jul 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156139 North Bellmore Writers Are Published Storytellers An anthology of personal narratives penned by students across Nassau County includes the works of five talented young writers from the North Bellmore School District. They were winners in the Nassau Reading Council’s 2022 Young Authors Contest. Four selected pieces were written by students at Martin Avenue Elementary School: Jackson Banke and Francesca Malafis, kindergartners in Jennie Kuhn’s class; Nicolette Ferro, a fourth grader in Janine Steinert’s class; and Nora Daly, a fifth grader in Liz Gorman’s class. Rounding out the winners was Ava Lopes, a third grader in Elyse Beauman’s class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Students were asked to write original personal narrative pieces, which are derived from their own experiences. They could be written as poetry or prose, and reflect all stages of the writing process. Nassau Reading Council judges, which included teachers, language arts coordinators and college professors, selected the winners from more than 300 entries from 40 schools. The five students were honored at a ceremony on June 1 at Munsey Park Elementary School in Manhasset for all Nassau County winners, as well as at the North Bellmore Board of Education meeting on June 9. Date Added: 6/30/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=156051 Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false156051 Diplomas in Hand, Grads are Ready for What’s Next With great fanfare and plenty of words of encouragement, 311 sixth graders from the North Bellmore School District closed out the first part of their educational journeys during graduation ceremonies on June 22. The five elementary schools hosted their programs throughout the evening in various Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District buildings, the system that the graduates will be moving to for their secondary years. The ceremonies included musical performances, reflections from student speakers and, most importantly, the presentation of diplomas in blue North Bellmore folders. Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Jim O’Brien beamed with pride over his first graduating class. The former teacher and assistant principal at Saw Mill Road Elementary School said this year’s class met every challenge with grace and determination, and he encouraged them to embrace future challenges with confidence. “Remember your Martin Avenue crew as you make new friends in your new school,” he told them, noting that they will soon head to middle school with students from multiple elementary buildings. It was also the first graduation for principals Amanda Licci at Newbridge Road Elementary School and Michael DeBlasio at Park Avenue Elementary School. In writing her speech, Ms. Licci said she thought about what she wanted to know when she went from elementary to middle school. She encouraged her graduates to embrace their unique qualities. “Don’t worry about what others think of you,” she said. “Be the ‘you’ that you want to be. Be the ‘you’ that you are proud to be. Make yourself proud each and every day.” Mr. DeBlasio said he was amazed how the sixth graders not only came to school with smiles every day, but smiles that said to the world, “You can throw anything at me, and I will always keep moving forward.” Saw Mill Principal Jeff Rosof told students to use their strong foundation from elementary school, as well as support from their families, to continue to grow intellectually and socially while creating their own futures. Danica Brugge recalls becoming principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School when this year’s graduates were in third grade. She remembers their energy, warmth, love, acceptance and “some of the biggest 8-year-old personalities that I had ever seen.” Their perseverance and determination got them through challenging years in fourth and fifth grade because of the pandemic, she noted, and those traits will serve them well in middle school and beyond. Musical selections included “Best Day of My Life” at the Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road graduations, “What a Wonderful World” by Dinkelmeyer sixth graders and the Park Avenue school songs. Several schools featured photo slideshows full of sixth grade memories. Students also reflected on their elementary years. Martin Avenue graduate Colleen Flanagan recounted hatching quail eggs in kindergarten, writing biographies on famous people in second grade and a trip to Safety Town in third grade. Olivia Lettieri, a Dinkelmeyer student, pointed to those everyday memories like snack time and recess where they had opportunities to bond and form friendships. “Although we are sad to leave,” Olivia said, “I know we are really excited to see what the future holds for all of us and what new memories we can make with each other and with new friends.” Date Added: 6/24/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=155873 Fri, 24 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false155873 North Bellmore Summer Learning Click here to visit the Summer Learning page Date Added: 6/23/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=155864 Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false155864 A Quarter-Millennium of Service Honored With a collective 266 years of service to the North Bellmore School District, 13 retiring teachers and staff members were honored at the Board of Education meeting on June 9 and thanked for their commitment to the community’s children and families. Superintendent Marie Testa said they are “part of the fabric of North Bellmore” and probably had a greater impact on students than they ever realized. “When you work in a school and you do it well, it’s as much about your intellect as it is about your heart,” Ms. Testa said, before she introduced the retirees, who included teachers, specialists, office staff and cooks from all five elementary schools as well as the district office. The retirees were celebrated by a large crowd that included their colleagues and family members, as well as North Bellmore students and parents. Administrators spoke about each retiring staff member and presented them with gifts. This year’s retirees are: Tom Steinmuller, physical education teacher at Saw Mill Road School, 31 years. Lois Peck Elhilow, speech teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer School, 28 years. Laura Russo, fourth grade teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer School, 27 years. Linda Mann, reading teacher at Saw Mill Road School, 25 years. Chris Kropp, secretary at Newbridge Road School, 23 years. Roseann Moskowitz, secretary at Martin Avenue School, 22 years. Kathleen Fiocco, cook at Newbridge Road School, 20 years. Marjorie Hoffman, cook at Park Avenue School, 19 years. Robin Obey, first grade teacher at Park Avenue School, 19 years. Kathleen Rut, reading teacher at Saw Mill Road School, 17 years. Susan Quinn, nurse at Martin Avenue School, 15 years. Mary Meyers, prevention specialist, 13 years. Vicki Scalici, secretary in the curriculum office, 7 years. Date Added: 6/22/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=155778 Wed, 22 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false155778 A Red, White and Blue Celebration in North Bellmore June 14 marked the 245th anniversary of the formal adoption of the first American flag, and students throughout the North Bellmore School District celebrated the patriotic symbol that flies high outside their school every day. Saw Mill Road Elementary School began the day with a Flag Day ceremony in front of the school, near the flagpole. Additional American flags also lined the half-circle driveway. Students said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem. Principal Jeffrey Rosof added a few remarks about the history and meaning of Flag Day. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, kindergartners hosted a musical showcase for their parents. It opened with a tribute to Flag Day, as the youngsters sang “You’re a Grand Old Flag” while dressed in red, white and blue attire. Date Added: 6/16/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=152772 Thu, 16 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false152772 Dinkelmeyer Students Celebrate Their Heroes Every second grader at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School has a person who inspires them. Students took part in a hero celebration this spring, penning a piece about a person they know who has demonstrated heroic qualities. Before beginning their nonfiction writing assignment, students first read “A Hero Like You” by Nikki Rogers to learn about the many ways that a hero can be defined. Throughout May, each of the four second grade classes hosted a hero celebration. The special people that children wrote about were invited in and presented with a handmade gift. Students read their hero stories, recited a poem and sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” “It was a heartwarming celebration and a beautiful way to recognize important peoplethat areinspirational to these young children,” second grade teacher Cindy Quinn said. Date Added: 6/13/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=152623 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false152623 Districtwide Safety Plan 2022-2023- Open for Comments 2022-23 Districtwide Safety Plan Comments? Questions? Please email: safetyplan@northbellmoreschools.org http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=152567 Fri, 10 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false152567 Video: North Bellmore Artists Shine Enriching and engaging art classes are part of the well-rounded education that students receive in the North Bellmore School District. Children in grades K-6 attend art classes once per six-day cycle as part of their rotation of special area classes. The district’s art labs and art studios are filled with materials foster creativity and individual expression. Teachers Jill Emmer, Amy Lopez and Jill Skelly have revamped the art curriculum in recent years to teach students essential artistic techniques while providing more choice. Watch a video about North Bellmore’s art program here: Date Added: 6/7/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=152373 Tue, 07 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false152373 Newbridge Student, Teacher Pair Up for Diabetes Education Managing his diabetes is a part of life for Newbridge Road Elementary School fifth grader Daniel Goldberg. It’s his daily reality, and he has embraced the chance to educate others about a health condition that affects more than 30 million Americans. Daniel recently partnered with art teacher Jill Emmer, who also has type 1 diabetes, for an educational presentation. They prepared a PowerPoint presentation, which they shared during assemblies for grades K-2 and 3-6. Students learned what diabetes is, how people manage it, the types of medicine they take and the equipment they have to use. In second grade, Daniel was diagnosed with diabetes. He still remains an active child, although he said it has created some limitations with playing sports. Daniel continues to play baseball on a youth team and also enjoys casual football games with his very supportive group of friends. Daniel said that one of the reasons he wanted to do the presentation was to show that people with diabetes are no different than everyone else, other than having to manage their condition. It doesn’t affect who they are or their ability to participate in most activities. In school, Daniel’s favorite subjects are art, physical education, science and social studies. Last year, Daniel and Ms. Emmer did the presentation via Zoom, but this year they were able to host an in-person assembly in the auditorium. They welcomed the opportunity to answer any questions that students had. “I was really excited because it’s not every day that someone gets to lead an assembly and teach the whole school,” Daniel said. Ms. Emmer, in her years as a teacher in the North Bellmore School District, has forged bonds with several students who have diabetes, and has always been there as a source of support. She appreciated the opportunity to work with Daniel, a student of hers for six years, to educate other Newbridge Road students. Date Added: 6/2/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=152244 Thu, 02 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT false152244 Health and Wellness Staff Address Physical and Mental Well-Being The North Bellmore School District celebrates its professionals who are dedicated to the physical and emotional well-being of more than 2,000 students. The district’s six registered nurses run the health offices at each school, providing a great level of care to children. Nurses provide first aid and comfort to students who are ill or injured, and determine if a child should remain in the health office, return to class or go home. They also administer medication and provide various health screenings. The nurses office at each school is designated as a safety station for students, faculty and staff. North Bellmore’s nurses include Kathleen Pekoff at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, Susan Quinn at Martin Avenue Elementary School, Eileen Turner at Newbridge Road Elementary School, Teresa Losquadro at Park Avenue Elementary School and Elizabeth Ferreri and Annemarie Jankowski at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. “We are so grateful for all that our school nurses do to support our students each and every day,” said Executive Director for Pupil Personnel Services Leyna Malone. “Whether providing a bandage, an ice pack, or taking care of something more serious, our nurses are always there for our students. We are especially appreciative of all that our nurses have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Their professionalism and care have been essential as we navigate these times.” National School Nurse Day was celebrated on May 11. May also marks National Mental Health Awareness Month. North Bellmore’s Prevention Department includes health and wellness teachers at all five schools that focus on the social and emotional needs of students while empowering them to make positive choices in their lives. The district’s health and wellness professionals implement several programs, including Bullying Prevention, Second Step, Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence. Students also are taught about cybersafety, growth mindset, mindfulness-based practices and stranger danger. Social and emotional learning is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work and life success. North Bellmore’s team that delivers these important messages includes JoAnn Signorelli, Victoria DiOrio, Faith Gaul, Olivia Gentilucci, Keara McNamara, Mary Meyers, Jillian Sears, Tina Smart and Laurie Weintraub. They represent multiple disciplines including certified prevention specialist, nurse, school counselor and social worker. “For more than 30 years, North Bellmore’s Prevention program has been a model program with New York State,” said Ms. Signorelli, the district’s Prevention coordinator. “Over the past few years, our program changed and became our Health and Wellness program. This would not be as successful as it is if it was not for the dedication, passion and compassion of our staff. They are the heart and soul of the program and they share in common their love for helping children. North Bellmore is truly lucky to have these special professionals teaching our students.” Date Added: 5/26/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151952 Thu, 26 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151952 Talking Points for Parents About School Violence Talking Points for Parents About School Violence http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151966 Tue, 24 May 2022 16:00:00 GMT false151966 Ancient Greece is Revived in Park Avenue Classroom After weeks of immersion in Ancient Greece, students at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District demonstrated their knowledge through hands-on, collaborative projects. Sixth graders in Nicole Giusto and Krista Zucker’s class learned about all facets of the ancient civilization, such as architecture, geography, mythology and the differences between Athens and Sparta. They could pick any one of these areas and create a physical representation. “Choice leads to motivation,” Ms. Zucker said, noting how excited the students were to share their knowledge this way. Students used recycled materials from the classroom as well as items brought from home. Among the projects that students created were an Athens landscape, a Spartan helmet, a display of Greek gods and goddesses, swords, soldier statues, the columns of the Parthenon and a bust of Medusa with snake hair. Ms. Giusto said that this was the perfect assignment for a class of very creative students. The study of Ancient Greece was an interdisciplinary unit. Not only was it part of the sixth grade social studies curriculum on ancient civilizations, but it also led into the reading of the “Percy Jackson” books, a fantasy novel series based on the Greek gods. Date Added: 5/24/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151921 Tue, 24 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151921 Scout Gifts Martin Avenue a Reading Haven Not every school has two libraries, but thanks to a local Boy Scout, Martin Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District has this rare distinction. Chris Dubon, a 2016 graduate of Martin Avenue, created a little lending library and reading patio in front of the school as his Eagle Scout community service project. The new space was formally dedicated on May 12. He cut the ribbon along with Superintendent Marie Testa and Principal James O’Brien during an afternoon ceremony, with kindergartners, first graders and several teachers in attendance. “I wanted to give back to the community that created such a great home and family for me for so many years,” Chris said. His journey began more than two years ago, working with then-Principal Leyna Malone on the concept, and then getting approval from the North Bellmore Board of Education. After delays due to the pandemic, he worked throughout the school year to create the reading area, which includes a walkway, patio, benches and little library. Students, parents and community members can take a book home to read, or put in a book they are done with for someone else. Teachers can even bring their classes outside and grab a book for a read aloud. “A love of reading is something we all share here at Martin Avenue,” Mr. O’Brien said, adding that the school’s youngest readers were invited the ceremony to see a reading role model from their community. Chris raised money for supplies through fundraisers and built the little library and reading area with help from volunteers, including fellow scouts, friends and families. Even some Martin Avenue scouts contributed to the effort, with girls from the local Daisy troop planting flowers along the walkway. Superintendent Marie Testa, former principal of Martin Avenue when Chris was a student, thanked him for this gift, as North Bellmore is a community of passionate readers. Several books were added to the library. Ms. Testa placed a copy of “All Are Welcome,” the first grade classes added “The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear” and “Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monkey House,” and Chris contributed a copy of “If Your Give a Mouse a Cookie,” which he read to youngsters before placing it inside of the little library. Date Added: 5/19/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151716 Thu, 19 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151716 Young Investors Make the Right Picks Despite an up and down stock market over the past several months, North Bellmore students once again succeeded in the Stock Market Game, an annual simulation hosted by the SIFMA Foundation. The district boasted two of the top three teams in the region. Fifth and sixth graders from the district’s ALPHA gifted and talented program took part in the competition, which gives students insight into the stock market and financial management. Each team received $100,000 in fictitious money to invest. The first place team included Park Avenue Elementary School fifth graders Colin Crichton and Daniel Fu, and Saw Mill Road Elementary School students Youssef Badad, Matthew Ferrantello and Matthew Lutwick. They finished the simulation with $108,623.23. The team mostly stuck to its initial investments, which included a significant amount of Tesla stock. Ms. Angert explained that one of the requirements of the game is that teams diversify their portfolios, so no more than one-third of their money can be invested in a single company. The group was leading a field of 91 teams for most of the competition, had a late drop to ninth place, but their stocks rebounded to put them back at the top. “I didn’t know how stocks worked,” Youssef said. “I just thought you bought stocks and got money.” Coming in third place was a group of Saw Mill Road fifth graders, including Anthony Apicella, Cody Gaskin, Ryan Lay and Dagur Moi. Their total was $103,435.97. The team’s strategy was different than the other group, as they did frequent transactions throughout the competition. Ms. Angert said this was definitely and interesting year for the Stock Market Game because of the turbulence of the market recently. Students learned how to analyze trends while gaining some knowledge they can use to manage their money as adults. “I’m so proud of our young investors,” she said. “The fifth graders are looking forward to playing again next year.” Date Added: 5/17/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151625 Tue, 17 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151625 Trivia and Tech Make Learning Fun at Saw Mill Whether they need to test their knowledge of the 50 states or multiplication tables, third graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School love to turn to Blooket. Third grade teacher Elyse Beauman said the interactive digital resource has quickly become a hit with her students, who use it on their iPads. The competition-style games have students energized get answers correct and top the class leaderboard, which is displayed on the SmartBoard. One popular game is Tower Defense. Students have to protect their towers by earning points for each correct answer in a game. There are different challenges, like alien invasions, which tests their defense so they benefit from getting more answers right. “Any subject, we can find something for it,” Ms. Beauman said, adding they her class has used Blooket to review animal groups, prefixes and suffixes, and much more. Date Added: 5/13/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151509 Fri, 13 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151509 Forming and Finding fossils at Martin Avenue Paleontology may seem like an advanced concept for third graders, but students at Martin Avenue Elementary School were up to the task as part of their fossil exploration. Working in small groups, students received four blocks of clay and four objects – a penny, paper clip, paper fastener and googly eyes. Students flattened out each block of clay and pushed in one of the objects. They then stacked the layers and passed it along to another group to "unearth” the fossils with a plastic knife and toothpick. Teachers Danielle Kalinowski and Judy Wakie said that the hands-on activity was part of the life sciences unit. Students have been learning how fossils provide evidence about organisms that lived long ago and the nature of their environments. Each block of clay was a different color to represent a unique climate. Date Added: 5/10/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151191 Tue, 10 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151191 North Bellmore Teachers Bring Joy and Passion to Classrooms The primary mission of the North Bellmore School District is to educate children and prepare them for a prosperous future. To mark national Teacher Appreciation Week from May 2-6, we celebrate the 212 teachers who help our students grow, find their passions and achieve success. North Bellmore’s teaching staff includes professionals with a wide range of specialties. Instruction begins with our 97 classroom teachers, from kindergarten through sixth grade, across five elementary schools. The district also has two dozen special education teachers and 21 special-area teachers, which includes art, computer science, health and wellness, library, music and physical education teachers. The faculty also includes an ALPHA gifted and talented teacher, assistive technology specialist, band and orchestra directors, ENL teachers, occupational therapist, psychologists, reading specialists, school counselors, speech pathologists and social workers. Assistant Superintendent Janet Pollitt said that while the teachers work across multiple schools, grade levels and departments, they share a special bond as one professional learning community, with a shared dedication to the students. “What’s special about the North Bellmore teachers is the collegiality that our faculty share not just within the separate buildings but across the district,” Ms. Pollitt said. Ms. Pollitt said that teachers are particularly committed to their craft, as evidenced by their participation in professional development opportunities. She noted their active participation in afterschool and summer training sessions, offered both within the district and at educational institutions across Long Island. It’s all in the service of providing the best education to students, she explained. North Bellmore’s family of educators is comprised of veteran teachers, many of whom have been in the district for more than 20 and 30 years, as well as newcomers who have joined the faculty within the last few years. Teachers are always willing to step up and help out the community, as their influence extends beyond the classroom walls. They organize collections for the Community Cupboard, support local families who have experienced a tragedy and raise money for various charitable organizations. “Our teachers create a nurturing and supportive classroom environment, and are always willing to go the extra mile for their students,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “We couldn’t be more appreciative of our dedicated and passionate teachers, who bring joy to their classrooms and joy to their students every day.” Date Added: 5/5/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151139 Thu, 05 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151139 Saw Mill Students Strive For a Healthy Planet Although Earth Day fell during spring break this year, the student council at Saw Mill Road Elementary School still wanted to do something good for their planet. On April 28, fifth and sixth grade student leaders did some weeding in the garden in front of the school. Joined by Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, they spent some time removing weeds to help provide healthier soil, as well as more water and nutrients, for other plants in the garden such as tulips. “This helps new plants to grow, which helps our ecosystem,” fifth grade Mia Quaranto said. Kyrk Peponakis said he wanted to do his part to help the Earth, while Fizah Khan said small efforts to help the environment are for everyone’s benefit. James Canner explained that taking on this project sets an example for other students about the positive contributions they can make for their school. “It shows the younger kids how we step into action,” James said. Date Added: 5/3/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151073 Tue, 03 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT false151073 Meet The Candidate Zoom Link On behalf of the North Bellmore Coordinating Council, please use the following link to view the livestream of tonight's Meet the Candidate event at 7pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82359098693 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151040 Mon, 02 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT false151040 2022-23 Budget Newsletter 2022-23 Budget Newsletter http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=151003 Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:00:00 GMT false151003 Dinkelmeyer Students Become Poets and Painters Students are exploring all different types of poetry at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, which is celebrating National Poetry Month throughout April. Second grade teacher Cindy Quinn said that while children are typically first exposed to rhyming poetry, she is teaching them that poems can come in many different forms. Recently, she gave her students some poetry about spring, and asked them to paint what they visualized. Each children received a set of watercolor paints and created an artistic masterpiece based on the descriptive words in the poem. Ms. Quinn said that project was inspired by the book, “Jamaica Louise James,” about a girl who decorates a train station. Her students decorated Dinkelmeyer school with their poetry-inspired artwork. Sixth graders in Nicholas Assande’s class worked on nature poems. Each student selected an object from nature, such as an animal, insect or plant, and described it in poetry form. The words wrapped around a picture of that object. Date Added: 4/29/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150981 Fri, 29 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150981 Park Avenue Environmentalists Make Their Case Fifth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School have been studying the impact of humans on the environment and are using technology to advocate for change. Students are working with green-screen technology to create public service announcement videos. Teacher Melissa Danowski said they first watched other PSAs to understand the format and the type of information to include. Then they got work on their own scripts and created their digital persuasive pieces in iMovie, where they could add a background, text and sound effects. Each group was assigned a different area to research – human impact on the air, land, water, space and vegetation. The projects were part of an Earth science unit. Date Added: 4/27/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150727 Wed, 27 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150727 Dinkelmeyer Fifth Graders Raise Autism Awareness Fifth graders promoted acceptance and friendship with an Autism Awareness Month display in April at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. An autism awareness poster is made up of 25 pieces, each colored by a student in Page Powers’ fifth grade class. It features 11 hands reaching toward a globe in the center. Surrounding the poster are puzzle pieces, also individually decorated by students, with statements about how they can show kindness to people with autism. The puzzle piece is the internationally recognized symbol used to represent the mystery and complexity of autism spectrum disorder. Students Chloe Charles and Paige Harvey, who helped Ms. Powers with the hallway display, said they are aiming to raise awareness about the abilities of people with autism while spreading kindness throughout the school. The class watched a video about how people with autism see the world around them. “It gave me another point of view,” Paige said. Chloe added that she learned that being unique is something to be proud of. Date Added: 4/25/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150725 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150725 Newbridge Duo Sows the Seeds of Literacy It wasn’t hard to find an author to inspire young readers at Newbridge Road Elementary School, with a mother-daughter publishing duo in their midst. Second grader Marion Chelsea De Jesus drew the pictures while her mother, Laxmi Geronimo De Jesus, wrote the words for “Lessons From a Sunflower.” The book was actually inspired by a science activity from when Marion was in kindergarten. The pair shared their book during a pair of assemblies on April 4 to kick off Pick a Reading Partner week. The theme for this year’s PARP program was “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Activities centered around friendship such as buddy reading, twin day, book swaps and donations for the Book Fairies. Ms. De Jesus and her daughter were proud to share their book with Marion’s Newbridge Road friends, discuss the publishing process and answer questions. Every year, kindergartners in Peggy Vento’s class plant sunflowers in the spring, and each child brings one home once it begins to sprout. Because school closed in March when Marion was in kindergarten, Ms. Vento mailed them sunflower seeds. The book focuses on Marion’s journey to turn the seeds into beautiful flowers, with messages of determination, perseverance and the rewards of hard work. Interim Principal Amanda Licci said it was inspiring for students to see someone from North Bellmore achieve their goal of publishing a book. “Someone in our community did something beautiful and wonderful, and we want to celebrate that at Newbridge Road,” she said. “The book has a great message for children.” Date Added: 4/18/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150666 Mon, 18 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150666 Spring 2022 Newsletter Date Added: 4/18/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150669 Mon, 18 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150669 Weekly COVID-19 Data by Building POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES WEEK ENDING 6/10/22 # of Students # of Staff Total JGD 2 0 2 Martin 0 1 1 NBR 1. 0 1 Park 0 0 0 SMR 3 0 3 Total 6 1 7 .telerik-reTable-2 { border-collapse: collapse; border: solid 0px; font-family: Tahoma; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableHeaderRow-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderFirstCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderLastCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderOddCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableHeaderEvenCol-2 { border-width: 1.0pt 1.0pt 3.0pt 1.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableOddRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #F2F3F4; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableEvenRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #E7EBF7; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFirstCol-2 { margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border-top: none; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableLastCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableOddCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableEvenCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 tr.telerik-reTableFooterRow-2 { color: #666666; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: top; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterFirstCol-2 { margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; width: 119.7pt; border-top: none; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; background: #4F81BD; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; color: #FFFFFF; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterLastCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterOddCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } .telerik-reTable-2 td.telerik-reTableFooterEvenCol-2 { padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; } *Please note: Cases reported on a Saturday or Sunday are added to the following week's total of positive cases. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150469 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:00:00 GMT false150469 Dinkelmeyer Students Take a Shot at Curing Heart Disease Students put their basketball skills to good use at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School by taking part in the Hoops for Heart campaign. The fitness initiative benefits the American Heart Association. Physical education teacher Jim Mulvey said that students participated in various basketball games, including shooting competitions, relay races and one-on-one and two-on-two matches. Students and families could make voluntary donations, and the school raised a total of $524 for the American Heart Association, which will help cure heart disease. Date Added: 4/11/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150358 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150358 Video: National Library Week April 3-9 marks National Library Week and we celebrate North Bellmore’s school librarians, Laura Stasi and Yvonne Francolini, for their valuable role in educating children, fostering a love of reading and teaching digital citizenship. All students in grades K-3 have library has part of their rotation of special-area classes, and children in grades 4-6 visit to check out and return books. Please watch this video, in which North Bellmore students share why they are grateful for our librarians: Date Added: 4/6/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150301 Wed, 06 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150301 Saw Mill Mathematicians Make Their Escape The escape room concept came to a classroom at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, and students had to use their knowledge of numbers to solve the puzzles. Sixth grade teacher Danielle Houghton said the math escape room was the culminating activity for a unit on percent. Students worked in small groups to solve a variety of problems and determine a four-digit lock combination. While “Mission Impossible” music played in the background, their crunched the numbers on calculators and wrote equations on small marker boards. In each of four rows, there were multiple questions. Students had to follow instructions to add, subtract and divide those answers to get four single-digit numbers, which then had to be put in the right order to reveal the combination. When each group successfully solved the clues, they were rewarded with a sweet treat. Date Added: 4/5/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150249 Tue, 05 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150249 Park Avenue Buddies Craft Bracelets for Vietnam Veterans Their service may have been decades ago, but Vietnam era veterans still feel the appreciation thanks to youngsters at Park Avenue Elementary School. Students from third and sixth grade classes came together to make quick deploy paracord bracelets for veterans. Third grade teacher Brittany Ciana said she learned about the project online, sponsored by Operation Gratitude, and felt it would be a good community service activity for her students. Noting the complexity involved in making the bracelets, she enlisted the help of Sarah Mazeika’s sixth graders. The third grade and sixth grade students worked in pairs to make the bracelets in red, green and yellow, the colors of the Vietnam Service Ribbon. They followed along during an instructional video, which provided step-by-step guidance on making the bracelets. Students had to cut nine inches of paracord, tie a knot and create a zig zag pattern with the colors. Paracord survival bracelets have multiple uses, and a single 9-inch bracelet can provide up to seven and a half feet of cord that can hold up to 550 pounds. Students also wrote and signed thank-you cards to the veterans that were included with the bracelets. Date Added: 3/30/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=150061 Wed, 30 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT false150061 120 Days in the Books for First Graders First graders throughout the North Bellmore School District celebrated a milestone moment on March 18, the 120th day of the school year. While 100 days is typically a big deal in kindergarten, the older and wiser first graders have much higher aspirations. Teachers noted that counting to 120 is a math goal in the first grade. At Newbridge Road Elementary School, the two first grade classes came together for celebratory activities. Students stacked 120 plastic cups, filled in the missing numbers on 120 counting charts and made 120 cookies out of Play-Doh. They also jumped on math mats and built structures with place value blocks. Each student created a poster at home using 120 items, which were hung along the stage for their classmates to admire during their celebration. Saw Mill Road Elementary School first graders wore special T-shirts that they made at home with 120 items. Students covered their shirts in stickers, fuzzy pom poms, jewels and pieces of candy. The shirts also had fun sayings like “120 Days Brighter” and “It’s been a sweet 120 days of school.” Date Added: 3/24/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149753 Thu, 24 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT false149753 St. Patrick’s Day is a Learning Gold Mine at Dinkelmeyer First graders took well-known St. Patrick’s Day symbols – gold coins and rainbows – and turned them into a fun STEAM project at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. In the upper grades, the holiday spurred some thought-provoking writing. In Kelly Navin’s first-grade class, children used pipe cleaners in an array of colors as well as Play-Doh to build rainbow bridges. They had to create a bridge that could support the weight of cup full of gold coins (pennies). Ms. Navin explained that her students had to think like engineers. First, they had to draw up a plan, and if it didn't work, it was time to go back to the drawing board and try again. The rainbow bridge project was a lesson in creativity, problem-solving and perseverance, she explained. Fourth graders wrote short essays based on the prompt, “If I found a pot of gold, I would…” Their ideas, including trips, saving money for college and getting a puppy, also included illustrations. In fifth grade, students wrote about what makes them rich. But they were asked to go beyond material possessions and think deeply about everything in life they appreciate. Date Added: 3/22/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149723 Tue, 22 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT false149723 Bellmore Merrick Child Care Registration Information Bellmore Merrick Child Care Registration Bellmore Merrick Childcare Website http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149666 Fri, 18 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT false149666 Learning to Play and Playing to learn at Martin Avenue Learning takes place through all different forms including play, and the North Bellmore School District celebrates the knowledge that can be gained from non-traditional school activities. Students strengthened their connections with each other by playing games throughout the day. At Martin Avenue Elementary School, children were encouraged to bring in toys and board games from home to play, while learning about the importance of cooperation, sharing and teamwork. Many classic games could be found in classrooms like Chess, Life, Monopoly, Trouble, Twister and Uno. In Ashley Vella’s fifth grade class, all of the desks were pushed to the side, opening up the entire middle of the room as a gaming center. The reading table in Judy Wakie’s third grade class instead featured table tennis matches. Fifth grade teacher Elizabeth Gorman applauded the creativity of her students, who used the action, animal and people cards from a Mad Moves game to play charades. “I like the unstructured part of play day,” Ms. Vella said. “It gives students choice and lets them play with other people.” Teachers also found ways to liven up academic content with games. Antoinetta Fischetti’s second graders reinforced their math skills with a place value dice game, creating and comparting three-digit numbers. To bring some extra fun to literacy, the ceiling lights were turned off and students in all grade levels read by flashlight, using small lights provided by the Martin Avenue PTA. It was a percussion party in music classes, as students got to play metal- and wood-pitch xylophones, drums, chimes and other instruments. To celebrate the spirit of play day, teacher Alexander Roff took a step back and allowed the students to create their own musical arrangements. Date Added: 3/17/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149628 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT false149628 Newbridge Joins National Reading Celebration From children’s stories to young adult novels, students at Newbridge Road Elementary had books in hand on March 2 to celebrate Read Across America Day. Students and teachers came together to share their love of literacy. In Joann Belferder’s fourth grade class, they recited the Reader’s Oath together and also read a poem about Read Across America Day. All of her students received a personalized certificate from the National Education Association, which sponsors the annual reading initiative. Ms. Belferder’s students also did buddy reading and studied different story elements such as character, plot, setting and theme. She said that when people develop a love of reading at a young age, that joy carries with them for the rest of their lives. Sixth graders in Karen Buran’s class marked Read Across America Day by doing exactly that. They took part in interactive read alouds of books that reflect different regions of the United States. Students listened to “Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship” set in Boston, “Trombone Shorty” about a musician from New Orleans and “Sakomoto’s Swim Club” about a Hawaiian swim coach. Date Added: 3/15/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149488 Tue, 15 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT false149488 Social Workers, School Counselors Offer Integral Support The North Bellmore School District’s team of social workers and school counselors serve as an invaluable resource for students and their families, particularly during a time when there is an increased need for mental health support. March 6-12 marks National School Social Work Week. According to the School Social Work Association of America, the first social workers appeared in United States schools more than 110 years ago as visiting teachers to help improve student attendance and build close-knit relationships between home and school. North Bellmore’s team of social workers expanded this year with the use of federal pandemic relief funds. Jo Ann Signorelli, Olivia Gentilucci, Ashley Martin and Jillian Sears serve students at the five elementary schools and work directly with children and families to provide counseling. Through their established connections with numerous community agencies, they are able to make referrals to families in need of additional support. Social workers also lead numerous support groups, from building friendships and social skills to helping students affected by divorce. Four years ago, the district added a school counselor to the pupil personnel services staff, and this year a second counselor has been added. Victoria DiOrio and Keara McNamara primarily work with sixth graders to help them plan for the future, including the transition to middle school. The counselors support students with goal-setting and help them identify prospective careers so they can chart the best course for their education in middle school and high school. They use a digital platform, Naviance, to help assess students’ interests and strengths. “The social workers and school counselors play a really important role in supporting the mental health of our students and making sure we have a really positive environment in our school buildings,” said Leyna Malone, executive director of pupil personnel services and special education. “We want to ensure that all students have access to trusted adults and helpful professionals.” Date Added: 3/10/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149428 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT false149428 Mathematics Tackle Area at Martin To find the area of different shapes, third graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School worked in teams and rotated among 12 different stations for a comprehensive review of the concept. The activity in Judy Wakie’s class combined multiple elements of math, including addition, subtraction and multiplication. Students had to determine the area of regular and irregular shapes from worksheets taped to desks throughout the room. By working with partners, they could discuss the problems together. Ms. Wakie said that the area challenges ranged from simple to complex. For irregular shapes, students had to split them into multiple rectangles and add the pieces together. There were also missing numbers on some sides that the young mathematicians had to figure out with the information that was provided. Please Note: These images were taken prior to Wednesday, March 2 and the lifting of the mask mandate. Date Added: 3/7/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149295 Mon, 07 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT false149295 2022-23 School Budget Information 2022-2023 BudgetInformation http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149211 Fri, 04 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT false149211 A New Year Roars in at Dinkelmeyer To expand their knowledge of holiday celebrations around the world, students at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School got a hands-on learning experience for Lunar New Year. Children studied the customs and traditions associated with the holiday that is widely celebrated by Asian-Americans on Feb. 1. Many of the activities involved tiger crafts, as 2022 begins the year of the tiger in the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. Second graders in Jennifer Kafka’s and Alexa Rossi’s classes learned that Lunar New Year is based on the phases of the moon. They made paper lanterns in the spirit of one of the most popular new year’s celebrations, the lantern festival. “It's important for children to be aware of other holidays and traditions, even if they don’t celebrate it,” Ms. Rossi said. Kindergartners also celebrated the new year. Students in Marianne Devine’s class put on their dragon hand puppets for a Lunar New Year parade through the school. Jennifer McGovern’s class learned about the history of the holiday and had a dragon dance parade wearing masks they colorfully decorated. Please note: these images were taken prior to Wednesday, March 2 and the lifting of the mask mandate. Date Added: 3/2/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=148950 Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT false148950 Health and Wellness Newsletter 2022 Date Added: 3/1/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149048 Tue, 01 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT false149048 March Lunch Calendar March Lunch Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=149024 Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:00:00 GMT false149024 It All Adds Up to 100 for Saw Mill Kindergartners From flipping a coin 100 times to stacking 100 cups, kindergartners at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District had a blast for their milestone day on Feb. 11. Children worked on STEAM projects throughout the day, including paintings in which they declared themselves “100 days smarter.” In a ball pit, they pulled out numbered balls to complete a chart of 1 to 100. To practice their addition, students rolled dice and competed to see who could reach 100 first. And to get the creative juices flowing, they made art projects from 100 multi-colored wooden sticks. For the special day, many students wore hats to school with 100 items such as balloons, fuzzy pom poms, stickers and even holiday lights. Date Added: 2/28/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=148927 Mon, 28 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT false148927 2022-23 Budget Calendar of Events Please click on the link below to view the entire list of 22-23 school budget related events including public workshops. 2022-23 Budget Calendar of Events http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=148890 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:00:00 GMT false148890 North Bellmore Students See Impact of Food Drive Hundreds of cans of soup, vegetables and other nonperishable goods filled boxes at schools throughout the North Bellmore School District, which held its annual Souper Bowl food drive. Throughout the first two weeks of February, students and staff could place their donations in the box that represented the team they thought would win this year’s Super Bowl, the Cincinnati Bengals or the Los Angeles Rams. After the big game, donations were delivered to the Community Cupboard, a food pantry run by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District at Brookside School. “It’s fun because a lot of people are excited about the Super Bowl, and it’s also good because it’s helping others,” said Nora Daly, a fifth grade student council member at Martin Avenue Elementary School. Martin Avenue’s student council made posters that were hung throughout the building to promote the food drive. On Feb. 15, members of Saw Mill Road Elementary School’s student council traveled to the Community Cupboard to help sort donations from all five of North Bellmore’s elementary schools. Saw Mill alone contributed about 540 cans of food. Greg Arlin, the high school district’s executive director for alternative education, began the hour-long visit by bringing children to the two-room Community Cupboard. Students walked through the aisles of shelves stocked with food and learned how the food pantry benefits people right in their own community. They then traveled to the cafeteria where they worked together to fill reusable shopping bags, each with seven cans and 12 packages of noodles. Date Added: 2/17/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=147566 Thu, 17 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT false147566 North Bellmore Students Give Veterans Heartfelt Thanks Students throughout the North Bellmore School District are expressing their gratitude to some very important people – the men and women who have served their country. Through the Valentines for Veterans initiative, children made cards for active and retired members of the armed services. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, all classes were invited to participate in Valentines for Veterans. Hundreds of handmade cards, with personal messages of thanks, were presented to Nassau County Legislator Tom McKevitt, who then distributed them to veterans organizations. “The veterans helped us and protected our country,” fifth grader Jacob Bennett said about why this project was important to him. “They deserve a card to show that we’re thankful.” Park Avenue Elementary School kindergartners learned how they can do small acts to spread kindness to others, such as making a card for a veteran. On Feb. 7, children in Anne Griffin’s and Melissa Reime’s classes glued messages onto heart-shaped pieces of construction paper. Each student personalized it with drawings and stickers, and signed his or her name. The cards were given to the Bellmore Veteran’s Association. Date Added: 2/15/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=147420 Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT false147420 2022-2023 School Calendar 2022-2023 School Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=147345 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 13:00:00 GMT false147345 In North Bellmore, Learning is Fun and Games No one knows what kids enjoy more than other kids, so youngsters in North Bellmore tried their hand at creating new board games. Fifth graders in the ALPHA gifted and talented program worked in teams to come up with a concept, rules and a working prototype. A classroom at Newbridge Road Elementary School, which houses the district’s ALPHA program, might as well have been the offices of Hasbro or Parker Brothers. Students shared ideas and collaborated to come up with a product that would be appealing to their own age group. “Making a game is higher-level thinking,” teacher Gayle Angert said. “You have to plan it out, and it has to make sense.” Ms. Angert encouraged students to test the limits of their creativity to come up with games that were both original and fun. They also had to come up with marketing plans to promote their new products. Caitlin Anderson and Gabrielle Aruti came up with game called “Don’t You Dare” which featured trivia questions and dares. Youssef Badad, Colin Crighton and Daniel Fu tapped into their love of social studies to create “Path of History,” a game that tests knowledge of both United States and world events. “Animal Rescue” was the creation of Hannah Snyder and Katherine Rios, who used pipe cleaners to make different animals to serve as the game pieces. They described their game as “easy to play, but hard to win.” Date Added: 2/10/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=147288 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT false147288 Newbridge Second Graders Get the Lay of the Land From canyon bottoms to mountain tops, second graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School have been exploring the many natural features of the Earth. As part of the geography unit in social studies, students in Celeste Diogo’s and Jennifer Campbell’s classes learned about landforms and made their own 3D models. Children studied a variety of different landforms including beaches, canyons, glaciers, grasslands, islands, lakes, mountains, oceans, plateaus and volcanoes. Each student was assigned one of these landforms to research at home and construct a model from clay. During a showcase in school, students displayed their models on their desks and walked around to see each other’s projects, learning from each other about the different types of landforms that comprise the world. Date Added: 2/8/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=147208 Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT false147208 A Penguin-Packed Day at Park A winter day was the perfect time to celebrate a cold-weather bird at Park Avenue Elementary School. Kindergartners celebrated penguin day on Jan. 28, an annual tradition for students in Anne Griffin’s and Melissa Reime’s classes. Students wore black and white and outfits to school, a few students went all out with penguin onesies and hats. They waddled and flapped their arms while doing the penguin dance. For a science activity, students had to color a penguin and then spray it with water. They noticed how the wax from the crayon repelled the water, much like an actual penguin’s feathers. Children learned about the different parts of a penguin and where they live, read several stories about the south pole inhabitants and published their own “All About Penguins” books. Date Added: 2/3/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=147084 Thu, 03 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT false147084 Dinkelmeyer Students Create Standout Artwork To understand the concepts of depth, height and width, first graders explored tab construction in their art classes at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Art teacher Jill Skelly explained that making a fold and gluing it to a flat surface is the most basic way to make paper stand up. On small, individual pieces of paper, students drew buildings, cars, people and plants, then pasted them down on a large piece of paper to make a 3D landscape. Ms. Skelly added that children love to draw and having their artwork stand up allows it to stand out. Date Added: 1/31/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=146971 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false146971 Saw Mill Authors Find Their Audience Sixth graders transformed their desks into elaborate displays, representing poignant moments in their lives, for a writing celebration at Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Jan. 14. Students in Danielle Houghton’s class worked on their personal narrative pieces for several months. It began with immersion, in which they read mentor texts by accomplished authors to understand good writing practices. And it culminated with a celebration in which the sixth graders invited in their kindergarten buddies to share their freshly published pieces. In between, students wrote several drafts and went through a peer editing process. By sharing stories with classmates, the young writers received constructive feedback to make meaningful revisions to their stories. Ms. Houghton said that the topics were wide-ranging, from sports to vacations to time they tried something new. Students were invested in their pieces because the ideas represented moments that were important in their lives. Patrick Mulvey wrote about the time he was in the hospital to have surgery, and the outpouring of support he received from friends and family. He emphasized in his story how “you’re never alone” even in tough times. “I enjoyed writing to story,” he said, “because I feel that my readers are going to enjoy it because they will learn a good lesson.” Madison Argentina took readers on a journey of her experience learning how to dance. She enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate her hard work and create a display that represented her story. “It makes it more enjoyable to write about something that we know about,” she said. Ms. Houghton said that culminating celebrations are an important part of each unit in Writer’s Workshop, but her students decided how to celebrate. It was their idea to have a showcase for their buddies from Patricia Graham’s kindergarten class and foster an excitement for writing in their younger peers. Date Added: 1/27/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145909 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145909 Sixth Graders Talk Trade at Martin Avenue The barter system, an old method of goods exchange, came to Martin Avenue Elementary School on Jan. 14, giving sixth graders a look at economics in a different way. As part of the social studies unit on the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras, students learned how people used their own goods as currency. Each sixth grader was tasked with coming up with a product and creating enough inventory for a trade fair in the cafeteria. For more than an hour, the room was buzzing as the young entrepreneurs negotiated with each other. Not only could they trade their own products, but they could trade any goods they acquired in other deals. A day earlier, sixth graders passed around their homemade business cards to build some excitement for their goods. At the trade fair, they displayed their product posterboards and also had iPads with their digital advertisements. Some of the products included candles, hand sanitizers and soaps, keychains, kindness rocks, pencil cases and Class of 2022 photo frames. The trade fair was coordinated by teachers Rachel Graber, Stephanie Speciale, Lauren Fleigner and Beth Niditch. “The most exciting part for us,” Ms. Speciale said, “is watching them get into the negotiating and having those business conversations.” Date Added: 1/24/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145829 Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145829 Third Graders Compose and Celebrate at Newbridge A two-month immersion in memoir writing culminated with published stories for third graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Students from Brenda Adragna’s and Lynda Brust’s classes proudly shared their work with each other during a recent writing celebration. Through Writer’s Workshop, students reflected on special memories and made their own books. They could write using many different styles, such as first-person or third-person, or even by retelling a moment through an imaginary character. There were some techniques that every writer used including sensory details, which helps a reader visualize the scene, and character dialogue. The lesson began with students reading mentor texts, including several books by Patricia Polacco. After brainstorming ideas, they got to work on their own writing. Like any author, the first draft was not the last, as they edited, revised and refined their stories before publishing. Nick Chierchie wrote about the grand slam he hit during his first year playing Little League because “I remember that moment and it was a great feeling.” He noted that not only did this project make him a better writer but also a better artist as his illustrations got better throughout the book. Alice Boylan reflected on the first sleepover she ever hosted. “Being a writer is a lot of work,” she said. “It’s worth it because once you finish it, you feel proud of yourself.” Date Added: 1/18/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145654 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145654 A Table Read and Write at Martin Avenue After reading “Our Table” by Peter Reynolds, second graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School began thinking about life around their own dining room and kitchen tables. Teacher Antonietta Fischetti said the class read the book together about a family that reconnects through shared activities. Students then thought about ways they spend time with their families. Each child completed a “My Table” project, highlighting these different aspects such as their favorite family dinner, a great family memory and the popular conversation topics in their homes. Ms. Fischetti said she always looks for ways to help students connect literature with their own lives. After reading “Our Table,” they were able to reflect and gain a greater appreciation for the importance of family time. Date Added: 1/12/2022 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145486 Thu, 13 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145486 Extreme Cold Guide Extreme Cold Guide- Click HERE to View http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145419 Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:00:00 GMT false145419 Science Gets Egg-Citing at Park Avenue A simple egg turned into a valuable learning tool for young scientists at Park Avenue Elementary School during their study of cells. During a four-day experiment to study osmosis, sixth graders in Sarah Mazeika’s class worked in small groups and placed their eggs in different substances. Each egg spent 24 hours in vinegar, then corn syrup and finally water. When taking their eggs out of each liquid, students made observations about the changes in appearance and texture. They also weighed the egg and measured the remaining liquid to see if any had been absorbed. Ms. Mazeika explained that the goal of the experiment was to show students how cells always try to maintain water balance with the surrounding environment. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145189 Mon, 10 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145189 Buddies Bond Over Writing at Dinkelmeyer Fifth graders can boast years of writing experience, while kindergartners are only at the start of their literary journeys. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, the experts and the beginners recently came together to talk about the writing craft. During a buddy writing celebration in the cafeteria, fifth graders from Melissa Halaris’ class and kindergartners from Jennifer McGovern’s class partnered up to share their recent work with each other. The fifth graders spent the past six weeks working on their memoirs as they followed each step of the writing process. They first read mentor texts, then brainstormed ideas about memories they wanted to write about. Some of the topics included family trips and holiday traditions. After writing a first draft, it was time to edit and revise. The fifth graders even turned to each other for helpful critiques before publishing their final pieces. They proudly read their stories to the kindergartners, who one day hope to write like the big kids. Fifth graders also imparted some knowledge with writing tips for their younger peers, who are just beginning Writer’s Workshop. During the next several years, they will be engaged in the thoughtful and personalized process in which they will explore many different types of writing. Ms. McGovern noted that her kindergartners wrote small books about “something they know” to show their elder buddies. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145188 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145188 Telling Tales of Traditions at Newbridge Holiday traditions are all about family, so that’s exactly who kindergartners turned to for their writing projects at Newbridge Road Elementary School. The youngsters were tasked with writing about their favorite holiday traditions. The assignments were done at home so they could tap into the knowledge of those who most know about those important family customs. Students then brought in their finished writing pieces, complete with illustrations, to have discussions with their classmates about each other’s traditions. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=145186 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT false145186 Tech-Savvy Students Participate in Hour of Code While children are very familiar with modern technology, they often use it without understanding how it functions. During Computer Science Education Week from Dec. 6-12, students in the North Bellmore School District got a look at the inner-workings of computer software. Students in fourth and fifth grades took part in activities through the international Hour of Code initiative under the direction of technology teachers Michael Bevilacqua, Alexa Laskowitz and Cathy Schlaich. Ms. Schlaich explained that the goal was to give children an introduction to coding with a user-friendly program, Google CS First. Fourth graders animated text. Students could write their names, favorite sport or a place they enjoy, then give each letter an effect using drag-and-drop coding. Since every letter was its own sprite – a standalone computer graphic – they had to create code for each one. Students had fun making letters change colors, bounce, dance, spin and do other effects while learning the extensive work involved in computer programming. Each effect required anywhere from two to five lines of code, depending on complexity. In fifth grade, students programmed two sprites to have a dialogue and learned how to move the graphics on the screen using the coordinate plane. “It’s valuable to them as they're going to need these coding skills going forward,” Ms. Schlaich said. “It’s something that they're going to be using in middle school, high school, college and maybe even in careers.” Ms. Schlaich also noted that one component of North Bellmore’s computer science program is robotics, which requires coding. Students have to program their robots to perform specific movements, so they will go into those activities with some familiarity because of their participation in Hour of Code. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144956 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144956 Newbridge Artists Build With Paper and Pizazz The A in STEAM is for art, and students at Newbridge Road Elementary School learned how it comes together with science, technology, engineering and math during a hands-on building activity. Art teacher Jill Emmer tasked her young creators with making paper sculptures that included several different elements. There had to a curved wall and a fringed wall, paper intersections, something that moves and one structure over another. Students learned different techniques, such as creating “double feet,” to make their structures stand up securely. They had several artistic tools at their disposal including construction paper in different colors, scissors, rulers, shape tracers and hole punchers. Ms. Emmer said that goal was for students to use the STEAM approach to create unique art projects that also showed their understanding of several different techniques. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144805 Thu, 16 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144805 North Bellmore’s Music Makers Have a Blast Whether they are singing, dancing or playing instruments, students throughout the North Bellmore School District are having a blast in their general music classes. Maritza Lopez, Carol Ng and Alexander Roff bring a passion for music that engages their students. They create topical lessons that not only teach children fundamentals but also create an appreciation for music. Their goal is for students to leave class understanding that music is purposeful and universal. At the end of November, Ms. Lopez, began incorporating holiday songs into her music lessons at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. But it wasn’t just about teaching the notes and words, it was a culture experience. She explained that music is an important part of the traditions associated with holidays celebrated around the world. Students learned the lyrics to “Light the Menorah” and incorporated percussion instruments in their rendition of “Feliz Navidad.” Using claves and conga drums, half of the class kept a beat while the other half sang. Thanksgiving sparked musical opportunities in Ms. Ng’s classes at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Park Avenue elementary schools. Students learned how Native Americans used materials from nature to make their own instruments such as the bamboo flute and pan pipes. Children in the younger grade studied rhythmic patterns in turkey songs. To perform holiday music, the young musicians will get to use bells. Mr. Roff, who teaches at Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road elementary schools, said music literacy is an important part of his classes, with students learning how to read notes and sing different scales. His fourth through sixth graders regularly play percussion instruments such as xylophones to learn different songs. “Our students are making the most of each music class,” he said. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144682 Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144682 Saw Mill Toy Drive Aids Hurricane Victims Donation boxes were filled to the top with toys and books at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, and those items were then sent hundreds of miles away. The student council hosted a holiday toy and book drive to benefit families that were affected by Hurricane Ida, which impacted Louisiana and several eastern states last August. Students were asked to donate new, unwrapped toys and books to the cause from Nov. 22 through Dec. 3. Sixth grader Aidan Fitzpatrick noted that Saw Mill is a large school, and if everyone gave one item, it could make a big difference. “A lot of people out there are in need,” said Josh Sat. Added Jada Jennings, “A lot of kids don't have the privilege of getting new toys from their parents so it’s good to give back to them.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144575 Thu, 09 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144575 District Revamps Computer Science Program From robotics to 3D printing, students in the North Bellmore School District are immersed in 21st-century technology in a new computer science program. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders enjoy a robust computer science curriculum as part of their regular rotation of special area classes. It is part of a revamped library/media program, in which they still check out books but now classes are centered around technology skills that better prepare them for middle school and beyond. “Our goal is for them to get a basic understanding of what computer science is, because this is the future,” technology teacher Michael Bevilacqua said. Robotics introduces students to computer programming through hands-on activities. Using Cubelets, Dash and Dot robots and Spheros, they have to program the devices to perform certain tasks. Mr. Bevilacqua noted that students are also learning different coding languages using the CS First digital computer science curriculum. “I like learning about the new robots,” said Martin Avenue Elementary School student Madison Badillo. “After I learn about them, I’m able to create something. I get to let my imagination run wild creating things.” Director of Technology Jason Fischetti explained that robotics involves the same thought pattern as writing code – creating step-by-step instructions to get the desired outcome. For example, he noted that with Cubelets, students have to identify what each cube does – there are sensors, thinkers and actors – then put the blocks together in the correct sequence. They use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their challenges to build practical robots. “Everything we’re doing is to better prepare them for higher-level classes,” Mr. Fischetti said, noting that technology is a required course in middle school. Mr. Fischetti added that while North Bellmore has had technology instruction for many years, now it is part of the regular schedule for students in grades 4-6 so there is a continuity of instruction. Students in grades K-3 receive technology instruction on a push-in basis as well as iPad and literacy instruction from the library media specialists in each building. A big component of the sixth grade computer science program is digital citizenship. To emphasize internet safety, students learn about the digital footprint they create through all of their online activities, including the use of social media. Technology teacher Cathy Schlaich recently showed students the media profiles of two fictitious people to emphasize how someone’s reputation can be affected by the internet. Sixth graders then researched well-known companies, to see how they are portrayed online, and determined if the information they found gave them a positive or negative impression of a company. As a culminating activity, students will create their own personal brand. They looked at logos of dozens of companies to understand how businesses create their identities through imagery. Sixth graders will then make their own logos based on their personalities and interests. The logos will be created using design software on their iPads and then physically made on a 3D printer. Throughout the district, the libraries and computer labs have been refurbished. New, lightweight furniture can be easily moved to foster collaboration or to open up more floor space for an activity. There are tables in different shapes and sizes and a variety of seats including chairs, soft benches and floor cushions. “It’s comfortable for them and it’s more of a relaxed setting,” Ms. Schlaich said. “That's the whole idea because it encourages creativity.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144442 Mon, 06 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144442 Park Avenue Students Craft a Tasty Tale What are the important components of a Thanksgiving meal? Just ask kindergartners at Park Avenue Elementary School as they recently created books on that very subject. As a fun literacy activity to get them ready for the holiday, students in Melissa Reime’s class made “Thanksgiving Dinner” books. The stories highlighted turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie and, for the last page, a clean plate. Children learned about different literary elements including patterns and rhyming. They even made pictures of the food with construction paper and other materials, which gave them practice on their fine motor skills. “They learned how to tell a story,” Ms. Reime, “and it’s something they get to take home and can share at Thanksgiving dinner.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144320 Thu, 02 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144320 Food Drive Supports Newbridge Road Community Dozens of boxes were filled with food at Newbridge Road Elementary School for the annual Thanksgiving food drive. All donations benefitted families within the community. The food drive wass a partnership between the school and the PTA. Each grade level was assigned a different item to bring in, such as canned goods, desserts, juice and pasta, to ensure that a variety of food is collected. Sixth graders helped sort the food and check expiration dates, and PTA members created food packages for each family. Sixth grader Elyzabeth Kuchynskas said that the food drive was important to ensure that everyone in North Bellmore has a good Thanksgiving. “It feel right to give people food that don’t have enough food,” added A.J. Navarro. “It's giving back to the community.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144261 Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144261 Mastering Math at Saw Mill As math concepts become more challenging, teachers are finding ways to make learning fun and relatable at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. In Melissa McCabe’s second grade class, students recently used unit cubes to make arrays. This allowed them to visually organize columns and rows. Each student created several rows with an equal number of cubes. Ms. McCabe explained that this repeated addition activity helped prepare for an upcoming math unit – multiplication. “Everything with math is scaffolded,” she said, “where one concept leads into another.” Jessica Pirozzi’s third graders practiced rounding numbers to the nearest tens and hundreds. Working in small groups, students picked number cards to create three-digit numbers and decide if it should be rounded up or down. She added that by working with partners, students could talk, work through it together and explain their reasoning. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=144158 Wed, 24 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT false144158 Valued Workers Within The North Bellmore School District Paraprofessionals, Monitors and Lunch Recess Assistants Are Essential to the School Setting The old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” appropriately sums up the team effort that is required to educate children in a school. The North Bellmore School District has a valued team of support staff, who we recognize for National Education Support Professionals Day on Nov. 17. Educational support staff members, including paraprofessionals, kindergarten monitors and lunch recess assistants, take on a variety of tasks that are essential to the operation of each school. The support staff members provide valuable support to teachers and building administration to support instruction and keep children safe. Paraprofessionals are an integral part of a district’s special education program and provide an extra level of support for students. They are assigned to all integrated co-teaching and self-contained classes, assisting teachers with various aspects of classroom management and student support throughout the day. Individual students may also be provided with paraprofessional support based on Committee on Special Education recommendations. The support of a paraprofessional is essential in providing student with opportunities to access the curriculum, navigate social situations and regulate their emotions. “Paraprofessionals are absolutely essential to helping our students succeed, to access the curriculum and to be successful in the school setting,” said Leyna Malone, the Executive Director for Pupil Personnel Services. Kindergarten monitors give the district’s youngest learners extra adults to turn to for help. Each class is assigned a monitor for three hours per day, including during lunch and recess time. In the classroom, the monitors assist teachers with instructional activities. During lunch and recess, they assist the children with opening packages of food, cleaning up and becoming independent. They also organize games during recess and support children with their unstructured play time. Ms. Malone noted that the kindergarten monitors are a valuable resource in helping children become acclimated to the school environment. They assist students in learning the school routines, foster positive social interactions and give kindergartners the skills they need to become more independent. “Our kindergarten friends can always benefit from the extra support,” Ms. Malone said. “The monitors help with anything.” Lunch recess assistants oversee the cafeterias and playgrounds. They help bring the prepackaged school lunches to children and ensure that all rules are being followed. During lunch and recess, their top priority is to ensure safety. “Our paraprofessionals, kindergarten monitors and lunch and recess assistants are an integral part of the school community,” added Denise Fisher, Director of Personnel. “The relationships they foster with students are built on trust and respect, which in turn allows for our student to be properly supported to reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally. North Bellmore values and appreciates the role they play in our classrooms, buildings and district.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143916 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT false143916 Football Frenzy at Punt, Pass, Kick Competition Footballs were flying through the air in the back fields of Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Nov. 4 as the North Bellmore School District hosted the final round of its annual Punt, Pass, Kick competition. Throughout October, students in grades 3-6 from John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools participated in preliminary rounds during their physical education classes. From every school, the girl and boy with the top score in each grade was invited to finals. About 40 students, along with their physical education teachers and several administrators, gathered at Saw Mill on a fall morning that felt like perfect football weather. For the pass competition, students threw the ball down the field, where distance markers were placed every 10 feet. That was followed by punting, in which participants dropped and kicked the ball. In the final part of the contest, they kicked a ball from a tee. Students with the highest combined distances were the winners. The districtwide champions were: • Third grade girl: Lea Pagnotta (Saw Mill) • Third grade boy: Dominic Giametto (Martin Avenue) • Fourth grade girl: Jessica Burns (Dinkelmeyer) • Fourth grade boy: Caleb Shogan (Dinkelmeyer) • Fifth grade girl: Abigail Aguiles (Dinkelmeyer) • Fifth grade boy: Anthony Apicella (Saw Mill) • Sixth grade girl: Isabella Lanzello (Dinkelmeyer) • Sixth grade boy: Adam Erlichman (Dinkelmeyer) The Punt, Pass, Kick competition is adapted from a football skills contest formerly hosted by the NFL. North Bellmore has continued it as a districtwide physical education event every fall. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143808 Mon, 15 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT false143808 Park Avenue Engineers Are Off to the Water Races An engineering challenge had a nautical theme at Park Avenue Elementary School, as fifth graders designed and built small boats, then hosted a regatta to test out their creations. Teachers Melissa Danowski and Jenna Stack provided students with different materials including aluminum foil, cotton swabs, paper, straws and wooden sticks. Each group was tasked with coming up with a design for a boat that would stay afloat. They had to use their knowledge of the buoyancy of these different supplies. Students first watched a few videos featuring professional boat makers, then got to work. They followed the engineering design process, so they had to draw up plans before construction could begin. On Oct. 28, students went outside to place their boats in the inflatable raingutter regatta raceways. There were four, 12-foot-long lanes filled with water, as well as two fans to create wind to push the boats along. Ms. Danowski and Ms. Stack said the goal was simply to come up with designs that would get the boats to go from end to end without sinking. Students will evaluate their designs and make improvements, with an eye on speed for the next set of races. The teachers added that students learned valuable life skills during the project, including problem-solving and teamwork. Collaboration and communication was important for success, as the partners had to listen to each other’s ideas and come to a consensus on a design. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143628 Tue, 09 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT false143628 Newbridge Students Make Healthy Promises Students found many different ways to “say no to drugs” at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, which took part in the national Red Ribbon Week campaign from Oct. 25-29. There were activities each day of the week to send a schoolwide anti-drug message. To start off, they kicked drugs to the curb while enjoying games of kickball and soccer. Students showed they are Newbridge strong against drugs by wearing their school gear and they closed out the week by saying “boo” to drugs in black and orange attire. Oct. 28 was “run away from drugs” day with the annual Rally in Red Run. Students wore red to school and did laps around the back field. Physical education teacher James Breslin set up a course that was about a quarter-mile, and students spent time either in the morning or afternoon walking, jogging and running around. They received a mark for each lap, with many students completing several miles. Mr. Breslin said that Red Ribbon Week is about making healthy choices, and the fun run promotes the benefits of exercise. Every class made red papers chains and each student contributed a link. Children wrote on their links different ways they can keep their bodies and minds healthy, from eating more fruits and vegetables to having positive interactions with classmates. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143413 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 04:00:00 GMT false143413 STEAM Gets Spooky at Martin Avenue Halloween sparked creativity and ingenuity at Martin Avenue Elementary School, with students enjoying STEAM activities centered around the end-of-October holiday. Third graders worked in teams and used limited supplies to build different Halloween creations. Each group was assigned a different object to create, such as a 3D pumpkin, a flying bat, a haunted house, a skeleton and a spider web with a spider and its prey. The materials students had to work with included aluminum foil, construction paper, cotton swabs, dental floss and toothpicks, along with glue and tape. They also got to work with some new partners, as groups were mixed and matched with students from Danielle Kalinowski, Audra McCormack and Judy Wakie’s classes. Collaboration and communication were key to successful projects. In Rachel Graber’s class, sixth graders had to construct a pumpkin stand. Their supplies included cardstock, cups, index cards, masking tapes and wooden sticks. Each item had a price, so the goal was to build the strongest stand with the smallest budget. After the young engineers completed their projects, the class gathered around a desk as Ms. Graber placed a pumpkin on each stand to see how it held up. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143347 Tue, 02 Nov 2021 04:00:00 GMT false143347 2021 Fall Newsletter http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143245 Fri, 29 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false143245 Kindergartners Fight Fire With Knowledge An important part of kindergarten is learning about personal safety, and youngsters at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School recently learned how they can keep themselves and their families safe. October is Fire Prevention Month so students in Jennifer McGovern’s class took part in several fire safety lessons. Using paper phones, they practiced dialing 911 and memorized their addresses and phone numbers so they could give that important information in case of an emergency. They also learned about stop, drop and roll and how to escape a fire by crawling under the smoke. Students made crafts identifying the different parts of a fire truck. They also received a visit from a school employee who volunteers with their local fire department. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=143206 Wed, 27 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false143206 Young Artists Get Wise at Martin Avenue When art teacher Jill Emmer showed kindergartners a completed drawing of an owl, she knew the task at hand might seem a little overwhelming at first. But 45 minutes later, the young artists from Martin Avenue Elementary School were admiring their own masterpieces. Through a guided drawing activity, Ms. Emmer made the project quite simple. She took them through the process step by step, first drawing the outline of the owl’s body, and adding eyes, a beak, legs, wings and feathers. By taking it one line at a time, kindergartners could mimic their teacher’s drawing, which helped build their confidence as artists. After completing the drawings in pencil, they then traced over all of the lines in black crayon. From there, students could let their imaginations run wild and color in their owls however they wanted. Placing texture plates under their drawings, every project was unique with different colors and patterns. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=140460 Fri, 22 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false140460 A Show of Support With a Splash of Pink To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and show their unity in the fight against the disease, students and staff throughout the North Bellmore School District wore pink on Oct. 15. Their bright wardrobes made quite an impactful statement in showing their support for all who have battled breast cancer. The district’s “Pink Out” day was a huge success as pink shirts could be found in every classroom. Students also found other ways to incorporate the color into their outfits including hair scrunchies, pants, shorts, socks and even face masks. Teachers and staff also made donations to the American Cancer Society, filling up jars at each elementary school. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=140428 Wed, 20 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false140428 Nutritious and Delicious Is Goal of Food Services Staff Lunch time is an important part of the school day, and it is where the cafeteria staff of the North Bellmore School District shines. This year, National School Lunch Week is being celebrated from Oct. 11-15 and the district is recognizing the valuable staff members who ensure that children can enjoy good, nutritious meals. The food services staff has five cooks, one at each elementary school, who arrive before the school day even begins. They prepare hundreds of meals that meet guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New York State Education Department’s Office of Child Nutrition. Those regulations dictate everything from calorie and sodium counts to portion sizes and color of vegetables. Additionally, the staff includes six part-time food service helpers, who assist in food preparation and service. Food Service Manager Helena McKenna said that in preparing the district’s monthly lunch menu, feedback from the food service staff is very valuable, because they are in schools and interact with the students. They can give insight on what the children most enjoy. Pizza and brunch for lunch are among the more popular days. “The staff knows the kids and they treat the students here like family,” Ms. McKenna said, noting that there are always several options every day, including a hot lunch, a salad or sandwich and a bagel bag. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many changes to school lunch procedures over the past two years. No longer do students move through the serving line adjacent to the kitchens, but now lunch orders are taken every morning and meals are individually packaged in bags or boxes, depending on the items. “The staff has had to make a lot of adjustments,” said Jacqueline Rehak, assistant superintendent for business. “The team have been superstars. I commend them and congratulate them on everything they’ve done.” Ms. Rehak praised the staff for being so flexible and reliable while all these changes have taken place. Many kitchen staff members have been with the district a long time and had to quickly learn procedures that altered the way things have been done for decades. Lunch and recess assistants are also integral members of the staff, as they assist with many functions that keep the cafeterias running smoothly. The 57 assistants, plus substitutes, deliver lunches to children and ensure that they are socially distanced while eating. Because lunch was eaten in classrooms last year, they also give reminders about cafeteria etiquette, especially kindergartners and first graders who have never eaten in there before. Ms. McKenna and Ms. Rehak said that because the food is cooked on site, it is always fresh. This is the second year that school lunches have been free, as the district is taking advantage of federal child nutrition funds, and the number of students who buy lunch is very high. This is a testament to the food services staff, they added, who put much care into their work to make sure the food is healthy and, of course, tastes good. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=140275 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false140275 Students Have Hearts, and Shirts, of Gold It’s not every day that yellow shirts are the predominant fashion choice at a school, but on Sept. 30, students in the North Bellmore School District were united in the fight against pediatric cancer by making a statement with their wardrobes. The district hosted its annual Go Gold Day on the final day of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Students and staff incorporated gold, yellow and neon green into their outfits in many different ways. Many children had gold shoelaces and beaded necklaces to show their support for the cause. Others wore shirts with messages like “Be Bold, Go Gold” and “In September, We Wear Gold.” North Bellmore teachers also made donations to Solving Kids Cancer, which focuses on the development of new treatments for aggressive childhood cancers. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=140122 Wed, 06 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false140122 Facilities Staff Keeps Buildings Clean and Safe When the five elementary schools in the North Bellmore School District open up each morning, it’s because of the dedication of the approximately 40 members of the Facilities Department. Oct. 2 is National Custodian Day and the district’s staff of cleaners, custodians and maintainers deserve recognition for their splendid upkeep of the buildings and grounds. Much of their work takes place in plain sight, while a lot is done behind the scenes. Daytime cleaners and custodians handle a wide variety of tasks from cleaning up the cafeteria after lunch to setting up furniture in classrooms, offices and common spaces. They also handle minor building repairs. To keep schools clean, safe and running smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the district hired additional cleaners who work daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their job is to disinfect all high-touch surfaces in the schools such as door handles, handrails, light switches and water bottle-filling stations. They also clean classrooms while students are out to lunch and recess. Facilities Director Richard Russo said the cleaners have set routes and when they reach the end, they go back and start over. Nighttime custodians do thorough cleanings of the buildings and also disinfect the classrooms using electrostatic sprayers. The district’s staff of maintainers are responsible for upkeep of the grounds, which totals about 61 acres. They also are also tasked with building repairs and upgrades. The staff of maintainers includes skilled carpenters, electricians and plumbers, who can do small and mid-sized jobs such as repairs and upgrades to the HVAC system and the installation of window air conditioning units. This summer, they built two small offices in the Martin Avenue Elementary School library. Last year, they upgraded outside lighting around the schools. Having this work done in-house not only saves money, but it also allows the district to complete the work on its own time frame. “We have intentionally hired into specific areas of expertise, allowing us to perform work with our district personnel, rather than having to contract out jobs,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. Custodians handle painting projects throughout the schools. They typically paint the hallways every summer, and classrooms are done on a rotating basis. This past summer, they painted every classroom on the second floor of Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Mr. Russo said the demands on the buildings and grounds staff have only increased during the pandemic because of the stringent cleaning requirements. Expectations often change at the last minute based on updated guidance from state and local health agencies. North Bellmore’s buildings and grounds staff has handled it all with grace. “They have gone to great lengths and always with a positive attitude,” he said, “knowing they are doing this for the children and the staff. They constantly go above and beyond, and are great at adapting and accommodating all of the requests that come at us.” “Our custodians, cleaners and maintainers take great pride in ensuring that our buildings and grounds are crown jewels in the community,” Mrs. Testa added. “Their contributions to the district are immeasurable.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=140016 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT false140016 Dinkelmeyer Students Get a Taste of Literature Throughout the school year, students will read a lot of books in Melissa Halaris’ classroom at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. They started filling up their book bags just a few days into the new year following a book tasting in the library. The mood was set with red tablecloths, placemats and floral centerpieces. Also on each table was a stack of books for students to look through. Ms. Halaris said she wanted children to get a “taste” of each book by reading a few pages, the summary and author biography. She explained that no two students are alike as readers, with interests in different genres and topics. That’s why independent reading time is an important part of each school day, in which students can read the books that appeal to them. “We want to make sure that when they’re reading, they enjoy it,” Ms. Halaris said. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=139948 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT false139948 Pinwheels Have a Purpose for Peace Large pinwheels in front of Newbridge Road Elementary School reflected a shared desire among students, staff and the community for world peace. The pinwheels were placed in front of the school on Sept. 20 so when the sun rose the following morning for the International Day of Peace, they would already be there as a visual reminder. The PTA provided a pinwheel for every class, and each student could sign his or her name on one of the fins. Classes went outside throughout the day to place them near the rock garden, adjacent to the main entrance. By the end of the day, there were more than 20 pinwheels spinning in the breeze, including ones signed by teachers and staff. “We live peace day every day at Newbridge Road School,” Interim Principal Amanda Licci said. “The pinwheels represent our pledge to be peaceful.” Teachers shared videos about the purpose of the International Day of Peace and also read books that promoted peace. In classroom discussions, students learned that they could show peace to others through kindness and acceptance. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=139818 Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT false139818 Technology Support Staff Is ‘Life Blood’ of District Technology touches almost every aspect of life in the North Bellmore School District, from daily instruction to data collection and reporting. The district’s small but dedicated technology support staff ensures that the system is always running smoothly for administrators, teachers and students, and if it’s not, they are there in a pinch to help. Sept. 21 is National IT Professionals Day, and these behind-the-scenes staff members provide a critical role in district operations. North Bellmore’s technology department includes two full-time IT specialists who keep the network up and running and make sure that all devices are functioning properly. Bob Vermillion is the “end point” specialist who prepares and repairs many of the instructional technology devices used by students and staff, including desktop and laptop computers, printers and Smart Boards. He also receives all repair tickets submitted by staff. Wade Hamp oversees the district’s vast computer network, from the servers to the switches. He also handles network security, virus protection and system updates. “These guys are the life blood of the whole district, because they keep everything going,” said Technology Director Jason Fischetti. “It's endless, the amount of stuff on their plates, but they are such top-notch workers.” Mr. Fischetti said that being an IT worker often means working atypical hours. For example, he said, updates often need to be done at night or on holidays so they don’t disrupt the system during the school day. “For the teachers, all of their stuff is based on internet and network access,” Mr. Vermillion noted. Mr. Hamp added that North Bellmore had made several strides forward with technology in recent years to build redundancy into the system. That way, he said, if one component fails, it doesn’t knock the system offline. “The more proactive you are, the less reactive you have to be,” Mr. Fischetti explained. “But you have to be both, because the unexpected happens.” Equally important members of the IT staff are Evelyn Comas and Patty Lombardo, who run the district’s eSchool student management system and also handle all data reporting to the state. The technology department also has four instructional technology specialists, Michael Bevilacqua, Leslie DiChiara, Kerry Penteck and Catherine Schlaich, who work directly with teachers and students to support learning through various digital resources, including the introduction of a new computer science program this year. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=138210 Tue, 21 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT false138210 North Bellmore Marks 20th Anniversary With Patriotic Pride Students and staff in the North Bellmore School District marked the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a show of patriotism, wearing red, white and blue to school on Sept. 10. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, Principal Danica Brugge spoke about Patriot Day, which is observed each year on Sept. 11. In her morning announcements, she led a moment of silence in honor of “our patriot heroes.” Age-appropriate activities and discussions took place in classrooms throughout the day. Kindergartners took a trip out to the flagpole and learned about the meaning and symbolism of the American flag. Fifth graders watched a read aloud video on YouTube of ‘The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” so students could learn about the buildings that once stood in the New York City skyline. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=138062 Tue, 14 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT false138062 Excitement Is Plentiful as New School Year Begins Sept. 1 marked the first day back for 2,022 students in the North Bellmore School District, a fitting number for a school year that will end in June 2022. But no one was thinking that far ahead just yet. Instead, the first day was a celebration of new beginnings. Students arrived with their new backpacks, filled with fresh school supplies, ready to learn and to make lots of memories. “I want to make this the best year in elementary school,” said sixth grader Edy Volpe, who marked her final first day at Park Avenue Elementary School, which she admitted gave her mixed emotions. She is looking forward to field trips, building a rocket in science and just having fun times with her friends. There were lots of new faces in the schools this year. In addition to a few hundred kindergartners at the five elementary schools, there were 10 new teachers and several returning teachers. New Martin Avenue Elementary School teacher Jordan Sabinsky quickly learned the building so he could give his kindergartners a tour on the first day, showing them important locations like the cafeteria, gymnasium and main office while also teaching hallway etiquette. His kindergarten colleague, Jennie Kuhn, had her classroom library stocked with books to help her students with the transition, such as “My First Day of School” and “Who Will Go to Kindergarten Today?” It was also a true first day for administrators at four buildings. Martin Avenue Principal James O’Brien and Newbridge Road Interim Principal Amanda Licci moved from other positions in the district with while Park Avenue Principal Michael DeBlasio and Saw Mill Road Assistant Principal Daniel Madden are newcomers to North Bellmore. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=137850 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT false137850 NBUFSD Reopening Plan - August 31, 2021 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=137796 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT false137796 North Bellmore 101 For New Teachers A new school year means several new faces in the North Bellmore School District’s teaching staff. To get themselves acquainted with the district, first-year teachers attended an orientation program on Aug. 26 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. The new teachers received a warm welcome from Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt, Director of Personnel Denise Fisher and Director of Educational Programs and Staff Development Tillie McNamara. They learned about the district’s mission statement and core values and were introduced to the vast array of instructional technology resources, which will allow them to provide students with interactive and engaging learning experiences. There was the nitty gritty like payroll and benefits, a welcome from the North Bellmore Teachers Association and afternoon breakout sessions, which focused on the specific content areas of the new teachers. The 10 newcomers to North Bellmore include elementary classroom teachers as well as special area teachers for library, music and technology. “Our new teachers were selected from a pool of many qualified candidates during a thorough and rigorous hiring process,” Ms. Pollitt said. “We welcome them with open arms to the North Bellmore School District and wish them long and prosperous careers. They will receive the full support of the district so they can be successful and help our children reach their full potential.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=137759 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT false137759 2021-2022 Full Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=132136 Wed, 18 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT false132136 Parent Portal Instructions Click HERE to view instructions for accessing the Parent Portal http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=132123 Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT false132123 New Personnel Director, Interim Principal are Familiar Faces The North Bellmore School District announces a pair of administrative appointments for the 2021-2022 school year. Denise Fisher, who served as principal of Newbridge Road Elementary School for the past six years, moves into a new role as the district’s director of personnel. Replacing her will be Amanda Licci, who will be the interim principal of Newbridge Road for the upcoming school year. Ms. Fisher has two decades of experience as an educator, including nine as an administrator. She taught sixth grade for 11 years – five in New York City and six at Howitt Middle School in Farmingdale. After nine months as interim assistant principal of Saltzman East Memorial Elementary School, she came to North Bellmore in 2013 as assistant principal of Saw Mill Road Elementary School and was there for two years before taking the reins of Newbridge Road. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Queens College, a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College and a master’s degree in school and district administration from Touro College. In her new position, Ms. Fisher will coordinate the hiring process for staff at all levels, observe and evaluate teachers, oversee the approval of professional development opportunities and ensure compliance with all employment regulations, among numerous other responsibilities. Ms. Fisher said she looks forward to working with Superintendent Marie Testa and the board of education to uphold the district’s mission and core values, while supporting students in helping find the most qualified and caring teachers and staff. “I am excited for this opportunity and am extremely fortunate to be continuing my professional journey with the North Bellmore community,” she said. “I have spent six wonderous years at Newbridge Road and am truly grateful for the partnerships and relationships that were created.” Ms. Licci has been a teacher in North Bellmore since 1998, having taught kindergarten, first, second and third grades at Martin Avenue and Park Avenue elementary schools. She also served as a districtwide instructional coach, supporting teachers and students at all five elementary schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology from Hofstra University and, as an undergraduate, completed her student teaching in North Bellmore. Ms. Licci also earned a master’s degree in literacy studies from Hofstra and a master’s degree in school district administration from Touro College. “Working in North Bellmore has been so rewarding for me due to the countless relationships I’ve established through the years with students, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, staff members, administrators and more,” she said. “Beginning a new position at Newbridge Road Elementary School means that established relationships will be strengthened, while new ones will be built. I look forward to getting to know the students and families at Newbridge Road as I work alongside the wonderful staff there to make 2021-2022 an amazing school year.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=132114 Tue, 17 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT false132114 BOE Presentation 8/12- Considerations for Reopening View 8/12 BOE Presentation Here http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=132088 Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT false132088 Summer Doesn’t Stop the Learning in North Bellmore The North Bellmore School District is offering a wide array of summer learning opportunities for its incoming first through sixth graders. Using federal grant funds, the district is providing students with a variety of resources to help them keep their minds sharp during the break. As part of the new Summer Scholars program, students could receive a backpack full of grade-level appropriate learning resources. Children are able to complete the work at their own pace, although 15 minutes per day is recommended. Backpacks were distributed at every elementary school at the start of summer and more than 800 students took one home. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt said that each drawstring backpack included a grade-specific summer activity workbook, two fiction books, two non-fiction books and a parent user guide. Students entering first grade also received sight word flash cards, with students entering grades 2-6 getting math facts cards. At the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, students can turn in a completion form to receive a certificate and summer scholars pencil. Virtual book clubs are back by popular demand. This year, there are two clubs for each grade level and run for four weeks. Ms. Pollitt said that the clubs meet once or twice a week and include read alouds, discussions and craft activities. It is an opportunity for children to develop literacy skills, enjoy great stories, share ideas with their peers and think critically and creatively. Some of the selections this summer include “A Boy Called Bat,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “The Bookwanderers” and “One of the Murphys.” Books were distributed to participants at the district office. Resources for the Summer Scholars program and virtual books clubs are being funded through the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The district also has a summer learning website with print-ready resources for students. Children can practice their reading and writing skills, work on poetry, solve math equations, do STEM challenges and tackle logic puzzles, among other activities. They also have access to the district’s digital learning subscriptions including Extra Math, iReady, Raz-Kids and Typing Agent. “In order to stay connected academically and retain valuable skills over the summer, we have put together a variety of resources and experiences to engage and enrich our learners,” Ms. Pollitt said. “Students will have the opportunity to inquire and reflect, practice and review, as well as challenge themselves with critical and creative-thinking tasks.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131960 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131960 New North Bellmore Administrators Embrace District’s Values Two new administrators have joined the leadership team of the North Bellmore School District, one from a western Nassau County school district and the other from the west coast of the United States. As of July 1, Michael DeBlasio is the new principal of Park Avenue Elementary School and Daniel Madden is the new assistant principal of Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Mr. DeBlasio has six years of experience as an assistant principal, most recently at Forest Road School in Valley Stream District 30 which, like Park Avenue, serves kindergarten through sixth grade. He was a special education teacher for 10 years in District 26 in Queens, where he also began his administrative career. Mr. DeBlasio holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education, both from Molloy College, and school building and district leadership certificates from the College of St. Rose. As principal, he looks forward to fostering wonderful relationships with the school community and the North Bellmore School District. Mr. DeBlasio said he also strives to continue Park Avenue’s strong traditions in creating an atmosphere of excitement, passion and a love for education while leading students to even higher levels of success. “I hope to bring a sense of focus in capitalizing on our teachers’ powerful instructional practices where teaching the whole child is a priority,” he said. “I also hope to bring an outlook that success is found in creating young scholars that take pride in their work and obtain the skill set to become productive, compassionate and educated leaders.” Mr. Madden returns to Long Island after three years as an educator in California. A native of neighboring East Meadow, he began his career as a substitute teacher in North Bellmore, before becoming a science teacher at Park Place Middle School in Brooklyn. That was followed by a six-year stint at the Smith School in Manhattan as a sixth grade science teacher, learning specialist and assistant head of school. In the San Francisco Bay Area of California, Mr. Madden was the director of student life and support (grades K-8) and the dean of the lower school (grades K-4) at the Woodland School. He hold a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Binghamton University, a master’s degree in elementary education and middle childhood science education from Hofstra University, a certificate in teacher of students with disabilities from Brooklyn College, a certificate in educational leadership from St. John’s University and a certificate in advanced educational leadership from Harvard University. Mr. Madden said he is elated for the opportunity to join the North Bellmore community, and to work alongside Saw Mill Road Elementary Principal Jeffrey Rosof. “The values of integrity, compassion and courage, that are embraced and shared by the North Bellmore community, have inspired my practice as an educator and school leader,” Mr. Madden said. “I believe it is a privilege to arrive at this moment, where I will be able to support the community as we instill those values in our students and to partner with families, faculty and Mr. Rosof in bolstering those strengths of character.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131733 Tue, 13 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131733 2021-22 District-Wide Safety Plan Click to View:2021-2022 Approved District-Wide Safety Plan http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131693 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 14:00:00 GMT false131693 Summer 2021 Newsletter Now Available http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128958 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128958 American Rescue Plan Act North Bellmore Funding Plan http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131560 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:00:00 GMT false131560 Virtual Summer Book Clubs http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131466 Sat, 26 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131466 Summer Scholars http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131467 Sat, 26 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131467 Graduation Provides Moment for Reflection in North Bellmore A moment seven years in the making came for the 294 graduates of five elementary schools in the North Bellmore School District on June 23. Graduation ceremonies were reflective of their time since kindergarten, from field trips to concerts to overcoming the challenges associated with learning during a global pandemic. “Graduates, I wonder what you will recall when in the future you think back to this past year,” Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeffrey Rosof said. “Will you remember quarantining and mask wearing? Possibly, but perhaps you will also remember how our community persevered, showed courage and worked together to make the best of a challenging situation.” Danica Brugge became principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School when the graduates were in fourth grade and recalls that they were “quite possibly the sweetest group of kids I had ever met.” She noted that they have a strong connection with each other and she is inspired by the way they support each other during challenging times. Ms. Brugge also reminded them to take that warmth use it to make new friends at Grand Avenue Middle School, where they will come together with students from several other elementary schools. Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Denise Fisher’s speech was inspired by the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” She encouraged the graduates to seize new opportunities, keep an open mind and try new things. “Know that each and every day belongs to you,” she said. “And the most direct way forward is to make and follow your path, and no one else’s.” After graduating her 40 sixth graders in Grand Avenue’s auditorium, Ms. Fisher stayed to watch her own son, Anthony, who was among 53 Park Avenue Elementary School graduates to receive their diplomas in the next ceremony. Several Park Avenue sixth graders came up to the podium to read reflective essays, reminiscing about the memories and friendships they made, the life lessons they learned in elementary school, and the adults who made a positive difference in their lives. Principal Eileen Speidel said that whether students have been at Park Avenue for one year, seven years or some time in between, she hoped their experience was joyful and memorable. Retiring this year, it was her 14th graduating class and one that she is extremely proud of. Also presiding over her last ceremony was Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Leyna Malone, who is moving down the hall to central administration next year. Ms. Malone told the sixth graders she is proud of the kindness and empathy they have shown time and time again, while reminding them to dream big and believe in the power of those dreams. Mariela Pavlica, a graduate from Dinkelmeyer, spoke of the seven-year journey to this destination. She recalled her first ride on the bus in kindergarten and being walked into school by her big sister. She quickly made friends and the story began. “No matter how far we go, or how much we grow, we will never forget these most formative years – years we spent together,” Mariela said. “I will forever be grateful to the teachers that always supported and educated us, and for letting us make school our happy place.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131444 Fri, 25 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131444 North Bellmore Administrators Retire After Long, Successful Careers With a combined 41 years of administrative leadership in the North Bellmore School District, Deputy Superintendent Carol Eskew and Park Avenue Elementary School Principal Eileen Speidel will leave behind a legacy defined by unsurpassable and unwavering devotion to the students and the community they served. Ms. Eskew’s professional career is varied and highly diverse. She came to the district 27 years ago after a remarkable and extremely successful stint in United States Navy where she supported the support services Division during the Vietnam War. After that, Ms. Eskew took her keen financial talents to the banking industry where she rose to the illustrious position of senior vice president. Immediately upon embarking in her new position as a psychologist at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Park Avenue schools, she was recognized for her wisdom, intelligence and student-driven decision-making. Doing what is in the best interest of students had defined Ms. Eskew’s work for decades. Fortunately, over the years, Ms. Eskew worked as a psychologist at four of the district’s six buildings. She became a respected mentor to district special education teams and a respected colleague of teachers and administrators. It was clearly the right selection when she was named director of special education. Her work in building and expanding the district’s special education offerings took flight immediately upon her taking on her new role. Ms. Eskew served 13 years as the director of special education before being named deputy superintendent. As deputy superintendent, Ms. Eskew maintained her role as director of special education and assumed oversight of the district’s human resources department. In addition, she has been a steadfast leader of the nursing department and oversees the psychology and social work departments. Superintendent Marie Testa and the Board of Education credit Ms. Eskew with the myriad enhancements to the special education program that have been implemented during her tenure. Under her direction, the co-teaching model began with two classes at Saw Mill Road Elementary School and was eventually expanded to every school. The district was one of the first to have a certified behavioral specialist and an assistive technology evaluator on staff. Thanks to Ms. Eskew’s vision and her hiring of extraordinarily talented teachers, North Bellmore students in out-of-district placements were brought back to district to be educated. Over the years, Ms. Eskew has cultivated strong relationships with the families she serves and commented that it is extremely important to have the trust of parents in order to work collaboratively to meet the needs of students. Ms. Eskew is proud to have been part of an administrative team that is collaborative, thoughtful and fully committed to the success of the district’s special education programs and services and of all the children North Bellmore serves. “We are team in every way in North Bellmore and this team has put the district in a very good place for the future,” she said. Ms. Speidel retires after 14 years at Park Avenue and, like Ms. Eskew, said that successful leadership comes from teamwork. Many initiatives have been spearheaded by school committees. The Shared Decision Making Committee, a team that includes Ms. Speidel, teachers and parents, created the school logo and the Parker Panda school mascot while the Scholars Pledge and Parker Paw program originated with the school-based Character Education Committee. The school has also adopted “grit” as its motto to encourage students to adopt a never-give-up attitude. “So much of what you do as a principal is what you do as a team,” Ms. Speidel said. “All of the brilliant minds come together to bring these ideas to fruition. We’ve created so much as a school community.” With support from the PTA, an annual dance residency was created in which students spend two weeks working with teachers from professional dance schools, before putting on a final performance for their families. She also worked with several Boy Scouts to complete community service projects at the school for their Eagle rank. For the last 11 years, Ms. Speidel has intentionally and thoughtfully selected books containing important, poignant messages which connect to the lives of the students in ways that support academic, social and emotional growth. Ms. Speidel provided each teacher with a copy of the book as well as a letter from her outlining essential discussion ideas. The month of June marks Ms. Speidel’s 110th and final book of the month. Ms. Testa commented, “Ms. Speidel’s principal’s book of the month set the very foundation upon which the kind, respectful, growth-oriented culture of Park Avenue was built. To say that she inspired a love of reading among her students and faculty and that her selections were awe inspiring, meaningful and valuable would be an understatement. Ms. Speidel’s legacy will forever live through the invaluable life lessons the children learned over these years.” Ms. Speidel is a principal of students. She is out at recess, in classrooms, greeting students and arrival, wishing them well as they dismiss and is “seen along the way,” at all other times throughout the day. Ms. Speidel prides herself on knowing every student by name, and knows that they appreciate it when she greets them by name, whether it is at morning arrival or when passing them in hall. During her first year, she said she memorized every name by January, and from there it was just a matter of learning the kindergartners and other new students every year. Prior to the pandemic, she hosted monthly lunches for students celebrating their birthdays, another way of making a personal connection with students. In 2019, Ms. Speidel, was one of 15 Long Island educators to receive the Administrator of the Year award from the Council of Administrators and Supervisors. This extraordinary honor was well-deserved and was celebrated by all who had the privilege of observing Ms. Speidel lead. “Ms. Speidel is a leader among leaders, a humble human being and a devoted colleague,” Ms. Testa said. “For 14 years, she placed students, faculty and staff first in all decision-making, in every aspect of the programs she oversaw and in every work and action she took as principal of Park Avenue.” Prior to coming to North Bellmore, Ms. Speidel worked as a teacher and assistant principal in Queens for sixteen years where she left an indelible mark and a legacy of excellence. Ms. Speidel applied to a few principal jobs on Long Island, and the day she sent her application to the North Bellmore, she received a sign. While having a slice of pizza and a soda, she noticed a message inside the soda bottle cap, “Important news about your job will come soon.” Not long after, she was hired to lead Park Avenue. “Obviously that news did come and my journey at Park Avenue School soon began,” Ms. Speidel said. “It really was the opportunity of a lifetime. Being the principal at Park Avenue has truly been the highlight of my career.” Ms. Testa remembers the day Ms. Speidel was interviewed, “I knew during the interview that Ms. Speidel was the one…I knew that she would be a once in a lifetime principal!” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131286 Tue, 22 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131286 Students Honor a Hero and Help Their Health Fifth graders got a full workout as they participated in the Mini-Murph Challenge at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District on May 27. The event was held in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Patchogue native and Navy SEAL who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2005. Teachers said that they wanted to honor a Long Island hero while also showing students how to live healthy and fit lifestyles. Taking advantage of a warm and sunny day, activities were held outside. Students from Melissa Danowski’s and Jenna Stack’s classes participated in a kids version of the CrossFit Hero Workout, known as the Mini-Murph. They began with a run, then did 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups and 150 air squats before ending with another run. To honor the courage and sacrifice of all men and women from the Armed Forces who have given their lives, the event was held just prior to Memorial Day. Students were selected to carry American flags during each run, which consisted of three laps around the perimeter of the school. To be considered as a flag bearer, they had to submit a short essay describing the qualities they have that embody Michael Murphy. All students were provided with T-shirts for the event. Families could also make a donation to the Michael P. Murphy Scholarship Fund. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=131288 Tue, 22 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false131288 Letter to Governor Cuomo 6/13/21 Please click HERE to view the letter to Governor Cuomo on behalf of North Bellmore and the component districts http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129796 Sun, 13 Jun 2021 17:00:00 GMT false129796 A Track and Field Triumph in North Bellmore The sixth grade track and field meet is an annual tradition for soon-to-be graduates in the North Bellmore School District, and although students from the five schools couldn’t come together this year at Mepham High School due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event still went on in modified form. The track and field contest took place throughout May at each school during physical education classes. Events included the 50-, 100- and 200-meter runs as well as the javelin throw, shot put and long jump. The top five boys and girls at each school were recognized. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129691 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false129691 Dinkelmeyer Sixth Graders are Bridge Builders Using about 200 wooden sticks, a tube of glue and their imaginations, sixth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School constructed bridges, then tested out their designs. Students in Nicholas Assande’s and Matthew Puerta’s classes became engineers as they tackled the design challenge. First, they did research on different types of bridges including arch, cantilever, suspension and truss. They learned that the strongest shape is the triangle, so students built their own truss bridges, which make great use of triangles for structural support. When the bridges were complete, it was time to test their durability. Two desks were spaced 14 inches apart, with each bridge spanning the distance. Textbooks were added on top until the bridge gave way, to see who came up with the best design. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129632 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false129632 Kindergarten Poets Proudly Present at Martin Avenue Whether rhyming was involved or not, young poets at Martin Avenue Elementary School had a lot to be proud of in creating and sharing their original works. Amanda Licci’s kindergarten class hosted a Poet’s Tea writing celebration on May 27, the culmination of months of hard work. Ms. Licci said that students have been reading poetry all year and learned about the many different styles of poems. They have even studied poetry through songs and nursery rhymes, and read poems written by other kindergartners to understand that it’s something they can accomplish, too. When it was time to write, students found many sources of inspiration. They went outside and wrote poems about the elements of nature. Each student picked a classmate to write about as a gift for a friend. Not only did Ms. Licci’s students work so hard on their poems, they also planned the writing celebration. They wrote invitations to special guests including Principal Leyna Malone and central office administrators, made welcome signs and decorated the classroom. Each student picked one poem to read aloud, which was also displayed on the SmartBoard. In the audience, children drank their iced tea and gave compliments to their fellow writers. The poems were on a wide range of topics and Ms. Licci said she was so proud of her students not only for their creativity, but in the confidence they showed in getting up to read in front of the entire class. The poems, she added, reflected how her students have learned from each other. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129408 Thu, 03 Jun 2021 04:00:00 GMT false129408 Newbridge Students Mark Memorial Day With Creativity Through art, poetry and prose, students at Newbridge Road Elementary School expressed their feelings about Memorial Day and then men and women who have sacrificed their lives serving the United States. Students watched videos and took part in classroom discussions about the history and meaning of Memorial Day. They learned that it is a day to pay tribute to those who have given their lives in the name of freedom. A Memorial Day display outside of the cafeteria featured several projects by students including an American flag made from blue and red handprints, poppies made from red tissue paper and red, white and blue spiral art. Children wrote Memorial Day A-Z lists and acrostic poems using based on words such as “America” and “Soldier.” They also completed writing assignments about the ways they can respectfully celebrate Memorial Day. On May 27, the day before the four-day Memorial Day weekend, students went outside and created patriotic displays with sidewalk chalk. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129303 Fri, 28 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT false129303 Teachers Grow and Flourish on Conference Day “Seeds of Inspiration” was the theme for the North Bellmore School District’s annual spring Superintendent’s Conference Day, which for the first time was held in a virtual format. Students had the day off on May 13, with teachers coming to school and participating in workshops through Zoom from their classrooms. There were four sessions of workshops and teachers could select the ones that best suited their needs and interests, said Janet Pollitt, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. The online courses were on a wide range of topics including literacy and math, instructional technology resources, mental health and wellness, social justice, and classroom management and organization. One popular workshop was “Math and Movement” in which the district unveiled its new math mats, which are available at each of the five elementary schools. The mats were displayed in an all-purpose room at each school for teachers to view and learn how to use for engaging math instruction from a professional consultant. Teachers were able to hop, skip and jump on the mats that support a wide range of mathematical concepts like addition and subtraction, fractions, geometry and place value. Many of the workshops reflected learning in the COVID-19 era, such as planning outdoor lessons and building strong social-emotional learning communities in altered classroom environments. There was also a strong focus on diversity and inclusion in education. Workshops included Culturally Responsive Teaching, Mentor Texts to Advance Social Justice and Pride for Youth. As a K-12 collaboration, teachers from the North Bellmore and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District both logged on for keynote speaker Dr. Adolph Brown. His presentation, “All Means All: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” focused on empathy and respecting multiple perspectives and backgrounds, in order to build strong relationships, provide high-quality instruction and foster purposeful student engagement. Self-care was another emphasis on Superintendent’s Conference Day. Teachers learned mindfulness yoga and chair yoga, which they could introduce to their students to foster focus, as well as yoga techniques they could use themselves. Workshops were led by both North Bellmore teachers and consultants who are experts in their respective fields. The lobby of each school was also filled with books for teachers to take so they could add to their already extensive collections of educational resources. Many of the books were mentor texts to help advance social justice in the classrooms. “The spring conference day is one of the highlights of our year, as it is a time for teachers to learn and further develop their craft,” Ms. Pollitt said. “This year’s virtual event featured relevant workshops to reinforce the district’s initiatives, while nourishing teachers’ individual needs. There was something for everyone.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129012 Thu, 20 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT false129012 Student Posters Portray Park Pride! Park Avenue Elementary School may be a 64-year-old building, but students are ensuring that its look is always fresh. The winners were recently announced in the third annual poster contest, and their artwork now graces the hallways on the first and second floor. Principal Eileen Speidel said that there were 84 entries, and 25 were framed and hung throughout the building. Students could design a poster based on one of four themes: P.A.R.K. (Positive Attitude, Respectful, Kind), Park Pride, Grit and Sportsmanship. Winners were selected by a panel of faculty and staff, and entries were judged based on creativity and originality, neatness and legibility, and communication of the theme and strength of the message. Ms. Speidel noted that among the 25 winners, every grade was represented. The winners were: Sophia Atela, Lacey Behrens, Madeline Chiodi, Brianna Davis, Adrianna Ellinger, Giuliana Ferraro, Pieper Frem, Tyler Frem, Leighton Gauldie, Zoey Getzler, Luke Giordano, Gianna Hayes, Tyler Hoelzer, David Kab, Eliana Kab, Luke Kaplun, Michael Liguori, Niam Maharaj, Kiera O’Malley, Lia Pepitone, Olivia Quenneville, Celina Shami, Olivia Sparks, Edy Volpe and Scarlett Wilson. “Each poster was unique and demonstrated talent, intelligence and creativity,” Ms. Speidel said. “I congratulate all Park Avenue artists for their courage and effort.” The winners were revealed during a Zoom assembly, and their artwork will hang in the building for the next year. All participants received a certificate, with runners-up also getting an artist palette pin in the shape of a paw and winners presented with a medal. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=129013 Thu, 20 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT false129013 NB Wellness Week Activities http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128830 Mon, 17 May 2021 13:00:00 GMT false128830 NB Wellness Week Parent Guide http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128831 Mon, 17 May 2021 13:00:00 GMT false128831 A Musical Journey Begins in North Bellmore With safety measures in place, recorder lessons are taking place in music classes in the North Bellmore School District, which serves as the foundation for instrumental music instruction. Saw Mill Road Elementary School music teacher Chris D’Orio recently introduced third graders to a member of the woodwind family, giving third graders their first recorders. He showed them how to hold the instrument as well as the finger positions to play different notes. Mr. D’Orio explained that they should use a slow, steady stream of air to produce the best sound. Because of safety restrictions and social distancing requirements, students cannot play their instruments in the classroom, but they can practice at home. As the weather improves, music teachers are also bringing their classes outside to play the recorders, where they can space at least 12 feet apart. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128756 Fri, 14 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128756 Budget Newsletter Link for Sharing: https://www.northbellmoreschools.org/NewsAssets/128741/FINAL_Newsletter.pdf http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128741 Thu, 13 May 2021 11:00:00 GMT false128741 Board of Education Candidates 2021 Election MelissaCmar-Grote, Trustee Melissa Cmar-Grote has served on the Board of Education for the past six years and is one of the district’s representatives on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education. She and her husband have two daughters who graduated from Saw Mill Road Elementary School, where she twice served as co-president of the PTA. Ms. Cmar-Grote is a licensed clinical laboratory scientist in microbiology at Sunrise Medical Laboratories. NinaLanci, Trustee Nina Lanci is the longest-tenured member of the Board of Education in her 17th year and is also a trustee on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education. She is a past president of the Martin Avenue PTA. Ms. Lanci has the distinction of being the first woman inducted into the Bellmore Lions Club and has served as its president. She and her husband have a daughter who graduated from Martin Avenue School and Mepham High School. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128637 Tue, 11 May 2021 20:00:00 GMT false128637 Knowledge Gained From Books and Boxes at Saw Mill Fifth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School repurposed cereal boxes as presentation tools for their nonfiction book reports. Each student chose a topic of interest, such as an animal or a sport, and then found a book about it. They used the cereal boxes to create visual presentations to share the knowledge they learned. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128570 Mon, 10 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128570 Dinkelmeyer Students Lend a Hand for Autism Awareness During Autism Awareness Month in April, fifth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School Elementary School gained a greater understanding about a disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 54 children. Students learned that it is a disorder, not a disability, and watched a video to see how a child with autism experiences the world. “People should know more about autism, so they can be more patient and understanding,” Adam Nasr said. “Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for autism, but hopefully in the future there will be.” Students in Page Powers’ class crated an autism awareness puzzle poster. Each child colored a piece, and when put together on the bulletin board, it revealed a globe with 11 hands reaching out. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128571 Mon, 10 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128571 North Bellmore Teams Dominate in Stock Market Game The North Bellmore School District boasted the top three teams from Long Island in the 2021 Stock Market Game, sponsored by the SIFMA Foundation. Students participated from September through April in the simulation in which they invest fictitious money in real stocks. Fifth and sixth graders in the ALPHA gifted and talented program, as well as sixth graders from Martin Avenue Elementary School, competed in this year’s game. North Bellmore had 16 of the 158 teams, including the first-, second- and third-place finishers. Teams were ranked based on their percentage of return above or below the growth of the S&P 500. Each team started out with $100,000. Gayle Angert, sixth grade teacher at Martin Avenue and the district’s ALPHA teacher, said North Bellmore students have been participating in the Stock Market Game for the past seven years as an introduction to financial management. Since this year’s ALPHA program is held virtually after school, students from those teams met via videoconference. The first-place team, from the ALPHA program, consisted of fifth graders Lily Boehm, Sofia Galarza, Emma Jaskowiak and Dahlia Petroro from Saw Mill Road Elementary School and Scarlett Wilson from Park Avenue Elementary School. They finished with a total of $176,455 and a 55% rate of return above the S&P 500 growth. Ms. Angert noted how close the top two teams were, with only $800 separating them. The second-place team, also from the ALPHA program, consisted of sixth graders Kamil Chaudhary and Brian Niedfeld from John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School and Elias Katz and Erik O’Sullivan from Martin Avenue. Their rate of return above the S&P 500 was also close behind, at 54%. Third place went to a team of sixth graders from Martin Avenue – Ryan Ascher, Elias Katz, Matteo LaSpina and Nicholas Pascalli. They finished with $153,404 and a 29% rate of return above the S&P 500. Among the 2,022 teams from all of New York State who competed, the three teams ranked 17th , 18th and 27th, respectively. “Our savvy traders swept the top three sports out of more than 150 middle school teams,” Ms. Angert said. “Every team had different strategies. We are so proud of all of the participants.” From the first-place team, Lily, Sofia, Emma, Dahlia and Scarlett said the experience was a lot of fun and they learned about the importance of teamwork. They had to come together to make important decisions including what stocks to buy, how much to buy and how to spend their money wisely. The group chats were often spent analyzing information to see how their investments were going. Many of the teams made their money from Game Stop. Erik noted that his team bought 1,000 shares at $11, and they would have actually made even more if they sold their stock later, which could have put them over the top. One of the rules of the Stock Market Game is that teams could invest no more than one-third of their money in a single stock, so they had to diversify. “Every day we would check to see how the stocks were doing,” Erik said. “It was exciting.” The young investors learned how to identify market trends and how current events affect the financial world. They also explored careers in the financial industry and how the stock market can work for them as adults for investment opportunities. “It was a really good learning experience,” Matteo said. “It helped me with teamwork because you had to communicate with your team to decide what is a good stock and what is not a good stock.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128195 Thu, 29 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128195 Newbridge Students Learn to Love the Earth Students grabbed clipboards and pencils and headed outside on April 23 for an Earth Day scavenger hunt around Newbridge Road Elementary School. Fourth graders in Dawn Teti and Caitlin Pugliese’s class learned about ecosystems and renewable and non-renewable resources in science in advance of their scavenger hunt. Students had to find certain objects that corresponded to these topics. For ecosystems, they were on the lookout for pollinating creatures, such as bees and butterflies, and also searched for blooming flowers. They also easily found renewable resources, like the sun and the wind, and noticed machines that use fossil fuels for energy. Fourth graders did their best to find as many of the 12 items on their scavenger hunt lists. Second graders in Jennifer Campbell’s class had discussions about the different acts they could take to help save the planet, such as recycling. They also discussed the resources that plants need for survival. On their scavenger hunt, each student picked up a blade of grass, a leaf and a rock. Back in the classroom, they then measured these objects. Kerri Maxwell’s second graders made bird feeders from pipe cleaners and Cheerios, which they hung outside of the school. They also planted Shasta daisies in small pots filled with soil, which they will keep in school for a few weeks to provide with sunlight and water. With the right amount of love and care, Ms. Maxwell said the flowers should bloom just in time for the children to bring home for Mother’s Day. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128042 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128042 Exploration at the Center of Learning for Kindergartners Center time is a staple of the daily routine in kindergarten classes at Park Avenue Elementary School, supporting play-based learning. This year, teachers Anne Griffin and Melissa Reime have modified the hands-on activities for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, to minimize sharing of resources. Ms. Reime explained that prior to the pandemic, each table would get a “morning tub” with items that students could share with their friends. This year, each child gets his or her own individual bag filled with hands-on play activities that are developmentally appropriate for kindergarten students. “It allows students to play and work on their creativity and imagination as well as their physical, cognitive and emotional strength,” Ms. Reime said. “It also allows students to explore, create and communicate with their peers.” The teachers have a wide variety of materials to give students, allowing them to change up the activities and create new learning experiences for children. Among the resources are blocks, buttons, colorful pom poms, Legos, linking cubes, magnetic letters and numbers, pipe cleaners, puppets and small puzzles. Stringing beads and putting pattern blocks together allows children to work on their fine motor skills, and they form letters and numbers with Play-Doh. Literacy development takes place through independent reading and short writing prompts. Ms. Griffin said that the purpose of center activities is for children to work independently on a variety of academic and development skills. They participate in a few different centers every day, each lasting 10 to 15 minutes. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128043 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128043 Reusing and Reimaging at Dinkelmeyer Reducing trash and reusing materials was an Earth Day lesson for first grade students at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, whose projects with recycled materials showed imagination and ingenuity. Students in Ellen Tournour’s class brought in recycled materials from home, such as aluminum cans, cardboard boxes, empty coffee pods, egg and milk cartons, plastic cups and more, then turned those objects into something new. Robots were a popular creation, but children also made animals and invented new toys and games. As part of the project, students had to think like engineers. Before building, everyone came up with a design plan and drew a sketch. Ms. Tournour noted that the Earth Day STEAM projects took a few weeks to complete, and students looked forward to working on their creations after lunch every day. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=128041 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT false128041 A Cause for Paws at Saw Mill A pet supply drive at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District had a personal connection for many students, whose family pets were rescued from animal shelters. That’s why it was no surprise when two big boxes were filled with donations during the two-week collection drive hosted by the student council. Students were asked to donated items for Last Hope Animal Rescue in Wantagh including brushes, cat and dog toys, paper towels and pet shampoo. Student council members, under the direction of adviser Melissa Mignoli, made posters to hang throughout the school to raise awareness about the drive, which ended on March 26. Fifth grader Sofia Thabet remembers going with her family to the shelter to get their dog, so she wants to bring happiness to animals there who are waiting to be adopted. James Jaskowiak’s family brought home a Labrador mix from a shelter about five years ago and recently adopted a poodle mix. “Even though they’re in a shelter and don’t have a family yet,” James said. “We want to make them feel loved.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=127521 Fri, 09 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT false127521 Lead Testing Letter and Results Chart- Click HERE to view the Lead Testing Letter and Test Results http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=127477 Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:00:00 GMT false127477 iPads Expand Learning Opportunities at Martin Avenue More information is now at the fingertips of second graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School who recently took part in a pilot program for the North Bellmore School District’s iPad expansion. Jason Fischetti, executive director of technology, data and information services, said that district is expanding its 1:1 initiative to provide all second graders with iPads this spring. Students in grades 3-6 already have their own devices, and next year kindergarten and first graders will receive iPads. The second grade pilot at Martin Avenue allowed the district to gather information, such as how well students adapted to the devices, what digital resources best supported instruction and the importance of headphones when using certain programs. “It’s technology that creates learning opportunities that you wouldn’t be able to have any other way,” Mr. Fischetti said, adding that second graders used set from technology department for the pilot and will soon receive their own brand new devices. So will their peers at North Bellmore’s other elementary schools. Teachers Antonietta Fischetti and Tiffany Joosten said they quickly found many uses for the iPads. In Ms. Joosten’s class, students have been working on nonfiction reports on different states, so they used iPads to look up information such as historical facts and notable people. They also access digital books through Epic and Raz-Kids, and work on their keyboarding skills with Typing Agent. Ms. Fischetti’s second graders are tech buddies with sixth graders in Rachel Graber’s class, connecting to learn about different apps on the iPads. Most recently, sixth graders taught their second grade buddies how to use Book Creator, showing them different features such as changing the background, importing photos and graphics and adding text. Each sixth grader is paired with a second grader, and they meet in Zoom breakout rooms, which, Ms. Graber explained, is “how to be buddies in this COVID world.” In addition to the digital instruction, the buddies also like to read together. The second graders are excited to be paired up with the students they look up toas roles models. The sixth graders love to pass down their knowledge, like Mattingly Bendig, who said she enjoys showing her buddy how to use the different programs she has become quite familiar with over the last few years. “It’s fun because we get to teach them how do different stuff,” she said. “We get to bond with them in the breakout rooms.” Ms. Fischetti said that in addition to having the support from their tech buddies, her second graders are also given some time to explore apps independently, so they can become more familiar with the capabilities of their devices. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=127415 Tue, 06 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT false127415 Women’s History Month: Honoring North Bellmore’s Leaders The North Bellmore School District celebrates Women’s History Month by recognizing the contributions of its talented leaders. The Board of Education is made up of five women who not only serve the school district, but are involved in many other facets of the community. They include President Rosemarie Corless, Vice President Jo-Ann Erhard and trustees Melissa Cmar-Grote, Nina Lanci and Christine Malloy. Ms. Lanci and Ms. Cmar-Grote are North Bellmore’s representatives on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education. Marie Testa, who started as a teacher in the district in 1994, served as principal of the Jacob Gunther and Martin Avenue elementary schools before becoming North Bellmore’s first female superintendent eight years ago. Education was a second career for Ms. Testa, who worked in business with NBC, John Blair Television and Ademco, now Honeywell. Her two children, now in college, are graduates of Park Avenue Elementary School and Mepham High School. In North Bellmore, Ms. Testa and the leadership team have placed an emphasis on expanding academic programs, educating the whole child, instructional technology, mental health and well-being of students and staff, professional development and safety and security. “With the support of the Board of Education, we have created greater opportunities for the students of North Bellmore, allowing them to shine as individuals,” Ms. Testa said. “Our Board members are volunteers who put in a tremendous amount of hours, setting policies and determining budget priorities, to ensure children receive a great education. Not only are they involved in the school district, but through many other endeavors they have dedicated themselves to the betterment of the community.” Nina Lanci is the longest-tenured member of the Board of Education in her 17th year. After serving on the Martin Avenue Elementary School Re-Opening Planning Committee, she was appointed in March 2003 to fill an unexpired term. She has served four stints as Board president, most recently in the 2019-20 school year. As a member of the high school Board of Education, she has been president three times. Ms. Lanci has the distinction of being the first woman inducted into the Bellmore Lions Club. In her 19 years of service, she has held various positions from Lion Tamer to president, and is also a past district governor. In 2013 she began her service as District 20-K2 Zone chairperson. She recently coordinated the sixth annual Polar Express Holiday Party for children. The North Bellmore School District partners with the Lions Club for many initiatives to benefit community residents. North Bellmore students also participate in the Lions Club’s annual Peace Poster contest. She and her husband of 34 years, Richard, are proud parents of Gabriella, a Martin Avenue School, Mepham High School and FIT graduate. Ms. Lanci served as president of the Martin Avenue PTA and the Bellmore-Merrick Parent Center. She is recently retired from a 36-year career in accounting and finance for nonprofit organizations. Honors and awards include Bellmore Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year, National PTA Honorary Life Recipient, the Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Volunteer Award, the BMUST Friend of Education Award, the Lions Presidential Medal, the Lions Membership Advancement Award and the Brandel-Murphy Miraculous Through Service Award, and she is also a Melvin Jones Fellow. Board President, Rosemarie Corless moved to North Bellmore in 1990 with her husband, Matthew. They have three daughters, Meghan, Kristen and Rowan, who all attended North Bellmore and Bellmore-Merrick schools. Ms. Corless was first elected to the Board of Education in 2006 and served until 2013. She returned to fill a vacancy in October 2018 and was elected to a full three-year term in 2019. This year is her second time serving as president of the North Bellmore Board. As a Board member, Ms. Corless has been involved with the district’s strategic planning, facilities committee, mental health and wellness committee and health and safety committee. She was the district’s New York State school board delegate in 2019 and is presently the district’s advocacy liaison. From 2001-2018, she was a member of the PTA executive board either at the elementary or high school level – or both – including serving as president of the Newbridge Road Elementary School, Grand Avenue Middle School and Mepham High School PTAs and has received several PTA Honorary Life Awards. She also chaired the Newbridge Road 80th anniversary celebration committee in 2004. Ms. Corless has worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner, caring for children with cancer, for 30 years. She has worked at Cohen Children’s Medical Center for the last eight years and prior to that was an oncology nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for 22 years. She was New York State Nurse of the Year in 1988 and a New York State Woman of Distinction in 2008. In the community, she has been a Girl Scout leader, served as the medical supervisor at the New York State Games for the Physically Challenged, helped start the North Bellmore Educational Foundation to offer enrichment programs to the North Bellmore children during the summers, and has volunteered with Mepham Fine Arts Parent Foundation and Last Hope Animal Shelter. Board Vice President, Jo-Ann Erhard is in her second year on the Board of Education. She has served on the Audit Committee both year and is the New York State School Boards Association conference representative this year. In 2002, she and her husband, Jim, moved to North Bellmore. Their two children, Douglas and Julianne, attended Jacob Gunther and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, and later Grand Avenue Middle School and Mepham High School. Douglas now attends Farmingdale State College and Julianne is at Sacred Heart University, both majoring in business. Ms. Erhard has extensive background as a PTA leader. At Gunther and Saw Mill, she served as recording secretary and president, and chaired the auction, end-of-year dinner, hospitality, Holiday Helping Hands, Red Ribbon Week and staff recognition committees. She also was president of the North Bellmore Coordinating Council of PTAs, including its audit and nominating committees. Some of the initiatives she spearheaded included social media publicity, organizing a districtwide author illustrator night and hosting a showing of the film “Race to Nowhere,” followed by a Q&A session, to foster discussion on how a school community should prepare students for success. Additionally, Ms. Erhard has been very active in the Grand Avenue Middle School PTA, Mepham High School PTA and Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Council of PTAs, chairing the Reflections Program. She created a Facebook group for all K-12 PTA units in North Bellmore. Awards and recognition include the Gunther Volunteer Award, the Saw Mill Road Volunteer Recognition Award, the PTA Honorary Life Award and the PTA Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Erhard is involved with the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard, volunteered with the St. Raphael’s Religious Education program and has helped organize donations and collections for local families in need after tragic events such as a fire or medical crisis. Professionally, she works in a leadership position with Star Funding, supporting start-up and growing businesses. Melissa Cmar-Grote and her husband of 20 years, Chris, have two daughters who graduated from Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Mikayla is a senior at Mepham High School and will attend Stony Brook University in the fall to study marine biology. Julianna is a freshman at Mepham. Ms. Cmar-Grote has served on the North Bellmore Board of Education for the past six years and was president in the 2018-19 school year. This is her first year as a member of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education. An active member of the PTA, she has twice served as co-president at Saw Mill. Ms. Cmar-Grote has also served as a representative, corresponding secretary and historian for North Bellmore’s Coordinating Council of PTAs. She is a licensed clinical laboratory scientist in microbiology at Sunrise Medical Laboratories, where she has worked for 20 years. Outside of work, Ms. Cmar-Grote does much volunteer work, including as a member of the Literacy Nassau Board of Directors, an organization she became involved with when her daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. She also volunteers for and donates to the Bellmore Lions Club’s annual Polar Express holiday party to benefit children in need and was a Girl Scout leader for six years. Christine Malloy, elected last June, is the newest member of North Bellmore’s Board of Education. She has lived in the community for the past decade, and her four children attend Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Neala, Brien and Clare are in fourth grade and Egan is in kindergarten. She values the inclusive environment that the district sets up for its special education students, as well as the positive culture that the district offers its students to help them grow into future leaders. Ms. Malloy has been a secondary teacher for 16 years, working with both general education and special education students, and also serves as a class adviser and student liaison. She has dual master’s degrees in education and literacy studies from Hofstra University. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=127213 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT false127213 Summer 2021 Enrichment Registration Information- SCOPE Summer Enrichment Flyerand Registration Link http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=127178 Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:00:00 GMT false127178 Budget Workshop Presentations 3/4/21 Budget Workshop.pdf 3/11/21 Budget Workshop UPDATE http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=127075 Mon, 22 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT false127075 Famous Females in Focus at Newbridge From kindergarten to sixth grade, students completed research projects on famous females to celebrate Women’s History Month at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Kindergartners did poster projects on notable women from multiple eras, from Joan of Arc who was born in the 15th century, to 20th century figures like Rosa Parks and Princess Diana. They included biographical information and accomplishments. Fourth graders created posters with quotes from famous females, and fifth grade classes created “We Are All Woven Together” quilts, which each student contributing a piece to highlight a different person. In sixth grade, students completed “All About” pamphlets about some lesser-known figures who had significant achievements or made important contributions to society. Aleeza Azeem learned about Julia Bowman Robinson, the first woman to serve as president of the American Mathematical Society, while Sean Roderick research Alice Ball, who discovered a treatment for leprosy. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126808 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT false126808 Park Avenue Students Get Cozy With Books “Whatcha Reading?” was the theme of a districtwide spirit day on March 12 in the North Bellmore School District. Students were encouraged to submit photos of themselves reading in comfortable and cozy places at home, while also getting a little extra time to read during the school day. At Park Avenue Elementary School, many classes took advantage of the nice weather and went outside for independent reading time, where students could spread out on the lawn and blacktop with their books. Fifth grader Anna Schellberg said that she loves to read outside when the weather is nice, both at school and at home. She submitted a picture of herself reading in her backyard hammock swing. Her favorite books to read are realistic fiction. “I enjoy how reading takes me to a different place,” she said. “You become the character that you are reading about. I always look forward to reading.” Second grader Jeremy Rolston is a big fan of nonfiction books and lately has been reading a lot about snails. In fact, he took the knowledge he learned from his snail books for a nonfiction writing assignment in school. For Park Avenue’s bulletin board display in the lobby, Jeremy submitted a photo with one of his snail books in his favorite reading spot at home – his room. Remote students were invited to share their photos through Seesaw. Parents could also post photos of their children reading on Twitter and tag their school accounts. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126810 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT false126810 Two Administrators to Take on New Roles Two administrators in the North Bellmore School District will be taking on new positions for the 2021-2022 school year. Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Leyna Malone will move to the district office as the executive director of pupil personnel services and special education. Replacing Ms. Malone as principal of Martin Avenue will be James O’Brien, the current assistant principal of Saw Mill Road School. Ms. Malone came to the district in 2015 as Saw Mill Road’s assistant principal before moving on to Martin Avenue a year later. Prior to that, she was a teacher in New York City. When she assumes her new position on July 1, she won’t be moving very far as the district’s central office is located at Martin Avenue. In her new position, she will oversee the special education program as well as the district’s guidance counselor, nurses, psychologists and social workers. With several special education classes housed at Martin Avenue, Ms. Malone has gained extensive knowledge of the program. She was part of a team that opened new 8-1-2 classes at the school (eight students, one teacher and two aides). Her goal is to continue to grow the special education program, ensure that all students have access to the same learning opportunity and maintain North Bellmore’s strong reputation as an inclusive school district. “We deliver an incredible special education program here in North Bellmore,” she said “I’m really looking forward to having an impact on education throughout the district.” In her five years as principal of Martin Avenue, Ms. Malone said she supported teachers with the implementation of Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop, and fostered a sense of community and pride in “our little school with a big heart.” Mr. O’Brien returns to the school where he attended kindergarten. He said he looks to continue the legacy of Ms. Malone and her predecessors in building a strong school community and fostering a nurturing environment for students. “I’m definitely excited to work with the staff, the parents and especially the students,” he said. “I look forward to building relationships with the entire Martin Avenue School community.” Mr. O’Brien is in his 20th year in the district. He was hired in 2001 – the same year that Martin Avenue reopened – as a sixth grade teacher at Saw Mill Road after student teaching there. In January 2019, he became Saw Mill’s assistant principal. Mr. O’Brien said that in that role, he was able to see the school community from a more global view and better understand the synergy that is created to provide students with great learning experiences. After two decades, he will leave with many treasured memories and a fondness for the Saw Mill Road community, but is looking forward to the new challenge ahead at Martin Avenue. He wants to bring his knowledge as a classroom teacher and his ability to forge relationships to “enrich the vibrant community that is Martin Avenue School.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126702 Fri, 12 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126702 Shooting Hoops for Healthy Hearts at Dinkelmeyer As basketballs sailed through hoops at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, students were not only taking care of their own hearts, but were helping stomp out heart disease. During the week of Feb. 22-26, students took part in Hoops for Heart, part of the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge. Physical education teacher Jim Mulvey set up different basketball skill stations around the gym. Activities included Around the World, a game where they took shots from different spots, and dribbling relay races. Students could also make voluntary contributions to the American Heart Association, and the school raised about $650. Mr. Mulvey said Hoops for Heart is an annual activity at Dinkelmeyer to help students understand the importance of staying healthy and fit as well as helping others through charitable acts. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126642 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126642 It All Adds Up to 100 in North Bellmore With 100 days of school complete, students throughout the North Bellmore School District celebrated the accomplishment on Feb. 25. For kindergartners, it was one of their first milestones on the roughly 2,300-day journey to graduation in 2033. Students in Jennie Kuhn’s class at Martin Avenue Elementary School took advantage of the sunny weather by going outside for a special game. Children paired up for a snowball toss – paper snowballs – as each student threw it to a classmate standing several feet away and holding a large basket. The goal was to get 10 snowballs, each worth 10 points, in the basket to score 100 points. Every student filled a plastic bottle with 100 of a certain object, then placed that bottle in a paper bag. They had to give clues to help their classmates guess the mystery object. Children also did 100 exercises in groups of 10. First graders in Mary Carrea’s class created portraits of themselves at 100 years old, and wrote about where they want to live, what they would eat and what they would do at that age. At Park Avenue Elementary School, kindergartners in Melissa Reime’s and Anne Griffin’s classes dressed up to look like they were 100 years old. They took 100 steps to see how far in the building they could go, read books about the 100th day and discovered different things they could do in 100 seconds. Fifth graders, who were actually celebrating their 1,000th day of school since the kindergarten, also joined in the fun. They, too, dressed up as 100-year-olds and wrote bucket lists of items they would want to accomplish before turning 100. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126360 Tue, 02 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126360 Winter Newsletter Now Available http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126168 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126168 Young Engineers are Up to the Task at Dinkelmeyer Three index cards and four paper clips is all it took to support the weight of numerous textbooks during a hands-on engineering activity in Nicholas Assande’s classroom at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. On Feb. 3, sixth graders put their scientific hats on and put their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the test as worked with those materials to make a structurally sound object. They also had to meet the minimum dimensions specified by Mr. Assande, including a height of at least 1 ¼ inches. Each student brought his or her creation to the front for the strength test. One at a time, Mr. Assande added textbooks to see how much weight they could hold. The record for the class was 11 books, which Mr. Assande estimated at 24 pounds. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126072 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126072 Stringing and Strumming at Dinkelmeyer Sixth graders are becoming masters of the guitar at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Working with music teacher Desiree Behr, students have recently been learning one-finger chords. Students were strumming chords in the style of Beatles song “Paperback Writer.” Ms. Behr said their goal was to be able to change between the chords with minimal delay. Once they master those two chords (C and G7) they will add in two more (D and Em). http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126075 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126075 Martin Avenue Devotes a Week to the Written Word A lot of reading has been taking place recently, both in school and at home, by students at Martin Avenue Elementary School. The school held its annual Pick a Reading Partner week from Feb. 8-12 with many fun activities that encouraged children to read, read and, of course, read even more. This year’s PARP theme was “Everyday Awesomeness.” The week began with a read aloud by Principal Leyna Malone and continued with virtual book buddies and parent readers. Several parents recorded Flipgrid videos of themselves reading popular children’s books, which were then played for the classes their children are in. Ms. Malone said each class had at least one guest reader, and this was a nice way to get the parents involved while maintaining health and safety protocols. The week also included poem-in-my-pocket day and concluded with a virtual visit from author Jarrett Lerner, known for his “Enginerds” book series. There were also dress-up theme days. Students were asked to dress in pajamas, for the careers they aspire to, as their favorite book character and as their favorite teacher. They contributed to Martin Avenue’s “graffiti wall” by writing down their favorite books on small slips of paper, which were then displayed together. At home, students wrote book recommendations, created movie posters for their favorite books, finished a comic strip and came up with titles for books they wish existed. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126076 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126076 Saw Mill Students Nurture Their Minds and Bodies To help foster a culture of mindfulness, students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District took part in a chair yoga workshop on Feb. 4. The school partnered with the PTA’s Cultural Arts committee for the virtual event, as children participated from their classrooms. The workshop was presented by Arleen Mattos, a certified yoga and mindfulness educator. She specializes in yoga for children and taught the youngsters several relaxation strategies and techniques they can practice right in their classroom chairs. Her presentation was livestreamed into all classrooms, giving students new tools to practice mindfulness both in school and at home. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=126077 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false126077 2021-2022 Calendar at a Glance http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125862 Fri, 12 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125862 2021 Budget Calendar of Events and Zoom Links 21-22 Budget Calendar of Events Virtual Budget Workshop: 3/4/21 at 7pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87348686864 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125834 Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:00:00 GMT false125834 Friends Are Easy to Find at Park Avenue Just as important as learning their ABC’s and 123’s is learning how to be good citizens, and for students at Park Avenue Elementary School, that starts with friendship. Continuing with districtwide spirit days, schools throughout the North Bellmore School District celebrated Friendship Friday on Feb. 5 so students could thank the people who light up their lives. They were also invited to wear their school colors and spirit wear. At Park Avenue, that meant a lot of students were clad in blue and white. They also participated in activities that celebrated friendship. In Melissa Reime’s kindergarten class, students made cards to give to their classmates. Second graders in Nancy DelRosario’s read a book, “Will You Be My Friend?” then brainstormed the characteristics of good friends. Brittany Ciana’s third graders filled each other’s friendship jars with compliments. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125794 Thu, 11 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125794 A Day to Learn and Play at Dinkelmeyer Global School Play Day looked a little different this year because of the COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, but students at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School were still able to appreciate the fun side of learning with socially distant activities on Feb. 3. Kindergartners in Jennifer McGovern’s class played a game of CVC bingo, to help them learn consonant-vowel-consonant words. Each unique game board had nine pictures representing different three-letter words. As she picked words out of a bag, children got to mark off their spots until they called “bingo!” Also on Global School Play Day, Ms. McGovern’s students did snowman-themed addition and subtraction games, built different objects with Play-Doh, had free play with toys brought from home and played with items in their busy boxes, such as pattern blocks and beads, which help them with their development of motor skills. Third graders in Laura Russo’s class got ready for a popular February holiday by making Valentine’s Day mailboxes. Students used supplies from home and from the classroom for their crafts. In Daniel Savarino’s fourth grade class, students watch a video, Caine’s Arcade, about a young boy who made arcade games out of cardboard boxes. Students proceeded to build their own games using construction paper, coffee filters, paper cups, straws, tape and other supplies. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125792 Thu, 11 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125792 Saw Mill Honors the Service and Sacrifice of Veterans Valentine’s Day is about spreading love and students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School did just that by participating in the Valentines for Veterans program. The initiative was spearheaded by the student council. Students throughout the school wrote cards for veterans with personalized messages of appreciation and gratitude. They also added drawings of hearts and American flags. The hundreds of completed cards were collected by the office of Nassau County Legislator Tom McKevitt to be distributed to veterans. Before writing their cards, fourth graders in Suzanne Burnell’s class talked about veterans and the great sacrifices they made to serve their country. They discussed how writing a Valentine’s Day card is a small but meaningful act of kindness. “We want everyone who serves their country feel loved,” Olivia Molinet said. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125793 Thu, 11 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125793 Dinkelmeyer Kindergartners Inspired to Write One by one, kindergartners walk up to a box, looked inside, and saw their reflections in a mirror. Students in Marianne Devine’s class at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District knew they were being introduced to an author, they just didn’t know it would be them. It was a fun way to start a new Writer’s Workshop unit. The class read “The Library Mouse,” a book about a mouse that lives in the children’s section of a library, reads so much and decides to write books himself. Just like the library mouse, it was time for kindergartners to shift from readers to writers. Ms. Devine handed each student a small booklet of blank pages and charged them with creating a book about one of their interests, a memorable experience or something they know how to do. Just like most children’s books, she encouraged them to include illustrations with their stories. Each child keeps a writing folder with their completed works throughout the year. That folder also includes an inspiration page, with pictures that reflect the students’ interests to give them ideas for writing topics. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125261 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125261 Newbridge Students Have a Hand in Changing the World Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., second graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District thought about ways in which they could change the world. Students in Kerri Maxwell’s class learned about the life and achievements of the Civil Rights leader and discussed how he showed courage to make positive changes. They then listened to the song, “With My Own Two Hands,” written by Ben Harper and performed by Jack Johnson. Children then traced their own two hands on paper, decorated them and wrote about ways they could make a positive difference in the world. Some of their ideas included picking up trash to make the Earth cleaner, showing kindness and helping others in need. Every class in the school also created an “I Have a Dream” poster, with each student contributing a piece. The colorful pieces featured inspirational words and messages. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125263 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125263 Saw Mill Students are ‘Souper’ Generous The student council at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District is once again holding its annual “Souper Bowl” food drive. Timed to coincide with the big football game, the collection runs from Jan. 21 through Feb. 5 and will benefit the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard. Students and staff can drop off canned goods in boxes in the front lobby. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125264 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125264 Third Trimester Instructional Model Intent Form Click here to take the survey. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125169 Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMT false125169 2021 District Safety Plan 2021 Safety Plan If you wish to comment or ask a question about the 2021 District Safety Plan please email:safetyplan@northbellmoreschools.org http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=125047 Fri, 15 Jan 2021 14:00:00 GMT false125047 Dr. King Inspires Dreamers at Park Avenue Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was celebrated at Park Avenue Elementary School as students learned about the man whose contributions to society were so great that he is honored with a national holiday every January. The Parker Panda bulletin board in the lobby was covered in pictures of Dr. King along with many of his quotes. This gave students a daily reminder of his efforts to achieve equality and justice. Third graders completed an “All About” packet in which they learned about Dr. King’s childhood and achievements. They identified his character traits and cited evidence on how he displayed those traits. Students also analyzed his “I Have a Dream” speech and reflected on its meaning. Each third grade class also created an “I Have a Dream” puzzle poster, with every student completing a piece. Teachers Brittany Ciana and Jennifer Howe said students could write either a personal dream or one of their wishes for the world. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124983 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMT false124983 North Bellmore COVID-19 Reporting Form Please use the following link to report a positive COVID-19 case or a quarantine requirement. https://forms.gle/K3bVbWfcVP3B49dE8 Thank you, North Bellmore Schools http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124683 Wed, 23 Dec 2020 15:00:00 GMT false124683 Martin Avenue Card Creators Spread Cheer Making the holiday season a little brighter is the mission for students at Martin Avenue Elementary School who did so by making cards for residents of a local nursing home. Children completed hundreds of cards which will be delivered to the Belair Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, less than two miles from the school. The project was spearheaded by first grade teacher Mary Carrea and students from all grade levels joined in the effort to spread joy. Ms. Carrea explained that a Girl Scout troop she leads in Long Beach is doing a similar project for a nursing home there, and thought it would be a great community service initiative for Martin Avenue. By sending the cards to Belair, students would be helping others right in their community. She added that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many nursing homes are limiting visitors, so this is a great way to bring the residents some holiday cheer. Students had 18 different design templates to choose from for their cards, representing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Day. In addition to coloring the pictures, they wrote personal messages. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124666 Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124666 A Gingerbread Man of his Word at Dinkelmeyer John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kristen Moir had some help from her students to fill in the words to the Gingerbread Man song. The holiday-themed literacy activity supported their knowledge of sight words and sequencing. Before completing the song, Ms. Moir’s students read several books including “The Gingerbread Man,” “The Gingerbread Boy” and “The Gingerbread Mouse,” then discussed the difference between fiction and non-fiction stories. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124667 Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124667 Ingenuity No Match for the Gingerbread Man at Newbridge The Gingerbread Man is known for his attempts to escape, so kindergartners at Newbridge Road Elementary School tried to solve that problem. In an activity that combined literacy with science and engineering, students in Peggy Vento’s and Mary Yager’s classes built Gingerbread Man traps. The young engineers followed the same process as professionals by drawing up a plan before building. Some of the supplies they had to work with included foam blocks, large and small Legos and wooden sticks. For health and safety reasons, each student was given his or her own bag of materials. Among the books students read before the activity were “The Gingerbread Man,” “The Gingerbread Boy” and “The Gingerbread Cowboy.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124669 Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124669 Park Avenue Grad Gives Garden Some TLC The community garden at Park Avenue Elementary School has served as an outdoor learning space for 10 years, and a former student recently spearheaded an effort to give it a makeover. Gus Bresnaider, a senior at Mepham High School and a 2015 Park Avenue graduate, completed his Eagle Scout community service project at the garden on Nov. 21. He and about two dozen volunteers – many fellow scouts from Troop 123 – worked all day to make several improvements. They created a sign for the front of the garden that reads “Park Pride” and installed narrower garden beds that make it easier for young children to harvest the crops. Gus’s project also included two wheelchair-accessible garden beds that follow the children’s ADA regulation for elevated tables. “I picked my former elementary school as a way of giving back for all that I had learned and the wonderful experiences I had,” he said. “I wanted to pay it forward and make the next students’ memories even better than my own, and I hope this installation may help with that.” Art teacher Jill Skelly and first grade teacher Robin Obey are the garden coordinators and we on hand for the installation. They met with Gus in advance to identify projects that would best improve the garden, deciding that more child-friendly garden beds and raised beds for students with special needs were most needed. “We were overjoyed when he came to us last year and wanted to do something for the garden for his Eagle Scout project,” Ms. Skelly said, noting that Gus was a student at Park Avenue when it was first created. “Gus' professional handling of the whole project was truly worthy of the Eagle title. The new beds guarantee another 10 years of healthy planting with much easier access for the students.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124670 Tue, 22 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124670 North Bellmore Students Show Their Generosity Generosity Monday in the North Bellmore School District actually was the start of a week and a half of giving as a holiday toy drive began on Dec. 7 at the five elementary schools. New, unwrapped toys are being collected through Dec. 16, which will be donated to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. The goal of the spirit day initiative was to unite the district in a common act of charity, as the toys will benefit sick and underprivileged children across Long Island. Staff and students were encouraged to donate toys at collection centers in the lobby of every school. Fliers promoting the toy drive reminded everyone that “practicing generosity and kindness helps us to be our very best during the holiday season and always.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124544 Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124544 Coding Challenges Conquered in North Bellmore Students in the North Bellmore School District are very familiar with electronics, from computers to smart phones to video games, and recently they got to explore all that goes in to making those devices work. For Computer Science Education Week, from Dec. 7-13, the tech-savvy youngsters participated in the Hour of Code. John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School fifth graders were engaged in coding activities through Code.org. Teacher Page Powers said that students could work at their own pace and skill level to complete computer programming challenges. She explained to her students that most of their jobs in the future will require the use of technology and that coding builds communication, problem-solving and reasoning skills and helps them become more creative. “The students learned that computer science can be fun,” Ms. Powers said, “and it helps prepare them for the future.” Fifth graders in Jenna Stack’s class at Park Avenue Elementary School participated in at least one coding activity per day during the week. They learned about the JavaScript programming language, the difference between real and artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. Ms. Stack’s students used resources available through Code.Org to do block coding in which they programmed an object, known as a sprite, to move. They could then see the code associated with their selected actions. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124545 Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124545 Park Avenue Kindergartners Become Pet Philanthropists As early as kindergarten, students at Park Avenue Elementary School learn about the importance of charity. The two kindergarten classes recently participated in a service project to collect goods for local animal shelters. For their first service project of the year, students in Melissa Reime’s class collected items for Last Hope Animal Rescue, which has an adoption center in Wantagh. Items included bath towels, cat scratchers, food, grooming brushes, leashes, nail clippers, pet wipes and toys. She said the idea was suggested by one of the class mothers. Just before Thanksgiving, Ms. Reime was joined by two students and their mothers to personally deliver the items. They even stayed to meet some kittens and puppies that are up for adoption. The good deed even earned the class a special shoutout on Last Hope’s Facebook page. Anne Griffin’s kindergarten class also collected pet supplies, which were donated to Last Hope’s neighbor, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. The collection had a personal connection for students, as many have pets at home. Ms. Reime and Ms. Griffin both said that students were excited to donate to help out animals who are up for adoption. The goal of the service project was for children to shift from an inward focus on themselves to an outward focus on others. “Through this process, children develop a stronger sense of compassion, empathy and personal responsibility,” Ms. Reime said. “By providing service learning opportunities to our children, we allow them to develop skills in critical thinking, create positive relationships, increase public awareness of community issues, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and empathy and respect for others.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=124184 Tue, 08 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false124184 Saw Mill Students Support Cancer-Stricken Classmate Carsyn Volpe has made a lot of friends during his seven years as a student at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Now, his friends are doing their part to lift his spirits as he battles cancer for the second time. Sixth graders wore purple to school on Nov. 24, which was “Courage for Carsyn” day. They decided to pick a color to show unity in their support, and Carsyn chose purple as the color he wanted to see his peers wear. Carsyn was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, as a 2 year old and was cancer-free after a year and a half of treatment. Recently, he learned that it returned. Because Carsyn shaved his head prior to the start of chemotherapy, more than a dozen students did so as well. Even a few girls joined in by cutting off a few inches of hair. Jimmy Lewis, who has known Carsyn since first grade, was one of the students who sported the new look. He described Carsyn as a genuinely nice person who is a wonderful friend and has a great personality. “He’s going through a really tough time and we want to help him feel better,” Jimmy said. “We want to put a smile on his face.” That smile could come from the Flipgrid videos that all sixth graders made on Nov. 24. They recorded personal messages of support and encouragement for Carsyn, spreading out on the expansive lawn with their iPads. Students practiced social distancing so they could remove their masks, so Carsyn could see his friends’ faces and clearly hear their voices as they sent their well-wishes. Principal Jeff Rosof said he is very proud of how the sixth grade students and teachers stepped up to support Carsyn and that this is another example of how the Saw Mill Road community is caring and compassionate. “Hopefully their efforts can give Carsyn some strength for the battle ahead,” Mr. Rosof said. “We wish him the best.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123974 Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123974 Engineering Knowledge Flies Through the Air at Newbridge Fourth graders used their ingenuity to help lead a turkey to safety in a Thanksgiving-themed engineering activity at Newbridge Road Elementary School. On Nov. 24, students in Dawn Teti’s class read “How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace, then built catapults to help the fictitious turkey escape. Each student received a limited amount of supplies including craft sticks, rubber bands, two spoons and tape. The young engineers had to think like professionals by planning and sketching their designs before building. They could only use the materials that were provided, so tapping into their critical thinking and problem-solving skills were a must to have success. Students also used their knowledge from a science unit on simple machines earlier in the year. Once their catapults were constructed, students began testing them out. Each child taped a paper turkey to a penny to launch. Ms. Teti said if the turkeys didn’t go very far, then go back and refine their catapults. For example, each student had a light plastic spoon and a heavy plastic spoon, so they were encouraged to explore different ways to use the provided materials. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123971 Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123971 Native American History Inspires Teamwork at Dinkelmeyer To understand the importance of cooperation and teamwork, fourth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School traveled back several centuries to the Iroquois confederacy. As part of the fourth grade social studies curriculum, students learn the history of New York State including its earliest inhabitants, the Iroquois. In Daniel Savarino and Lori Alduino’s class, students were assigned to one of five tribes. Each was given a scenario where they had a certain amount of food and hunting tools. Every tribe selected a leader – a Sachem – who then met in a Great Council meeting to trade and ensure that each group had enough food and hunting supplies. Students then reflected on the experience through writing and colorful drawings symbolizing decorative wampum. Mr. Savarino said the activity emphasized problem-solving through communication and compromise. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123970 Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123970 An ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ at Martin Avenue On the day before Thanksgiving, fourth graders at Martin Avenue Elementary School took some time to reflect on everything that they are thankful for in their lives. Students in Debra Falabella’s class made their own gratitude jars. They coated empty mason jars in mod podge, then stuck on colored tissue paper to give it the appearance of stained glass. Inside the jars, students placed pieces of paper that listed things they are grateful for this year. The project began with Ms. Falabella reading “Last Stop on Market Street,” a children’s book about a young boy who learns to appreciate all that he has. Her students then adopted an “attitude of gratitude” as they decorated and filled their jars, an activity that has become an annual Thanksgiving-week tradition in her classroom. “They love the creativity piece of it,” Ms. Falabella said, “and understand that the message is to be grateful for the things they do have, no matter how small they are.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123950 Tue, 01 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123950 Newbridge Students in a Geography State of Mind It’s about 4,000 miles from Alaska to Florida and 5,000 miles from Maine to Hawaii, so fifth graders covered a lot of ground in learning about the 50 states at Newbridge Road Elementary School. As part of the fifth grade social studies curriculum, students study United States history and geography. During a recent activity, they learned about the different states and regions, from East Coast to West Coast and everything in between. Teachers Michelle Hooker and David Lopez provided every student with a puzzle map of the country to put together, using only an unlabeled paper map of the United States as their guide. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123671 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123671 Saying and Showing Kindness at Park Avenue Every day is a celebration of kindness at Park Avenue Elementary School, but on Nov. 13, students and staff took it up a notch for World Kindness Day. The global initiative, spearheaded by Inspire Kindness, was created to amplify the power of kindness through people’s actions, words and clothing. Students at Park Avenue were encouraged to wear shirts with positive messages and commit to at least one act of kindness that day either in school, at home or in the community. In Nancy Del Rosario’s second grade class, students studied Mr. Rogers, a man known for spreading messages of kindness to generations of youngsters. They also wrote in the gratitude journals about acts of kindness other people have shown toward them and why they appreciated it. Earlier in the year, third graders in Brittany Ciana’s class read “Third Grade Angels,” by Jerry Spinelli. Since then, one student per week has been recognized with a “Halo Award” for showing kindness toward others. Since World Kindness Day was special, two students were honored for their good deeds. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123672 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123672 Dinkelmeyer Kindergartners Connect With Classmates An important aspect of kindergarten is community building, and children in Jennifer McGovern’s class are doing just that at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. As a getting-to-know-you activity, students made paper dolls of themselves with information about their family, likes and dislikes, talents and future aspirations. The class then went outside where students presented their dolls. Ms. McGovern explained that community building activities support social and emotional learning by helping the students connect with each other and form new friendships. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123669 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123669 North Bellmore Virtual Class Goes Beyond the Screen Many students in the North Bellmore School District are participating in full-time virtual learning this year, an option given to families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The district has dedicated teachers for the remote-only classes which include students from all five elementary schools. Because the interaction between students and their teachers is an important part of education, Danielle Brocco wanted to see them beyond a screen. She hosted a drive-up meet-and-greet for her kindergarten class on Oct. 23 at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, where her classroom is located. She also has students from John G. Dinkelmeyer and Martin Avenue schools. “I was so excited to see my virtual students,” Ms. Brocco said, who spent a few minutes chatting with each of her kindergartners and their parents as they pulled up in the front driveway. She even snapped a selfie with every student. One activity in Ms. Brocco’s virtual class is a poem of the week. She and her students read it each day of the week, visualizing it, looking for rhyming words, singing and acting it out, and illustrating it in their poetry notebooks. The poem for the week of Oct. 19-23 was “Pumpkin, Pumpkin,” which Ms. Brocco and her students got to sing together in person at the drive-up meeting. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123674 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123674 Reading, Writing and Sharing at Saw Mill http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123675 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123675 Outdoor Math is Twice as Nice With Dice Fifth graders were on a roll at Saw Mill Road Elementary School as they worked on their math skills during a recent outdoor activity. Students in Melissa Mignoli and Christine Boshnack’s class played dice games as part of a lesson on place value. Students partnered up and practiced social distancing as they competed to build a bigger decimal. Sitting on opposite edges of the sidewalk, students rolled dice and assigned each number that came up a place value, with the goal of creating the largest decimal. After finishing up their math games, students were given some time with their independent reading books. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123673 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123673 Flu Information for Parents http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123351 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123351 Creative Minds Embrace Art on a Cart Young artists at Park Avenue Elementary School are finding new ways to express their creativity as the format of art classes has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the district’s reopening plan, art lessons are held in their classrooms and there is no sharing of supplies. Art teacher Jill Skelly and her students are making the most of the unusual circumstances. She has adapted her studio-style class to still give students an authentic and personal art experience. Each art class begins with a mini-lesson and a small project to help children learn and master different artistic techniques. For a recent challenge, students had to pick an object in the room and draw it within 15 seconds. They then had a minute to draw it again, so they could add more detail. Finally, they had to draw the object a third time without looking at the paper. Ms. Skelly said this was a way for them to improve their observational skills and concentration. The rest of each class is dedicated to art portfolio projects. The cart that Ms. Skelly travels with to each class includes many different types of paper so students can work on collage and drawing projects of their choosing. Students use their own coloring supplies, glue sticks and scissors. Their completed pieces are added to their individual portfolios. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123355 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123355 North Bellmore Students Make a Plea: be Drug Free Students in the North Bellmore School District want to live long, healthy lives and they learned about the decisions they can make to accomplish that goal during Red Ribbon Week at the end of October. This year’s theme was “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free!” On Oct. 23, the Saw Mill Road Elementary School PTA unveiled a large banner with the theme, which was set up on a table under the front awning. Classes came outside one by one throughout the day so students could show their commitment to healthy choices by signing the banner. Newbridge Road Elementary School had dress-up days from Oct. 26-30. Students wore red, dressed to impress, said “boo” to drugs with orange and black attire, and declared that they have bright futures with neon shirts and sunglasses. Fourth grade teacher Joann Belferder, who coordinated Red Ribbon Week at Newbridge, said all students signed drug-free pledges. She also said that teachers presented lessons on positive decision-making and explained to children how the decisions they make now can impact the rest of their lives. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123356 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123356 A Taste of Democracy at Newbridge Road School Oreos beat out chocolate chip in the highly anticipated cookie election in Jennifer Campbell’s second grade class at Newbridge Road Elementary School. In kid-friendly fashion, students learned about the democratic process and the importance of voting. They started out by reading “Duck for President” and “Grace for President,” then filled out voter registration forms. They also made campaign posters to try to persuade their classmates. When election day came around, students cast their secret ballots, which were tallied up to reveal Oreos as the class favorite. Ms. Campbell said that while they won’t be able to vote in local, state and federal contests until they are 18, students will experience elections well before then. Beginning in third grade, they select Newbridge Road’s student government class representatives, and will participate in student council elections in middle school and high school. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123354 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123354 Flu Guide for Parents http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123352 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123352 21-22 Non-Public Trans. Application http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123349 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123349 Enrollment Report 10/1/20 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123350 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123350 Cardinal Controls HVAC Evaluation http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=123353 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT false123353 Posters Give Park Avenue School a Personal Touch “Park Pride” is expressed in many ways at Park Avenue Elementary School, including through artwork. When students returned to school in September, they found colorful and spirited posters designed by their peers hanging throughout the building. Last spring, the school hosted a poster contest, open to all students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Submissions were due just before schools closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Shared Decision Making Team, which includes Principal Eileen Speidel, teachers and parents, selected 15 winners from more than 100 submissions and had the posters framed and hung in different spots of the building, where they will remain for the school year. Students could create their posters based one of five themes: Be the “I” in Kind; Grit; Park Pride; P.A.R.K. – Post Attitude, Respectful, Kind; and Sportsmanship. All interested students received an 18-inch by 24-inch piece of paper for their poster. Each poster needed to include motivational words or a slogan. The winners were Erin Barry, Shivonne Barry, Macey Cataldo, Natalia D’Angelo, Casey Fleming, Gianna Gallo, Gianna Hayes, Hadley Hollander, Isabella Luna, Dylan Lynch, Rebecca Rolston, Sofia Tibaldi, Anthony Torre Jr., Thomas Tuzzolo and Emerson Urtheil. Casey, a sixth grader, chose sportsmanship as his theme and spent about a week and a half working on it. He said he enjoyed the challenge and revised his piece several times until it was just right. “I like it,” he said. “I am proud that people can see my artwork and how I did.” Ms. Speidel said this was the second year the school has done the poster contest and noted that the work is enjoyed by both students and staff. In addition to having their work hung in the school, all winners received a medal and runners-up were given certificates. “It makes the building personal for the students,” she said of the posters. “This is a great way for us to showcase what we believe in at Park Avenue.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122772 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122772 Book Bags Provide Safe Reading at Newbridge Teachers want students to read as much as possible that is still happening at Newbridge Road Elementary School, just with new health and safety protocols in place. Sixth grade teacher Patti Mitchell provides each of her students with a bag full of reading material every few weeks, including fiction and nonfiction books, informational articles, magazines, poetry collections and more. After a child finishes up a bag, the items turned in then go into “book quarantine” and are held out of circulation for at least two weeks before being given to other students. Students also spend much time reading the items from the book bags outdoors, where they spread out to ensure social distancing, while also getting some fresh air. Newbridge Road has designated several outdoor learning spaces with painted markers that are at least six feet apart. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122696 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122696 Creativity Flows for First Graders at Dinkelmeyer Children need a creative outlet and Kelly Navin, a first grade teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, is ensuring that they get it while also maintaining safety. Ms. Navin created STEM bags for every student, which are full of different supplies they can use to expand their imaginations. Among the items inside each bag are dice, Legos, linking circles and pipe cleaners. Each child has his or her own bag so there is no sharing of supplies, which supports health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every student also has a can of Play-Doh. Students are finding many creative uses for these items. During a recent STEM activity, one student used the pipe cleaners and linking stars to make a flower, while another rolled the dice to see how many Legos to add to a creation. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122695 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122695 Fall 2020 Newsletter now Available http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122697 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122697 North Bellmore Students Have Hearts of Gold The North Bellmore School District held its annual Going Gold Day for pediatric cancer awareness on Sept. 25. Students and staff at all five buildings wore combinations of yellow and gold. The schools partnered with PTA units for fundraising activities to support childhood cancer research, including selling gold shoe laces. The district has hosted Going Gold Day for several years during September, which is designated as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122336 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 09:00:00 GMT false122336 High Spirits, Healthy Practices as North Bellmore Schools Reopen Desks throughout the North Bellmore School District had new clear plastic barriers, but they also had students for the first time since mid-March after the five elementary schools opened on Sept. 9. While the 2020-21 school year began during the COVID-19 pandemic, the district created a thorough reopening plan to ensure that students and staff could return to a healthy and safe learning environment. At the entrances to each school, teachers showed students how to use touchless thermometers that took their temperature by holding up their wrists. After students were settled in their classrooms, Saw Mill Road Principal Jeff Rosof addressed the school over the public address system for some welcoming remarks, the Pledge of Allegiance and a few announcements. “It’s going to be different, but we know it’s still going to be a great school year,” he said. “We know there are smiles underneath those masks.” In AnnMarie Gilroy’s class, her sixth graders spoke excitedly about being reunited after nearly six months of remote instruction and summer break. Many of them have set goals for the year, both in terms of academics and personal growth. Alyssia Bedessi summed up the feelings of her class, which is ready to embrace the changes and determined “to try to make the best of the year.” The district is also offering an alternate virtual learning model for students, with online classes taught by certified North Bellmore teachers and following the same curriculum as in-person instruction. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122340 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122340 Newbridge Poets Write About Autumn Acrostic Style With a hint of summer still in the air, third graders at Newbridge Road Elementary School grabbed their clipboards and ventured outside to write about the new season just two days old on Sept. 23 – autumn. Students learned about acrostic poems from teachers Ashley Firestone and Caitlin Pugliese, understanding how the first letter of each line spells a word. They then created their own poems using seasonal words such as acorn, fall, leaf and pumpkin, with their natural surroundings serving as inspiration. Ms. Firestone said that students would follow the process of professional writers. After completing their first drafts outside, they would then edit and revise their poems before publishing final pieces for a class bulletin board. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122338 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122338 Learning in the Great Outdoors at Park Avenue The outdoors has been serving as classroom space like never before at Park Avenue Elementary School. As part of the district’s reopening plan, teachers are encouraged to use outdoor spaces periodically so students can continue learning while getting a change of scenery from their classroom. First grade teacher Robin Obey brings her students out every day for morning meeting as long as the weather permits. This gives them ample space to get into a circle so children can greet each other and start the day on a positive note. Each day consists of a math game and often a special activity. Her first graders went on an acorn hunt, filling up small bags before returning to their spots to observe, describe and compare the acorns. Third graders in Brittany Ciana’s class go outside daily for a class read aloud. Students sit on their mats and listen as she reads from the chapter book, “Third Grade Angels,” by Jerry Spinelli. They bring their reading notebooks and pencils to answer prompts after finishing each chapter. A STEAM challenge in which students made and tested paper airplanes was the perfect outdoor activity for fifth graders in Melissa Danowski’s class. Students followed the engineering design process and made adjustments after each flight to perfect their model planes, while also learning from each other’s designs. She added that her students also love to go outside for independent reading time. Fifth grade teacher Jenna Stack said she has her students go outside every day for one of their permitted mask breaks, as they go outside with their towels, sit at least six feet apart from each other and enjoy their snacks. They also read read independently while outside while she works with individual students on her blanket. Park Avenue’s community garden is a regularly used outdoor space but has been in demand even more this year. Melanie Purificato brought her second graders to the garden where they learned how to tell if something is a weed and how to tell if vegetables are ready to be harvested. They observed the color and size of tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplant, and were given small bags to harvest some of the ripe vegetables and take them home to their families. Ms. Purificato also used the garden as a setting for a Writing Workshop activity in which students wrote about special memories. Ms. Danowski’s fifth graders did a scavenger hunts in the garden where they had to find different herbs and vegetables that matched a descriptive hint. “This year has really given us an opportunity to re-imagine what exactly a classroom is,” Ms. Danowski said. “We do not stop learning when we leave these four walls. Opening up learning to the outdoors helps our students to see that learning can happen anywhere.” http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122339 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122339 Martin Avenue Sixth Graders Write in the Sunlight The bright sunshine is the perfect spot for sixth graders to work on their bright ideas at Martin Avenue Elementary School. Students in Rachel Graber’s class go outside every morning for Writing Workshop and she said they use the time to do some of their best work. “It’s part of our daily routine and they look forward to it,” she said. “As long as it’s not raining, we’re going out.” Students bring their mats and their writing notebooks, and find spots on the blacktop to work. Ms. Graber noted that Writing Workshop gives students much flexibility to write about topics of interest to them, so the class is often working on different tasks. She added that many students also use the time outside to think up ideas for future writing projects, filling up the topics list pages in their notebooks. With specials and lunch in the classroom due to health and safety protocols, Ms. Graber said it is especially important to give the students a change of scenery. The district’s reopening plan encourages outdoor learning, and Martin Avenue has designated multiple outside learning spaces that classes can use throughout the day. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122337 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122337 Dinkelmeyer Readers and Writers Enjoy the Outdoors While the school environment has looked very different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one welcome change for students and teachers has been outdoor instruction. Matthew Puerta, a sixth grade teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, brings his class outside just about every day for literacy activities. His class is presently reading “Wonder,” a book about a boy who is a little different and just wants to fit in with his classmates. The story of friendship and kindness inspired a movie that many students have seen. Each day, Mr. Puerta reads a chapter aloud, then students discuss and identify examples of courage, compassion and empathy in the story. In addition to the class read aloud of “Wonder,” students enjoy independent reading time and working on their writing projects outside. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122335 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122335 2020-2021 Full Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122278 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122278 NYS School COVID-19 Report Card Click here for more information http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122277 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122277 North Bellmore Reopening Plan http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=122276 Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT false122276 Home Learning Opportunities Click here to visit the Home Learning Opportunities Page http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=114138 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT false114138 Coronavirus Information Click here to visit the Coronavirus information page http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=114136 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT false114136 Playing is Learning on Global School Play Day Play time is a valuable educational tool and students throughout the North Bellmore School District celebrated this concept by taking part in the worldwide movement on Feb. 5. For Global School Play Day, children were allowed to collaborate, create and explore during numerous activities. At Martin Avenue Elementary School, the cafeteria was filled with cardboard boxes, fabric, string, tape and other supplies. Each grade got to spend about a half hour there so students could build whatever they imagined. Principal Leyna Malone told them that “anything goes” as they entered the room and began thinking of the possibilities. In the classrooms, students played board games that they brought from home, built with Legos and Play-Doh, and made artistic creations. Sixth graders in Rachel Graber’s class played games with their second grade buddies from Antoinetta Fischetti’s class. The older students were able to explain the rules to their younger peers and teach valuable concepts such as sharing, strategy and teamwork. At Newbridge Road Elementary School, Global School Play Day started off with a schoolwide conga line through the hallways. Each grade level had its own time in the auditorium so students from multiple classes could experience the joy of play together. Among the activities were relay races for third grades and board games for fifth graders. In art, students were engaged in activities that fostered their creativity. All classes had time set aside for unstructured play as well as student-choice and teacher-choice activities. One part of the day that everyone looked forward to was buddy time. Classes were randomly paired up, such as Peggy Vento’s kindergartners and Karen Barrins’ fifth graders who worked on a STEM activity together. They worked collaboratively to share ideas for building structures out of index cards and Scotch tape that could support the weight of a textbook. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111273 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111273 Martin Sixth Graders Strive to be Their Best Selves Instead of making new year resolutions, sixth graders at Martin Avenue Elementary Schoolfound a different way for self-improvement. Through the One Word 2020 project, each student picked a word that represented an aspects of life her or she wanted to improve upon. Teachers provided a list of words, and students were asked to choose one that was meaningful and attainable. Some of the selections including confidence, endurance, flexibility, patience, positivity. Each student made a poster with the word, why he or she chose the word and an action plan to achieve it. “The one word each student selected sums up who they want to be, what they want to improve or how they want to live,” teacher Rachel Graber said. “It was one word that encompassed all parts of their lives at home and school.” Bella Parzych said she chose the word “try” because she wants to change her reluctance to “try new things.” Abby Calderone selected “organize” because she realizes that good organizational skills can benefit her for the rest of her life. Students also made bead bracelets with their words to serve as a daily reminder. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111274 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111274 A STEM Lesson With Heart at Dinkelmeyer Lauren LoBello’s kindergarten class with filled with hundreds of candy hearts at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School on Feb. 14, but the treats were used as a learning tool instead of as a snack. Children participated in Valentine’s Day-themed STEM enrichment activities. At one station, students envisioned themselves as young engineers, building towers out of the candy hearts. They then blew air through straws to see how sturdy the structures were. Children also sorted bags of the hearts by color, tallied the totals and made graphs to show how many of each color they had. A third center had students using the hearts to understand measurement. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111280 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111280 Dinkelmeyer Devotes a Day to Reading Books were flying off the shelves as John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary Schoolon Jan. 31 as students and staff celebrated World Read Aloud Day together. The day with filled with literacy activities that showed children that reading can be fun. Principal Danica Brugge invited each class to her office, where she read books aloud as children gathered around. Among her selections were Susan Verde books “I Am Human” and “I Am Love,” and Peter Reynolds’ books “Happy Dreamer” and “Say Something.” Some classes got to hear “Click, Clack, Quack to School,” which was written by a former Dinkelmeyer student, Doreen Cronin. Another favorite activity on World Read Aloud Day was buddy reading. Students from different grade levels read books together, including kindergartners from Marianne Devine’s class and fifth graders from Page Powers’ class. Ms. Devine noted that it was a great opportunity for the older students to read the books they remember from kindergarten. To help with their future reading endeavors, all students were given World Read Aloud Day bookmarks. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111277 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111277 Saw Mill Students Spread Cheer at Home and Abroad It’s been a busy January for student council members at Saw Mill Road Elementary School who have taken on a pair of charitable endeavors. Leading up to the biggest sporting event of the year, the student council hosted its annual “Souper Bowl” by collecting canned goods for needy families. Donations from the three-week food drive, which runs until Jan. 31, will go to the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard. Two donation boxes in the library represent the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs and NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers, so students could place their donation in the box of the team they think will win. The student council is also sending warm wishes to troops overseas by participating in the Valentine’s for Veterans program. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade made personalized cards for active servicemen and women. The hundreds of cards made by Saw Mill students will go to Nassau County Legislator Tom McKevitt’s office to be sent to the troops in time for Valentine’s Day. The student council is under the direction of Assistant Principal Jim O’Brien and teachers Danielle Leone and Melissa Mignoli. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111278 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111278 Saw Mill Kindergartners Master Their Storytelling Skills Knowing how to tell a story is an important literacy skill, and kindergartners in Danielle Brocco’s class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School are learning how to do this so they can become better readers and writers. Students recently took part in an interactive read aloud with the book, “The Cow That Went Oink,” part of the Fountas and Pinnell early literacy resources available in classrooms. After making cow and pig puppets out of paper bags, students read the book together in pairs, with each child playing one of the two roles. Ms. Brocco explained that the activity helped the young readers use both words and illustrations to understand a story in addition to learning about character interaction. She noted that the book also had a positive message about accepting and appreciating each other for their differences. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111279 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111279 Newbridge Kindergartners Celebrate Penguin Day Dressed in outfits of black and white, kindergartners celebrated Penguin Day at Newbridge Road Elementary Schoolon Jan. 29. Students in Dr. Agata Kaminska’s room drew pictures of penguins and added facts about the flightless birds. They also read “Flip and Flop” about two young penguins, then made drawings from the book. Peggy Vento’s kindergartners did penguin math activities. After spinning a wheel, they had to add the corresponding number of penguin erasers to a grid until they reached 20. As a science experiment, they colored in penguins with crayons and sprayed the paper with water. Students observed how the wax from the crayons repelled the water, just like the waxy feathers of penguins. In reading multiple books about penguins, student in Mary Yager’s class studied the learned about the differences between fiction and non-fiction. They also sang songs about penguins and looked at a globe to see where the birds live. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111275 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111275 Park Avenue Fundraiser Helps Koalas, Kangaroos and More Devastating brushfires in Australia have threated more than one billion animals, so the students at Park Avenue Elementary School wanted to do their part to help. The Students Against Destructive Decisions Club, in partnership with the PTA, held a Coins for Koalas drive. A collection bottle was placed in the lobby so students and staff could drop in their spare change. Money raised will go the World Wildlife Fund’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund to help restore the forest homes of the affected animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats. The Coins for Koala’s fundraiser keeps with the district’s mission statement, inspiring students to contribute to the global community with creativity and compassion. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111276 Wed, 26 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111276 Notice to Persons With Disabilities http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111227 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111227 Parent Portal Instructions http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111228 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111228 Emergency Planning Guide for Parents http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111224 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111224 2020-2021 District Calendar http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111220 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111220 Enrollment Report 10/1/20 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111222 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111222 Approved District-Wide School Safety Plan http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111223 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111223 Accountability Rating Letter http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111219 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111219 North Bellmore spotlights art program The curiosity and creativity of 25 students was on full display at the North Bellmore School District Board of Education meeting on Jan. 13 as children from the five elementary schools were honored for their artwork. The colorful pieces, representing a vast array of artistic styles and techniques, were set up in the Martin Avenue Elementary School all-purpose room for proud parents, siblings and community officials to view. Students were called up by their art teachers – Jill Emmer, Amy Lopez and Jill Skelly – to be recognized and to receive certificates. “Our art teachers inspire the students of North Bellmore in their classrooms every day,” said John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School Principal Danica Brugge, who supervises the district’s art and music programs. “This recognition of our talented student artists is one of our favorite nights of the year.” The honored artists were: • John G. Dinkelmeyer School: Delia Burns, Alex DiStefano, Bella Warner and Alperen Yavas. • Martin Avenue School: Steven Eleftheriou, Ellie Jakubowski, Frankie Smart, Layna Stepnowski and Madeleine Warner. • Newbridge Road School: Hannah Dworkin, Brynn Fabricant, Dana Stone and Michael Trafficanda. • Park Avenue School: Pieper Frem, Gianna Hayes, Anna Kaplun and Sofia Tibaldi. • Saw Mill Road School: Jenna Apicella, Nicholas Flynn, Trinity Hanna, Mikyle Lasker, Angelina Lee Manor, Sophia Napoli, Thomas Ryan and Jenna Sansobrino. Superintendent Marie Testa said that the art program is a tremendous source of pride for the district and that the student’s pieces would hang in the offices and hallways of the central administrative wing at Martin Avenue for the next several months. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=108816 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false108816 Bridges build engineering know-how at Dinkelmeyer Although their bridges didn’t have to span a river, sixth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District did have to bridge the distance between two desks in a STEAM activity that gave them insight into the engineering process. Each group had 200 wooden sticks to build a bridge at least 14 inches long and three and a half inches tall. Before the construction began, students researched different types of bridges and studied which geometric shapes would prove most durable, collaborating with each other to come up with final designs. Students placed textbooks on top of their completed spans to see how much weight they could hold. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=111218 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false111218 An engineering twist for North Bellmore students Construction of a marble maze was the task for fourth graders in the North Bellmore School District’s ALPHA program, who used their ingenuity to create and execute an engineering plan. As part of the study on Greek mythology, students learned about the mythical creature Minotaur, who lived at the center of a labyrinth, or an elaborate maze. They took their knowledge of these stories and created their own labyrinths. Working in teams, students had to design mazes with one defined path — through lots of twists and turns — from one spot on the end to the center. Teams had to construct their mazes inside of shallow cardboard boxes and could only use the limited materials provided by teacher Gayle Angert, including pieces of cardboard, construction paper, craft sticks, masking tape, paper clips, pipe cleaners, straws and yarn. Students had 45 minutes to design, build and test their mazes. Ms. Angert said that the keys to success in this challenge were following the engineering design steps and effective teamwork. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=108813 Sun, 16 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT false108813 What's New #1 Test What's New Article #1 http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=108972 Fri, 17 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT false108972 Announcement #1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=108819 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT false108819 Whats New Article 1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. http://www.northbellmoreschools.org/News/Story.aspx?id=108817 Wed, 01 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT false108817