“The best is yet to come,” North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa said of the eight educators who officially received tenure at the April 10 board of education meeting.

During a standing room-only celebration at Martin Avenue Elementary School, the newly tenured administrators and teachers were lauded for their hard work and dedication to students during their probationary periods. They reflect the strength, breadth and excellence of the district, Ms. Testa noted.

Receiving tenure were:

Amanda Licci, principal, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Daniel Madden, assistant principal, Saw Mill Road Elementary School

Danielle Calapai, instructional coach

Alexa Cappuzzo, second grade teacher, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School

Yvonne Francolini, librarian

Kerri Maxwell, first grade teacher, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Alyssa Parker, physical education teacher

Catherine Schlaich, computer science teacher

The night was filled with speeches celebrating each tenure recipient from proud colleagues. They also had the honor of achieving this career milestone with their families in attendance.

“We know the amount of time and effort and care and love that goes into being a teacher or an administrator,” Ms. Testa said. “Tenure reflects our confidence in their ongoing impact and their role in helping all learners succeed.”

Date Added: 4/22/2025

While students were making baskets at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, they were simultaneously thinking about their cardio well-being and the heart health of others. A basketball unit coincided with the annual Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser, which generated $771 for the American Heart Association.  

Physical education teacher Jim Mulvey has hosted the fundraiser for more than a decade in the district, including the past seven years at Dinkelmeyer. Students made donations to the cause while also working on their basketball skills. During physical education classes, they practiced dribbling, passing and shooting skills, and played competitive games including Around the World, Challenger Champ and three-on-three. 
 
“The students gave great effort this year,” Mr. Mulvey said, “and they’re helping the global community which reflects our district mission statement.” 

Date Added: 4/15/2025

"Watch a movie” may not be a typical homework assignment, but it was one that third graders certainly welcomed at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. The task was part of a project to help them with their persuasive writing. 

For an argumentative writing unit, each student had to write a review of a favorite movie. The young writers had to state a claim and back it up with reasons, examples and details while using movie terminology. It was the first major essay of third grade and supported the Writer’s Workshop philosophy of student choice.

Teacher Cindy Quinn explained that they could pick any movie they liked, and were encouraged to watch it again so get a refresher on the evidence that would back up their claims. The persuasive writing unit started by reading a mentor text, “I Wanna Iguana,” followed by a discussion on the differences between claims and opinions. 

“The work that they did was sensational,” Ms. Quinn said, noting that the movies they picked spanned multiple genres and eras. “I loved the way they used movie vocabulary as the reasons that supported their claims.”

Date Added: 4/8/2025

At nearly 80 students, North Bellmore’s fifth grade orchestra rivals the size of a philharmonic orchestra. Playing at that level may be years away for the young musicians, but their dedication to their craft is comparable. 

Once per six-day cycle, the fifth grade orchestra gets together at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School for morning rehearsals. It consists of students from the district’s five elementary schools and features violin, viola, cello and bass players. Conducting the group is first-year orchestra teacher Patrice Ryan. 

Currently, the ensemble is working on three pieces for the spring concert, “Arco-ology,” “Entry of the Tumblers” and “Spy Rock.” They will showcase their talents at the district orchestra concert on May 12. 

Lisa Uckardes conducts the district’s sixth grade orchestra, which meets at Martin Avenue Elementary School on the same mornings as the fifth grade ensemble. In addition to their full-group rehearsals, students from both groups take part in small-group lessons with Ms. Ryan and Ms. Uckardes at their schools. 

Click here to view the Orchestra Students are Becoming String Savvy slideshow.

Date Added: 3/26/2025

Second graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer explored the different parts of the planet that they call home. For a science unit on landforms, students made 3D models of the different physical components of the Earth. 

They landforms that students studied included beaches, glaciers, islands mountains, plains, plateaus, valleys and several kinds of water bodies. For their models, they used supplies from home as well as paint and modeling clay provided by their teachers. Students made fictitious versions of these landforms, often naming these features after themselves.  

Click here to view the A 3D Landform Lesson at JGD slideshow.

Date Added: 3/21/2025