Reflecting both as a class and individually, second graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School thought about the different ways they could spread kindness during the holiday season.

Each student decorated a large paper light bulb, filled with potential good deeds, for the “Light it up for kindness” bulletin board. Children listed ways they could be kind in school, at home and within the community.

Second grade teacher Jen Kafka said that after reading “Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud, students talked about ways to fill each other’s buckets during the holidays. Each class brainstormed ideas, such as doing chores at home, giving compliments to classmates and making charitable donations.

Children then took the time to self-reflect on individual acts they could do, which were written on the light bulbs and hung together for a second grade kindness showcase. 

A literacy lesson quickly became a charitable endeavor for third graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. After reading a book about Asiatic black bears, or moon bears, they decided to help the endangered species.

The book, “Moon Bear” by Brenda Z. Gulberson, is part of the Fountas and Pinnell Classroom curriculum. The author’s page provides an age-appropriate description about the plight of moon bears, many of which are held in captivity for bile farming. Students in Julia Kriegel and Samantha Paolillo’s class decided they wanted to do something to help.

First, students wrote a letter to Principal Danica Brugge, expressing their desire to do a fundraiser. The idea was enthusiastically approved and they got work. Their simple fundraiser asked students to contribute $1 to the cause.

Enlisting the help of their third grade peers in Cindy Quinn’s and Dana Rudnet’s classes, students made posters promoting the fundraiser to hang around the school. They also spoke about it during the morning announcements.

When the fundraiser was done, the class collected about $400 to donate to AnimalAsia, and organization that is devoted to helping moon bears by restoring captive animals to health and building sanctuaries. Both Dinkelmeyer students and staff contributed to the cause.

“We were pretty happy to donate money for the moon bears so we can help save them,” third grade Luke Butler said.

“We want them to be OK and we don’t want them to get more hurt than they already are,” added Brielle Otero.

As an incentive, the class with the most donations would get a gift – a stuffed black bear. Ms. Kriegel said that she is very impressed by her students not only for their eagerness to help, but by their ability to devise and implement a fundraising plan.

“I’m so proud of their enthusiasm, their creativity and their desire to be the good in the world,” she said.

Students at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Martin Avenue elementary schools got some insight into the financial planning of their parents. Given a budget, they had a simulated food shopping experience to practice their math skills.

Second graders in Alexa Cappuzzo’s class at Dinkelmeyer were tasked with planning a Thanksgiving meal. Working in pairs, they were given laminated cards for different entrees and sides, each with a price. Their goal was to create a dinner with at least six items on a budget of $25 using simple addition.

Martin Avenue fifth graders, familiar with more advanced mathematical concepts, were adding, subtracting and multiplying numbers with decimals as they had to buy a week’s worth of food. Using digital and print supermarket circulars, students in Ashley Vella’s class needed to spend between $75 and $100 on at least 10 items. They had to include bread, eggs, meat and milk, while the rest of the shopping list was left to their discretion. On worksheets, the fifth graders kept track of the price and quantity of the items they wanted to buy.

Click here to view the Young Mathematicians Make a Meal slideshow.

Date Added: 11/25/2024

“It takes a village” is a true adage in the North Bellmore School District, where students are supported by a wide range of caring and talented staff members. The district celebrates School-Related Professionals Recognition Day on Nov. 19 by recognizing the many valued employees that contribute to warm, welcome school environments. 

North Bellmore’s school-related professionals prepare and serve nutritious meals, keep the buildings clean, safe and secure, provide academic and emotional support, ensure the well-being of students, oversee lunchrooms and playgrounds, skillfully manage the offices and provide support and guidance to all members of the school community

Clerical staff for district administrators and in the main office of the five elementary schools are vital to daily operations. 

“Our district values the essential role that our building and district clerical staff play in keeping everything running smoothly each day,” said Janet Pollitt, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Their efficiency, organization and ability to manage countless details create a welcoming and productive environment for students, staff and families. We appreciate all they do to make our district a better place for everyone.”

Health and safety are the expertise of school nurses and security guards. 

“We are deeply grateful to our dedicated school nurses and security guards for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of everyone at our school, day in and day out,” Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci said. 

Paraprofessionals are assigned to work in classrooms to support teachers and students, or are assigned as 1:1 aides for individual children.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to North Bellmore’s incredible paraprofessionals for the care, love and dedication they bring to our treasured students each day,” said Danica Brugge, principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. “Their unwavering support helps foster relationships that empower children to succeed. They are a valued part of our school family.”

Lunch and recess assistants supervise the cafeteria and playground, and help manage the transition to and from the mid-day break. Kindergarten monitors work with the district’s youngest learners three hours per day, including during lunch and recess time.

“Our lunch recess assistants and kindergarten monitors are essential members of our school community,” Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci said. “In their daily work, these team members assist in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students.”

Kitchen staff and food service workers make sure that children have a hearty lunch each day, and they do it with a smile. 

“We are so grateful for our incredible kitchen staff and food service workers, whose hard work and care ensure our students are nourished and ready to learn each day,” Park Avenue Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle said. “Their dedication, kindness and attention to every meal truly make a difference in our school community.”

The buildings and grounds staff includes custodians and maintainers, as well as cleaners/bus drivers, who support the custodial staff when not transporting students on the district’s three school buses. Maintainers do small and large building repairs. 

“Our school maintenance workers keep our schools safe, clean and running smoothly every day,” Director of Facilities Richard Russo said. “Our bus drivers and bus matrons are committed to safely transporting our students each day with care and kindness.”

“Each morning the inside of the school looks sparkling clean,” Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof said. “The amount of effort it takes to clean up each day is monumental, but the custodial and cleaning crew does it with steadfast diligence.”  

“The custodian and cleaning team are the caretakers of our buildings,” Assistant Principal Daniel Madden added. “Their heart and their might, ensure our facilities are safe, healthful and in full service to support our students, staff and all visitors to our schools each and every day.”

The contributions of school-related professionals are vital in ensuring that the schools run smoothly and efficiently. Their role is not just one of service but of profound impact. One of the district’s core values is “Human life is precious,” and they contribute to a culture where each of the district’s 2,100 students is valued and cared for every day.

“Every day, their exemplary work has a profound impact on our students, families and staff,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “Each school-related professional, in their unique position, provides North Bellmore with a foundation upon which excellence is built. We respect their professionalism and are exceedingly grateful for their immeasurable contributions, talents, devotion and superior work ethic. They are the professionals who make it possible for learning to happen – keeping everything running smoothly, both in front of and behind the scenes.”

Date Added: 11/19/2024

The North Bellmore School District will be conducting its annual central registration process for incoming kindergarten students for the 2025-2026 school year. Eligible students must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025, in order to register for kindergarten.

Registration for the upcoming school year will commence on Nov. 18, 2024, and will run through Feb. 7, 2025. Registration is by appointment only at North Bellmore’s district office located at 2616 Martin Ave. in Bellmore (westside of the Martin Avenue School). Parents and guardians may access the district’s registration packet on the Central Registration Department page on the website. 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: 11/8/2024