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.

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Date Added: 6/5/2023

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

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.

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Date Added: 5/25/2023

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.”

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Date Added: 5/11/2023

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