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.

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Date Added: 2/2/2023

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

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

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

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