The North Bellmore School District celebrates its fabulous educators for Teacher Appreciation Week. Students from our five elementary schools share the qualities that make their teachers special in this video:

Date Added: 5/6/2025

School spirit was evident through colorful pictures and powerful slogans with the return of the annual poster contest at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District.

The revived contest garnered 125 hand-drawn entries from students in kindergarten through sixth grade. They had a choice of creating a poster based on one of three themes.

For the leadership category, posters had to show what it means to be a role model. The P.A.R.K. theme focused on being positive, having a hardworking attitude and showing respect and kindness. Park Pride posters focused on the joyful experience of being a member of the school community.

The poster contest was an initiative of the Shared Decision Making Committee which consists of Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle, four teachers and four parents. They received all of the submissions and selected 14 winners – two per grade level – based on a rubric. The winners, as well as runners-up, were recognized at a recent schoolwide assembly.

“So many fabulous posters were submitted,” Dr. Coyle said. “You could see how much hard work and effort went into it by the students. It shows that there is an immense sense of pride in being a part of the Park Avenue community. The school means a lot to them and that was represented in the posters.” 

Each winner received a medal, and his or her poster was framed and will hang in the halls for the next year. Runners-up were given art pins and all entrants got certificates.

Sixth grader Tyler Ashley was thrilled the poster contest was back, as he entered and won as a kindergartner. Now another one of his posters will adorn the Park Avenue walls as his time at the school nears the end.

“I wanted to do it because I wanted to show my artistic ability,” Tyler said, noting that his poster blended the themes of leadership and Park pride. “I felt like being leaders has been important at Park throughout kindergarten to sixth grade.”

Grace Calderone was also happy that the poster contest was back for her final year, and she has fond memories of entering it in kindergarten, first and second grade.

“I wanted another chance to win, and I worked hard on my poster,” said Grace, who went with the Park pride theme. She added that she was impressed by all of the posters created by her classmates because it shows “how far everyone has come since kindergarten and the pride they have developed.”

Date Added: 5/2/2025

“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

A months-long art project is taking shape at Park Avenue Elementary School. The creation of a new mural is being spearheaded by art teacher Jillian Bock and will feature a contribution from every child in the school.

The sunrise and meadow scene is being created on an upper section of wall on the first floor. At 16 feet wide and 4 feet tall, it is a sizeable piece that should bring joy to generations of students. Ms. Bock said that she was approached by Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle to come up with ideas to beautify the school. From there, the mural was born.

Painting began in November and Ms. Bock expects to wrap up work in May. The idea for the meadow with flowers is connected to the school’s culture, as students and staff maintain a community garden adjacent to the building. Children are contributing to the mural by using their fingerprints as the petals of the flowers.

Ms. Bock said that students are excited to leave their mark in this legacy project. They have been invested in watching the mural come together over the past few months as more elements are added and more students make their imprint.

“It adds a sense of happiness and pride,” she said. “It feels good to be a part of something, and they feel good that had a hand in it.”

Click here to view the Uplifting Mural Blooms at Park Avenue School slideshow.

Date Added: 4/3/2025

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