Before it was time to get down to business, North Bellmore School District Board of Education trustees, administrators and the public were treated to a musical delight. The district’s sixth grade Festival Band opened the March 13 meeting at Martin Avenue Elementary School with a pair of songs.

The performance celebrated Music in Our Schools Month and the district’s commitment to music education. The Festival Band includes sixth graders from all five elementary schools and is directed by Skylar Berkley and Christopher D’Orio.

“This talented group of musicians represents the dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm that make our district so special,” said Saw Mill Road Elementary School Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, administrative liaison to the music program. “Through every note they play, these students showcase not only their musical growth but also their ability to collaborate and rise to new challenges – skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. Their journey is a testament to the power of the arts in shaping confident, passionate learners who are ready to make their mark on the world.”

Under the direction of Mr. D’Orio, the band played “Royal Crown March.” Ms. Berkley then led the ensemble in “Alpha Squadron.”

Superintendent Marie Testa recognized all of the district’s music teachers and noted that the program supports the mission of developing well-rounded students. She added that the performance reflects the joy and value that music brings to people’s lives.

“North Bellmore has an exemplary music education program,” she said. “We want to celebrate our students and our teachers.”

Click here to view the Festival Band Delights Audience at BOE Meeting slideshow.

Date Added: 3/18/2025

Students from North Bellmore’s five elementary schools donated to the annual Souper Bowl food drive in early February. All items went to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard. Student council members from Saw Mill Road Elementary School delivered the donations to the Brookside School, where they checked expiration dates and stocked the shelves. 

Click here to watch our video about the Souper Bowl collection.

Date Added: 2/27/2025

Reading was front and center at Saw Mill Road Elementary School and throughout the North Bellmore School District, which celebrated the 16th annual World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 7.

Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madded shared “The Reflection in Me,” written by Marc Colagiovanni and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, for the monthly principal’s read aloud. After reading the book at a pair of assemblies, they discussed the themes of self-love and self-acceptance with students. Each class was then gifted a mirror as a way of remembering the book’s message.

Mr. Rosof said the book was recommended by librarian Laura Stasi.

“Mr. Madden and I selected this book because it has a beautiful and profound message,” he said. “Often, these picture books share messages that can resonatewith all ages. It is supremely important to me that all Saw Mill Road citizens feel good about who they are.Hopefully, sharing this story helped with this.”

Reading activities took place in classrooms throughout the day. Chrissie Migliano read “Henny” to her fourth graders. The book about the chicken with arms is about accepting and embracing each other’s differences.

Patricia Graham’s kindergartners were visited by sixth graders frm Danielle Houghton’s class for buddy reading. The classes get together once a week for various activities. For World Read Aloud Day, the kindergartners and sixth graders took turns reading to each other.

“It makes me feel good because it makes my buddy smile when I read to them,” sixth grader Kyle Peponakis said.

His classmate, Sila Asif, added that is very rewarding to assist the kindergartners in their quest to become better readers and learn new words.

Click here to view the Saw Mill Road’s Worldly Readers Share Stories Together slideshow.

Date Added: 2/14/2025

Fifth graders are getting the tools for a lifetime of mental well-being at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Yoga has become a staple in Brandon Rosenblatt’s classroom and the breathing and stretching exercises are well received by students. 

Several teachers throughout the North Bellmore School District have been taking a professional development workshop with Alyssa Parker, a physical education teacher at Saw Mill Road. Mr. Rosenblatt is bringing his knowledge from the course – Yoga, Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness – to his students.  

The yoga sessions started in mid-January. Students push the desks to the edges of the classroom and create a large open space while watching videos that guide them through the exercises. Mr. Rosenblatt said that the videos were provided by Ms. Parker to use in the classrooms.  

Students are learning different poses during the mind and movement breaks. Mr. Rosenblatt said that he typically devotes one full block per week to yoga in addition to other shorter sessions. Fifth graders focus on breathing to calm their bodies down and bring positive thoughts to their mind. The negative energy is pushed away.  

“It’s important for students to understand their bodies and their body’s needs,” he said. “It’s going to allow them to perform better.” 

The positive feedback from students has been immediate, who say its helps reduce stress and gives them strategies they can also use at home. Charlie Hoffman explained that during a yoga session, he is 100% focused so he can get the most out of it and maximize relaxation. 

“It makes me go into a calm state of mind,” he said. 

“Some of the poses are hard,” added Elizer Stoll, who said it is worth the challenge because the stretches make his body feel good. “It’s also fun and it’s really relaxing.” 


Click here to view the Saw Mill Road Students Embrace Benefits of Yoga slideshow.

Date Added: 2/3/2025