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

A six-week writing project ended with fanfare in Francesca Lawless’ third grade classroom at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Students shared their published pieces during a gallery walk on Dec. 11.

A copy of each child’s personal narrative was left on his or her desk for the celebratory event. Children traveled around the room to read their classmates’ stories and admire the creative covers.

The writing unit began with a study of author Patricia Polacco. Her books served as mentor texts because of her use of dialogue and sensory details. The third graders were encouraged to use those techniques in their personal narratives, which were based on significant moments in their lives. Topics ranged from holiday celebrations to family vacations to sporting events.

During the gallery walk, students were encouraged to give compliments to their classmates about well-executed writing strategies.

“It’s important to celebrate this accomplishment because so they can feel pride in their work,” Ms. Lawless said. “The students also get to learn a little bit about each other’s lives since they’re sharing experiences that are personal to them.”

Click here to view the Special Moments Shared at Saw Mill Writing Celebration slideshow.

Date Added: 1/13/2025

The North Bellmore School District is proud to announce that 28 students have been selected to participate in this month’s All-County Music Festival, hosted by the Nassau Music Educators Association. Fifth and sixth grade musicians from the band, chorus and orchestra were selected based on their NYSSMA solo performance scores and teacher recommendations.

Ensemble rehearsals take place at schools throughout the county during the weeks of Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. Weekend concerts are held at the LIU Post Tilles Center. 

Congratulations to the following musicians on their All-County selections:

John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School – Band: Ethan Andreau and Nicholas Truglio; Chorus: Jake Duverneau, Charlotte Giannetta, Brooke Murphy, Elliot Renz and Brooke Sheehan; Orchestra: Arianna Lettieri and Alayna Mangels.

Martin Avenue Elementary School – Orchestra: Isabelle Dang.

Newbridge Road Elementary School – Band: Elianna Lopez; Chorus: Nina Cannistraci, Henry Cohen, Marion Chelsea De Jesus and Kyra Devlin; Orchestra: Lauren Corace.

Park Avenue Elementary School – Band: Andrew Udilovich; Chorus: Marco Artale, Xcenia Benden, Veronica Calise, Elianna Macaluso and Micah Millington; Orchestra: Temitayo Otuyemi.

Saw Mill Road Elementary School – Band: Frank Figueiredo; Chorus: Rebecca David, Isabella Rodriguez and Eliana Weissman; Orchestra: Mariam Subhan.

The students learn under the direction of music teachers Skylar Berkley, Christopher D’Orio, Maritza Lopez, Ed McCullagh, Carol Ng, Alexander Roff, Patrice Ryan and Lisa Uckardes.

Click here to view the District Boasts 28 All-County Musicians slideshow.

Date Added: 1/8/2025