The 38 students who gathered on the back field of Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Oct. 22 had one thing in common – some pretty good football skills. The North Bellmore School District held the final round of its Punt, Pass, Kick competition, an annual event hosted by the physical education department.  

With sunny skies and temperatures that felt more appropriate for NFL training camp than middle of the season, the young athletes were thrilled to be outdoors and bonding with fellow football lovers. Two long rulers were set up on the turf field to measure, in feet, the distance each football traveled.  

Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades competed in preliminary rounds at their schools, with the boys and girls winners from each grade earning a spot in the district championship. The young athletes then had their final chance in the three skills events – dropping and punting the football, throwing it down the field and kicking it off a tee. Each student was then able to redo one of those events to try and earn a higher score. 

At the end, the districtwide boys and girls winners were crowned in each grade level. Gabriel Guerriero and Vivienne Ferrie were tops in fourth grade, Brody Hislop and Maya Aruti were the fifth grade winners and Chase Almona and Vittoria DeMarco paced the sixth graders. They received trophies while runners up were awarded medals.  

The event was coordinated by physical education teachers James Breslin, Bill Green, Jim Mulvey, Anthony Novello, Alyssa Parker and Michael Wiener, as well as retired P.E. teacher Tom Steinmuller.  

Click here to view the Football Fanatics Compete in Punt, Pass, Kick Finals slideshow.

Date Added: 10/24/2024

Although their age is in the low double digits, sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School are the elders of the student body. With that age and experience comes great responsibility.

This year, Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madden started the year off by meeting with each sixth grade class. They engaged students in dialogue on how they can serve as role models for the rest of the school.

Each session began with an ice breaker activity. Students were split into two groups and formed two circles. The two students across from each other then spoke, answering a prompt from either Mr. Rosof or Mr. Madden. After each question, one circle would rotate so the students got to talk to different classmates. The purpose was to foster communication and emphasize the importance of listening to one another.

Gathering back in one large circle, it was time to talk about their role as the student leaders of the school. Mr. Rosof reminded them what it was like to be younger and looking up to the sixth graders then as role models. He emphasized the importance of setting a good example wherever they are, such as in class, in the hallways or on the playground. Students were also reminded that they have a responsibility to make others feel welcome in school, and that their words can have great impact.

The goal of the sessions were to “set the stage for a great sixth grade year,” Mr. Rosof said, noting some of the special events coming up exclusively for them.

“This was a chance to let the sixth graders have some time with us, set expectations and recognize what it means to be a leader in school,” Mr. Rosof said. “I hope they hear that they’re special as our sixth graders. That comes with privilege and responsibility, and we want them to reflect on that.”

Click here to view the Saw Mill Sixth Graders Set Up to Be Leaders slideshow.

Date Added: 9/23/2024

More than 2,000 children laced up their sneakers and put on their backpacks for the first day of school in North Bellmore on Sept. 3. The five elementary schools were full of excitement, with administrators, faculty and staff warmly greeting students as they arrived on the bright, sunny morning for the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Parents snapped back-to-school pictures at photo stations at each school, then youngsters went inside to find their classrooms. They sat down at their desks with fresh nametags, unpacked supplies and shared summer stories.

At Park Avenue Elementary School, new principal Dr. Lynn Coyle was eager to meet her students for the first time. Across town at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, Principal Jeffrey Rosof helped guide students to their classrooms in the district’s largest building.

Click here to view the School Year Off to a Stellar Start in North Bellmore slideshow.

Date Added: 9/3/2024