Just like they will at the end of high school, sixth graders throughout the North Bellmore School District put on their caps and gowns to close out an important chapter in their lives. Graduation ceremonies for more than 300 students from the five elementary schools took place on June 23 and 24. 

Saw Mill Road Elementary School, as the largest of the five classes, was up first. Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, in his address to students, noted that graduation is not just about where someone is going, but about where they’ve been. His speech took the form of a poem, recounting a typical elementary school journey from the first day of school and a backpack that felt way too big, to the ever-growing memories of field trips, read alouds, school assemblies and spirit weeks.  

Park Avenue’s ceremony was led by the students, who introduced the songs and speakers. The graduates sang “Count on Me” and “Unwritten,” under the direction of music teacher Carol Ng. Alexander Diaz, Kylee Green and Aaliyah Tam shared their elementary school reflections.  

“These years have meant so much to us,” Aaliyah said. “We’ve made friends, learned from amazing teachers and grown into the people here right now. Our teachers didn’t just teach us from books, they taught us how to work hard, be kind and believe in ourselves.” 

Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci told the graduates that the hallways, classrooms, playgrounds and lunch tables are part of their story, as the school has helped shape who they are. What stood out about the Class of 2026, she said, is their determination to leave their mark. Throughout their seven years, they have looked for ways to contribute, to lead and to make difference, and their legacy will be found in the way in the positive impact they had on the school community,” Ms. Licci noted. 

Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci asked his Martin Avenue Elementary School graduates to remember one of the district’s core values – There is no limit to human potential – as they move on.  

“Each of you has unique talents, dreams and abilities waiting to be discovered and nurtured,” he said to the soon-to-be middle school students. “Believe in yourself and your capacity to achieve incredible things. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow, learn from setbacks and keep striving toward your goals with determination and resilience.” 

John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School’s ceremony featured the Pledge of Allegiance led by students Nora Cassidy and Hayden Kim, a vocal selection of “End of Beginning” and student reflections from Giuliana Ferranti and Yirui Zhang. Yirui cited a well-known Dr. Seuss quote to sum up the end of elementary school: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” 

Each ceremony featured remarks from a board of education trustee. Melissa Cmar-Grote spoke to Park Avenue’s sixth graders and recited some lyrics from the Rascal Flats song, “My Wish,” which she said were fitting for a graduation.  

“As you leave elementary school to start your next chapter,” Ms. Cmar-Grote said in her address to the graduates, “I hope you will use all the skills you have acquired over the last seven years to continue being kind, caring and compassionate learners, loyal friends and have the courage to try something new.”