To support kids both locally and globally who have battled cancer, students and staff in the North Bellmore School District participated in Go Gold Day for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on Sept. 26. It has been an annual tradition on the last Friday of September for more than a decade.  

At Newbridge Road Elementary School, the participation was very high, with students donning yellow and gold T-shirts, shorts, pants, shoelaces and hair accessories. Principal Amanda Licci said that although it is only one day a year, they intentionally wear gold, the mission is to spread awareness all the time in support of youngsters battling a terrible illness.  

The PTA Coordinating Council provide keychains for students and staff with messages like “Believe” and “No one fights alone,” along with symbols such as gold ribbons, hearts and wings. 

“For some of us, it hits close to home,” she said, as several children in the district have battled cancer in recent years. “Wearing gold is just a symbol that we’re all thinking of one another and all in this fight against childhood cancer together.”

 

Click here to view the Students Have Golden Hearts for Childhood Cancer Awareness 25-26 slideshow.

Date Added: 9/29/2025

Fourth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School are up for any challenges that come their way, thanks to inspiration from Bryson the Brave Bison. Students in Lauren Manginelli’s class learned how bison run into the storm, instead of away from it, and are using that lesson for their own personal growth.  

Ms. Manginelli read students the book, “Bryson the Brave Bison” by Nate Davenport and Luke Freshwater, about a bison who shows his herd how to face a storm and overcome a challenge through bravery and self-confidence. She even brought a stuffed bison into the classroom to help students connect to the character.  

Children often face tasks that are hard, Ms. Manginelli said, and the goal is to inspire them to “run into the storm.” They recently completed worksheets identifying challenges they want to overcome and creating an action plan to do so. Some of their goals include getting better at writing or math, playing an instrument and building better relationships with classmates or siblings.  

Throughout the year, students will write down the challenges they face and post it to an interactive bulletin board. By the end of the year, they will see all of the challenges they have conquered.  

 

Click here to view the Fourth Grade Herd Takes on Challenges at Park Avenue slideshow.

 

Date Added: 9/25/2025

To create a community of welcoming, Martin Avenue Elementary School joined with the Sandy Hook Promise for the “Start With Hello” initiative from Sept. 15-19.

Principal Dr. Yannucci said this was the first year the program has been held at Martin Avenue, with a week of activities designed to strengthen the school community and empower students to build stronger peer relationships. There were also schoolwide spirit days in which students wore mismatched clothes, grade-level colors, shirts with positive or encouraging words and superhero attire.

Students in grades 4-6 took part in an interactive session, “The Power of Language.” During the presentation and discussion, they explored the lasting impact of words – how they can bring people together or cause harm. They discussed strategies to foster a positive school climate and learned the importance of interrupting hurtful language.

“It taught us a really meaningful lesson,” sixth grader Tyler Mattes said of the engaging and relevant presentation. “Don’t say things that put people down.”

His classmate, Delilah Lira, added that she and her classmates gained a better understanding of how to use their words in a positive way.

All students completed a Heart of Unity pledge. On paper hearts, they wrote ways to include others and the hearts were then added to a bulletin board to build the wall of unity. In the Heroic Kindness Quest, students were challenged to complete three secret kindness missions. Bingo Buddies Challenge was a way for students to learn about each other and make new friends. Students in grades K-3 attended a community building assembly.

Dr. Yannucci said he hoped that Start With Hello would show students how simply being welcoming can make a positive impact on their school and community.

“We need to keep reaching out, checking in on each other and extending kindness, care and respect,” he said. “Everything we do is working toward creating an inclusive school environment.”

“Each of you are part of this beautiful community,” Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof told kindergartners on Sept. 5 during the first of three assemblies celebrating children’s book, “All Are Welcome.” 

The book is shared with students throughout the North Bellmore School District to foster an accepting, inclusive and welcoming environment at each of the five elementary schools. At Saw Mill Road, it is read aloud during the first principal’s assembly of the year. Mr. Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madden began with a special program for the school’s newest learners, followed by assemblies for grades 1-3 and 4-6.  

Students listened attentively as Mr. Rosof and Mr. Madden took turns reading the book by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman. They noted that it is a story about going to school and feeling welcome, which is how they want every child to feel every day. Mr. Rosof and Mr. Madden asked students to relate the story to themselves, and think about how their school environment, their teachers and their classmates make them feel welcome.   

In the spirit of welcoming, Mr. Rosof invited students who are new to the school this year up to the front during the grades 1-3 and 4-6 assemblies, and gifted them blue Saw Mill Road T-shirts. He also invited the custodians to be recognized for their hard work getting the building ready for the new year, reminding students how everyone is a valued and integral member of the school community.  

Each assembly ended with a group sing-along of “You Can Count on Me.”   

Click here to view the Saw Mill Opens School Year With Message of Welcoming slideshow.

 

Date Added: 9/18/2025

Students and staff throughout the North Bellmore School District marked Patriot Day on Sept. 11 by wearing red, white and blue to school. Through their attire, they honored the victims of the terrorist attacks 24 years ago, recognized the heroic actions of first responders and celebrated a spirit of unity. 

At Park Avenue Elementary School, students placed miniature American flags along the front walk. Throughout the day, each class took a turn going outside and by the end of school, more than 300 flags were waving in the breeze. The simple but meaningful act helped students embrace the spirit of the national day of service and remembrance. 

 

Click here to view the A Pause for Patriotism at Park Avenue School slideshow.

 

Date Added: 9/15/2025