Soon-to-be graduates from the North Bellmore School District enjoyed sunshine, fresh air and camaraderie while getting some great exercise at the annual sixth grade track meet on May 23 at Mepham High School.

More than 300 sixth graders from the John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools took part in the event. It is an annual tradition for students as they near the end of their elementary years, and a chance to meet some of their future middle school classmates.

The morning began with track events including the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 200-, 400- and 800-meter races, the 4 x 100 relay race and the 4 x 100 mixed relay race. After lunch, students took part in field events including discus, javelin, running long jump and shot put.

Families were invited to watch from the stands. The event was coordinated by Park Avenue Principal Michael DeBlasio and physical education teachers James Breslin, Tim Byrne, Bill Green, Jim Mulvey, Alyssa Parker and Michael Weiner.

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Date Added: 6/5/2023

Kindergartners frequently put their problem-solving skills to the test at Saw Mill Road Elementary School with STEM challenges. Recently, they got some extra help.

Parents were invited in to work with their children in a series of tower-building challenges. They got to see and experience the activities that their young learners do on a regular basis to explore science, technology, engineering and math.

Students and their parents rotated among four different stations. The challenge at each was to build the tallest tower possible, but the materials were different and so was the level of difficulty. Kindergarten teacher Marylou Tolle said the stations to stack pencils and plastic cups were the easiest, while the centers to build with pipe cleaners and wooden sticks and clothes pins were the hardest.

“We thought this was a great opportunity for parents to come in and do a hands-on activity with their children,” Ms. Tolle said.

She added that trial and error was an important aspect of the challenges and the message to students and parents was “don’t give up.”

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Date Added: 6/1/2023

A Long Island veteran celebrating her 104th birthday will have the well wishes of dozens of students at Martin Avenue Elementary School. They recently made birthday cards for Loretta Weiss, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

Fourth grade teacher Janine Steinert, whose students made cards on May 18, explained that the idea came from the grandfather of Martin Avenue fifth grader Max Struck. Max’s grandfather volunteers at the veterans home where Ms. Weiss lives, and would be delivering her the cards.

Before creating the cards, students heard about Ms. Weiss’ service in the Army. She rose to first class sergeant and was a fierce advocate for equal rights for women in the armed forces. Students also learned about the different branches of the military and discussed what it means to be brave and courageous.

This was the second year that Martin Avenue students made cards for Ms. Weiss. On red and blue construction paper, students wrote birthday wishes as well as messages of gratitude for her service. Many of the cards included patriotic symbols.

Date Added: 5/30/2023

Video: North Bellmore Kindergarten Showcase - May 16, 2023


Date Added: 5/25/2023

The North Bellmore School District held its annual art show on May 16 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. The cafeteria featured display boards with hundreds of student drawings and painting, along with tables filled with sculptures and other 3D artwork. Students and their families were invited in to tour the exhibit, and children proudly showed off their featured pieces.

All five elementary schools – John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road – were represented as well as all grade levels from kindergarten through sixth grade. Students completed their work under the direction of art teachers Jill Emmer, Amy Lopez and Jill Skelly.

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Date Added: 5/25/2023