There was a countdown, followed by a whoosh, and finally a pop. That was the sequence of sounds as sixth graders participated in the annual rocket launch at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School on June 13.

The year-end event is a fun way to end their elementary school years while also reinforcing scientific concepts they will continue to explore in middle school and beyond, like acceleration, circuits, force and gravity.

Teachers Jim O’Brien and Matt Puerta brought their students out to the back field on the sunny morning with the rockets that had been built from kits in the days prior. Sixth graders came up to the two launch pads, added the engine at the bottom of the rocket tube and hooked up a few wires. Then, standing several feet back, each student pushed a button and off the rocket went. After the parachute popped, they ran out to try to catch it on the way down.

“It was cool,” Adriana Aglio said of the project. “It’s something I would like to do again because it was a fun science experiment.”

Vito Farjam, whose rocket went very high but now too far down the field, thought about what he could do differently next time. That was exactly what Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Puerta wanted – for students to analyze the results just like real scientists would. The two classes gathered for reflection before cleaning up and heading back to class.

After being the first student to launch that morning, Vito got to watch the rest of sixth grade peers – from a safe distance, of course – and observed how each launch was a little different.

“It’s unpredictable,” he said of the rockets. “It’s really cool to watch how far they go. It’s like mini-NASA.”

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Date Added: 6/21/2024

The end of the school year will mark the end of successful careers for 18 staff members in the North Bellmore School District. The board of education honored its departing teachers and support staff at their June 13 meeting for their steadfast devotion to children.

The 18 retirees collectively totaled 484 years of service. Their time in North Bellmore spanned from a decade to nearly 40 years. Superintendent Marie Testa commended them for their hard work and dedication in support of the district’s mission and vision. She said their careers will be remembered for the love they showed students.

“All that you did for children will come back to you,” Ms. Testa told the retirees as she wished them happy and healthy retirements. There were also congratulatory remarks from North Bellmore Teachers Association President Joann Signorelli and North Bellmore Paraprofessionals Association President Lisa Basbin.

Retiring teachers include Gayle Angert (24 years), Desiree Behr (25 years), Tim Byrne (33 years), Chris DaRold (32 years), Celeste Diogo (38 years), Dana Hirsch (37 years), Laura Horvath (34 years), Jean Patterson (21 years), Robyn McClellan (20 years), Christine South (23 years) and Kristin Sturniolo (31 years).

Support staff included Laurie Weintraub (34 years) from the Prevention Department, paraprofessionals Maryann Adams (25 years), Geralyn Delaney (20 years), Sandra Goldsmith (22 years), Lynn Paolillo (23 years) and Rose Salerno (10 years), and custodian Joseph Lombardo (32 years).

Each month, sixth grade leaders from one of the five elementary schools begins the board meeting with a presentation. This month, student speakers from John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School paid tribute to the retirees, before the presentations to honor each individual began.

Date Added: 6/18/2024

The North Bellmore School District held its annual district art show on May 21. Student work from the five elementary schools was featured at the evening exhibition, which was held in Newbridge Road Elementary School’s cafeteria.

There were drawings, paintings, sculptures and mixed media projects on display, created by students from kindergarten through sixth grade. The work was a sampling of projects created throughout the school year and showcased the various artistic techniques students have learned.

Artwork was completed under the direction of Jillian Bock at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Park Avenue elementary schools, Erica Farley at Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road elementary schools and Amy Lopez at Saw Mill Road Elementary School.

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Date Added: 6/3/2024

It will be a couple of years before the soon-to-be graduates of the North Bellmore School District are circling the halls of Mepham High School, but on May 20, they got to circle the track. Students from all five elementary schools gathered on the sunny spring day for the annual sixth grade track meet.

The event, which was coordinated by the physical education teachers, featured a mix of short- and long-distance races. It ranged from 50 meters to 800 meters, which was two full laps around the track. After four-person relay races, the day concluded with field events such as discus, javelin, long jump and shot put.

Students wore their school Class of 2024 shirts. In just a few months, they will be unified under one roof at Grand Avenue Middle School, and the track meet was an opportunity to meet their future classmates.

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Date Added: 5/30/2024

A new outdoor learning space at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District has become a hit with both students and teachers. Installed just as the warm weather arrived, the covered space is already a popular spot as an alternative classroom setting.

The creation of the outdoor learning space was funded by the PTA. Principal Danica Brugge said that once blacktop repaving was completed last summer, they could move forward with this project. The canopy and four tables with benches were installed in late April, giving students a nice surprise when they returned from spring break. All of the equipment is blue and yellow, which are Dinkelmeyer’s school colors. 

Ms. Brugge said that when school reopened during the pandemic, outdoor learning was prioritized on nice days and everyone quickly realized the benefits. Even though the pandemic is over and school has long returned to normal, more outdoor learning was a change worth keeping. 

“So much of what we do in the school day can be brought outside,” Ms. Brugge said. “We now have a dedicated outdoor classroom and we are extremely grateful to the PTA for making this a reality.”

Fourth grade teacher Nick Assande often brings his class to the space, where they take part in literary discussions while also enjoying their snacks. Movement is necessary for children, he added, and moving to the outdoor space and back to the classroom is beneficial for them.

His students give the outdoor space high marks, including Kristen Guaiana and Christopher Mazzie. Kristen likes the space to read during recess, and Christopher said it is cool to learn outside in nature. 

First grade teacher Kelly Navin has frequently brought her class outside for literacy lessons, but now having benches to sit at and tables to lean on enhances the experience for her students. 

“There’s a place they can sit and write,” Ms. Navin said, noting that handwriting is an important skill that first graders practice. “I really love taking my class out for outdoor learning. This add to the beautiful campus we have here.” 

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Date Added: 5/21/2024