During a schoolwide character education assembly, Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal James O’Brien read “What if Everybody Did That?” by Ellen Javernick. The book, through its colorful and humorous illustrations, shows the consequences of thoughtless behavior in a child-friendly way. Students learned how their thoughtful, positive actions can make the world a better place. The read aloud supported the mission of the North Bellmore School District, which emphasizes contributing to the global community with creativity and compassion.

Date Added: 3/10/2023

Fourth grade artists at Martin Avenue Elementary School learned how to make tie-dye designs with oil pastels and watercolor paints.

Under the direction of art teacher Jill Emmer, students drew different shapes and patterns with the pastels such as letters, numbers, shapes and squiggly lines. Then, they painted over the designs with watercolors to create a tie-dye effect. Ms. Emmer explained that this would serve as the background for artwork of animals made using heart shapes.

Date Added: 2/16/2023

Fifth graders in the district are immersed in a persuasive writing unit, learning just what it takes to pen a convincing argument.

At Martin Avenue Elementary School, students in Elizabeth Gorman’s class did a social media project about endangered species. Their goal was to create mock Instagram or TikTok posts that would persuade others to help those animals, including amur leopards, black panthers, orangutans and sea turtles.

Ms. Gorman said that students first read “Can We Save the Tiger?” by Martin Jenkins as a mentor text. Students then did research on endangered species, selected an animal they would like to help, and created their posts.

In Melissa Mignoli’s class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, students began an opinion writing unit by answering subjective multiple choice questions, and giving at least three reasons why they made their selections. Question topics included the most important quality in a friend, the most needed school supply and what they wanted for dinner.

The purpose of this activity, Ms. Mignoli explained, was to show students about the importance of backing up their arguments with evidence. This knowledge will help them as they move on to writing persuasive essays on topics of their choice. As part of their writing process, they will do online research to find factual information to support their opinions.

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Date Added: 2/2/2023

A new year meant it was time for new goals at Martin Avenue Elementary. Sixth graders in Stephanie Speciale’s class created 2023 vision boards with attainable objectives.

Students made their vision boards with Google Slides and selected pictures that would remind them of their goals. Ms. Speciale noted the importance of selecting goals that are challenging but achievable, and can be accomplished through their own hard work, determination and commitment.

Olivia Zukowski said she is looking to improve her softball skills so she can help her team as a pitcher and first basemen. The vision board, she said, will remind of this goal.

“It pushes me to work harder in what I want to do,” she said.

Dylan Hanovic has several ambitions, from academics to athletics to self-care. He wants to get good grades, read more, win a sports championship with one of his teams and spend less time playing video games and more time outdoors.

“It’s a checklist,” he said of his vision board. “Once in a while, I can look at it, see what I have to do, and do that.”

Ms. Speciale said that her students recently began using Google Classroom apps, so this project gave them an introduction to Google Slides, a popular presentation tool. They improved their technology skills while also setting a path to self-improvement.

“This was something they were very enthusiastic about and focused, because it was personal to them,” Ms. Speciale said. “It was centered around their new year so it was about new opportunities.”

Date Added: 1/24/2023