“It takes a village” is a true adage in the North Bellmore School District, where students are supported by a wide range of caring and talented staff members. The district celebrates School-Related Professionals Recognition Day on Nov. 19 by recognizing the many valued employees that contribute to warm, welcome school environments. 

North Bellmore’s school-related professionals prepare and serve nutritious meals, keep the buildings clean, safe and secure, provide academic and emotional support, ensure the well-being of students, oversee lunchrooms and playgrounds, skillfully manage the offices and provide support and guidance to all members of the school community

Clerical staff for district administrators and in the main office of the five elementary schools are vital to daily operations. 

“Our district values the essential role that our building and district clerical staff play in keeping everything running smoothly each day,” said Janet Pollitt, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Their efficiency, organization and ability to manage countless details create a welcoming and productive environment for students, staff and families. We appreciate all they do to make our district a better place for everyone.”

Health and safety are the expertise of school nurses and security guards. 

“We are deeply grateful to our dedicated school nurses and security guards for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of everyone at our school, day in and day out,” Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci said. 

Paraprofessionals are assigned to work in classrooms to support teachers and students, or are assigned as 1:1 aides for individual children.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to North Bellmore’s incredible paraprofessionals for the care, love and dedication they bring to our treasured students each day,” said Danica Brugge, principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. “Their unwavering support helps foster relationships that empower children to succeed. They are a valued part of our school family.”

Lunch and recess assistants supervise the cafeteria and playground, and help manage the transition to and from the mid-day break. Kindergarten monitors work with the district’s youngest learners three hours per day, including during lunch and recess time.

“Our lunch recess assistants and kindergarten monitors are essential members of our school community,” Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci said. “In their daily work, these team members assist in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students.”

Kitchen staff and food service workers make sure that children have a hearty lunch each day, and they do it with a smile. 

“We are so grateful for our incredible kitchen staff and food service workers, whose hard work and care ensure our students are nourished and ready to learn each day,” Park Avenue Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle said. “Their dedication, kindness and attention to every meal truly make a difference in our school community.”

The buildings and grounds staff includes custodians and maintainers, as well as cleaners/bus drivers, who support the custodial staff when not transporting students on the district’s three school buses. Maintainers do small and large building repairs. 

“Our school maintenance workers keep our schools safe, clean and running smoothly every day,” Director of Facilities Richard Russo said. “Our bus drivers and bus matrons are committed to safely transporting our students each day with care and kindness.”

“Each morning the inside of the school looks sparkling clean,” Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof said. “The amount of effort it takes to clean up each day is monumental, but the custodial and cleaning crew does it with steadfast diligence.”  

“The custodian and cleaning team are the caretakers of our buildings,” Assistant Principal Daniel Madden added. “Their heart and their might, ensure our facilities are safe, healthful and in full service to support our students, staff and all visitors to our schools each and every day.”

The contributions of school-related professionals are vital in ensuring that the schools run smoothly and efficiently. Their role is not just one of service but of profound impact. One of the district’s core values is “Human life is precious,” and they contribute to a culture where each of the district’s 2,100 students is valued and cared for every day.

“Every day, their exemplary work has a profound impact on our students, families and staff,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “Each school-related professional, in their unique position, provides North Bellmore with a foundation upon which excellence is built. We respect their professionalism and are exceedingly grateful for their immeasurable contributions, talents, devotion and superior work ethic. They are the professionals who make it possible for learning to happen – keeping everything running smoothly, both in front of and behind the scenes.”

Date Added: 11/19/2024

Wearing red, white and blue and holding miniature American flags, students at Martin Avenue Elementary School paid tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States military. The second annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 12 helped students understand the important reason they were off from school a day earlier.

Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci said the focus of this year’s program was sacrifice. He emphasized the commitment made by veterans to serve their country and fight for freedom, while encouraging students to think of little sacrifices they can make for the greater good.

“Veterans Day is a day for all of us to reflect on our good fortunes and remember everything we have is because of the brave men and women who served in the military,” Dr. Yannucci said. “They are our veterans and their sacrifices are the foundation of our freedoms and the reason we give thanks.”

The school welcomed veterans Harrison Greene and Sean Lucas, both family members of Martin Avenue students, and active service member Zachary Bult. Student speakers from grades K-6 reflected on the meaning and purpose of the day, and shared Veterans Day poetry. Music teacher Alexander Roff led the entire student body in a sing-along of “A Day for Honor,” which students rehearsed during their general music classes. A banner of stars featured photos of veterans related to students and staff.

The program was presented in partnership with the PTA. Julie Vaughan, the PTA vice president, noted that the veterans in attendance are heroes to their country, and she asked children to find small but meaningful ways of being heroes in their community.

Click here to view the Veterans’ Sacrifices Honored at Martin Avenue Ceremony slideshow.

Date Added: 11/13/2024

The North Bellmore School District will be conducting its annual central registration process for incoming kindergarten students for the 2025-2026 school year. Eligible students must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025, in order to register for kindergarten.

Registration for the upcoming school year will commence on Nov. 18, 2024, and will run through Feb. 7, 2025. Registration is by appointment only at North Bellmore’s district office located at 2616 Martin Ave. in Bellmore (westside of the Martin Avenue School). Parents and guardians may access the district’s registration packet on the Central Registration Department page on the website. Please complete the registration packet and attach all required documentation prior to your registration appointment.

No child will be fully registered for kindergarten until all the required forms have been completed, received and verified by the district. To schedule an appointment or for questions relating to registration you may contact the District Registrar at 516-992-3000, ext. 3821.

Date Added: 11/8/2024

It was a spooky sight in the ALPHA classroom at Newbridge Road Elementary School, where fifth graders worked collaboratively on their bone bridges. Teacher Laura Conway put a Halloween twist on an engineering challenge for students in the district’s enrichment program.

Each group was tasked with building the longest bridge they could with the provided materials. Their supplies included a piece of cardboard, pipe cleaners, Q-tips, wooden craft sticks and masking tape.

Ms. Conway said the goal was for them to maximize their resources to get as much length out of each bridge. It couldn’t just lay flat – it had to be supported to rise above the floor or desk. Before building, each group had to come up with a plan. Just as important to the success of the project as their engineering knowledge, she explained, was the ability to work together and listen to each other’s ideas.

In addition to themed units and long-term projects, third through sixth graders in the ALPHA program complete seasonal engineering challenges throughout the year. Students get to work in partnership with peers from other schools in the district while strengthening their critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities.

Click here to view the ALPHA Young Engineers Build Bridges of Fright slideshow.

Date Added: 11/4/2024

Students from several classes at Martin Avenue Elementary School came together for a disguise a pumpkin project. Lauren Fleigner’s room was the spot for the Halloween activity that focused on creativity and collaboration.  

Youngsters started with paper pumpkins, then colored and glued on masks. Students transformed their pumpkins into characters like Scooby Doo, Sonic the Hedgehog, Spiderman, an M&M and a cat. The goal was to protect the pumpkins from getting carved for Halloween. Students were assisted by sixth grade buddies.  

Date Added: 10/30/2024