They graduated from elementary school on June 24, 2019 and came back as high school graduates on June 18, 2025. North Bellmore alumni returned to their roots for the inaugural clap-out, which were held throughout the district on June 18 and 20, and were celebrated by students, teachers, staff and retirees.

In the intervening six years, graduates continued their educations Grand Avenue Middle School and Mepham High School. For the clap-out, many showcased their future plans by wearing shirts representing the colleges they will attend.

The goal is for the clap-out to become an annual tradition to celebrate the successful culmination of 13 years of education. At each school, students lined the hallways holding handmade signs that welcomed back the now two-time graduates congratulated them on their most recent accomplishment. Sixth grade ambassadors led the seniors on through the hallways.

“It was an incredible success that left a lasting impact on everyone involved,” said North Bellmore Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt. “Watching the high school Class of 2025 return to their elementary schools, welcomed with signs, cheers, music and heartfelt applause, was a powerful, full-circle moment. It not only celebrated their accomplishments but also inspired the younger students lining the halls. The energy and emotion of the day made it clear that this will become a cherished annual tradition in our district, one that highlights the strength of our community and the pride we share in our students’ journeys.”

The graduates hugged former teachers, took pictures with younger siblings and neighbors, and reminisced about their elementary school days. John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School Principal Danica Brugge, who came to school in January 2019, remembered her former students fondly even though they only spent six months together. She said her first graduating class as principal, and learning of their future plans, validates the work that is done in the elementary schools to build their foundation of knowledge.

“They spend so much time with us – seven years – and we really watch them grow,” she said. “To have this opportunity to be able to see them as young adults brings so much pride and so much excitement for their futures. We love the kids from the moment they enter these doors to the moment they leave, so to have the ability to see them again is a blessing. I think they enjoyed it just as much as we did.”

Click here to view the Class of 2019 Returns for Inaugural Clap-Out slideshow.

Date Added: 6/20/2025

“It’s like bringing the outside into our school,” Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci said at the unveiling of the Newbridge Quad on June 2. The space was created in partnership with the PTA as an outdoor learning area for students, or a place to relax and get some fresh air.

The long and narrow courtyard is tucked between the original 1920s section of the North Bellmore’s oldest school and an expansion from the 1950s. Ms. Licci said it has been a goal of hers to make the space more useful, and the addition of six picnic tables now gives it purpose. Classes can go out there for lessons, to read or have snack time.

As its yearly legacy gift, the PTA purchased the tables. The name Newbridge Quad was chosen because the space is surrounded by four walls. Last year, improvements to the space started when art teacher Erica Farley and her Beautification Club students created a mural of Thunder the Tiger, the school mascot.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which including Ms. Licci, Superintendent Marie Testa, teachers, PTA leaders and a student from every class, the first activity took place. Fifth grader Brock Granshaw and sixth grader Alice Boylan read “Maybe” by Kobi Yamada, a story about the endless potential of every child. The message of the story symbolized the potential of the upgraded space.

“The possibilities are endless,” Ms. Licci said. “We got the tables in there and we’ll see where it takes us.”

PTA co-President Italia Granshaw said planning for this project began in the fall. Money is set aside every year for a legacy gift from the PTA’s fundraising efforts.

Ms. Licci said that every class will be invited to use Newbridge Quad at least once before the end of the school year. Over the course of a full school year, teachers will be tasked with finding innovative and creative ways to take advantage of the outdoors.

Click here to view the Shared Vision Sparks Creation of Newbridge Quad slideshow.

Date Added: 6/16/2025

Two teams from the North Bellmore School District had strong finishes in The Stock Market Game, an experience that gives students real financial insight using fictitious money. Fifth and sixth graders in the ALPHA gifted and talented program participate in the game every year.

Each group gets $100,000 to invest in stocks of their choice. This year’s competition ran from October until April. ALPHA teacher Laura Conway said that teamwork and compromise were essential, as each group consisted of three or four students.

The fifth grade team of Ryan Diaz, Hailey Ianniello, Emmett Liu and Arielle Zhang placed second in the region in the elementary division, which consisted of 178 teams. They finished with $111,582.06. The group, consisting of students from Newbridge Road and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, invested in several stocks including Amazon, Coke, Lululemon and Macy’s.

Sixth graders Tyler Ashley, Haroon Chaudhary and Luka Pavsic, who come from John G. Dinkelmeyer and Park Avenue schools, earned third place in the middle school division. They competed against approximately 350 other teams, and finished with a total of $115,340.12. The stocks that made the biggest impact for them were Morgan Stanley, Spotify Technology and Sprouts Farmers Market.

Ms. Conway said that before the investing begins, students read “Lawn Boy” by Gary Paulson, a book about a young man who starts a successful lawn-mowing business. Students then talk about market trends and influences, as well as supply and demand. A total of 16 teams from North Bellmore participated in this year’s game.

The Stock Market Game is sponsored by the SIFMA Foundation. The goal is to make the most money over a six-month period, so students have to try to find stocks with the greatest short-term earning potential.

“For this game, you have to be more of a bull than a bear, because you have to predict which stocks are going to take off,” Ms. Conway said. “The Stock Market Game really prepares them for future investing and also gives them lots of opportunities for leadership and to have their voices heard.”

Date Added: 6/13/2025

It wasn’t a coincidence that hundreds of students in the North Bellmore School District were wearing sports jerseys on May 28. It was the product of the annual Democracy in Action initiative in partnership with the PTA Coordinating Council.

When parents came to vote in the school budget and board of education trustee election on May 20 at Newbridge Road School, their children could also vote for a spirit day. Computers were set up at a student voting station with the four choices – decades day, Disney/superhero day, future career day and sports jersey day.

There were 700 votes cast in the student vote. The results were tallied and jersey day emerged as the winner, garnering a plurality of 37.5%. The theme and date were then announced at each school. Many children wore shirts for their favorite professional teams, while others wore their own youth league jerseys. Lots of teachers and staff members joined in on the fun as well. 

Click here to view the Students Have Their Say: Sports Jerseys slideshow.

Date Added: 5/30/2025

With their future high school standing tall in the background, sixth graders from the North Bellmore School District had a picturesque day for the annual track meet on May 19. The sun was shining and a steady breeze was a delight for the runners who participated in several different competitions.

The event brought together nearly 300 soon-to-be graduates from John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools. Students proudly wore their respective Class of 2025 shirts. The setting was the track at Mepham High School, a place they will become familiar with following a two-year stop in middle school.

Physical education teachers coordinated the track meet, which consisted of short- and long-distance races. The events spanned from 50-meter sprints to the 800-meter race that was two laps around the track. There were also four-person relay races. Students practiced for their different events in the weeks prior during physical education classes.

Parents and family members were invited to sit in the bleachers and cheer on the students. Sixth graders left with pride for their elementary schools and with excitement for a future together with all their North Bellmore peers.

Click here to view the Track Meet Unites North Bellmore Sixth Graders slideshow.

Date Added: 5/27/2025