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

Sixth graders gathered on the blacktop, looked up a second floor window and counted down… “3… 2… 1…” Moments later, a handmade contraption was on the ground and possibly a cracked egg. June 4 featured the annual egg-drop event at Park Avenue Elementary School, an end-of-year staple for the soon-to-be graduates.  

It was the culminating activity in a physic unit, in which students studied concepts such as acceleration, force and gravity. They worked in small groups to build contraptions to hold an egg as it fell from a second-floor window to the ground. Using materials from school and from home, the young engineers had two days to plan and build, and were encouraged to find methods to slow down its speed, like adding a parachute.  

The excitement was high when egg-drop day arrived. With most of the grade outside watching, a few students at a time were in the upstairs classroom. The egg was added just ahead of the drop, and most survived. After returning to their classrooms, students analyzed the results and reflected on their designs.    

Click here to view the Scientific Egg-Citement for Park Avenue Sixth Graders slideshow.

Date Added: 6/20/2025

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

Third graders recently had some tiny, spotted guests in their classrooms at Park Avenue Elementary School, but soon the creatures returned to their rightful home – nature. 

As part of a science unit on animal life cycles, third graders had lady bug habitats in their rooms. They watched the insects go through all stages of development from eggs to larvae to pupa to adults. Students ensured the lady bugs had adequate food and water along the way. Throughout the lesson, they studied the myths and facts of lady bugs, such as the meaning of its spots. 

Teachers Jennifer Howe and Kim Mathison escorted their students to the Park Avenue Community Garden on a sunny afternoon to release the lady bugs into nature. Children were excited but also a little sad to say goodbye.  

Click here to view the Lady Bugs Liven Up Science at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 6/9/2025

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