As they become more fluent in the Spanish language, fourth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School are now hearing from native speakers.

During a “Where are you from?” lesson, students watched videos from people native to different Spanish-speaking countries. They had to listen carefully as each person said his or her city of origin and match it on a list. Teacher Kristen Giris played each video four times, and students were asked to listen twice while their eyes were closed. This allowed them to eliminate distractions and fine tune their ears as they listened for the location, she explained.

Ms. Giris said that hearing authentic voices is important to mastering another language. She noted that there is a difference in hearing Spanish spoken by native Spanish speakers versus native English speakers.

North Bellmore students receive Spanish instruction in fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Even if they choose to study a different language when they reach the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, they can apply the language acquisition and listening strategies they learned in elementary school. Answering questions from listening passages is also part of world language testing in middle school and high school.

The “Where are you from?” lesson is part of an overall unit on personal identification. Students explore vocabulary for biographical information, physical and character traits, and likes and interests, then complete “All About Me” projects in Spanish.

Click here to view the Learning Spanish Through Listening at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 5/16/2025

From their first day of kindergarten, students in the North Bellmore School District are nurtured to become joyful lifelong learners. Please view the district’s spring newsletter and Kindergarten Experience video to learn more about all facets of the program:

Spring 2025 Newsletter:
https://northbellmoreschools.org/Assets/Newsletters/051425_NBell_spring_NB_Colors.pdf?t=638828186625370000

Kindergarten Experience Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPjapWFkDpY

Date Added: 5/14/2025

The North Bellmore School District celebrates its fabulous educators for Teacher Appreciation Week. Students from our five elementary schools share the qualities that make their teachers special in this video:

Date Added: 5/6/2025

School spirit was evident through colorful pictures and powerful slogans with the return of the annual poster contest at Park Avenue Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District.

The revived contest garnered 125 hand-drawn entries from students in kindergarten through sixth grade. They had a choice of creating a poster based on one of three themes.

For the leadership category, posters had to show what it means to be a role model. The P.A.R.K. theme focused on being positive, having a hardworking attitude and showing respect and kindness. Park Pride posters focused on the joyful experience of being a member of the school community.

The poster contest was an initiative of the Shared Decision Making Committee which consists of Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle, four teachers and four parents. They received all of the submissions and selected 14 winners – two per grade level – based on a rubric. The winners, as well as runners-up, were recognized at a recent schoolwide assembly.

“So many fabulous posters were submitted,” Dr. Coyle said. “You could see how much hard work and effort went into it by the students. It shows that there is an immense sense of pride in being a part of the Park Avenue community. The school means a lot to them and that was represented in the posters.” 

Each winner received a medal, and his or her poster was framed and will hang in the halls for the next year. Runners-up were given art pins and all entrants got certificates.

Sixth grader Tyler Ashley was thrilled the poster contest was back, as he entered and won as a kindergartner. Now another one of his posters will adorn the Park Avenue walls as his time at the school nears the end.

“I wanted to do it because I wanted to show my artistic ability,” Tyler said, noting that his poster blended the themes of leadership and Park pride. “I felt like being leaders has been important at Park throughout kindergarten to sixth grade.”

Grace Calderone was also happy that the poster contest was back for her final year, and she has fond memories of entering it in kindergarten, first and second grade.

“I wanted another chance to win, and I worked hard on my poster,” said Grace, who went with the Park pride theme. She added that she was impressed by all of the posters created by her classmates because it shows “how far everyone has come since kindergarten and the pride they have developed.”

Date Added: 5/2/2025

“The best is yet to come,” North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa said of the eight educators who officially received tenure at the April 10 board of education meeting.

During a standing room-only celebration at Martin Avenue Elementary School, the newly tenured administrators and teachers were lauded for their hard work and dedication to students during their probationary periods. They reflect the strength, breadth and excellence of the district, Ms. Testa noted.

Receiving tenure were:

Amanda Licci, principal, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Daniel Madden, assistant principal, Saw Mill Road Elementary School

Danielle Calapai, instructional coach

Alexa Cappuzzo, second grade teacher, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School

Yvonne Francolini, librarian

Kerri Maxwell, first grade teacher, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Alyssa Parker, physical education teacher

Catherine Schlaich, computer science teacher

The night was filled with speeches celebrating each tenure recipient from proud colleagues. They also had the honor of achieving this career milestone with their families in attendance.

“We know the amount of time and effort and care and love that goes into being a teacher or an administrator,” Ms. Testa said. “Tenure reflects our confidence in their ongoing impact and their role in helping all learners succeed.”

Date Added: 4/22/2025