The 38 students who gathered on the back field of Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Oct. 22 had one thing in common – some pretty good football skills. The North Bellmore School District held the final round of its Punt, Pass, Kick competition, an annual event hosted by the physical education department.  

With sunny skies and temperatures that felt more appropriate for NFL training camp than middle of the season, the young athletes were thrilled to be outdoors and bonding with fellow football lovers. Two long rulers were set up on the turf field to measure, in feet, the distance each football traveled.  

Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades competed in preliminary rounds at their schools, with the boys and girls winners from each grade earning a spot in the district championship. The young athletes then had their final chance in the three skills events – dropping and punting the football, throwing it down the field and kicking it off a tee. Each student was then able to redo one of those events to try and earn a higher score. 

At the end, the districtwide boys and girls winners were crowned in each grade level. Gabriel Guerriero and Vivienne Ferrie were tops in fourth grade, Brody Hislop and Maya Aruti were the fifth grade winners and Chase Almona and Vittoria DeMarco paced the sixth graders. They received trophies while runners up were awarded medals.  

The event was coordinated by physical education teachers James Breslin, Bill Green, Jim Mulvey, Anthony Novello, Alyssa Parker and Michael Wiener, as well as retired P.E. teacher Tom Steinmuller.  

Click here to view the Football Fanatics Compete in Punt, Pass, Kick Finals slideshow.

Date Added: 10/24/2024

This year’s theme is “Better Together” at Park Avenue Elementary School, with students and staff striving to do just through the One Word initiative. 

Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle read “One Word for Kids” in a pair of assemblies, then asked each child to pick one word that would serve as a guiding point for the school year. Students made their intentions visible on “My One Word” sheets that were hung together in the first floor hallway.  

Teachers and staff also selected a word for the year. Their words on small canvases, along with group pictures of students holding their word sheets, adorn the large bulletin board in the lobby. Following back-to-school night in September, parents were also asked to contribute a word.  

Park Avenue’s sixth grade Board of Education representatives, Joshua Eromon, Harnoor Kaur, Olivia Spaks and Ben Terzulli, talked about the One Word initiative at the October board meeting. They discussed how they will frequently revisit these words, and then reflect in June on how it guided them to success during the school year. 

Date Added: 10/22/2024

Fifth and sixth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School recently lined the front garden with kindness rocks in a project inspired by the book, “Scribble Stones” by Diane Alber. The heartwarming story is about a little stone who, while on a mission to become something greater, spreads kindness and joy.

The project was designed to inspire creativity, spark personal connections among students, and promote a sense of community. Fifth and sixth graders turned their “dull grey stones” into beautiful creations with colorful images and uplifting messages.

Students went outside and placed the rocks in front of the 9/11 memorial garden and peace pole. Each child found a special spot to display his or her rock for all of the Park Avenue community to see.

Teachers noted that “Scribble Stones” is a wonderful way to educate students that, no matter anyone’s age, it is important to set goals and focus on personal growth. Students were reminded that a new school year is a blank canvas, just like their rocks were. The activity allowed them to think of a goal or a passion and share it with others through imaginative images and messages

Click here to view the Kindness Rocks Inspire Students at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 10/7/2024

Kindergartners will make a lot of memories during the next seven years as students at Park Avenue Elementary School, and one that will likely stand out will be the welcome parade on their fourth day of school.

To celebrate their arrival as the school’s newest learners, they paraded through the hallways on the morning of Sept. 6 as upbeat music played over the loudspeakers. Students from first through sixth grades lined the hallways to applaud, cheer and give high-fives. Their handmade signs with inspirational messages and pictures really made the kindergartners feel welcome in their new home.

Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle said this was the first time the school has hosted a kindergarten welcome parade, and her goal is for it to become an annual tradition. It will also serve as the other bookend for students who already parade through the halls for a clap-out at the end of sixth grade.

“It really gives our kindergartners a sense of belonging, which is of utmost importance,” Dr. Coyle said. “It’s a way of spreading kindness and inclusivity withing the school building.”

After the parade, kindergartners gathered in the all-purpose room where Dr. Coyle read aloud the Mo Willems book, “The Pigeon HAS to Go to School.” Then it was back to their classrooms to continue work on their ABCs and 123s.

Click here to view the Park Avenue Embraces its Newest Learners slideshow.

Date Added: 9/16/2024

To get to know her students both inside and outside of the classroom, Park Avenue Elementary School fourth grade teacher Lauren Manginelli had a fun game for them on Sept. 6.

In “Picks and Icks,” the youngsters were asked their opinion on different topics, ranging from school subjects and classroom habits, to food and sports. Each child had a placard and showed her the green side with a thumbs up when something was a “pick” and the red side with a thumbs down when it was an “ick.”

Students also completed worksheets with this information as a way for Ms. Manginelli to become more familiar with the tendencies and interests of her students, and create a warm and welcoming classroom environment for all.

Click here to view the Picking the Brains of Park Avenue Fourth Graders 24-25 slideshow.

Date Added: 9/9/2024