A six-week writing project ended with fanfare in Francesca Lawless’ third grade classroom at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. Students shared their published pieces during a gallery walk on Dec. 11.

A copy of each child’s personal narrative was left on his or her desk for the celebratory event. Children traveled around the room to read their classmates’ stories and admire the creative covers.

The writing unit began with a study of author Patricia Polacco. Her books served as mentor texts because of her use of dialogue and sensory details. The third graders were encouraged to use those techniques in their personal narratives, which were based on significant moments in their lives. Topics ranged from holiday celebrations to family vacations to sporting events.

During the gallery walk, students were encouraged to give compliments to their classmates about well-executed writing strategies.

“It’s important to celebrate this accomplishment because so they can feel pride in their work,” Ms. Lawless said. “The students also get to learn a little bit about each other’s lives since they’re sharing experiences that are personal to them.”

Click here to view the Special Moments Shared at Saw Mill Writing Celebration slideshow.

Date Added: 1/13/2025

The North Bellmore School District is proud to announce that 28 students have been selected to participate in this month’s All-County Music Festival, hosted by the Nassau Music Educators Association. Fifth and sixth grade musicians from the band, chorus and orchestra were selected based on their NYSSMA solo performance scores and teacher recommendations.

Ensemble rehearsals take place at schools throughout the county during the weeks of Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. Weekend concerts are held at the LIU Post Tilles Center. 

Congratulations to the following musicians on their All-County selections:

John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School – Band: Ethan Andreau and Nicholas Truglio; Chorus: Jake Duverneau, Charlotte Giannetta, Brooke Murphy, Elliot Renz and Brooke Sheehan; Orchestra: Arianna Lettieri and Alayna Mangels.

Martin Avenue Elementary School – Orchestra: Isabelle Dang.

Newbridge Road Elementary School – Band: Elianna Lopez; Chorus: Nina Cannistraci, Henry Cohen, Marion Chelsea De Jesus and Kyra Devlin; Orchestra: Lauren Corace.

Park Avenue Elementary School – Band: Andrew Udilovich; Chorus: Marco Artale, Xcenia Benden, Veronica Calise, Elianna Macaluso and Micah Millington; Orchestra: Temitayo Otuyemi.

Saw Mill Road Elementary School – Band: Frank Figueiredo; Chorus: Rebecca David, Isabella Rodriguez and Eliana Weissman; Orchestra: Mariam Subhan.

The students learn under the direction of music teachers Skylar Berkley, Christopher D’Orio, Maritza Lopez, Ed McCullagh, Carol Ng, Alexander Roff, Patrice Ryan and Lisa Uckardes.

Click here to view the District Boasts 28 All-County Musicians slideshow.

Date Added: 1/8/2025

December is commonly known as the season of giving, and students are embracing that at Saw Mill Road Elementary School.

Third grade teacher Michelle Mittler runs a toy drive every year for Cohen Children’s Medical Center. She spearheads this effort to support the hospital where her daughter underwent treatment several years ago.

Ms. Mittler sends a letter home to families asking them to contribute a new toy and the response is always very positive. These toys are added to the items she buys herself to fulfill specific wishes for children at the hospital.

“It brings me joy to be able to give back to an organization that has given so much to me,” she said. “I love to involve the students and making them feel like they are part of the greater community.”

Ms. Mittler, who has been running the toy drive for more than five years, personally delivers the toys to Cohen. She also uses it to spark conversation among her students about gratitude and generosity.

The Saw Mill Road student council is running a winter coat drive. The weeklong collection for the Long Island-based Coats for Kids initiative includes a donation box in the main lobby. Student council members promoted the drive through signs, morning announcements and word of mouth.

“Kids need to stay warm for the winter so we’re donating coats,” fifth grader Mikyle Lasker said.

Student council is advised by Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, sixth grade teacher Danielle Houghton and fifth grade teacher Melissa Mignoli.

Date Added: 12/16/2024

Success in middle school often is the result of good advice, and sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School and throughout the North Bellmore School District are getting just that. Juniors and seniors from Mepham High School visited all five elementary schools on Nov. 25 to give the future middle schoolers some tips.

A group of 22 students visited John G. Dinkelmeyer, Saw Mill Road and Martin Avenue elementary schools, while another group of 20 high schoolers went to Newbridge Road and Park Avenue schools. It was part of the ACES program – Athletes Compassionately Educating Students.

The juniors and seniors were nominated by their coaches based on their good character. They must play a minimum of one sport and also be a member of a club to be selected for ACES.

In their hour-long visits to sixth grade classes, the athletes led icebreaker and getting-to-know-you activities, then answered questions about middle school and high school. It was the first of three meetings this school year, with the next two focusing on civility and sportsmanship, and staying drug and alcohol free.

Junior Luke Fischetti, a 2019 graduate of Saw Mill Road, enjoyed returning to his former school and providing guidance to the next generation of secondary students.

“Hopefully we can prepare them for middle school and high school, and they will feel more confident and comfortable,” he said. “We want to prepare kids for the next step and give them the tools to succeed in middle school.”

Luke said some common questions from the sixth graders were about the dress code, work load, sports and a typical schedule. He said that he remembers the ACES visits when he was in sixth grade and said it definitely prepared him better for the transition.

Saw Mill Road Principal Jeff Rosof said that the ACES program helps reinforce the work of the teachers in preparing their students for middle school.

“The message is coming from a different source and they may relate to it a little more,” Mr. Rosof said. “It’s great for high school students to return and convey to our sixth graders wonderful messages about being a role model, reaching their potential and making good choices.”

Click here to view the Athletes Give Sixth Graders Tips For Success slideshow.

Date Added: 12/4/2024

Saw Mill Road Elementary School sixth graders have plenty to be thankful for this year, and they are sharing that gratitude with their families.

Students in Danielle Houghton’s class made thankful trees on Nov. 25. The project was spearheaded by classroom parents. Each student received five paper leaves to write what they are grateful for this year. Those leaves were then glued to small branches, along with real leaves provided by Ms. Houghton.

The branches were then put in a vase and the festive projects were brought home in time for Thanksgiving.

Click here to view the Saw Mill Sixth Graders Share Gratitude slideshow.

Date Added: 11/26/2024