For Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, students at Park Avenue Elementary School learned about the important contributions of many Hispanic-Americans. 

Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle spoke about a notable person each day during the morning announcements, some familiar and others lesser known. On the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, librarian Yvonne Francolini read students “Alma and How She Got Her Name” by Juana Martinez-Neal. The story was about a girl who thought her name was too long, until her dad tells her about all the people she is named for as well as the uniqueness of her own name.   

Ms. Francolini then led students in discussions about the stories of their name. Third grader Madison Carabia shared that when she was 6 years old, her mom explained that her first name means “princess” in Chinese. As a culminating, hands-on activity, students then made their names out of Legos.  

“They’re hearing all these names,” Ms. Francolini said about the Hispanic-American being celebrated during the daily announcements, “so let’s get them thinking about their own names to culminate the month.” 

Click here to view the Celebrating Culture and Names at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 10/17/2025

The fire truck in front of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School on Oct. 3 wasn’t responding to an emergency, but was part of a lesson for children to learn what to do in case of an emergency. Throughout October, local fire departments are visiting North Bellmore’s five elementary schools for Fire Prevention Month programs. 

Dinkelmeyer students got to go through the North Bellmore Fire Department’s smokehouse, a trailer that mimics a home. Sitting in a mock kitchen, youngsters learned about basic home fire safety such as the importance of working smoke detectors and having an escape plan. Next, they moved into the bedroom, which filled with fake smoke. As a smoke detector sounded, children crawled to the window, called for help and climbed down a ladder with help from a firefighter. 

After going through the fire safety trailer, children then ventured over to the fire truck. Firefighters put on their full gear so students could understand that there is a person behind the helmet, jacket and mask who is there to help. They also showed some of the equipment on a typical fire engine. 

The purpose of the Fire Prevention Month program is to equip students with the knowledge they need to stay safe in their homes, and have conversations with their parents to make sure they are fully prepared for an emergency.  

The North Bellmore firefighters leading the safety lesson included ex-Chief Tim Green, fire inspector Sal Ancona, Captain Michael Schroeck and firefighter Aidan Masten. They provided each student with a goodie back that included a coloring book, crayons and squishy firefighter, as well as a red plastic helmet.  

Click here to view the Schools, Firefighters Partner Up for Safety slideshow.

Date Added: 10/14/2025

A warm and sunny fall morning provided the perfect opportunity for students to walk or bike to school on Oct. 3. Newbridge Road Elementary School participated in National Walk to School Day, a nearly three-decade old initiative that encourages safe and active travel for children.

Newbridge Road partnered with the PTA for 29th annual Walk to School Day. The PTA provided all students with a scavenger hunt of items to look for with their families on the walk to school that morning, such as the American flag, bird, fire hydrants, squirrels and stop signs.

Parents and children arrived in droves, taking advantage of gorgeous weather for some quality family time on the walk to school. Many older students cruised in on their favorite form of transportation as the bicycle racks were filled up by the start of school.

As they arrived, the walkers and bikers were greeted by Newbridge Road’s mascot, Thunder the Tiger. Students were then given sidewalk chalk and encouraged to write their name, scroll a positive message or draw a happy picture.

Click here to view the Newbridge Families Stride Together on Walk to School day slideshow.

Young scientists explored the principles of flight while also getting a taste of the scientific method in Kim Rackley’s class at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. During the STEM activity, fourth graders created and tested paper helicopters known as whirly birds.  

The goal was to get their propellers to spin more and come down as slowly as possible. Students changed the size, shape and material, but only altered one variable at a time so they could see the effect of each change. After testing each whirly bird, students would then drop two different ones side by side to see the differences in how they descended.  

Ms. Rackley explained that students are learning about the scientific method, so they have been conducting different experiments to better understand the process used by real scientists. The whirly birds project was a fun way to follow the steps of the scientific method while also learning about concepts such as air resistance, gravity and lift.

Click here to view the A Spinning Science Lesson at JGD slideshow.

Date Added: 10/8/2025