With great fanfare and plenty of words of encouragement, 311 sixth graders from the North Bellmore School District closed out the first part of their educational journeys during graduation ceremonies on June 22.

The five elementary schools hosted their programs throughout the evening in various Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District buildings, the system that the graduates will be moving to for their secondary years. The ceremonies included musical performances, reflections from student speakers and, most importantly, the presentation of diplomas in blue North Bellmore folders.

Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Jim O’Brien beamed with pride over his first graduating class. The former teacher and assistant principal at Saw Mill Road Elementary School said this year’s class met every challenge with grace and determination, and he encouraged them to embrace future challenges with confidence.

“Remember your Martin Avenue crew as you make new friends in your new school,” he told them, noting that they will soon head to middle school with students from multiple elementary buildings.

It was also the first graduation for principals Amanda Licci at Newbridge Road Elementary School and Michael DeBlasio at Park Avenue Elementary School.

In writing her speech, Ms. Licci said she thought about what she wanted to know when she went from elementary to middle school. She encouraged her graduates to embrace their unique qualities.

“Don’t worry about what others think of you,” she said. “Be the ‘you’ that you want to be. Be the ‘you’ that you are proud to be. Make yourself proud each and every day.”

Mr. DeBlasio said he was amazed how the sixth graders not only came to school with smiles every day, but smiles that said to the world, “You can throw anything at me, and I will always keep moving forward.”

Saw Mill Principal Jeff Rosof told students to use their strong foundation from elementary school, as well as support from their families, to continue to grow intellectually and socially while creating their own futures.

Danica Brugge recalls becoming principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School when this year’s graduates were in third grade. She remembers their energy, warmth, love, acceptance and “some of the biggest 8-year-old personalities that I had ever seen.” Their perseverance and determination got them through challenging years in fourth and fifth grade because of the pandemic, she noted, and those traits will serve them well in middle school and beyond.

Musical selections included “Best Day of My Life” at the Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road graduations, “What a Wonderful World” by Dinkelmeyer sixth graders and the Park Avenue school songs. Several schools featured photo slideshows full of sixth grade memories.

Students also reflected on their elementary years. Martin Avenue graduate Colleen Flanagan recounted hatching quail eggs in kindergarten, writing biographies on famous people in second grade and a trip to Safety Town in third grade. Olivia Lettieri, a Dinkelmeyer student, pointed to those everyday memories like snack time and recess where they had opportunities to bond and form friendships.

“Although we are sad to leave,” Olivia said, “I know we are really excited to see what the future holds for all of us and what new memories we can make with each other and with new friends.”

Date Added: 6/24/2022

With a collective 266 years of service to the North Bellmore School District, 13 retiring teachers and staff members were honored at the Board of Education meeting on June 9 and thanked for their commitment to the community’s children and families.

Superintendent Marie Testa said they are “part of the fabric of North Bellmore” and probably had a greater impact on students than they ever realized.

“When you work in a school and you do it well, it’s as much about your intellect as it is about your heart,” Ms. Testa said, before she introduced the retirees, who included teachers, specialists, office staff and cooks from all five elementary schools as well as the district office.

The retirees were celebrated by a large crowd that included their colleagues and family members, as well as North Bellmore students and parents. Administrators spoke about each retiring staff member and presented them with gifts.

This year’s retirees are:
Tom Steinmuller, physical education teacher at Saw Mill Road School, 31 years.
Lois Peck Elhilow, speech teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer School, 28 years.
Laura Russo, fourth grade teacher at John G. Dinkelmeyer School, 27 years.
Linda Mann, reading teacher at Saw Mill Road School, 25 years.
Chris Kropp, secretary at Newbridge Road School, 23 years.
Roseann Moskowitz, secretary at Martin Avenue School, 22 years.
Kathleen Fiocco, cook at Newbridge Road School, 20 years.
Marjorie Hoffman, cook at Park Avenue School, 19 years.
Robin Obey, first grade teacher at Park Avenue School, 19 years.
Kathleen Rut, reading teacher at Saw Mill Road School, 17 years.
Susan Quinn, nurse at Martin Avenue School, 15 years.
Mary Meyers, prevention specialist, 13 years.
Vicki Scalici, secretary in the curriculum office, 7 years.

Date Added: 6/22/2022

June 14 marked the 245th anniversary of the formal adoption of the first American flag, and students throughout the North Bellmore School District celebrated the patriotic symbol that flies high outside their school every day.

Saw Mill Road Elementary School began the day with a Flag Day ceremony in front of the school, near the flagpole. Additional American flags also lined the half-circle driveway. Students said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem. Principal Jeffrey Rosof added a few remarks about the history and meaning of Flag Day.

At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, kindergartners hosted a musical showcase for their parents. It opened with a tribute to Flag Day, as the youngsters sang “You’re a Grand Old Flag” while dressed in red, white and blue attire.

Date Added: 6/16/2022

Every second grader at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School has a person who inspires them. Students took part in a hero celebration this spring, penning a piece about a person they know who has demonstrated heroic qualities.

Before beginning their nonfiction writing assignment, students first read “A Hero Like You” by Nikki Rogers to learn about the many ways that a hero can be defined. Throughout May, each of the four second grade classes hosted a hero celebration. The special people that children wrote about were invited in and presented with a handmade gift. Students read their hero stories, recited a poem and sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero.”

“It was a heartwarming celebration and a beautiful way to recognize important peoplethat areinspirational to these young children,” second grade teacher Cindy Quinn said.

Date Added: 6/13/2022