A pair of April observances – Earth Day and National Poetry Month – were the combined inspiration for a project in Jessica Pirozzi’s fourth grade class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School.

After reading a passage about the history and meaning of Earth Day, as well as studying different types of poetry, students were tasked with writing and Earth Day haiku. The Japanese poetic form is a three-line poem with five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables. Fourth graders wrote short poems that reflected different ways to help the environment.

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Date Added: 4/22/2024

Becoming a great teacher or administrator is not achieved alone, North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa noted at the annual tenure celebration on April 11. It requires a great support system of family and colleagues.

Seven great educators earned the professional milestone after completing their probationary periods, and were recognized before a large audience of administrators, teachers, students, family members and friends. The tenure recipients included five teachers – Melissa Halaris, Maritza Lopez, Daniela McGee, Kim Rackley and Alexander Roff – and central office administrators Denise Fisher and Leyna Malone.

Ms. Fisher first joined the district as assistant principal at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, then became Newbridge Road Elementary School’s principal before moving into her current position as executive director of personnel. She oversees a human resources department that serves 660 employees. Ms. Testa described her as brave and kind, someone who strongly believes in the district’s mission and core values, and a person who quietly lifts up everyone around her.

When Ms. Fisher went to Newbridge, Ms. Malone was hired as assistant principal of Saw Mill Road. She then became principal of Martin Avenue, and then the executive director for pupil personnel services and special education. It’s one of the most challenging jobs in the district, Ms. Testa explained, and requires a strong knowledge of legal requirements. The superintendent said that Ms. Malone’s kindness and strong advocacy for both students and teachers is what has led to her success.

North Bellmore Teachers Association President Joann Signorelli congratulated the five teachers who received tenure. There were also remarks from their building principals and colleagues.

Mr. Roff teaches general music at Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road, with Ms. Lopez spreading her love for music at Saw Mill Road. John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School boasts Ms. Rackley in fourth grade and Ms. Halaris in fifth grade, while Ms. McGee is a speech therapist at Newbridge Road.

North Bellmore Board of Education President Christine Malloy added that the tenure celebration is her favorite meeting of the year because they get to recognize the district’s amazing teachers and administrators.

Date Added: 4/17/2024

 

 

 

In addition to exercises and games in their physical education classes, students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School find lots of ways to stay active outside of school. That’s why teachers Tim Byrne and Alyssa Parker launched the PE Student of the Week program.

Students, from kindergarten to sixth grade, complete profiles with information about activities they do that promote health and fitness. They share information about their participation in youth sports leagues, martial arts, competitive races and more, and include a picture as well.

“We wanted to get to know our students and their families a little better,” Ms. Parker said. “It has been amazing learning about the outside activities of our Saw Mill students and families. Students' behaviors have been more amazing because they are motivated to be recognized as a student of the week.”

The profiles line the hallway outside of the gymnasium to showcase the students of the week. Children are excited to read them and learn more about their classmates, and maybe get some new ideas to stay active outside of school.

Date Added: 4/4/2024

Second graders took a crack at city planning during the Challenge Island in-house field trip at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. The STEAM activity focused on collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

Toni Wren, a Saw Mill Road parent, is a franchisee for Challenge Island, a national STEAM education program. She brought the activity to second grade classes throughout the week of March 11. Students were put into teams and tasked with creating either a rural, suburban or urban community.

On a large posterboard, they designed their communities. Ms. Wren provided each group with buildings such as a bank, a hospital, a school and various businesses, as well as different street signs. Students not only decided which of these elements they wanted to include, but could also contribute their own ideas. Children added airports, basketball courts, parks and lakes to their communities.

One of the challenges for students was to create a cohesive city. There needed to be roads that led to each location. After their cities were built, they had to test how effective the designs were by driving around miniature cars.

The supplies were minimal – besides the posterboard and landmarks, students just had tape, small paper cups, crayons and pencils. There were few instructions either. Ms. Wren explained that the goal was for students to transform a blank canvas using their imaginations. To add a little excitement, students wore bandanas and put on face paint based on their team colors.

Teachers noted that Challenge Island supports the second grade social studies curriculum which focuses on citizenship and communities.

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Date Added: 3/26/2024

February was full of generosity at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. The student council spearheaded two initiatives – Valentine’s for Veterans and a Souper Bowl food drive.

Students in every class at Saw Mill Road made a card for a veteran with a personalized message of appreciation. Student council members helped by providing each class with construction paper and other supplies. Hundreds of completed cards were given to Congressmen Anthony D’Esposito’s office to distribute to veterans and active members of the military.

Every school in the district hosted a Souper Bowl food drive, and students were encouraged to donate canned goods and other nonperishable items. There were boxes for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers and they could place donations in the box of representing the team they expected to win the big game.

At Saw Mill Road, fourth grade student council members made announcements to promote the Souper Bowl, while fifth graders added to the promotional effort by making about 20 signs to hang around the school. Sixth graders had the biggest task. They visited the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard on Feb. 12 to sort and organize the donations from North Bellmore’s five elementary schools.

“It’s a happy feeling that you’re giving to people who need things,” Saw Mill Road sixth grader Dylan Korman said. “If there’s people that don't really have food, we can give it to them.”

Kelly McDonough said that charitable service is contagious. Once people started putting food in the boxes, it encouraged more students to donate. Anaya Cadet and Ramin Atiq added that participating in service activities at a young age creates a lifelong mentality.

“It teaches us that it’s important to give to others and help our community,” Ramin said.

Date Added: 3/5/2024