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

Second graders learned that the greatest gift is the one they give to others during a community service project at Martin Avenue Elementary School. On Dec. 13, students were joined by their parents to make cards for residents of the nursing home at the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The tables in the cafeteria were covered in art supplies as children from Antonietta Fischetti and Lori Lennihan’s class and Mary Carrea’s class got to work. Parents were invited to come and help out or make a card beside their children.

All of the materials were provided including construction paper, print outs of various holiday images, bows, glitter and pom poms. Children also had crayons, colored pencils and glue to make the cards colorful and creative. When it was over, students and their parents finished about 60 cards.

Ms. Fischetti said that prior to making the cards, there were classroom discussions and story read alouds about holiday traditions and the importance of giving back. The card decorating was both – this was the fourth year the second grade classes have done the charitable deed.

“We want to involve the children in an act of community service,” Ms. Fischetti said, “to being a smile to people who are away from their families for the holidays.”

Click here to view the Martin Avenue Second Graders Spread Cheer With Cards slideshow.

Date Added: 12/18/2024

Students at John G. Dinkelmeyer and Martin Avenue elementary schools got some insight into the financial planning of their parents. Given a budget, they had a simulated food shopping experience to practice their math skills.

Second graders in Alexa Cappuzzo’s class at Dinkelmeyer were tasked with planning a Thanksgiving meal. Working in pairs, they were given laminated cards for different entrees and sides, each with a price. Their goal was to create a dinner with at least six items on a budget of $25 using simple addition.

Martin Avenue fifth graders, familiar with more advanced mathematical concepts, were adding, subtracting and multiplying numbers with decimals as they had to buy a week’s worth of food. Using digital and print supermarket circulars, students in Ashley Vella’s class needed to spend between $75 and $100 on at least 10 items. They had to include bread, eggs, meat and milk, while the rest of the shopping list was left to their discretion. On worksheets, the fifth graders kept track of the price and quantity of the items they wanted to buy.

Click here to view the Young Mathematicians Make a Meal slideshow.

Date Added: 11/25/2024

“It takes a village” is a true adage in the North Bellmore School District, where students are supported by a wide range of caring and talented staff members. The district celebrates School-Related Professionals Recognition Day on Nov. 19 by recognizing the many valued employees that contribute to warm, welcome school environments. 

North Bellmore’s school-related professionals prepare and serve nutritious meals, keep the buildings clean, safe and secure, provide academic and emotional support, ensure the well-being of students, oversee lunchrooms and playgrounds, skillfully manage the offices and provide support and guidance to all members of the school community

Clerical staff for district administrators and in the main office of the five elementary schools are vital to daily operations. 

“Our district values the essential role that our building and district clerical staff play in keeping everything running smoothly each day,” said Janet Pollitt, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Their efficiency, organization and ability to manage countless details create a welcoming and productive environment for students, staff and families. We appreciate all they do to make our district a better place for everyone.”

Health and safety are the expertise of school nurses and security guards. 

“We are deeply grateful to our dedicated school nurses and security guards for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of everyone at our school, day in and day out,” Martin Avenue Elementary School Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci said. 

Paraprofessionals are assigned to work in classrooms to support teachers and students, or are assigned as 1:1 aides for individual children.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to North Bellmore’s incredible paraprofessionals for the care, love and dedication they bring to our treasured students each day,” said Danica Brugge, principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. “Their unwavering support helps foster relationships that empower children to succeed. They are a valued part of our school family.”

Lunch and recess assistants supervise the cafeteria and playground, and help manage the transition to and from the mid-day break. Kindergarten monitors work with the district’s youngest learners three hours per day, including during lunch and recess time.

“Our lunch recess assistants and kindergarten monitors are essential members of our school community,” Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci said. “In their daily work, these team members assist in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students.”

Kitchen staff and food service workers make sure that children have a hearty lunch each day, and they do it with a smile. 

“We are so grateful for our incredible kitchen staff and food service workers, whose hard work and care ensure our students are nourished and ready to learn each day,” Park Avenue Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle said. “Their dedication, kindness and attention to every meal truly make a difference in our school community.”

The buildings and grounds staff includes custodians and maintainers, as well as cleaners/bus drivers, who support the custodial staff when not transporting students on the district’s three school buses. Maintainers do small and large building repairs. 

“Our school maintenance workers keep our schools safe, clean and running smoothly every day,” Director of Facilities Richard Russo said. “Our bus drivers and bus matrons are committed to safely transporting our students each day with care and kindness.”

“Each morning the inside of the school looks sparkling clean,” Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof said. “The amount of effort it takes to clean up each day is monumental, but the custodial and cleaning crew does it with steadfast diligence.”  

“The custodian and cleaning team are the caretakers of our buildings,” Assistant Principal Daniel Madden added. “Their heart and their might, ensure our facilities are safe, healthful and in full service to support our students, staff and all visitors to our schools each and every day.”

The contributions of school-related professionals are vital in ensuring that the schools run smoothly and efficiently. Their role is not just one of service but of profound impact. One of the district’s core values is “Human life is precious,” and they contribute to a culture where each of the district’s 2,100 students is valued and cared for every day.

“Every day, their exemplary work has a profound impact on our students, families and staff,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “Each school-related professional, in their unique position, provides North Bellmore with a foundation upon which excellence is built. We respect their professionalism and are exceedingly grateful for their immeasurable contributions, talents, devotion and superior work ethic. They are the professionals who make it possible for learning to happen – keeping everything running smoothly, both in front of and behind the scenes.”

Date Added: 11/19/2024