The cheers were loud, as 225 cereal boxes fell like dominoes on May 15, the culmination of a student-led charitable endeavor at Newbridge Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District.

The cereal box challenge that has gained in popularity from YouTube videos made its first appearance at Newbridge Road because of the efforts of third graders Isabella Braun and Michaela Miskiewicz. After watching some of those viral videos, they wrote a letter to Principal Amanda Licci, who then invited the young philanthropists in for a meeting. From there, the fundraiser was born.

Donation bins for small, medium and large cereal boxes were placed around the school from May 5-14 so students and staff could donate. The morning after the collection ended, Isabella, Michaela and several of their classmates set up the boxes down the first floor hallway and into the auditorium where it ended in the shape of a heart in an homage to the school’s slogan, “Newbridge has HEART.”

“I think it went great,” Michaela said. “It was very fun to do this to donate to charity.”

“It felt very successful,” added Isabella, who loved the enthusiasm from other students as they lined the hallways and filled the auditorium to watch the boxes fall. “We collected a lot of food and I like that.”

The cereal was donated St. John’s Bread of Life, one of the largest emergency food providers in Brooklyn, which last year had 445,000 visits. Sisters Marie Sorenson and Caroline Tweedy were on hand to watch the boxes fall and accept the donation. They explained that each box of cereal will provide breakfast for eight people.

“They’re really helping to serve families who are in need,” Sister Caroline said of the Newbridge Road students.

The connection to St. John’s Bread of Life was made through Michaela’s mother, Nicole Miskiewicz, who works for St. John’s University. Some of her colleagues also donated boxes of cereal, which were used for the event on May 15.

Isabella and Michaela got to push the first box down and watch the domino effect take place. They said it took about an hour to set up as there was some trial and error along the way to make sure the final fall would be a success. The girls are students in Brenda Adragna’s class, which watches calming videos following their movement breaks, and one recent video they saw was a compilation of dominoes falling. That’s when Michaela and Isabella recalled seeing cereal box challenge videos and wanted to do the same at their school. Once the idea was approved, their classmates helped make signs to promote cereal box donations.

“I love when students come up with initiatives that we can put into action,” Ms. Licci said, who added that the school always strives to empower students to take on leadership roles. “It’s so uplifting when ideas come from the children, and helping others is certainly in line with our mission and our core values.”

Click here to view the Newbridge Students Spearhead Cereal Box Fundraiser slideshow.

Date Added: 5/20/2025

From their first day of kindergarten, students in the North Bellmore School District are nurtured to become joyful lifelong learners. Please view the district’s spring newsletter and Kindergarten Experience video to learn more about all facets of the program:

Spring 2025 Newsletter:
Please click here to view the Spring 2025 Newsletter.

Kindergarten Experience Video:

Date Added: 5/14/2025

The North Bellmore School District celebrates its fabulous educators for Teacher Appreciation Week. Students from our five elementary schools share the qualities that make their teachers special in this video:

Date Added: 5/6/2025

A sport with origins dating back more than 900 years is generating excitement in the gymnasium at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Students in grades 3-6 have been learning the intricacies of lacrosse.

Guided by physical education teachers James Breslin, the young athletes have been practicing catching, throwing and stick-handling. The first few classes focused on skills, which students then put into action through partner practice and game play.

Mr. Breslin said that lacrosse has been an annual spring unit in physical education for more than 20 years. The goal is to introduce students to a sport that they can play when they get to middle school. By equipping them with the fundamentals of lacrosse and some basic skills, the goal is to give them confidence to try out if it’s a sport they enjoy.

Click here to view the Max Effort for Lax Unit at Newbridge Road slideshow.

Date Added: 4/15/2025

“The best is yet to come,” North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa said of the eight educators who officially received tenure at the April 10 board of education meeting.

During a standing room-only celebration at Martin Avenue Elementary School, the newly tenured administrators and teachers were lauded for their hard work and dedication to students during their probationary periods. They reflect the strength, breadth and excellence of the district, Ms. Testa noted.

Receiving tenure were:

Amanda Licci, principal, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Daniel Madden, assistant principal, Saw Mill Road Elementary School

Danielle Calapai, instructional coach

Alexa Cappuzzo, second grade teacher, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School

Yvonne Francolini, librarian

Kerri Maxwell, first grade teacher, Newbridge Road Elementary School

Alyssa Parker, physical education teacher

Catherine Schlaich, computer science teacher

The night was filled with speeches celebrating each tenure recipient from proud colleagues. They also had the honor of achieving this career milestone with their families in attendance.

“We know the amount of time and effort and care and love that goes into being a teacher or an administrator,” Ms. Testa said. “Tenure reflects our confidence in their ongoing impact and their role in helping all learners succeed.”

Date Added: 4/22/2025