Kindness was blossoming at Martin Avenue Elementary School, which joined in the nationwide celebration of Unity Day. The initiative, sponsored by the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center, focuses on the values of acceptance, inclusion and kindness. 

On Oct. 23, all students, faculty and staff gathered on the basketball court to form a human peace sign. That day, everyone was encouraged to wear orange as a visual showcase of their unity. 

Students added paper leaves with messages of kindness to a unity tree in the hallway near the main office. In the cafeteria hung signed unity pledges from each class. Principal Dr. Michael Yannucci visited every classroom to read “I Am Human,” a book about empathy. During the morning announcements, students highlighted various ways to show kindness. 

Fifth graders in Lauren Fasano’s class spoke about the meaning of the unity. Following the prompt “We are united when,” each student wrote a response on a sticky note, which was then added to a class compilation. They then worked on pieces for a class mural with phrases like “choose kindness,” “courage” and “peace.”  

Ms. Fasano noted that each student completing a different piece was symbolic of their uniqueness as humans.  

Dr. Yannucci said the mission of Unity Day is to set a tone to always follow. 

“Our goal every day,” he said, “is to treat people with kindness, be accepting of all and be inclusive of people in our community.” 

Click here to view the Peace, Love and Unity at Martin Avenue slideshow.

 

Date Added: 10/30/2025

The world around them was their science lab, as kindergartners at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School recently took a nature walk and recorded their observations. Students in Jennifer McGovern’s class had a checklist of items for their nature hunt such as trees with colorful leaves, acorns, birds, insects and sticks.   

As Ms. McGovern and her young scientists walked around on the sunny afternoon, they used their eyes to observe the seasonal change to fall.  

 

Click here to view the Kindergartners Observe Fall in JGD Nature Walk slideshow.

 

Date Added: 10/28/2025

Hundreds of handmade cards were delivered to local firefighters, as students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School showed gratitude to the volunteers. 

The school took part in Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne’s initiative to honor local heroes during Fire Prevention Month in October. Students as Saw Mill Road made cards and wrote letters to members of the North Bellmore Fire Department, thanking them for their service to the community. Assistant Principal Daniel Madden said it was important for the cards and letters to be distributed locally, as several staff members are volunteers with North Bellmore.  

 

Date Added: 10/24/2025

Just like each country has a flag, so does each class at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Students learned how a flag is a symbol that represents a group of people, so every class then created one as a community-building activity.  

Children brainstormed ideas for their class flag, and discussed how the words, colors and images they chose would reflect their shared values. After working together to make it, each class then got to present its flag at the October spirit assembly. The flags now adorn the hallways near each classroom.  

Principal Amanda Licci said that the project, which has become an annual tradition, is very meaningful for students as they take ownership of their flag’s creation. In addition to increasing their understanding of citizenship, it strengthens their ability to communicate and collaborate.

 

Date Added: 10/23/2025

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