Third graders recently had some tiny, spotted guests in their classrooms at Park Avenue Elementary School, but soon the creatures returned to their rightful home – nature. 

As part of a science unit on animal life cycles, third graders had lady bug habitats in their rooms. They watched the insects go through all stages of development from eggs to larvae to pupa to adults. Students ensured the lady bugs had adequate food and water along the way. Throughout the lesson, they studied the myths and facts of lady bugs, such as the meaning of its spots. 

Teachers Jennifer Howe and Kim Mathison escorted their students to the Park Avenue Community Garden on a sunny afternoon to release the lady bugs into nature. Children were excited but also a little sad to say goodbye.  

Click here to view the Lady Bugs Liven Up Science at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 6/9/2025

With their future high school standing tall in the background, sixth graders from the North Bellmore School District had a picturesque day for the annual track meet on May 19. The sun was shining and a steady breeze was a delight for the runners who participated in several different competitions.

The event brought together nearly 300 soon-to-be graduates from John G. Dinkelmeyer, Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road, Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road elementary schools. Students proudly wore their respective Class of 2025 shirts. The setting was the track at Mepham High School, a place they will become familiar with following a two-year stop in middle school.

Physical education teachers coordinated the track meet, which consisted of short- and long-distance races. The events spanned from 50-meter sprints to the 800-meter race that was two laps around the track. There were also four-person relay races. Students practiced for their different events in the weeks prior during physical education classes.

Parents and family members were invited to sit in the bleachers and cheer on the students. Sixth graders left with pride for their elementary schools and with excitement for a future together with all their North Bellmore peers.

Click here to view the Track Meet Unites North Bellmore Sixth Graders slideshow.

Date Added: 5/27/2025

First graders celebrated both the written and spoken word during a poetry celebration at Park Avenue Elementary School on May 14. Family members were invited to share in the accomplishments of the young writers.

Students were immersed in a month-long poetry unit in April led by teachers Patricia Assande, Mary Berry, Amanda Baxter and Alexa Laskowitz. They learned about all different styles of poems, then wrote original pieces. After a few weeks, they had created personal collections with acrostic and rhyming poems, haikus and more.

The celebration began with a grade-level assembly in auditorium. Students sang several songs they had been rehearsing with music teacher Carol Ng, such as “It’s You I Like” and “What a Wonderful Poem.” Together, they also recited the “Kind of Deeds” and “I Can’t Wait” poems.

Back in the classrooms, each student read aloud one piece from his or her poetry collection. Children then sat with their special guests and flipped through a class poetry book that was a keepsake for every family.

Click here to view the Proud Poets Perform and Present at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 5/23/2025

As they become more fluent in the Spanish language, fourth graders at Park Avenue Elementary School are now hearing from native speakers.

During a “Where are you from?” lesson, students watched videos from people native to different Spanish-speaking countries. They had to listen carefully as each person said his or her city of origin and match it on a list. Teacher Kristen Giris played each video four times, and students were asked to listen twice while their eyes were closed. This allowed them to eliminate distractions and fine tune their ears as they listened for the location, she explained.

Ms. Giris said that hearing authentic voices is important to mastering another language. She noted that there is a difference in hearing Spanish spoken by native Spanish speakers versus native English speakers.

North Bellmore students receive Spanish instruction in fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Even if they choose to study a different language when they reach the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, they can apply the language acquisition and listening strategies they learned in elementary school. Answering questions from listening passages is also part of world language testing in middle school and high school.

The “Where are you from?” lesson is part of an overall unit on personal identification. Students explore vocabulary for biographical information, physical and character traits, and likes and interests, then complete “All About Me” projects in Spanish.

Click here to view the Learning Spanish Through Listening at Park Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 5/16/2025

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