Walt Whitman made his mark on the literacy world right here on Long Island and perhaps the next renowned poet will come from Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Throughout April, which is National Poetry Month, students have certainly been honing their craft.

Fifth graders in Melissa Mignoli’s class captured their personalities in delightful “I am” poems. The three-verse pieces featured statements based on the prompts “I wonder,” “I hear,” “I want,” “I touch,” “I understand,” “I dream” and more. It allowed students to take a deep dive into their feelings while expressing themselves creatively.

In Brandon Rosenblatt’s class, fifth graders wrote acrostic poems out of the school name. Students wrote one line based on each letter in “Saw Mill” to express their feelings about the school.

Third graders from Catherine McDonald’s class wrote Diamonte or diamond poems. The pieces were seven lines long, follow a specific pattern and do not rhyme. Their antonym poems were about one topic for three-and-a-half lines, then changed to the opposite. The project also helped students practice their cursive writing.

Click here to view the Saw Mill Writers Shine During Poetry Month slideshow.

Date Added: 4/30/2025

“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

The arrival of spring made the perfect time for a lesson about the growth cycle of plants at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. Students in first through third graders were the beneficiaries of expert knowledge.  

Representatives from Cornell Cooperative Extension visited the school on March 28 as part of its Agricultural Literacy Week program. Volunteers read “The Pie that Molly Grew,” a realistic fiction book that educated students on the growth cycle of a pumpkin. As a gift, Saw Mill Road received a copy of the book for its school library. 

Students learned the basics of what plants need to grow, such as water, soil and sunlight. They also took part in a hands-on activity to plant pumpkin seeds. Each child received a plastic cup, a clump of dirt and a pumpkin seed. Students then placed the cups in near the windows and each class can spend the next several weeks observing as small plants begin to grow.  

Judith Wilansky, a volunteer with CCE who is known as “Farmer Judy,” said that the activity supports the elementary science curriculum, which educates students about life cycles. She hopes that children have meaningful scientific discussions as the seeds sprout.  

Click here to view the Saw Mill Students Get Their Green Thumbs slideshow.

Date Added: 4/2/2025

At nearly 80 students, North Bellmore’s fifth grade orchestra rivals the size of a philharmonic orchestra. Playing at that level may be years away for the young musicians, but their dedication to their craft is comparable. 

Once per six-day cycle, the fifth grade orchestra gets together at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School for morning rehearsals. It consists of students from the district’s five elementary schools and features violin, viola, cello and bass players. Conducting the group is first-year orchestra teacher Patrice Ryan. 

Currently, the ensemble is working on three pieces for the spring concert, “Arco-ology,” “Entry of the Tumblers” and “Spy Rock.” They will showcase their talents at the district orchestra concert on May 12. 

Lisa Uckardes conducts the district’s sixth grade orchestra, which meets at Martin Avenue Elementary School on the same mornings as the fifth grade ensemble. In addition to their full-group rehearsals, students from both groups take part in small-group lessons with Ms. Ryan and Ms. Uckardes at their schools. 

Click here to view the Orchestra Students are Becoming String Savvy slideshow.

Date Added: 3/26/2025

Before it was time to get down to business, North Bellmore School District Board of Education trustees, administrators and the public were treated to a musical delight. The district’s sixth grade Festival Band opened the March 13 meeting at Martin Avenue Elementary School with a pair of songs.

The performance celebrated Music in Our Schools Month and the district’s commitment to music education. The Festival Band includes sixth graders from all five elementary schools and is directed by Skylar Berkley and Christopher D’Orio.

“This talented group of musicians represents the dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm that make our district so special,” said Saw Mill Road Elementary School Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, administrative liaison to the music program. “Through every note they play, these students showcase not only their musical growth but also their ability to collaborate and rise to new challenges – skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. Their journey is a testament to the power of the arts in shaping confident, passionate learners who are ready to make their mark on the world.”

Under the direction of Mr. D’Orio, the band played “Royal Crown March.” Ms. Berkley then led the ensemble in “Alpha Squadron.”

Superintendent Marie Testa recognized all of the district’s music teachers and noted that the program supports the mission of developing well-rounded students. She added that the performance reflects the joy and value that music brings to people’s lives.

“North Bellmore has an exemplary music education program,” she said. “We want to celebrate our students and our teachers.”

Click here to view the Festival Band Delights Audience at BOE Meeting slideshow.

Date Added: 3/18/2025