Kindergartners and first graders are taking an international journey from the confines of their classrooms at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Students are exploring the customs and traditions of winter holidays around the world.

In Kelly Navin’s first grade class, children studied Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Lunar New Year and St. Lucia Day. Each holiday gets its own day of study, during which students watch a video, hear a song, listen to a story and do an activity such as a completing a word search or making a craft.

Ms. Navin’s students learned about traditions in the countries where the holidays either originated or are largely celebrated. They then got a stamp in their passports upon learning about each holiday, and found each country on a map.

At home, students worked with their families on a short writing piece and drawing highlighting their own holiday traditions. Students proudly shared with their classmates.

Stephanie Meehan’s kindergartners focused on Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah and Lunar New Year. As a class, students shared facts they know about these celebrations to create an anchor chart. Each child then received a suitcase to “travel” to nations that observe each holiday.

A solar phenomenon was the inspiration for a third grade art project at Martin Avenue Elementary School. Students completed drawings to capture the northern lights.  

Teacher Erica Farley said the purpose of the project was to give her young artists a chance to experiment with different materials, as they worked with charcoal pencils, chalk pencils and oil pastels. To make the northern lights, students ripped a piece of paper, colored the uneven edge with chalk pastels, and swiped it on the blue construction paper so the colors faded into the sky. 

Students also practiced drawing reflections and silhouettes, as they pictures included animals, mountains and trees. Ms. Farley said that students complete a landscape project each year in art, and this was a chance to for third graders to explore some more advanced concepts and techniques. 

Date Added: 12/11/2025

 

String students from North Bellmore’s five elementary schools came together for the annual District Orchestra Winter Concert on Dec. 8 at the Brookside School. Proud parents, siblings, teachers and administrators filled the auditorium to enjoy holiday and winter tunes. 

The young musicians learned the concert music together during early morning districtwide rehearsals over the last several months, as well as during their small-group lessons. The fifth grade ensemble was conducted by Patrice Ryan and the sixth grade group was led by Lisa Uckardes. Individual school winter concerts are also taking place throughout December. 

Date Added: 12/9/2025

JoAnn Belferder’s classroom was filled with energy for a lesson on that scientific concept on Nov. 20 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Working in groups, students made rubber band racers that helped them understand the difference between potential and kinetic energy. 

The young scientists followed instructions to build the racers from two clear plastic cups and tops, along with paperclips, a pony bead, rubber band, straw and tape. They also need a pencil to help stretch the rubber band through two cups. When complete, they spun the straw to twist the rubber band, then put the racer on the floor and watched it move. 

After the contraptions were complete, the class came together to share the observations. They learned that potential energy was represented by the twisted rubber band, which became kinetic energy once the racer was free to move. Students also understood how it was essentially a simplistic version of a car engine. 

The science project fostered numerous skills including collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving. While every student in each group was assigned a specific role, their racer build wouldn’t be successful without teamwork and efficient communication. 

Click here to view the Swift Scientists Explore Energy at Newbridge Road slideshow.

 

Date Added: 12/4/2025