“It’s like bringing the outside into our school,” Newbridge Road Elementary School Principal Amanda Licci said at the unveiling of the Newbridge Quad on June 2. The space was created in partnership with the PTA as an outdoor learning area for students, or a place to relax and get some fresh air.

The long and narrow courtyard is tucked between the original 1920s section of the North Bellmore’s oldest school and an expansion from the 1950s. Ms. Licci said it has been a goal of hers to make the space more useful, and the addition of six picnic tables now gives it purpose. Classes can go out there for lessons, to read or have snack time.

As its yearly legacy gift, the PTA purchased the tables. The name Newbridge Quad was chosen because the space is surrounded by four walls. Last year, improvements to the space started when art teacher Erica Farley and her Beautification Club students created a mural of Thunder the Tiger, the school mascot.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which including Ms. Licci, Superintendent Marie Testa, teachers, PTA leaders and a student from every class, the first activity took place. Fifth grader Brock Granshaw and sixth grader Alice Boylan read “Maybe” by Kobi Yamada, a story about the endless potential of every child. The message of the story symbolized the potential of the upgraded space.

“The possibilities are endless,” Ms. Licci said. “We got the tables in there and we’ll see where it takes us.”

PTA co-President Italia Granshaw said planning for this project began in the fall. Money is set aside every year for a legacy gift from the PTA’s fundraising efforts.

Ms. Licci said that every class will be invited to use Newbridge Quad at least once before the end of the school year. Over the course of a full school year, teachers will be tasked with finding innovative and creative ways to take advantage of the outdoors.

Click here to view the Shared Vision Sparks Creation of Newbridge Quad slideshow.

Date Added: 6/16/2025

Two teams from the North Bellmore School District had strong finishes in The Stock Market Game, an experience that gives students real financial insight using fictitious money. Fifth and sixth graders in the ALPHA gifted and talented program participate in the game every year.

Each group gets $100,000 to invest in stocks of their choice. This year’s competition ran from October until April. ALPHA teacher Laura Conway said that teamwork and compromise were essential, as each group consisted of three or four students.

The fifth grade team of Ryan Diaz, Hailey Ianniello, Emmett Liu and Arielle Zhang placed second in the region in the elementary division, which consisted of 178 teams. They finished with $111,582.06. The group, consisting of students from Newbridge Road and Saw Mill Road elementary schools, invested in several stocks including Amazon, Coke, Lululemon and Macy’s.

Sixth graders Tyler Ashley, Haroon Chaudhary and Luka Pavsic, who come from John G. Dinkelmeyer and Park Avenue schools, earned third place in the middle school division. They competed against approximately 350 other teams, and finished with a total of $115,340.12. The stocks that made the biggest impact for them were Morgan Stanley, Spotify Technology and Sprouts Farmers Market.

Ms. Conway said that before the investing begins, students read “Lawn Boy” by Gary Paulson, a book about a young man who starts a successful lawn-mowing business. Students then talk about market trends and influences, as well as supply and demand. A total of 16 teams from North Bellmore participated in this year’s game.

The Stock Market Game is sponsored by the SIFMA Foundation. The goal is to make the most money over a six-month period, so students have to try to find stocks with the greatest short-term earning potential.

“For this game, you have to be more of a bull than a bear, because you have to predict which stocks are going to take off,” Ms. Conway said. “The Stock Market Game really prepares them for future investing and also gives them lots of opportunities for leadership and to have their voices heard.”

Date Added: 6/13/2025

Students were feeling just ducky at the marquee field day event on May 29 at Martin Avenue Elementary School. The Adventure Bound game show featured trivia questions and physical challenges that engaged youngsters in friendly competition.

The prizes for the winners were rubber duckies. There were two assemblies – kindergarten through second grade, and third through sixth grade. The program was hosted by the PTA.

Four students per grade came up to answer trivia questions and earn points for their team. The grade-level questions ranged from general knowledge to the various academic subjects. Physical contests included a hula-hoop challenge, cup-in-ball contest, Simon Says game and more.

Click here to view the A Battle of Minds and Moxie at Martin Avenue slideshow.

Date Added: 6/9/2025

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

Singing, dancing and lively costumes delighted the family members of first graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, as they came out for the production of “A Barnyard Moosical” on May 29.

The 30-minute show was about five months in making. Students began learning the songs in their music classes back in January, along with a few full rehearsals in the days leading up to the performance. Students from the five first grade classes dressed up as cows, goats, horses and pigs. The entire ensemble sang every song, while each class had once dance number.

The show was directed by music teacher Maritza Lopez with support from first grade teachers Angela Byrnes, Melissa DiPalma, Josephine Leach, Pamela Miceli and Christopher Randazzo. “A Barnyard Moosical” had a successful debut last year and the teachers decided to make it an annual tradition.

Ms. Lopez said the students developed many skills from this experience. They gained confidence and learned the importance of teamwork. By performing on stage at a young age, they will be better prepared for concert performances as they get into the upper elementary grades, she added.

Click here to view the A ‘Moo-ving’ Musical at Saw Mill slideshow.

Date Added: 6/4/2025