As they go through their school years in North Bellmore, students get to explore many different kinds of robots as part of the district’s vibrant computer science program. Recently, kindergartners at Saw Mill Road Elementary School not only had an introduction to robotics, but they had some experts to help.

The youngsters gathered in the computer science room to work with Blue-Bots. The floor robots can be simply programmed by pushing buttons on the top to create an algorithm, giving it rules to follow. The moves were simple – forward, backward, right turn and left turn.

Helping them out were sixth grade tech buddies, who have used many different types of robots over the past several years and are familiar with more advanced levels of computer programming. They helped their kindergarten buddies program the Blue-Bots to get from the starting point to an end point on floor mats. Together, they mapped out the planned moves using directional cards before running the program.

“It’s very important for students to learn from each other,” computer science teacher Cathy Schlaich said. “They need to talk to each other to solve problems.”

Ms. Schlaich explained that the activity taught students many lessons that can be applied beyond robotics, such as collaboration, critical thinking and perseverance. She emphasized the value of trial and error, reminding students that if the robot’s program wasn't correct the first time, they should go back and do it again.

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Date Added: 5/8/2024

A pair of April observances – Earth Day and National Poetry Month – were the combined inspiration for a project in Jessica Pirozzi’s fourth grade class at Saw Mill Road Elementary School.

After reading a passage about the history and meaning of Earth Day, as well as studying different types of poetry, students were tasked with writing and Earth Day haiku. The Japanese poetic form is a three-line poem with five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables. Fourth graders wrote short poems that reflected different ways to help the environment.

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Date Added: 4/22/2024

Becoming a great teacher or administrator is not achieved alone, North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa noted at the annual tenure celebration on April 11. It requires a great support system of family and colleagues.

Seven great educators earned the professional milestone after completing their probationary periods, and were recognized before a large audience of administrators, teachers, students, family members and friends. The tenure recipients included five teachers – Melissa Halaris, Maritza Lopez, Daniela McGee, Kim Rackley and Alexander Roff – and central office administrators Denise Fisher and Leyna Malone.

Ms. Fisher first joined the district as assistant principal at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, then became Newbridge Road Elementary School’s principal before moving into her current position as executive director of personnel. She oversees a human resources department that serves 660 employees. Ms. Testa described her as brave and kind, someone who strongly believes in the district’s mission and core values, and a person who quietly lifts up everyone around her.

When Ms. Fisher went to Newbridge, Ms. Malone was hired as assistant principal of Saw Mill Road. She then became principal of Martin Avenue, and then the executive director for pupil personnel services and special education. It’s one of the most challenging jobs in the district, Ms. Testa explained, and requires a strong knowledge of legal requirements. The superintendent said that Ms. Malone’s kindness and strong advocacy for both students and teachers is what has led to her success.

North Bellmore Teachers Association President Joann Signorelli congratulated the five teachers who received tenure. There were also remarks from their building principals and colleagues.

Mr. Roff teaches general music at Martin Avenue and Newbridge Road, with Ms. Lopez spreading her love for music at Saw Mill Road. John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School boasts Ms. Rackley in fourth grade and Ms. Halaris in fifth grade, while Ms. McGee is a speech therapist at Newbridge Road.

North Bellmore Board of Education President Christine Malloy added that the tenure celebration is her favorite meeting of the year because they get to recognize the district’s amazing teachers and administrators.

Date Added: 4/17/2024

In addition to exercises and games in their physical education classes, students at Saw Mill Road Elementary School find lots of ways to stay active outside of school. That’s why teachers Tim Byrne and Alyssa Parker launched the PE Student of the Week program.

Students, from kindergarten to sixth grade, complete profiles with information about activities they do that promote health and fitness. They share information about their participation in youth sports leagues, martial arts, competitive races and more, and include a picture as well.

“We wanted to get to know our students and their families a little better,” Ms. Parker said. “It has been amazing learning about the outside activities of our Saw Mill students and families. Students' behaviors have been more amazing because they are motivated to be recognized as a student of the week.”

The profiles line the hallway outside of the gymnasium to showcase the students of the week. Children are excited to read them and learn more about their classmates, and maybe get some new ideas to stay active outside of school.

Date Added: 4/4/2024

Second graders took a crack at city planning during the Challenge Island in-house field trip at Saw Mill Road Elementary School. The STEAM activity focused on collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

Toni Wren, a Saw Mill Road parent, is a franchisee for Challenge Island, a national STEAM education program. She brought the activity to second grade classes throughout the week of March 11. Students were put into teams and tasked with creating either a rural, suburban or urban community.

On a large posterboard, they designed their communities. Ms. Wren provided each group with buildings such as a bank, a hospital, a school and various businesses, as well as different street signs. Students not only decided which of these elements they wanted to include, but could also contribute their own ideas. Children added airports, basketball courts, parks and lakes to their communities.

One of the challenges for students was to create a cohesive city. There needed to be roads that led to each location. After their cities were built, they had to test how effective the designs were by driving around miniature cars.

The supplies were minimal – besides the posterboard and landmarks, students just had tape, small paper cups, crayons and pencils. There were few instructions either. Ms. Wren explained that the goal was for students to transform a blank canvas using their imaginations. To add a little excitement, students wore bandanas and put on face paint based on their team colors.

Teachers noted that Challenge Island supports the second grade social studies curriculum which focuses on citizenship and communities.

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Date Added: 3/26/2024