No space was left unexplored at Winthrop Avenue School on Oct. 24 as visiting school officials were guided on a tour of the Bellmore School District building by student leaders.

Winthrop’s Student Star Polisher Team – comprised of more than 95 students – confidently and proudly stepped up as leaders to offer a thorough look at the district’s innovative educational programs. Students showed guests how they take on leadership roles each day, from caring for the fish in the main office aquarium to presenting during morning announcements and completing optional homework assignments to add paper leaves describing an aspect of leadership to the Leadership Tree. The Star Lab was visited to show guests how students utilize unique technology to partake in lessons, and the art gallery showed off students’ impressive artistic skills. Additionally, Shore Road students in the Ukulele Club stopped by for a performance of “Best Day of My Life,” by American Authors. Through each program shown, visitors observed how Bellmore’s Core Values and Leadership Principles are central to every educational opportunity and how all students are Star Leaders. Those ideals were on full display through song as the tour concluded with a musical performance in the auditorium.

Date Added: 11/14/2024

Years of coding practice culminate in some of the Bellmore School District’s leading student coders teaming up in the Shore Road School Coding Club to pursue their passion and eventually compete against other teams.

Fifth and sixth graders gather each we ek in the library to hone their coding skills with guidance from technology teachers Lauren McHale and Lauren DeStefano. Coding challenges range in difficulty and have students craft the behind-the-scenes instructions that lead to impressive results, including animating sprites, creating a functional calculator, or making a program that displays your age on each of the solar system’s planets. As they collaborate and complete codes at increasing skill levels, students keep track of their progress by collecting stickers that are posted to a chart.

"Coding instills critical problem-solving skills in students," Mrs. McHale said. "When their code doesn't work, the ability to persevere, think critically, and find solutions on their own is essential."

In the Coding Club, as students take part in the innovative activity, friends also find an outlet to bond and look forward to an ultimate goal. In May, club members will compete in the annual Hackathon, which brings together local elementary schools and in which Shore Road won third place last year.

“I started watching tech videos when I was younger, and I joined because it’s become my passion and a hobby for me,” said fifth grader Colin Hayes.

“It feels really good when you put in so much work hoping the code does what you want it to do – and it did it!” said sixth grader Hailey Pepe, who competed in the Hackathon last year.

Click here to view the Coding skills are at the tips of fingers at Shore Road School slideshow.

Date Added: 11/14/2024

Teachers and staff at Reinhard Early Childhood Center in the Bellmore School District entertained the entire school community on stage as they spread laughs and reinforced district values at the annual Pep Rally on Oct. 11. 

Each year, Reinhard Star Polishers put on a dazzling show for Rising Star Leaders complete with costumes, songs and a story that reflects the district’s Core Values and Leadership Principles. Assembled by coordinator for student services Kerri Ann Sanpietro, this year’s twist on “Zootopia” had performers dressed as wild animals. The cast, which included leads Michelle Block as Judy and Elia DeBlasio as Nick, had students jumping with joy as they delivered a humorous performance. Throughout the pep rally, each grade stood to sing various Core Values and Leadership Principles songs led by music teacher Joanna Rocco. The Reinhard Pep Rally is a much loved and highly anticipated event as it makes its return every year. 

Date Added: 10/16/2024

Bellmore Public Schools has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools (The League), a national network of school districts that connects and supports the most forward-thinking leaders in education. The League is organized by Digital Promise, a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner by bridging solutions across research, practice, and technology.

Bellmore was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to equity and excellence, innovative vision for learning, key achievements, and collaborative spirit. The League includes more than 150 districts across 34 states and has had a cumulative impact on 4.4 million students served over time.

Since 2011, the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools has spearheaded innovative learning and leadership practices. Through its network of forward-thinking leaders, the League provides school districts with opportunities to leverage research-backed approaches for addressing complex challenges; stay at the forefront of cutting-edge educational practices; and implement innovative solutions that meet the needs of all students.

Working with educators, researchers, technology leaders, and communities, the League of Innovative Schools equips superintendents and district leaders to help shape the future of teaching and learning through hands-on opportunities to collaborate, connect, and learn. League members have access to unique opportunities to co-create, pilot, and scale innovative practices, apply learnings to their own districts, and identify and promote promising practices to other districts across the country.

Date Added: 10/8/2024

Fifth graders from Shore Road School in the Bellmore School District took a special trip to witness journalism in action at the Newsday headquarters in Melville on Sept. 26.

Shining Star Leaders were given a behind-the-scenes tour as part of the Newsday in Education program. Acting as cub reporters for the day, students were given a press pass and backpack containing a reporter’s notebook and a pen to cover a breaking news assignment created for them. Students took part in a mock press conference, composed a social media news story and met with real editors and reporters in the newsroom. Students also toured the broadcast control room for a look at how Newsday’s TV newscast is produced. Throughout the trip, the interactive events provided students with an unforgettable experience which brought the art of journalism to life.

Date Added: 10/1/2024