Second-grade Rising Star Leaders at Reinhard Early Childhood Center stepped up to show visiting school officials the ins-and-outs of their school building during a special tour on Jan. 17.

The tour was confidently led by members of Reinhard’s Student Star Polisher Team for visiting school administrators to experience several of the Bellmore School District’s innovative leadership programs. For example, students showed how each class works together to create a mission statement for the school year, which are displayed outside the main office and in classrooms. Mission statements are also written in each students’ Leadership Notebook, which also features Wildly Important Goals and activities that reinforce Bellmore’s Core Values and Leadership Principles. Visitors also saw how students work collaboratively, such as one class that made a paper chain with students’ messages of how they can be counted on to be a leader. Additionally, students spoke about the important role of the Student Star Polisher Team, how teamwork is utilized to run several successful donation drives, and about the Leaders of the Arts board, which displays a new inspirational artist each month. The tour concluded with a musical showcase by students in the Reinhard auditorium. 

Click here to view the Bellmore’s youngest Star Leaders guide tour of Reinhard ECC slideshow.

Date Added: 1/24/2025

The Bellmore Schools community joined together to spread cheer for the holiday season by amassing dozens of toys to distribute to local children.
Toy drives at Shore Road and Winthrop Avenue schools and Reinhard Early Childhood Center were student-led endeavors. Star Leaders spread the word to their families and friends and brought in toys throughout the month, which quickly built to large collections. Holiday donations drives return to Bellmore Schools each year to bring smiles to children in need.

Photo captions:
1) A successful toy drive at Winthrop Avenue School spread cheer to local children ahead of the holiday season.
2) The Reinhard Early Childhood Center’s successful toy drive was organized by the Student Advisory Council.

Photos courtesy Bellmore Public Schools

Date Added: 12/23/2024

Reinhard Early Childhood Center students in the Bellmore School District get an early grasp on advanced musical skills as they pick up and learn how to play the violin starting in second grade.

In the Reinhard auditorium, each Rising Star Leader is individually equipped with a violin and shown how to properly hold it in both a rest position and a playing position. Music teachers Kelly Kosmo and Joanna Rocco show students the correct way to place their fingers in the shape of an “L” on the fingerboard before plucking their first notes. As a group, students read out notes and rests in a basic measure as they learn the differences between each string. While playing, they are challenged to maintain an equal tempo. Picking up the new instrument at an early stage is one example of the many ways Bellmore Schools brings innovative learning to classes of all ages.

Photo captions:
1) Reinhard Early Childhood Center second graders get an early grasp on advanced musical skills as they learn the basics of the violin.
2) Music teacher Kelly Kosmo showed each student how to properly hold the violin.
3) Picking up the new instrument at an early age provides an engaging and exciting experience for second graders.

Photos courtesy Bellmore Public Schools

Date Added: 12/20/2024

Bellmore Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph Famularo – known affectionately by students as Dr. Joe – visited first graders at Reinhard Early Childhood Center to teach values and principles through song on Nov. 20.

During routine visits to classrooms throughout the district, students make their excitement shown as Dr. Famularo steps in with guitar in hand. With first grade classes, Dr. Famularo discussed his authored children’s book, “I’m Ready, Are You?” The story focuses on the importance of curating a to-do list that helps achieve daily goals and tasks. While strumming his guitar, Dr. Famularo also reinforced the district’s Core Values and Leadership Principles and invited the students to sing along to their favorite, “Apples and Bananas.”