The Central High School District held its first district orchestra concert on May 22.

This new performance group is a selective, upper-level ensemble led by Emily Kenyon and Kelly Friedmann, the orchestra directors who oversee the programs at Sanford H. Calhoun, John F. Kennedy and Wellington C. Mepham High Schools. Students from all three high schools, as well as some middle school and Prep Academy representation were accepted into the group based on an audition.

“The district orchestra has rehearsed every Wednesday night since the beginning of the school year and has worked to prepare a mature and challenging program,” explained Kenyon.

Cheryl Fontana, the district’s director of the fine & performing arts expressed her gratitude toward the board of education and central administration for their constant support of the music program, stating that “the creation and addition of these types of ensembles emphasizes Bellmore-Merrick’s commitment to the arts.”

The inaugural May 22 concert was hosted at Kennedy High School.The combined Grand Avenue and Merrick Avenue middle school chamber orchestra performed first, followed by the new district ensemble.

The event was also longtime music teacher Michael D’Addio’s last performance, as he is retiring in June.

Date Added: 5/25/2023

In a short tribute, Fontana, referred to D’Addio as someone who “always was constantly an advocate for the orchestra program” explaining that he started the middle school chamber groups when he came to the district.

“Mr. D’Addio is an example of someone who truly teaches from the heart,” she added. “When we started planning this district ensemble this year, I was so happy he got the opportunity to experience it before leaving in June,” she added.

D’Daddio came to the district in 2002 and has been the middle school orchestra teacher both at Merrick Avenue and Grand Avenue ever since.

The evening culminated with a combined grand finale, conducted by the retiring D’Addio.

“It’s a wonderful swan song to be able to leave under these circumstances,” D’Addio closed his speech by saying.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 5/25/2023

s part of their ACES program, athletes from Kennedy, Mepham and Calhoun High Schools visited various Bellmore, North Bellmore and North Merrick elementary schools to share their wisdom.

Shining Star Leaders at Shore Road School in the Bellmore Public School District met with fellow leaders in the community on May 19.

Shore Road students were excited to hear from their older peers about the path they have followed in their athletic journeys.

Athletes visited classrooms to share their knowledge and participate in various activities about leading a positive life. The athletes shared tips on living a healthy and active lifestyle and lent guidance on avoiding harmful substances.

In North Bellmore, Mepham student athletes talked about sportsmanship and civility on March 28.

In North Merrick, members of Calhoun’s ACES group visited Old Mill, Fayette, and Camp Avenue to discuss the importance of making good choices on March 9.

Click here to view the photo slideshow.

Date Added: 5/24/2023

Wellington C. Mepham High School junior Safa Hafeez received a perfect score on the New York State Art Teachers Association Portfolio Project.

Among the over 25 portfolios adjudicated at Hicksville High School, only three received a perfect score, including Hafeez.

“Art allows me to express my mind in ways that is hard to do in written and spoken language," said Hafeez.

She is enrolled in College Sculpture 4 with teacher Marissa Grana and College Drawing and Painting 4 with Lisa Federici.

Federici said Hafeez is a ‘dedicated artist who sees the world through a different lens than most other students.’

“She is complex and deep and it has been a pleasure to see how she sees the world through her art. I’m excited to see how she progresses and what she creates in her future,” she added.

The Portfolio Project is a way for students to assess and validatetheir progress in the visual arts.

Hafeez was also showcased in the Kindred Spirits Art Exhibit at The Firefly Artists Gallery in Northport in April.

Date Added: 5/18/2023

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is proud to learn that it was just ranked No. 66 in the nation in Niche.com's 2023 study of 12,262 school districts across the United States.

This represents an incredible accomplishment, and a significant climb in the rankings since 2019. It was also ranked No. 15 in the State of New York out of 700 districts.

All three of the district's high schools, Kennedy, Calhoun and Mepham, were ranked in the top 60 in NYS out of many thousands of high schools statewide. Similarly impressive, both Grand Avenue and Merrick Avenue Middle Schools were listed in the top 40 in New York.

These rankings are based on factors obtained from the U.S. Department of Education and include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality and public school district ratings.

“Receiving this high ranking in a national study is certainly a positive indication for us,” explained Michael Harrington, superintendent of schools. “It further emphasizes how Bellmore-Merrick is providing high-quality, well-rounded education, and that our students are performing well academically.

Date Added: 5/17/2023