Time for a great year: School is back in session

Summer flew by quick for Bellmore-Merrick students, who headed back to class on Sept. 1

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For the first time since 2019, students in Bellmore-Merrick got off the bus, and walked through the front doors of their schools without a mask on.

Sept 1. was the first day of classes for the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, and its four elementary districts: Bellmore Public Schools, the North Bellmore School District, the Merrick Union Free School District and the North Merrick Union Free School District.

Students were abuzz as they floated through the doors, ready for the year. At John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School in North Bellmore, third graders in Celeste Diogo’s class caught up, while they unpacked their school supplies, and down the hall kindergartners in Lauren LoBello’s class were made to feel at home. And for the school’s sixth graders, who will move onto middle school at the end of the year, the excitement was already building for activities that lie ahead, including a canoe trip and a volleyball game against their teachers.

In Bellmore, pre-kindergartners through second graders flooded the halls at Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center.

For many, it was their first day as students in the district, and their smiles were bright as they headed to class.

They were greeted by Board of Education President Janet Goller, and Vice President Maryanne Kelly, along with district administrators, including Superintendent Joseph Famularo and Principal Patricia Castine.

In the Merrick Union Free School District, as students entered Chatterton, Birch and Lakeside schools, there was a lot to smile about. The district was not only celebrating the first day of school, but its 100th year as a school district.

“The staff of the Merrick Schools will continue to provide a safe and nurturing school climate,” Superintendent Dominick Palma said. “It is our priority to continue to promote social emotional learning throughout the school day as your child’s well-being is our goal.”

Across both hamlets, the consensus was clear: students were eager to head back to school, and their teachers were just as ready to welcome them back, and start the year off on a strong and healthy foot.