Pictured: Friday, Jan. 5 was a spirit day at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, which featured a principal’s read aloud. Joining students are Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, left, Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Superintendent Marie Testa.
Photo courtesy of the North Bellmore School District
The first Friday of every month is a special occasion at Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District. It’s a school spirt day, where students are decked out in blue and white attire, but it’s also the monthly principal’s read aloud.
The read aloud, led by Principal Jeffrey Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madden, serves a dual purpose. It promotes both a love of reading and togetherness. This year’s theme at the school is “All Are Welcome,” and each month’s assembly has a message related to community, diversity and inclusivity.
On Jan. 5, students gathered in the all-purpose room as Mr. Rosof and Mr. Madden read “The Lucky Grape: A New Year’s Eve Story” by Tracey Kyle. The book is centered around a family’s New Year’s Eve tradition in Spain. The book was also projected on the screen so students could see the illustrations.
Sixth grader Saray Beltran Torres began the program by reading a poem in Spanish. Mr. Madden, who also read the poem in English, noted that many students at Saw Mill are multilingual, which is part of the diversity that is celebrated and valued.
Mr. Rosof said that the message for students is that while they may have many different family traditions, they come together in joy to form the Saw Mill Road community.
They also share many traditions together at school, like the monthly spirit days, concerts and field day.
“I want students have a sense of community and belonging,” Mr. Rosof said. “I hope that with the help of our teachers, we can connect the dots to celebrate our diversity.”
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