North Bellmore Holds Unique Graduations For Students

NORTH BELLMORE, NY — There may not have been speeches or songs, but there were lots of smiles for 270 sixth graders in the North Bellmore School District who officially ended the first chapter of their educational journeys on June 10. With the COVID-19 pandemic altering traditional graduation plans, drive-up ceremonies were held at each of the five elementary schools.

The weather certainly cooperated for the outdoor celebrations. Cars lined up, covered in balloons and celebratory messages, and drove up one-by-one to the podium where the graduates were announced. Each sixth grader, clad in cap and gown, was allowed to step out for a few photos, before getting back into the car and proceeding past a line of cheering administrators, teachers and staff.

Students’ faces lit up seeing their former teachers dating back to kindergarten, who help up signs, shook noisemakers and exclaimed “good luck.” Superintendent Marie Testa, who attended several of the ceremonies that were staggered throughout the day, said that the unique circumstances this year will make graduation an event they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“We wanted to provide students with a valuable, meaningful and inspirational send-off that was personalized for each graduate,” Testa said. “Because it was so different, it will make an indelible mark in their hearts.”