North Bellmore Names Two New Administrators

The North Bellmore School District will have two new administrators effective Jan. 1.

Danica Brugge will serve as the interim principal of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School for the remainder of the 2018-19 school. She is replacing Faith Skelos, who is retiring. Skelos has worked in the district for more than 26 years, including nine as a teacher at Newbridge Road Elementary School and 17 years as Dinkelmeyer principal.

Brugge has been the assistant principal of Saw Mill Road Elementary School since August 2016. She has previously been a sixth-grade teacher at the Jacob Gunther Elementary School and completed her administrative internship with Park Avenue Elementary School Principal Eileen Speidel.

“I am excited to collaborate with the Dinkelmeyer faculty and staff to provide the kind of leadership that will facilitate a safe, respectful school environment, while ensuring that our student have a rigorous, engaging and high-quality elementary school experience,” Brugge said.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Hofstra University, a master’s degree in literacy from Hofstra and an administrative certificate from the College of St. Rose.

Jim O’Brien has been named the interim assistant principal of Saw Mill Road. He has been a sixth-grade teacher at the school since 2001. During his 17 years, he has been a grade level leader, a district math leader and has conducted professional development workshops for his colleagues.

A North Bellmore native, O’Brien holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. John’s University, a master’s degree in education from Molloy College and an administrative certificate from the College of St. Rose. He completed his administrative internship with Saw Mill Principal Jeff Rosof and then-Assistant Principal Leyna Malone.

“I look forward to closely working with Mr. Rosof and the teachers and staff to create an experience where all of the students’ needs are met,” he said, “and an environment where they can flourish and grow emotionally, physically, intellectually, academically and socially.”

Photo courtesy North Bellmore School District