Bellerose Avenue Celebrates 50th Birthday

The Bellerose Avenue Elementary School community joined together for a special celebration to honor the school’s 50th birthday on Nov. 18. The school-wide event was held in the auditorium where special guests included former faculty members and administrators.

Principal Lori Beekman hosted the celebration and the PTA provided the decorations and cake. Fifth-graders and former Bellerose students kicked off the event with a performance of the Star Spangled Banner, led by music teacher Kristie Collura.

Beekman spoke to the crowd about what she imagined the building was like 50 years ago and how proud she was to be a part of the school.

“I am incredibly humbled and very fortunate to be the fourth principal of this outstanding school,” she said. “It’s such a good feeling to belong to a place that has such a rich and proud history.”

In honor of the special anniversary, the school recently opened a time capsule that was placed inside the cornerstone of the building 50 years ago by Bellerose’s first principal Dan Frumerin. Through a slideshow presentation, Beekman shared photos from the day they removed the time capsule and played old audio clips that were found inside. In the clips, former Bellerose students from 50 years ago spoke about the new school, what was happening in the world and what their lives were like. The time capsule also contained copies of Time magazine, Life magazine and a Northport Journal from Nov. 1966.

Students recently wrote their own essays and cards to put in a new time capsule for future generations to read. Some of the stories will be recorded and included into audio clips as well. Four students from different grade levels read what they love most about Bellerose to include in the time capsule.

Bellerose Avenue’s second principal, Ira Goodman, spoke to the crowd about his positive experience as former principal.

“It’s the people that makes a school a school,” he said. “I have never taken for granted how fortunate I was to work with an amazing and supportive school community.”

Art teacher Shannon Murray discussed the school-wide art project that the students worked on to commemorate the special occasion. They created a big 5-0 plaque that will be placed in the main stairwell.

The crowd also viewed a slideshow of photos of Bellerose throughout the years, which was presented by senior teacher Jon Meyers. Students cheered when they recognized faculty members and students.

To end the big event, Bellerose graduates, which included students and teachers who returned for the special event, led the room in a rendition of Happy Birthday and the Bellerose school song as the cake was presented.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District:

• Kindergartners at Bellerose Avenue Elementary School sat front row.
• Kindergartner Robby Baranaskas, first-grader Mikey Falasco, second-grader Max Granville and fifth-grader Olivia Aguirre read why they love Bellerose Avenue Elementary School.
• Fifth-graders and Bellerose alumni performed at the start of Bellerose Avenue Elementary School’s birthday celebration.
• Principal Lori Beekman spoke to the crowd about Bellerose Avenue’s history.
• PTA President Gina DeMarco (right) and Vice President Christine Trudwig (left) brought out a special Bellerose Avenue Elementary School cake
• Students showed off their 50th anniversary t-shirts.