North Bellmore School District

“Each of you are part of this beautiful community,” Saw Mill Road Elementary School Principal Jeff Rosof told kindergartners on Sept. 5 during the first of three assemblies celebrating children’s book, “All Are Welcome.” 

The book is shared with students throughout the North Bellmore School District to foster an accepting, inclusive and welcoming environment at each of the five elementary schools. At Saw Mill Road, it is read aloud during the first principal’s assembly of the year. Mr. Rosof and Assistant Principal Daniel Madden began with a special program for the school’s newest learners, followed by assemblies for grades 1-3 and 4-6.  

Students listened attentively as Mr. Rosof and Mr. Madden took turns reading the book by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman. They noted that it is a story about going to school and feeling welcome, which is how they want every child to feel every day. Mr. Rosof and Mr. Madden asked students to relate the story to themselves, and think about how their school environment, their teachers and their classmates make them feel welcome.   

In the spirit of welcoming, Mr. Rosof invited students who are new to the school this year up to the front during the grades 1-3 and 4-6 assemblies, and gifted them blue Saw Mill Road T-shirts. He also invited the custodians to be recognized for their hard work getting the building ready for the new year, reminding students how everyone is a valued and integral member of the school community.  

Each assembly ended with a group sing-along of “You Can Count on Me.”