Students in the Merrick School District piled out of school buses and their parents’ cars during a short break in a persistent rainstorm for the start of the new academic year on Tuesday, Sept. 6, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of children eager to begin their studies. more

The Merrick, North Merrick and Bellmore-Merrick Central school districts opened their doors and welcomed back students for the 2011-12 academic year on Tuesday, Sept. 6. more

Capt. Don Harris, first vice president and environmental educator for the Freeport-based Operation SPLASH, recently visited Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick. Operation SPLASH (Stop Polluting Littering and Save Harbors) is a non-profit, all–volunteer organization that focuses on improving quality of life on Long Island’s shores. more

The Park Avenue Elementary School PTA is seeking new playground equipment for the school after being told one year ago by an insurance company that renovations had to be made to maintain playground safety. But the PTA’s request for county grant money has hit a yearlong stall as the money winds its way through the legislative process. more

Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick recently dedicated a new playground bench in honor of school aide Shelley Rubin, who died after a long battle with ovarian cancer last year. The Student Council fundraised to purchase the bench. more

Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in the Merrick District has cancelled its annual art show because Nassau County is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. on June 1. The show has been rescheduled for Monday, June 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., said Libby Trencheny, the school principal. more

More than 1,700 runners and walkers took to the streets of south Merrick on May 22 for the sixth annual Robbie’s Run, which has quickly become one of the Merrick-Bellmore community’s go-to events. In total, the event raised $48,000. more

The North Bellmore-North Merrick Little League recently celebrated opening day with a parade that began at Saw Mill Road School in North Bellmore and wound through local streets. Above, young players from the Nationals with Little League, Town of Hempstead and Nassau County officials. more

Birch Elementary School in Merrick celebrated the written word at its annual Community Read-Aloud on Friday. School officials, elected leaders and community activists were invited to read to children … more

Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick held its annual Community Read-Aloud last Friday, at which community leaders were invited in to read to classes and discuss their professions. Among those in attendance were New York State Assemblyman David McDonough, Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, Merrick American Legion Commander Bernard Hoffman, and Merrick Fire Chief T.J. Fernandez. Scott Brinton, senior editor of the Merrick Herald, read “Secret of a Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman, an anti-bullying book, to a fifth-grade class co-taught by Ginny Bennette and Susan Holland. Above, the fifth-grade class that Brinton visited. more