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Enrichment

Enrichment

WHAT ARE THE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES?

Here is a brief description of the Valley Stream 30 enrichment opportunities provided to students throughout the school year:

Quest Program

 

The Quest program is one of the many enrichment programs offered at Valley Stream 30, which challenges our third- through sixth-grade learners with a broad range of advanced-level enrichment experiences.  Students for this program are selected based upon a review of their performance in both English Language Arts and Mathematics on the New York State assessments, NWEA scores, report cards, and other measures when applicable.  Your child’s performance was compared to their peers at their assigned school, ranked and selected based on scoring within the top 10th - 20th percentile range.    

The Quest program is a pullout service, which occurs at your child’s school.  Students will experience extended enrichment learning opportunities in technology, critical thinking, cooperative skills, presentation skills, argumentation, and mathematics.  They will continue to build on their 21st Century Learning skills, as well as hit upon major content areas.  Your child is expected to meet the work requirements of the Quest program and maintain high performance in academics and assignments for their classroom.  

2024-2025 ENRICHMENT STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Strategic Plan 2024-2025 by Susan Galgano and Illisa Epstein

QUEST FAQ

  • Quest is a pull-out Enrichment program for students in grades 3-6 that meet for two periods per 6-day cycle.  This program provides students the opportunity to collaborate with grade level peers at their school on 21st century projects that require students to apply problem solving skills, perseverance, critical thinking and strong communication skills.  This is NOT a gifted and talented program.

     

  • Below are the phases of the Quest application process for the 2025-26 school year:

    • Phase 1- Administration will review report card grades. Students should have 3 s and 4s in ELA and Math.  Academic data is reviewed to check that students would not be in need of academic support services.
    • Phase 2- After review of report cards In early spring, teachers will be asked to make recommendations based upon the following criteria: performance on assignments, collaboration, motivation, and active participation
    • Phase 3- Students who meet the requirements of Phase 1 and 2 will be invited to apply.  Information will be shared with those families via ParentSquare.  
    • Phase 4- Student applications that are accepted will be invited to participate in a small group task in June. During the task, students will be observed and assessed on their creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. 

    *Students entering grade 3 will engage in a task at the start of the new school year.

     

     

     

  • As in the past, there is no automatic re-enrollment in Quest. All students will need to go through the process outlined in question 2.

  • For students entering grades 4-6, we intend to notify families at the end of the school year.  For students entering grade 3, families will be notified in early October.  If this timeline changes we will update families via Parent Square.

  • Last year we revamped our Enrichment for All program in the district.  Ms. Galgano is our enrichment specialist that pushes into every class in the district.  Each class in Kindergarten-5th grade receives one marking period of Enrichment for All, in addition to their daily special.  Ms. Galgano works with students to develop 21st century thinking and application skills.  Students engage in hands-on projects aligned to grade level curriculum.  Our 6th grade students receive two marking periods of Enrichment for All.  The first marking period is focused on financial literacy and the second marking period students explore possible career pathways.

21st CENTURY LEARNING

WHAT IS 21st CENTURY LEARNING?

21st Century Framework

Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes
Mastery of core subjects and 21st century themes is essential to student success. Core subjects include English (reading or language arts), mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government and civics. In addition, we promote an understanding of academic content at much higher levels by weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes into core subjects:

  • Global Awareness
  • Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy
  • Civic Literacy
  • Health Literacy Environmental Literacy


 

Learning and Innovation Skills
Learning and innovation skills are what separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in today’s world and those who are not. They include:

  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Communication and Collaboration


 

Information, Media and Technology Skills
Today, we live in a technology and media-driven environment, marked by access to an abundance of information, rapid changes in technology tools and the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecedented scale. Effective citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills, such as:

  • Information Literacy
  • Media Literacy
  • ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy


 

Life and Career Skills
Today’s life and work environments require far more than thinking skills and content knowledge. The ability to navigate the complex life and work environments in the globally competitive information age requires students to pay rigorous attention to developing adequate life and career skills, such as:

  • Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Initiative and Self-Direction
  • Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Productivity and Accountability
  • Leadership and Responsibility


To learn more about the 21st Century Learning Framework visit:
21st Century Learning Framework

ENRICHMENT FOR ALL

Students in Grades Kindergarten-6th receive Enrichment for All from one of our district enrichment specialists during one of the marking periods in the school year.  Below is a list of the current curricular projects

 

For more information, contact our Enrichment Teachers:
Illisa Epstein
Susan Galgano

 

Enrichment for All K-3

Enrichment for All 4-6

ENRICHMENT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

After School Clubs

        Time: After School

Valley Stream 30 offers a variety of different enrichment clubs before and after school.  These clubs give our students the opportunity to join a wide range of activities with their peers.  It is a chance to explore new interests, acquire 21st Century skills and pursue passions. Contact your school for a listing of the current school year’s enrichment club offerings

 

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