May 2024
Any child who resides in Valley Stream 30 and will be 4 years old by December 1, 2024 is eligible to register. Please have all registration paperwork and documentation to your elementary school by Friday May 10, 2024. If needed a virtual lottery will be held on Thursday May 16, 2024 at 5:00pm. A link to view the virtual lottery will be posted on the district's website.
Date Added: 5/3/2024
Valley Stream District 30 is pleased to announce the appointment of Marisela Sanchez as the new principal of Forest Road Elementary School, effective July 1. The appointment was announced during the board of education meeting held on April 16.
Ms. Sanchez is an experienced and visionary educational leader with extensive experience in managing daily operations to foster a positive learning environment and support student success. She most recently served as assistant principal at 277Q The Riverview School where she oversaw the school's mission of fostering student independence to reach unprecedented heights. During her tenure at New York City Public Schools, Ms. Sanchez raised districtwide awareness of key factors to facilitate successful student transitions to appropriate educational settings.
In her previous roles, Ms. Sanchez successfully collaborated with teachers, parents, and staff to develop and implement schoolwide behavior management plans. She conducted regular observations and provided constructive feedback to teachers, empowering them to effectively manage challenging behaviors and create a positive classroom culture. Additionally, she initiated restorative justice practices within the school, promoting conflict resolution and teaching students the importance of empathy and accountability.
"I am honored to have been appointed as the new principal of Forest Road Elementary School," said Ms. Sanchez. "I am excited to join the dedicated team of educators, parents, and community members of Valley Stream District 30, and I look forward to working together to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment."
Ms. Sanchez holds a Master's degree in School Building Leadership and District Leadership from CUNY Brooklyn College, a master's degree in Special Education from Touro School of Education, Graduate Division, and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from CUNY Brooklyn College. She is currently pursuing a degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Joseph University.
Date Added: 5/2/2024
April 2024
Kelly Ureña, President of the Valley Stream 30 Board of Education, has been recognized with the SCOPE Community Service Award for her exceptional commitment to serving the community.
Ms. Ureña has a long history of advocating for equity in healthcare and education. She has demonstrated a profound sense of community and responsibility, channeling her passion into fulfilling her purpose through social work. Grounded in principles of community and family engagement, cultural responsiveness, and social justice, Ms. Ureña has dedicated her career to serving children and families.
As a leader in her profession and community, Ms. Ureña has made significant contributions to strengthening families, communities, and building partnerships. She firmly believes that when children are provided with the tools and opportunities to succeed, they will surpass all expectations.
The SCOPE Annual School District Awards Dinner is an event that honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their school district. Ms. Ureña was recognized alongside other distinguished individuals from school districts across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including School Board Members, School Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, Support Staff, and Community Leaders.
Date Added: 4/30/2024
The Global Leaders of Tomorrow from Valley Stream District 30 took a bold stance against bullying with a series of antibullying assemblies held across all three schools within the district for fourth through sixth graders. Led by dedicated students from the Global Leaders of Tomorrow Advisory Council, these assemblies aimed to educate their peers about the importance of kindness, being an upstander and the dangers of bullying.
Students, guided by the council members, were immersed in interactive slideshows featuring impactful videos highlighting the characteristics of kindness and the role of an upstander in combating bullying. Through these presentations, students gained valuable insights into how to identify bullying behaviors and understand the underlying causes, often stemming from emotional trauma. Emphasizing the importance of seeking help, students were equipped with strategies to prevent bullying before it starts and learned the power of speaking up against it through kindness and fostering supportive friendships.
The assemblies were facilitated by Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Roxanne Garcia-France, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Jennifer Lewner. Their leadership ensured engaging interactions with students, who actively participated by sharing their thoughts and experiences.
"It was truly a successful experience," remarked Dr. Garcia-France. "Our upper-grade students walked away with a deeper understanding of the impact of their actions and how they can contribute to achieving our goal of promoting peace and unity through discussions and civic action projects that address classroom, school or community issues and provide solutions."
The Global Leaders of Tomorrow Advisory Council’s commitment to promoting kindness and unity aligns with the district's mission to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Through their proactive efforts, they exemplify the values of empathy, compassion and resilience, inspiring their peers to stand up against bullying and cultivate a culture of respect and support.
Date Added: 4/16/2024
March 2024
Forest Road Elementary sixth grader, Jacob Ramirez, has been named the first-place winner in the New York State Association for Bilingual Education Student Art Contest in the grades 6-8 category. Jacob's outstanding artistic talent and dedication have earned him this prestigious award, shining a spotlight on his commitment to advocating for bilingual education.
Jacob's winning artwork, created under the theme, "Empowering Multilingual Student Voices to Advocate for their Right to Bilingual Education," impressed judges with its creativity, originality and attention to detail. His submission stood out among entries from students across New York State, showcasing his passion for the conference's themes of collaboration, leadership, equity, diversity, empowerment and advocacy.
As the first-place winner, Jacob will be honored with a medal and a $150 prize at NYSABE's Awards Luncheon on April 6. He will also receive complimentary tickets to the luncheon for himself and two guests.
"We are immensely proud of Jacob's accomplishment," said Alison Bruno, Forest Road Elementary principal. "His dedication to his craft and his advocacy for bilingual education exemplify the values we strive to instill in our Global Leaders of Tomorrow. Congratulations, Jacob, on this well-deserved recognition!"
Date Added: 3/18/2024
Valley Stream 30 is thrilled to announce the completion of its playground renovations, further enhancing the educational experience for students. The opening of Clear Stream Avenue's playground marks the final phase of this exciting project, following the earlier completion and opening of playgrounds at Forest Road Elementary and Shaw Avenue Elementary earlier in the school year.
To commemorate this milestone, a spirited "ribbon-cutting" ceremony was held, attended by enthusiastic students, dedicated staff, and administration. Amidst smiles and cheers, students joyfully broke through the ribbon, symbolizing the beginning of a new era of play.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Roxanne Garcia-France, emphasized the importance of play in the development of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow. "The board of education, families, and I firmly believe in the value of play," she stated. "That's why we have invested in upgrading playgrounds at all of our schools. Our curriculum incorporates play as an important component, promoting skills such as cooperation, sharing, and taking turns."
The new playgrounds not only provide students with a fun and engaging environment but also serve as valuable spaces for learning and social development.
Date Added: 3/6/2024
February 2024
Students and teachers across the district use technology and digital learning tools every day. Click here to view featured learners and their innovative, creative projects from each of our three schools.
As a culmination of Forest Road Elementary School’s “Culture in Focus Week,” kindergartners in Mrs. Yochai and Mrs. Villalobos’ classes invited families to attend a Cultural Museum with the theme, “We are many. We are one!” Guests were welcomed with a multilingual performance of the song “Hello to All the Children of the World.”
Museum guides— student docents — presented artifacts that represented a part of their home culture. The displayed items included woven blankets, country flags, beaded items, paintings, jewelry and more. Many families joined in the museum presentations, adding fun narratives about growing up outside of the United States.
Following the presentations, guests visited the student-created souvenir shop filled with handcrafted, woven placemats, postcards and flags symbolic of the countries represented. The day culminated with guests and docents matching currency from various countries to their respective flags. The Culture Museum beautifully showcased the diversity and pride of Valley Stream District 30’s Global Leaders of Tomorrow.
Date Added: 2/27/2024
Valley Stream District 30’s Board of Education recognized GATE recipient, math specialist at Shaw Avenue Elementary, Maggie Lauro, at the Jan. 22 business meeting held at Shaw Avenue Elementary School.
The receiving of GATE is a significant milestone in an educator’s career. It signifies Valley Stream District 30’s recognition of educators who have demonstrated their unwavering dedication, commitment, expertise and invaluable contributions to realizing the district’s vision of educating and inspiring students to reach their fullest potential to become Global Leaders of Tomorrow.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roxanne Garcia-France commended Lauro for her hard work. “Maggie’s persistence in implementing research-based math programs in the classroom and her use of technology to support math instruction has been a game changer,” Dr. Garcia-France said.
Newly appointed special education teachers, Rachel Krasner of Forest Road and Brian Fox of Shaw Avenue) were also recognized at the meeting.
Date Added: 2/15/2024
Schools Closed on Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Valley Stream District 30 will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13, 2024, due to a projected winter storm warning for New York City, Long Island, and much of the Tri-State area with a mix of rain and snow on the way.
The National Weather Services provides weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy. Click the link below for a detailed forecast: Click Here for 7 day forecast
Valley Stream District 30 will continue to monitor the number of snow days used throughout the school year to ensure that we meet the requirement of 180 instructional days for our students.
As a reminder, if the district uses the allocated four (4) snow days for the school year, we may need to pivot to remote instruction or use recess days (i.e., holiday, winter, spring, etc.).
Third graders at Shaw Avenue Elementary School in the Valley Stream District 30 learned about the Lunar New Year thanks to a personalized visit from the Long Island Children’s Museum.
A representative of the Children’s Museum visited Darcel Franks’ class to explore various Lunar New Year traditions, including the vibrant celebrations held in China. Embracing the custom of lively parades featuring colorful dragon costumes, students were provided with paper plates to create their own dragon faces which they decorated with feathers, streamers, cotton balls, and markers.
Date Added: 2/5/2024
As a valued member of our school community, your insights and opinions play a crucial role in shaping the future of Valley Stream UFSD Thirty.
We invite you to participate in this important Community Budget Survey designed to gather your feedback on key aspects of our school district's budget: Curriculum, Capital, and Communication. Different stakeholders bring unique insights. Whether you are a staff member, a parent, a taxpayer, or all three, your perspective is invaluable in helping us tailor the budget to meet the diverse needs of our community.
We are using ThoughtExchange so everyone has a chance to share their perspectives and understand what’s most important to the group. Your thoughtful responses will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your priorities and preferences and inform the 2024-2025 budget.
Responses to the Survey will be discussed in the Budget Forum on February 12, 2024. You can access the survey by clicking here, or by scanning the QR code.
Your input is valued and appreciated.
Best Regards,
Marcela Moran
Assistant Superintendent for Business and HR