Valley Stream District 30| the friendly schools 

Revives AP+ Model to Strengthen Leadership, Support Social-Emotional Growth, Family Engagement, and Build for the Future

Valley Stream, NY — Valley Stream District 30 is proud to announce the appointment of three Assistant Principal Plus (AP+) leaders who will serve as both school-based administrators and district-wide supports across our three “friendly schools.” The AP+ model is not new to Valley Stream 30. Originally established around 2005, the model centralized all kindergarten programs at the Washington Avenue Kindergarten Center. As the student population grew and program quality improved, the district expanded to full-day kindergarten in each school. The work of leaders like Yannie Chon, who supported the AP+ transition, was instrumental in preparing our youngest learners and future leaders for success. Today, every school in the district offers a full-day K–6 program, demonstrating the long-term impact and success of the AP+ model.

“The AP+ role is about more than administration, it’s about ensuring that our students, staff, and families are surrounded by the right systems, structures, and supports,” said Dr. Garcia-France, Superintendent of Schools. “It’s also about cultivating our future leaders. We see these assistant principals not only as vital leaders of today, but as the next generation of principals and district leaders who will guide Valley Stream 30 forward.”

This year, the AP+ model carries a special emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL) and family engagement. With research showing that one in five students and adults are navigating mental health challenges, Valley Stream 30 is committed to resetting and strengthening its SEL framework. Through programs such as RULER (Yale University), Second Step, and Ed Club’s gamified SEL supports, students will benefit from intentional opportunities during the school day and after school to build resilience, empathy, and belonging. The after-school programs provide an additional three hours of enrichment and intervention, ensuring working families can feel confident their children are in a safe, nurturing environment while continuing to grow academically and socially. The AP+ team also strengthens communication between families and schools, creating more opportunities for parent participation and maintaining active family partnerships in the learning journey.

Meet Our New AP+ Leaders

Ashley Lemmo, AP+
Ashley enters her fourth year as an Assistant Principal in Valley Stream 30, with more than seven years of leadership experience in multiple capacities. Since 2019, she has served as a Special Education District Liaison, overseeing compliance, leading SIT meetings, and facilitating professional development for staff. She also worked as a Literacy and Special Education Coach, guiding curriculum implementation, data-driven instruction, and equity-centered teaching practices. Ashley now leads the district’s SEL curriculum reset through RULER, Second Step, and Ed Club, while strengthening family engagement systems. Her work ensures students build resilience, navigate complex social situations, and develop the emotional intelligence needed to thrive both in school and in life.

Michael Lamneck, AP+

Michael brings over seven years of leadership experience to District 30, including three years as an Assistant Principal at the Queens College for Math, Science, and Technology, a National Blue Ribbon Award-winning K–8 school. He also served as Restorative Practices Coordinator at East New York Middle School of Excellence, leading SEL programming, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), crisis intervention, and school climate initiatives. Michael supports the effective use of the Parent Portal and NWEA data to ensure staff and families understand student performance and its connection to preparing students as global leaders.

Mark Foster, AP+
Mark brings six years of experience as Dean in New York City Public Schools, serving at both middle and high school levels. He has guided school-wide instructional systems, mentored teachers, and built inclusive school climates. As part of District 30’s AP+ team, Mark focuses on instructional alignment across schools and expands opportunities for families to engage in their children’s academic and social-emotional growth. He also strengthens communication systems, ensuring social media, the website, and ParentSquare are used effectively for family engagement.