Press Releases Archive
Press Releases
2020-2021
May 2021
Forest Road Students Embrace a “Can Do” Attitude
Forest Road Elementary School students in Gabriella Cunzo, Lisa Freisem and Erica Jemmott’s classes proudly showcased their academic achievements during the school’s first “Yes I Can” Awards Ceremony on May 24. The special event was held virtually for families over Google Meet. It featured a collection of video clips of students in grades 3-6 talking about one goal that they have worked hard to achieve during the 2020-2021 school year. Some students then demonstrated how they successfully accomplished their goal.
The “Yes I Can” Awards Ceremony was a unique way to get students to reflect on their own academic growth and celebrate their academic success. A total of 20 students from all three of the classes participated.
“The ‘Yes I Can’ statement was created to show that no matter the challenges you face, if you set goals and push yourself, you are open to a world of possibilities where you can find the support you need to achieve your goals,” said Mrs. Cunzo. “Saying ‘yes I can’ means you are also saying the road may not be easy, but I will prevail.”
Through the video clips, both remote and in-person students shared their achievements. This included learning how to successfully solve word problems, how to use descriptive language in their writing, add, subtract and multiple numbers and more. Each student’s confidence shined through as they spoke about what they learned and put their goals into action. Following the video presentation, their peers were able to celebrate with them live on Google Meet. The ceremony also encouraged students to take the “Yes I Can” motto with them as they face new challenges in their everyday lives.
“The primary purpose of this event was for our students to showcase firsthand their goal-setting practices that support a learning culture,” said Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf. “Goals can and do look very different from student to student. Being part of this special event was truly inspiring and it reminds us all that despite our personal challenges, we should all strive to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Due to its success this year, the Forest Road teachers plan to host another “Yes I Can” Awards Ceremony next year with their classes.
Students Focus on Communication During Speech and Language Awareness Week
Students across Valley Stream District 30 celebrated Speech and Language Awareness Week from May 17-21. This was the first year that the district recognized the special week which is part of Better Speech and Hearing Month. Each day students from Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue elementary schools learned about the important role of a speech therapist and explored the significance of verbal communication and personal interaction through engaging activities and lessons.
In collaboration with Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf and building principals, Valley Stream District 30’s speech-language pathologists Sharon Benyaminy, Rae Costa, Kristin Princiotta and Jennifer Reilly led the week by designing the curriculum and assisting teachers in the classroom with the activities. This gave students the opportunity to get to know the speech-language pathologists better and learn about their important role in the school community.
During the students’ social-emotional learning periods, classes utilized their technological devices to participate in virtual Speech and Language Awareness Week activities through student-friendly PowerPoints. Students in grades K-2 explored parts of the body that individuals use to talk, learned how to make different speech sounds, sign the ABCs and practice whole body listening. Students in grades 3-6 followed suit while also learning about the importance of strong communication skills in different careers, practicing how to sign their own names and discovering that some individuals use technology to communicate with others.
According to the four speech-language pathologists, “effective communication is very important for success both within the classroom setting as well as in the ‘real world’ community.” Their role is to be a support system for all students in their development of effective communication skills so they can be successful.
“We hope that the students enjoyed the activities that we planned,” they said. “Perhaps some of them will consider speech pathology as a future career! We also hope that this week helped students develop empathy for others who may struggle with communication.”
The district plans to make Speech and Language Awareness Week an annual celebration for all students.
March 2021
Mental Health Workshops Prepare Students for Life Beyond the Classroom
District 30 sixth graders are ready for success at the secondary level after participating in a six-week workshop program that focuses on mental health. The weekly workshops, which began on Feb. 9 and continued through March 26, were created and led by the district’s dedicated school psychologists, Dr. Lauraine Casella, Sonya Jackson, Jennifer Orellana and Dr. Francyne Zeltser. This is the second year that the district offered the sixth grade mental health curriculum series.
The school psychologists pushed into both remote and in-person sixth grade classes from Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools with the goal of normalizing mental health and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed as they prepare to enter middle school. The curriculum aligned with the New York State school requirement to include mental health instruction into health education.
“We know that children and teens today experience mental health issues which has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Dr. Casella. “Our goal is to provide understanding and strategies that will be useful to students and empower them.”
Throughout the workshop sessions, the sixth graders developed a deeper understanding of physical, social and mental health, along with healthy life habits and stress management tools. They also discussed different mental health issues and have dispelled mental health myths. Through this, the sixth graders learned that not everyone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness looks the same and even participated in a Kahoot! learning game to determine fact from fiction on an array of mental health questions.
“We want to bridge physical and mental health,” said Dr. Zeltser. “To increase awareness of mental health in our schools with the hope of reducing the stigma of mental illness.”
As the workshop program drew to a close, the school psychologists and classroom teachers collaborated to focus on the second step curriculum. They shed light on social-emotional learning tools such as the Center for Emotional Intelligence’s RULER Approach (recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions) and Meta Moment to regulate emotions and utilize coping skills. Teachers also conducted follow up lessons on problem solving, teaching students about empathy, communication and considering different perspectives.
“Schools play a key role in promoting mental health in all children and young people, recognizing that student’s learning and development is supported by environments that promote mental health,” said Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf. “We believe that the impact of early prevention in education can develop resiliency, positive behaviors and self-care.”
Through these engaging workshop sessions and lessons, District 30 students have increased their resiliency, developed a better understanding of mental health and will be better prepared to overcome any obstacles that may come their way as they approach middle school.
January 2021
Students Learn to Cope with Calming Corners
As wellness rooms are starting to pop up in schools across the country, Valley Stream District 30 teachers have created their own wellness spaces in their classrooms, known as calming corners. Calming corners help improve student self-regulation and help students manage their behavior and social-emotional skills.
For hybrid students who attend school in-person, these calming corners are situated in a specific spot in their classrooms.
“Calming corners are a designated space in the classroom with the sole intent of being a safe space for a child to go to when they feel their emotions are running too high and they need to regain their emotional and physical control,” said Shaw Avenue teacher Jeanine Lichter.
These calming corners feature tools that students can utilize to help them calm down during the school day such as calming images, directions or steps to compose themselves, drawing paper, glitter jars, stress balls and water toys. Teachers also encourage students to reflect on their feelings in these spaces by using the Mood Meter, a chart where colors represent emotions, and to take a Meta-Moment. This is a tool that helps students stop and think before their first impulse to a challenging feeling.
“When a stressful situation happens, students are guided to sense how their body feels on the inside and what they are thinking about,” said Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf. “Pause and breathe in order to calm down, imagine their best possible self, and then choose an effective emotion regulation strategy.”
Both the Mood Meter and Meta-Moments are social-emotional anchor tools developed by RULER (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing and Regulating), a systemic approach to SEL developed at the Center for Emotional Intelligence.
For those students who are remote this year, some District 30 teachers have created virtual calming corners or stations, such as on a Google Slide, for their students to interact with while at home when they need it. These virtual calming corners feature links to videos that encourage coping skills, children’s books, activities and more for students to engage in when they feel overwhelmed or overstimulated.
After taking a few minutes to themselves, students leave the calming corner more balanced than when they entered it. Incorporating this space into each classroom or virtual classroom has been a successful way of providing self-insight and improving self-confidence in students which will benefit them as they grow.
December 2020
Students Harness the Power of Possibility
Valley Stream District 30 students celebrated National School Psychology Week for the fourth consecutive year from Nov. 23-25. National School Psychology Week is recognized annually by schools across the country from Nov. 9-13 to increase the awareness of the important work that school psychologists perform on a daily basis.
The district acknowledged the special week in the days leading up to Thanksgiving Recess. With the guidance of District 30’s school psychologists Dr. Lauraine Casella, Sonya Jackson, Jennifer Orellana and Dr. Francyne Zeltser, students focused on this year’s NSPW theme, “The Power of Possibility,” while participating in various social-emotional learning activities and discussions.
At the start of the week, classes at Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools watched a personalized video about the role of a school psychologist featuring the week’s theme and students explaining what they believe a school psychologist does.
“Much like the current year’s theme, ‘The Power of Possibility,’ much of what we do as school psychologists is focused on helping our students recognize that there are endless possibilities for them,” said Mrs. Jackson. “By nurturing their social, emotional and mental health, they too can accomplish anything even in the most challenging of times.”
In honor of NSPW, families and teachers were encouraged to visit a Virtual Resource Room which the school psychologists created, featuring important strategies, resources and tools to support students’ social-emotional growth and development.
During the week, remote and hybrid students enjoyed a read aloud activity connecting to “The Power of Possibility” theme. Students in grades K-2 listened to the audio book “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae. After hearing the story about the main character, Gerald the Giraffe, students answered reflection questions and created their own Gerald the Giraffe puppet out of a paper bag. Students were later encouraged to make a video with their families doing their own version of the giraffe dance. Students in grades 3-6 participated in a read aloud of “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba and also answered reflection questions. They then created their own windmills (pinwheels) like the main character did in the story.
“This year has been challenging for so many of our students, teachers, families, staff members and the community at large,” said Dr. Zeltser. “We hope these activities and resources help our Valley Stream community realize that even in the most trying times, they are resilient and have the power, ability, and support to make the seemingly impossible, possible.”
Physical education teachers Kerry Ann Brady, Nick Clark, Peter Hansen, Jonathan Greiss and Eric Van Keuren were also an instrumental part of the week. Hybrid students engaged in physical education activities in their school gymnasium that stimulated growth, imagination and creativity while focusing on “The Power of Possibility” theme. Classes rotated between four stations during their PE periods which were designed to address four different issues of today’s society. Each station was presented to students as a problematic scenario granting them the power to resolve the issues by completing a task.
“The school psychologists in Valley Stream District 30 have collaborated with the Physical Education Department in order to expand our students’ knowledge of the connection between ones emotional and physical health,” said Mrs. Orellana. “We hope that these activities help students practice their problem solving and decision-making skills, increase their social communication and develop their emotional regulation tools.”
With the support of the school psychologists and physical education teachers, students ended the week with the understanding that when you focus on what is possible, you will grow and succeed.
“We want to remind our students to always believe in themselves and to never give up as they pursue their goals and dreams, even when faced with difficult challenges,” said Dr. Casella.
November 2020
District Fosters Welcoming Classroom Environments
Each year, Valley Stream District 30 staff members embrace the importance of social-emotional learning in a student’s school environment. Since the start of the 2020-2021 year, staff members have worked diligently with school psychologists to continue incorporating SEL into their classrooms, whether remote or in person. Now more than ever, students need to feel supported not only academically but emotionally and mentally. Teachers have found effective ways to achieve this such as implementing Emotional Intelligence Charters, a tool of the RULER (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing and Regulating emotions) Approach.
Charters are found in classrooms across Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue elementary schools to make students feel safe, supported and welcomed. It is a collaborative vision board or document developed by students and their teachers for how they want to feel in their classrooms. The charter contains agreed-upon behavior norms for how students will learn and positively interact in the classroom. It also focuses on student feelings, what can be done to foster these feelings and includes ways that students can manage and prevent conflict and uncomfortable feelings within the classroom.
“The Emotional Intelligence Charter cultivates an emotionally healthy classroom environment where students feel safe, welcomed and supported,” said Jennifer Orellana, Clear Stream Avenue psychologist. “When this happens, students are more likely to be engaged in learning and less disruptive within the classroom.”
District 30 teachers have been utilizing their charters regularly within their classes and amending it as needed to reflect the changing needs of their classroom. For those students who are following a hybrid model this year, their charters are on full display in the classroom and include signatures from students. Remote classes have created their own virtual charters to follow using platforms such as Google Docs.
“The charter is a great way to bring the idea that this is more than just classroom rules to follow,” said Heather Graham, a third grade remote teacher from Forest Road School. “The students have ownership over it because it is made up of their ideas and is rooted in how they want to feel as a student. Also, it acknowledges that while we can’t always have positive feelings, there are tools in our toolbox to help us regulate our emotions when negative ones arise.”
These Emotional Intelligence Charters are just one of many ways the district is fostering social-emotional growth. With the guidance of the school psychologists, teachers will continue their SEL endeavors during the school year with the goal of supporting and educating the whole student.
September 2020
District Reports a Positive Summer and Start to the School Year
The Valley Stream District 30 Board of Education gathered virtually on Sept. 21 for its first regular meeting since the reopening of schools. The livestream was available for the community to view on YouTube.
Jennifer Lewner, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Erica Suarez, summer school principal, shared a recap of the district’s 2020 summer school program which was held virtually for the first time this summer. They reported that although the program was designed differently than in past years due to the pandemic, it was a successful summer of growth for more than 100 student participants. While utilizing Google Classroom and Google Meets, the students strengthened their English language arts and math skills, while also engaging in enrichment sessions.
Following their presentation, Dr. Nicole Schimpf, director of special services, shared the successes of the district’s Special Services Summer Program, also held virtually this past summer. Dr. Schimpf spotlighted some of the lessons, along with the technical supports and platforms that were utilized to help students. She proudly reported zero regression by the end of the summer among those who enrolled in the program.
In addition, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling shared a back to school presentation with the board and community. This consisted of steps that are being taken in the school buildings to keep everyone safe and healthy, such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, limiting visitor access and conducting temperature checks each morning. He encouraged everyone to move forward with a positive mindset and praised the staff for their creativity and innovativeness as the district navigates this new normal.
Board President Ingrid Wyllie-Dacon also praised members of the district, including the Reopening Task Force, staff and parents for their support.
“Thank you to our staff and teachers for embracing all of the changes in, around and outside of the classroom,” she said. “Thank you to the parents who have been very patient and cooperative. Everyone being on board and giving 100 percent created a very smooth opening and that has continued. We are all facing challenges at this time and the board is thankful and appreciative that you are all doing your part each day to ensure that we move forward. Thank you very much for all of your hard work.”
2019-2020
November 2019
School Psychologists Helps Students Find their Focus
Students from throughout the district celebrated National School Psychology Awareness Week from Nov. 11-15. School psychologists planned and implemented various activities throughout the week at Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools that connected with this year’s School Psychology Awareness Week theme, “Find Your Focus.”
School Psychology Awareness Week is marked each year by the National Association of School Psychologists to raise awareness for social emotional learning and the importance of mental health. This is the third year that the district celebrated the week as part of its commitment to the students’ social-emotional learning development.
Fitting with the “Find Your Focus” theme, all students were educated on how to better focus their attention to see more clearly and set goals for themselves. School psychologists Dr. Lauraine Casella, Sonya Jackson, Jennifer Orellana and Dr. Francyne Zeltser pushed into classrooms at the start of the week to educate students on the role of a school psychologist. Students were fully engaged as the school psychologists conducted an interactive lesson about focusing on perspective.
With the help of the school psychologists and interns Alexey Breuss, Ceydi Giron, Yael Goldberg, Tiffany Leung and Jenni Marques, students from all grade levels participated in activities such as practicing mindful breathing and yoga techniques, creating breathing sticks and illustrating their “best self.” School psychologists also provided family resources and home activities. This included a collaborative activity that each student completed with a family member which focused on the positive traits or qualities of their family.
In school, students also enjoyed a Focus Fair where they engaged in several mini workshops that highlighted mindfulness, coping strategies, team building activities and positive self-talk. Each station was marked by a different color representing the Mood Meter, a social emotional learning tool to help students manage their emotions.
“My favorite part of the Focus Fair today was the green station because it was calming, soothing and it made me feel good,” said Forest Road fifth grader Ernesto Salazar. “I learned a lot of calming strategies during the week. I know people can break down so by using these strategies, you can build yourself up again.”
According to Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf, the school psychologists, alongside classroom teachers, will continue to implement social emotional learning strategies throughout the school year to support each student’s well-being in and out of the classrooms as part of the district’s multi-tiered framework for student behavior.
“School psychologists are already planning for their sixth grade push-in, resiliency-themed workshops starting next month as part of New York State’s new mental health regulations,” she said.
November 2019
Families Get a Taste of Beneficial Services
Administrators, staff, PTA members, students and families from throughout Valley Stream District 30 gathered for the district’s annual Taste of a Service parent fair at Shaw Avenue School on Nov. 21. Coordinated by Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf and Shaw Avenue School Principal Christopher Colarossi, the event provided community members with a “taste” of the variety of services and technological tools available for all students within the district.
PTA members from Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue elementary schools helped check guests in and contributed to the photo booth and refreshments. Each guest received a tote bag to fill with goodies and resources as they made their way around the fair. Family members were also encouraged to fill out a digital survey to help the district in their strategic planning process for 2020-2025.
Behavioral consultants, classroom teachers, enrichment specialists, music and physical education teachers, occupational therapists, reading specialists, speech therapists, school nurses and school psychologists were stationed at different booths during the fair. The 22 booths focused on important topics such as new Math Expressions curriculum resources, exercise and the importance of reducing screen time, learning styles and strategies, educational apps to use at home, identifying and regulating emotions and innovative ways to encourage student voice.
Throughout the evening, the staff discussed classroom strategies and spoke to families about what can be done at home to support their child’s learning. Incoming kindergarten families were also invited to attend the fair to ask questions and familiarize themselves with the district.
“This is a collaborative effort, so it is always a pleasure working alongside our families and sharing our best instructional practices,” said Mr. Colarossi. “Our hope is that throughout the evening families learned more about the amazing educational experiences of a District 30 student and that they picked up just a few new strategies that could be tried out at home.”
In addition, the special event connected to the district’s theme of the year, “Lift Every Voice,” as music teachers Christina Gorey and Lidia Kloc-Alberghini spoke with students and families about music education in the district. While parents traveled around to the different booths during the evening, children were encouraged to perform karaoke and play with the different musical instruments in the school lobby. Some children also watched a music-themed movie in the auditorium while supervised by chaperones.
“This is a very special, stress free family event that we look forward to once a year that evokes inspiration, excitement and collaboration across schools, departments and PTAs,” said Dr. Schimpf. “I am so proud of how we come together to showcase what the district stands for as it relates to our inclusive practices, enrichment for all, 21st learning experiences, musical opportunities, and physical and mental wellbeing for all!”
2018-2019
August 2019
Another Successful Year for District 30's Summer Services Program
Thirty-four students entering grades 1-6 participated in Valley Stream District 30’s six-week special education summer services program at Shaw Avenue School this summer. The annual program is designed to meet the continuing needs of students with learning disabilities from Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools.
Coordinated this summer by Director of Special Services Dr. Nicole Schimpf and administrative intern Shannon Woodson, students were recommended for the half-day program based on the district’s Committee of Special Education. Faculty members from throughout the district, including Melissa Cappy, Erica Jemmott, Timothy Rau and Monet Springer helped facilitate four classes this summer with the help of support staff. Students strengthened their reading, writing and math skills, along with social and emotional skills in the classroom. The small class sizes allowed for individualized attention to be set on specific student needs and an occupational therapist, physical therapist and speech therapist offered services throughout the summer.
“I think it was really an incredible summer for them,” said Ms. Jemmott. “Not only are they maintaining their skills from the school year, but they are in this classroom community that they are going to enter in September. It really helped to have these six weeks to get to know each other and build a community so when they start in the fall, it’s really natural and comfortable for them.”
Students took a bus to Forest Road School four times this summer where they tended to the student garden. The trips served as a valuable outlet for students to learn about different foods as they picked their creations from the garden and followed recipes, connecting to a unit on nutrition. The students also participated in engaging science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities in Forest Road’s computer lab with the help of Mr. Rau and Ms. Jemmott. Among the activities, students learned how to make ice cream in a bag and build a bridge out of various household materials.
“We try to work on skills that they still need but also make the program enjoyable,” said Mr. Rau. “We want to give them life skills or real-life experiences with things that will only better them as they continue to move through their academic careers.”
According to the teachers, the students showed their growth this summer and both students and staff had a great experience. The program concluded with its annual tradition of Field Day for all to enjoy.
November 2018
VIDEO: Building Relationships with “Taste of a Service” Parent Fair
2017-2018
March 2018
Valley Stream Students Unite to Prevent Cyberbullying
Fourth-grade students throughout Valley Stream District 30 participated in engaging anti-cyberbullying workshops on March 23, facilitated by National Honor Society students from the Valley Stream Central High School District. The high schoolers visited Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue elementary schools throughout the day to teach the students about how to be respectful digital citizens and talk about the signs of cyberbullying.
The program was part of the Inter-District Wellness Committee made up of representatives from each Valley Stream school district. Under the guidance of National Honor Society adviser Alisha Varian, the honor society members presented on what cyberbullying is and how it can make one feel, as fourth-graders answered questions. The elementary students also learned about the numerous social media platforms that bullies utilize, as well as how to be an upstander and how to report a bully.
“We’re here to teach kids how to be smart on social media before they become proactive in the online community,” said senior and National Honor Society secretary Alisha Victor.
The students were divided into six groups and rotated as the high schoolers ran different activity stations to dive deeper into cyberbullying. Among the variety of activities, fourth-graders participated in role-playing scenarios on how to face a bully and created social media responses on Post-Its, on how they would react to a negative online situation. Through the lessons, fourth-graders learned how words can affect emotions.
“I liked that they gave us a model in the first group of how you can feel if someone says something hurtful to you or something positive,” said Clear Stream fourth-grader Chris Brockington.
March 2018
Families Receive a Superhero-Sized “Taste” of District Services
More than 100 administrators, staff, students and family members gathered at Shaw Avenue School for Valley Stream District 30’s annual Taste of a Service parent fair on March 5. Coordinated by Director of Special Services Nicole Schimpf and Shaw Avenue Assistant Principal Christopher Colarossi, the superhero-themed event featured informational booths and activities showcasing the beneficial tools and services that the district offers its students.
Although it was only the third year that the district hosted the event, attendees made it a record breaking turnout. Families toured the gymnasium and hallway to speak with faculty members about different services and strategies to help their child succeed. They had conversations with reading/math specialists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, classroom teachers, school nurses, school psychologists, enrichment specialists, S.T.E.A.M support staff, English Language Learner teachers and special education teachers from throughout the district to utilize what is being done in the classroom and reinforce that support at home to guide their child’s learning.
One of the stations featured Shaw Avenue sixth-graders in the district’s Quest program, an enrichment program which challenges third- through sixth-grade learners with a broad range of advanced-level enrichment experiences. Under the guidance of teacher Ilissa Epstein, the students learned how to administer CPR and educated attendees on the life-saving technique. Additionally, parents learned about the enrichment activities that are push-in services available to all students shared by Danielle Bonaccorso, enrichment teacher.
Younger students were also welcomed to attend the event, as well as incoming kindergartners and their parents. Supervision and entertainment were provided for the students as family members browsed the booths. Refreshments were served and as part of the district’s 2017-2018 “Show Your Character” theme, superheroes were the stars of the event. This included a visit and show from Spiderman for students to learn about character traits to live by, as well as crafts and balloon animals to enjoy.
“We are very proud of the parents for coming out and joining us for this special event,” said Schimpf. “We really hope they received a taste of the many services that we are extremely fortunate to offer, walked away at least with one take-away home strategy and also made connections with different staff across the district to reach out to in the future if their child needs support.”
December, 2017
District Celebrates School Psychology Awareness Week