Valley Stream District 30 will be featured in a newly published book, “Districts that Succeed: Breaking the Correlation Between Race, Poverty, and Achievement,” by Karin Chenoweth on May 25. The book, published by Harvard Education Press, spotlights five effective school districts and includes a full chapter titled “Everybody Can Rise Together,” focusing on District 30’s strong commitment to equity and diversity.
Chenoweth is a long-time education writer from the Education Trust, a national education advocacy organization that works to ensure that all children receive a great education, no matter their background. She has visited the district several times to explore and talk with central administrators and staff about their successful teaching practices and programs.
Over the past few years, members of District 30 have participated in Chenoweth’s podcast, ExtraOrdinary Districts. The podcast features school administrators and staff from effective school districts who share their progress and the tools they use to help students reach success. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling, PTA members, building administrators and teachers participated in the podcast back in December 2019 to discuss how the district celebrates its diversity and views it as a strength. Dr. Stirling returned to the podcast in 2020 with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Lewner and all three building principals — Christopher Colarossi, John Singleton and Erin Malone, to discuss the challenges they have had to overcome due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
District 30 is no stranger to being observed by others in the education field and has been part of research studies for its proven record of student achievement. With its diverse student population and continuously growing methods of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, District 30 administrators and staff members have provided a strong foundation for all students, no matter what their economic backgrounds and needs are.
The positive experiences and learning opportunities in the classrooms of Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools have given students the means to flourish and take on any challenge that comes their way as they continue their educational careers. District 30 graduates can be found attending either Valley Stream Central High School or Valley Stream South High School. This year, both high schools were recognized by WalletHub as two of the top five public Long Island high schools who were named best in the state.
Through high expectations, the proper allocation of resources and looking at diversity as a guide for everything it does, District 30 has made a statement as a high performing district. Having the unique opportunity to be part of Chenoweth’s work has been a humbling experience.
“We are so excited to be included in Karin Chenoweth’s new book,” said Dr. Stirling. “District 30 is a community that truly values and cherishes education and we thrive on the relationships that we create. Together, we learn from each other, care for one another and continue to grow through our diversity. We hope others can learn from our own experiences which are highlighted in the book.”