District administrators, board of education members, families and students from Valley Stream District 30 gathered for the Valley Stream Council of PTAs’ 57th anniversary “Lights On for Education” on April 26. The annual event held at Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School, showcased the educational excellence of the 14 Valley Stream elementary and secondary schools.

Attendees gathered in the school gymnasium for the opening ceremony where superintendents, district administrators and board members representing the Valley Stream Central High School District, Valley Stream District 13, Valley Stream District 24 and Valley Stream District 30 were present. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. R.G. France spoke on behalf of District 30 and invited sixth-grade representatives Emaan Asghar from Clear Stream Avenue School, Ethan Fazal from Forest Road School and Nyla Henry from Shaw Avenue School to the podium to share a quote on this year’s theme “Light the Path through Vision and Exploration.” The students, along with those from Districts 13 and 24, helped to officially kick off the event by cutting the yellow ribbon.

The evening consisted of an exhibit of programs offered in each district. Students, staff and administrators created displays and presentations that community members were welcomed to explore. Fitting with District 30’s 2017-18 theme, “Show Your Character,” Forest Road students showcased their acting skills with their performance of “The Library Dragon” and “How to Eat Like a Child,” along with Shaw Avenue students who performed a sneak peak of their upcoming show, “Annie, Jr.” 

Students from Shaw Avenue and Clear Stream Avenue Schools put on their dancing shoes as they presented professional dance techniques that they learned during the school year. Shaw Avenue students participated in a dance residency with Dancing Classrooms Long Island while Clear Stream students participated in a dance residency with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. The Clear Stream Avenue steppers also impressed audience members with their routine.

In addition, District 30 displayed booths with a range of different Makerspace activities that can be done in the classroom and at home. Staff members and students assisted with the tables as attendees explored and were hands-on with the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics challenges.