Administrators and staff from across Valley Stream District 30 gathered for Superintendent’s Conference Day at Shaw Avenue School on Sept. 3. The conference day allowed the staff to reunite with their colleagues, engage in professional development sessions, learn more about the district’s theme of the year, “Lift Every Voice,” and prepare themselves for the exciting school year ahead. 

To spotlight the district’s 2019-2020 theme, staff members were entertained in the Shaw Avenue auditorium with a game show titled “Lift That Voice,” hosted by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling. He played the role of game show host Steve Harvey and spun a wheel that featured ways that teachers could embrace the “Lift Every Voice” theme in their classrooms. Central administrators showcased examples of each of the categories on stage. These included – debate, digital communication, greeting, poetry, rapping, sign language and singing. The game show concluded with prizes being handed out to different staff members in the district. 

Board of Education President Kenneth Cummings followed the game show with words of encouragement for the staff. 

“Each of you in this room will impact the lives of countless students throughout your time with us – some in ways that you will never know,” he reminded them. 

Dr. Stirling also addressed the staff. He shared that this is the year of strategic planning, played a video on confidence that was created last year by a sixth grader at Forest Road School and encouraged them to be their best.
  
“Let’s listen to our students,” he told the staff. “Take risks, challenge the students this year, challenge yourselves, speak up…. may excellence be echoed in everything you do, for your voice does matter and as a staff, we can lift every voice.” 

Each principal shared the new staff changes to their buildings and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Lewner shared the agenda for the day. Each staff member participated in two “Lift Every Voice” interactive sessions of their choice, a grade level or department meeting and reported to their respective school building to end the day.