Forest Road School

16 Forest Rd., Valley Stream, NY 11581

(516) 434-3800

Erin Malone, Principal
Michael DeBlasio, Assistant Principal

Principal’s Message

Welcome to the Forest Road School! We are centrally located in the beautiful and community-minded Mill Brook area of Valley Stream. We are a Kindergarten through 6th grade school and are also currently home to the district’s self-contained special education programs. We offer our student body a rigorous Common Core aligned curriculum while maintaining an emphasis on differentiation and enrichment opportunities. Our staff works diligently to ensure each student receives a quality education with priorities focused on individual growth, social-emotional development and safety.

Forest Road has enjoyed being at the center of such a wonderful community since 1953. Our children walk to school and families have the opportunity for daily interaction with our teaching staff. Our community is diverse and rich with a neighbors from many different cultures working alongside each other for the benefit of all of our children. Cultural “literacy” is not only celebrated but entrenched in our school traditions as we strive to prepare the students for success in a global world. Forest Road is proud of our many accomplishments which include a vibrant school community, strong proficiency rates on NYS assessments and interactive learning experiences for our children. There is a focus on technology use and enhancement, project-based learning, real world application of skills and personal goal setting.

Our school fosters a sense of belonging with our families and we are fortunate to have an active and involved parent base. Our PTA sponsors assemblies and events for our students which support our curriculum and our district promotes a focus on both the Fine and Performing Arts. We host a large variety of before and after school clubs targeting academic development and interest-based activities. During the school day our children and staff are supported by an outstanding group of classroom teachers and specialists in the areas of Reading, Math, ESL, Speech and Language, Enrichment/Quest and Special Education. Our Library and Computer Lab are available to the children on a consistent basis and there are numerous opportunities to explore, research and analyze information. Our classes have access to a laptop cart and the majority of our classes have ipads currently in their rooms for daily use by students. We maintain an emphasis on Physical Education and over wellness as well as providing instruction in both Music and Art. Additionally, we do have performance opportunities for students in grades 5-6 with regard to Chorus, Band and Instruments.

At Forest Road your child is our priority. We strive to be partners with our families and share a common belief that all students can, and will, learn. We value the contributions and ideas shared by our stakeholders and maintain a focus on solution-oriented discussions. It is expected that you will be an advocate for your child and help us to design a successful learning path while they are in our care. Remember to take the 2 In 10 Pledge and give at least two hours of your time over the course of a ten month school year to improve your child’s school experience.

We welcome you to share in our joys and our achievements and thank you for your trust in us.

Erin Malone
Principal

Forest Road News

District 30's Summer Program Goes Virtual

Valley Stream District 30 kicked off its annual summer program on July 6 for incoming students in grades 1-6. This summer, approximately 155 students from Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue elementary schools enrolled in the five-week program to strengthen the skills they learned during the 2019-2020 school year and set them up for success when they return to school in the fall. Unlike previous summers, the 2020 program is being held virtually until Aug. 7 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summer School Coordinator Erica Suarez and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Lewner oversee the program which allows for individual attention to be set on each student’s academic progress. During a typical summer, students who participate in the program are housed at Shaw Avenue School where they work with a small group of students and teachers on English Language Arts and math skills. They also engage in specials such as art, physical education, music and STEAM. Although the program shifted to remote this summer, the district was dedicated to staying true to its in-person summer learning program. This includes continuing to allow students to rotate to different subject areas and specials.

“It was extremely important for us as a district to be able to offer a remote summer learning program with increased teacher contact time to best support the needs of our students,” said Ms. Lewner.

To prepare for this new virtual format, each student received an iPad and materials at the start of the summer to provide them with the tools they would need for their online learning. During the 2020 program, students are split into small groups and participate in daily live instruction via Google Meets. Each grade level has a Google Classroom where they can access additional digital materials. The students utilize these digital resources and engage in hands-on lessons from their homes to help sharpen their foundational skills in the areas of English Language Arts and math, along with art, physical education, music and STEAM. Despite not being physically in the classroom with their teacher and peers, the live instruction still allows for immediate feedback and gives students the guidance that they need.

A modification was made this year to the delivery of instruction for the district’s English as a New Language students. These students focus on developing their language skills specifically by working with one of the district’s ENL teachers in a small virtual group for 40 minutes each day.

The summer program has garnered positive feedback from families and staff as students have been highly engaged and have responded positively to the format. The district is confident that the program will set these students up for a strong new academic year.

A Virtual Celebration of Art

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Despite schools being closed due to COVID-19, art teachers from Valley Stream District 30 found creative ways to showcase the artwork that their talented students created during the 2019-2020 school year. Each elementary school held either a virtual art show or museum experience in June, which were accessible on the district’s website for students, staff and families to enjoy (https://valleystream30.com/news/article.aspx?id=117842).

Clear Stream Avenue School’s art show was created on Google Slides by art teacher Leslie Freiberg. Each staff member, including central and building administrators, created a Bitmoji, a cartoon avatar of themselves, to include in the special presentation. The colorful slides showcased artwork from all grade levels. At the end of the presentation, viewers were encouraged to participate in an art show scavenger hunt where they were tasked to find various animated items that were placed throughout the presentation.

At Forest Road Elementary School, art teacher Colette Giardella created a YouTube video with upbeat music to showcase the outstanding artwork that students created in school before the global pandemic. The video also featured artwork that students created at home during remote learning.

Shaw Avenue art teacher Paul Farinacci took a slightly different approach to spotlight the creativity at Shaw Avenue School. He created a video taking Shaw Avenue students and their families on a virtual museum experience which he called, “Shaw Avenue’s Masterpiece Make-Over Museum.”

The engaging video featured Mr. Farinacci’s animated Bitmoji and his real-life dog PePe Le Smooch and cat Tubettini Houdini, which he animated to serve as a tour guide and museum curator. Together, they took viewers through art history while highlighting an art project that students, staff and administrators participated in during remote learning. The school community was asked to recreate famous works of art using items found in their homes, family members and/or pets. The project was designed as a creative outlet for the students, staff and administrators to explore their feelings and imagination while during the quarantine.

Congratulations to all the talented student-artists who were featured in the virtual art shows and virtual art museum experience!

District 30 BOE Elects Officers

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Valley Stream District 30 held its board of education reorganization meeting virtually on July 7. Reelected trustees James Lavery and C. Sandra Okafor took the oath of office and nominations were made for officer positions. Ingrid Wyllie-Dacon was elected as board president and Kelly Ureña was elected as board vice president for the 2020-21 school year. Ms. Ureña was also nominated to serve as a board representative on the Valley Stream Central High School District’s Board of Education, along with Valley Stream 30 trustees Kenneth Cummings and James Lavery.

Exceptional Staff Members Recognized at Virtual BOE Meeting

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During Valley Stream District 30’s virtual board of education meeting on June 22, the board approved Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling’s nomination for 12 outstanding faculty members to pass through gate. Gate is a long standing tradition in Valley Stream District 30. The process examines a teacher as they move through their years in the district. It allows administrators to take a closer look inside the classroom and reward those teachers with excellent progress with the opportunity to move to the next salary range.

This year’s gate candidates included Donna Annunziata, Jacqueline Capewell, Deanna Cerrone, Valerie D’Alto, Joanna Eckert, Ilissa Epstein, Gina Giovanelli, Mary Hevia, Darlene Sinclair, Erica Suarez, Valerie Taliercio and Lauren Weick. Dr. Stirling commended the faculty members, stating that it was a joy to visit their classrooms.

“I thank them from the bottom of my heart for all that they have done on behalf of our students,” said Dr. Stirling. “I look forward to the great work that I believe will continue by each and every individual teacher to support our students here in Valley Stream 30.”

The board also welcomed three new staff members to the District 30 family. Yasmin Lopez and Alyssa Hunt were appointed as elementary teachers and Kristin Princiotta was appointed as a speech teacher. Forest Road secretary Ashley Starna was appointed as the new assistant manager in the district’s business office. She will work under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent for Business Brian Phillips.

In addition, the board approved the retirement of Lisa Del Campo, an instructional technology aide. Dr. Stirling thanked Del Campo for her service to the district and wished her a happy retirement.

Next Stop: Middle School

Sixth grade graduates from across Valley Stream District 30 made history by moving up to middle school in a completely new way this year. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools hosted virtual commencement ceremonies on the district website and celebrated the Class of 2020 with special socially distant, in-person events to present diplomas and other items such as report cards, yearbooks and awards.

During the virtual commencement exercises, Board President Kenneth Cummings praised the graduates and wished them the best of luck in middle school. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling followed by sharing how special the Class of 2020 is.

“Beyond being the class that survived the pandemic during their last year of elementary school, you are also a special class because you have learned how to be a good friend to others, care for the community and help those in need of an extra hand. You have also learned how to be honest, respectful to others and how to forgive. These are life lessons that I hope you will always remember and carry with you into middle school.”

Although the students could not be together for a traditional ceremony, each school kept the musical piece of the ceremony alive by having each graduate perform and record a video of them singing the same song at home. The videos were edited together for a special performance. In addition, the virtual ceremonies featured photos of each graduate as they were announced, along with congratulatory remarks and words of advice from building principals, PTA presidents, and some of the sixth graders.

“I strongly believe that we should not dwell on what we missed at the end of sixth grade, but cherish the memories that we were able to make and look forward to the ones we have ahead of us in seventh grade,” said Forest Road graduate Ethan Ali.

To continue honoring the Class of 2020, each school held drive-through celebrations. Central administrators including Superintendent Dr. Stirling, building administrators, staff and PTA members held signs and cheered on the sixth graders as they arrived at their respective school in decorated vehicles to receive their diplomas. Although it was not the traditional graduation event that each school typically holds, everyone embraced the change with smiles on their faces as the sixth graders prepared to take on the next step of their academic careers.

An Evening of Excellence

Each spring, students and families from throughout Valley Stream District 30 gather in the Shaw Avenue School auditorium for an award ceremony to honor outstanding students from the district’s three elementary school. Due to the global pandemic, district administrators held this year’s ceremony virtually with a special video presentation for students and families to watch at home.

Jennifer Lewner, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, kicked off the ceremony.

“This evening we want to celebrate and honor students who have demonstrated their ability to be creative and motivated life-long learners,” said Ms. Lewner. “Showing ownership for their learning while addressing the many challenges in the 21st century both within Valley Stream and globally.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Stirling followed Ms. Lewner’s sentiments.
“This ceremony recognizes excellence and celebrates the effort, perseverance, and commitment to reaching excellence,” said Dr. Stirling. “We’re proud of all of our students and their accomplishments, especially during this very challenging time. Thank you to our administration, teachers, staff, parents and students for all that you have done during this time.”

Clear Stream Avenue Principal John Singleton, Forest Road Principal Erin Malone, Shaw Avenue Principal Christopher Colarossi and Ms. Lewner presented the various awards on camera. To watch the full award ceremony, please click here.

The district congratulates the following winners:

Darryll Aikens Award for Musical Excellence
Alishba Chaudhry, Clear Stream Avenue School
Sanaa Desvarieux, Forest Road School
Isaiah Smith Jr., Shaw Avenue School

All County Music Festival
Alanna Bolden, Chorus, Clear Stream Avenue School
Marian Cao, Chorus, Clear Stream Avenue School
Alishba Chaudhry, Orchestra, Clear Stream Avenue School
Kai Moy, Orchestra, Clear Stream Avenue School
Matthew Pico, Band, Clear Stream Avenue School
Robert Santos Hernandez, Band, Clear Stream Avenue School
Sudan Belnavis, Band, Forest Road School
Sanaa Desvarieux, Chorus, Forest Road School
Isabella Dombrosky, Orchestra, Forest Road School
Brandon Goulbourne, Chorus, Forest Road School
Jaida Greigg, Band, Forest Road School
Calvin Lee, Orchestra, Forest Road School
Maya Vandijk, Chorus, Forest Road School
Alyssa Haughton, Orchestra, Shaw Avenue School
Kamahra Jolly, French horn, Shaw Avenue School
Alana Perez, Chorus, Shaw Avenue School
Hallie Reid, Chorus, Shaw Avenue School
Yuvraj Singh, Band, Shaw Avenue School
Isaiah Smith Jr., Band, Shaw Avenue School
Jessica Tramontano, Orchestra, Shaw Avenue School

Long Island String Festival
Mia Perez, Cello, Clear Stream Avenue School
Alyssa Singh, Violin, Clear Stream Avenue School
Isabella Dombrosky, Cello, Forest Road School
Metehan Yilmaz, Violin, Forest Road School
Kayla Harper, Violin, Shaw Avenue School
Hallie Reid, Viola, Shaw Avenue School

New York State School Music Association
Divya Dindial, Piano, Forest Road School
Sophia Griffith, Piano, Forest Road School
Abigail Na, Piano, Forest Road School
Matthew Persaud, Piano, Forest Road School
Cory Terry, Piano, Forest Road School
Metehan Yilmaz, Piano, Forest Road School
Sanaa Desvarieux, Piano, Forest Road School
Dhanesh Benny, Piano, Shaw Avenue School
Daniel Davis, Piano, Shaw Avenue School
Haley Gutierrez, Piano, Shaw Avenue School

New York State Senate Public Service and Leadership Award
Omar Alli, Clear Stream Avenue School
Mishal Javed, Clear Stream Avenue School
Yumma Junaid, Forest Road School
Michael Potash, Forest Road School
Alana Perez, Shaw Avenue School
Anthony Vitullo, Shaw Avenue School

Triple C Award
Alishba Chaudhry, Clear Stream Avenue School
Alyssa Singh, Clear Stream Avenue School
Isabella Dombrosky, Forest Road School
Sarah Young, Forest Road School
Erience Dickerson Jr., Shaw Avenue School
Mark Persaud, Shaw Avenue School

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Award
Christopher Brockington, Clear Stream Avenue School
Simra Isra, Clear Stream Avenue School
Matthew Pico, Clear Stream Avenue School
Madison Williams, Clear Stream Avenue School
Michael Peralta, Forest Road School
Emmanuel Williams, Forest Road School
Leah Gregory, Shaw Avenue School
Anjali Khan, Shaw Avenue School
Temidire Oladeji, Shaw Avenue School
Katelyn Ortiz, Shaw Avenue School
Hallie Reid, Shaw Avenue School

PTA Reflections
Valentina Cabral, Dance, Clear Stream Avenue School
Sarah Durisile, Dance, Clear Stream Avenue School
Mara Jade Garcia, Dance, Clear Stream Avenue School
Jessica Romero, Dance, Clear Stream Avenue School
Sophia Williams, Dance, Clear Stream Avenue School
Zachary Moore, Literature, Photography, Clear Stream Avenue School
Ava Tria, Literature, Photography, Clear Stream Avenue School
Marion Cao, Photography, Clear Stream Avenue School
Tyler Tria, Visual Arts - Art, Clear Stream Avenue School
Sophia Griffith, Dance, Forest Road School
Sophia Ramkalawan, Literature, Forest Road School
Amir Shaikh, Literature, Forest Road School
Maya Vandijk, Literature, Forest Road School
Anjewl Lefever Williams, Literature, special artist, Forest Road School
Qasim Shaikh, Photography, Forest Road School
Aidan Fretel, Photography, Music Composition, Forest Road School
Isabella Dombrosky, Photography, Forest Road School
Austin Gordon, Music Composition, Film, Forest Road School
Divya Dindial, Film, Forest Road School
Jayden Pryce, Film, Forest Road School
Meerab Dar, Visual Arts - Art, Forest Road School
Metehan Yilmaz, Visual Arts - Art, Forest Road School
Adetobi Fasanya, Visual Arts - Art, Forest Road School
Justin Monde, Visual Arts - Art Special Artist, Forest Road School
Mohammed Ibrahim, Photography, Shaw Avenue School
Sebastian Cardona, Visual Arts - Art, Shaw Avenue School
Liam LaVoie, Visual Arts - Art, Shaw Avenue School
Syedah Ali, Visual Arts - Art, Shaw Avenue School

PTA Regional Finalists
Divya Dindial, Film, Forest Road School
Jayden Pryce, Film, Forest Road School

PTA State Finalist
Divya Dindial, Film, Forest Road School

National Geography Bee
Aiden Morales, Clear Stream Avenue School
Myles Brown, Forest Road School
Anjali Khan, Shaw Avenue School

Spelling Bee
Bryce Davidson, Clear Stream Avenue School
Michael Peralta, Forest Road School
Thomas Schaefer, Shaw Avenue School

Math Olympiad
Mishal Javed, Clear Stream Avenue School
Jayden Pryce, Forest Road School

SEPTA
Rogenie Boucicault, Forest Road School
Talia Diaz, Shaw Avenue School

Valley Stream Teachers Association
Joaquin Mendoza, Clear Stream Avenue School
Lilian Petrone, Clear Stream Avenue School
Landon Lanoix, Forest Road School
Alissa Ali, Forest Road School
Goravjeet Ghotra, Shaw Avenue School
Alyssa Haughton, Shaw Avenue School

Forest Road Teacher Honored as a NASTAR

Tara Masterson, a fourth grade teacher from Forest Road Elementary School, was recognized as a NASTAR (Nassau Association of School Technologists Award Recipient) during the Year End Virtual NASTECH NASTAR Awards Celebration on June 18. She was honored by the Nassau Association of School Technologists for her innovation, ability to seamlessly integrate technology into her classroom and exemplary technology leadership.

Ms. Masterson has served the students of Valley Stream District 30 for the past four years. She does an outstanding job utilizing technology on a daily basis and according to her, technology has transformed the way she teaches. Ms. Masterson integrates the computer software Google Suite into her lessons by having her students collaborate using the Google Doc and Google Slide features. She also often uses Google Forms for many of her assignments, Google Classroom to keep everything in one digital space and the SMART Board in her classroom to give students a more hands-on learning experience.

“One of my goals, since I have started teaching, is to move away from worksheets and increase the use of technology,” said Ms. Masterson. “Since then, I tend to create digital, manipulative worksheets that allow the students to drag and drop, insert text boxes, and watch embedded videos. All of this has increased the level of student engagement and interest in the topics that they are learning.”

Congratulations, Ms. Masterson!

A Friendly Competition Among the Friendly Schools

Although schools are closed for the remainder of the school year, students from Valley Stream District 30 have found creative ways to stay active and connect. Facilitated by the district’s physical education teachers, Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue students collaborated in a full week of virtual field day challenges from June 1-8.

During the fun-filled week, students were encouraged to participate in 12 events at home with two events held each day. Students were able to access the virtual field day challenges through Google Classroom where they could watch a descriptive video of their task, participate in the event using materials found at home and then complete a Google Form with their scores. They engaged in activities such as the 3-3-3 Cup Stack, Bag Hop, Flip Challenge, Laundry Ball, Towel Minute Jump and Water Bucket Relay.

“We all take tremendous pride in our typical Field Days in our own buildings and this collaborative effort, in some ways, is the most gratifying of all of them,” said Forest Road physical education teacher Kerry Ann Brady. “It is nice to see it all come together and witness the tremendous amount of participation taking place. It is always our pleasure to deliver community wide events at the highest of levels.”

Click the link to view virtual field day highlights from Clear Stream Avenue fourth and fifth graders: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hpX0IXDpNVG4l4swxVusR8gV0btiZxA7/view

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