The upcoming winter break, February 20-24, 2023 is a wonderful time to reset and get ready for the work ahead as we move into spring. The most important thing we can do as continuous learners is to read. We are encouraging all of our students to keep picking up books over this break. The challenge is for students to read(or be read to in PreK and K) at least 100 minutes during the week. Students should keep track of when they read, how long they are reading for and the pages they have read. At the end of the week, students should submit the reading log found on our Google Classroom from Multicultural Children's Book Day. The code to join this Google Classroom is below. Students that complete this challenge will be awarded the winter reading challenge digital badge via their Google drive.

https://classroom.google.com/c/NTg1OTc0MzY4Mjky?cjc=6s2oloz

On Monday, February 13, 2023 the district held their annual community budget forum. Based upon the 78 responses that we have currently received, after school clubs is an area that the community would like to see further developed. The district has plans to provide in person enrichment opportunities this summer from 12:00-1:30pm after our summer school programs. We would like your feedback on the types of clubs and enrichment opportunities your children would like to see offered. Please take a moment to complete the survey below to share your ideas.

https://forms.gle/evpvBkJ9DHR6tRwC6

If you did not have a chance to complete our budget forum survey, it has been reposted to our website.

https://www.valleystream30.com/capital/district_budget

On Monday, February 13, 2023, the 2023-24 school calendar was approved by the Board of Education. The first day of school for students for the 2023-24 school year will be on Friday September 1, 2023. The calendar will be posted on our district website under the calendars tab.

https://www.valleystream30.com/

Our February Family Connections activity will be a virtual production from Bright Star Children's Theater celebrating Black History Month. Log on to the Livestream link below at 6:30pm on Tuesday Febraury 28, 2023. Students need to complete the reflection Google form(link below) to earn the February Family Connection Digital Badge.

Link to Livestream:

https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/98753753-cc0a-4111-9482-081ce2779fe5

Reflection Google Form:

https://forms.gle/ff3kHjzWxY9gMKyd6

This virtual workshop was held this Thursday evening, February 16, 2023

This was geared for families with students in grades pre-k to 2nd.

If you missed it, the workshop presentation is attached.

Please contact Dr. Grace Lee, glee@vs30.org if you would like more information of this workshop, the "1-2-3 Magic" book that accompanied this presentation, or future topics this year.

Reminder: If you have a student with an IEP and receiving special education, program recommendations will be discussed for 23/24 school year at the Annual Review Meeting. Invites are being mailed. Meetings are scheduled from February to May for grades Kindergarten to 5th grade.

Parents have a choice this year if you prefer an in-person or remote meeting. Please share with your classroom teacher or contact the Special Services office directly at 516-434-3600, ext. 5233. Please once you receive the date for your child's meeting, let us know right away if you have a scheduling conflict and we will do our best to accommodate you. Any concerns or questions prior to the Annual Review meeting, please speak to your case manager (special education teacher) or classroom teacher.

Mark your calendar now for March 21, 2023 at 6pm to be part of our Annual District-wide Taste of Service Parent Fair. We thank Shaw Avenue School for hosting this special event. We are happy to announce this event will be back in-person! There will be informational booths and interactive family engagement activities to learn more about the district's variety of supports & services available to all students. For example, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the instructional supports (i.e., reading, math), counseling, enrichment, STEAM, speech, special education, and so much more. There will be demonstrations and hand-out materials to take home to support your child. In addition, our very own students will be showcasing some of the after-school clubs we have to offer at each of the three schools. Food and prizes will be offered. This will be opened this year for families with students in pre-k to 5th grade. A flyer will be posted on Parent Square and on our District Website. So don't miss out on this fun and entertaining night with staff from each of our schools!

Attention Parents and Teachers:

Please consider joining on Memberhub! using this link https://vssepta.memberhub.store/ for $10.00. The Valley Stream SEPTA comprises of VS#30, VS#13, VS#24, and VSHSD. SEPTA provides informative guest speakers, annual Scholarships for our 6th grade special education students, and a great support system of fellow special needs parents. Membership is open to all families. You are not alone! Let's work together!!

Feel free to contact SEPTA President is Mrs. Rachael Aiello, aiellorachael@gmail.com with any questions. SEPTA is a great resource for community recreational activities and networking events.

Join me on Monday March 6, 2023 at 3:15pm for our next chat via Google Meet

Here is the link: meet.google.com/ddx-nofc-wsv

Bring Your QUESTIONS

At our last meeting (2/10/23), the topic of Annual Review Meetings was discussed. If you missed it and want some information, please contact me or come to our next meeting.

Also feel free to email me at nschimpf@vs30.org or call 516-434-3600, ext. 5233 if you have a specific question or concern about your child's special education services OR if you want to learn more about the special education referral process.

The American Hearth Month is observed in February to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that reduce the risk of heart disease. 1 in 3 deaths in the United States is due to cardiovascular disease. People of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities are affected. However, African Americans are disproportionately harder hit by heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. According to the Office of Minority Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, African-Americans are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure, and less likely than their non-Hispanic counterparts to have their blood pressure under control. The American Heart Association is committed to be champions for health equity and they have a 2024 GOAL to advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality. Everyone deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. Many times this health topic is not something we freely discuss but can save lives. Therefore, let's take a personal pledge that challenges all of us to be proactive in our heart health.

As a district we are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week (2/14-2/20/23) with our students. Acts of kindness is a simple way we can make the world a happier place for everyone. Studies have found that showing kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness, and optimism. Being kind helps boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, and reduce stress & anxiety.

So let's all use this month to reflect on ways we can model for our students to...

1. Be kind to ourselves through self-care

2. Be kind to others through fostering a "pay it forward" mentality!

Attached are free home Kindness resources you can share with your child and a Kindness Challenge for us adults!

On Saturday, February 11th, nine students across the district represented their schools at the Valley Stream 30 Drone Championship at Shaw Avenue. Students competed in various events, such as “Hula Hoop Landing Pads”, “The Obstacle Course”, “Coding over Chairs”, and the “Search and Rescue”. In preparation for this event throughout the year, children have been learning how to fly their drones by writing code, as well as manually flying them with their iPad controls. Please click the link below to access highlights from the competition!

This month the Technology Department presented to the Board of Education the progress made in the area of instructional technology within the District Strategic Plan. Growth was demonstrated and communicated in each of the 5 focus objectives: 1) Developing technology skills in our K-2 learners, 2) Using technology to build 21st Century skills, 3) Providing meaningful professional learning opportunities for our teachers, staff, and families, 4) Building responsible digital citizens, and 5) Protecting student and staff data by following Ed-Law 2d guidelines. Please click below to learn more about the progress we are making towards our goals within information, media, and technology!

Just a reminder, all students who will be leaving the district for an extended period of time (or permanently), are required to return their device(s) and charger(s) to the main office before leaving. When the child returns to the district, their technology will be re-issued upon re-entry into the school. Staff are expected to notify the technology department when they learn that a student will be moving out of the district. Additionally, any outstanding balances are expected to be settled before a child is un-enrolled from Valley Stream 30. Clear communication with the technology department during this process is a critical component in assisting us with maintaining accurate records and accounting for all district-owned devices.

Jennifer Lewner, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

jlewner@vs30.org (516) 434-3600 ext.5229

Dr. Nicole Schimpf, Director of Special Services

nschimpf@vs30.org (516) 434-3600 ext.5232

Christopher Onorato, Director of 21st Century Learning and Technology

conorato@vs30.org (516) 434-3600 ext.5001