THE COMMUNITY
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is a suburban Nassau County district on the eastern border of New York City. With a population of approximately 28,000 people, it encompasses parts of the Village of Valley Stream, as well as the communities of North Valley Stream, Malverne, Franklin Square, and Elmont. Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is an elementary system educating children from the kindergarten through sixth grade. The students attend Valley Stream Central High School District for grades seven through twelve.
Students in Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen represent the diverse community in which they live. The socioeconomic status of the community is at the middle of the spectrum and the community places a high value on maintaining an excellent educational system.
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen values close community-school partnerships. Parents are included as active members on shared decision-making teams, building action planning committees, and staff hiring committees. Local civic associations, such as the Norwood Park Civic Association and the Morton Civic Association, as well as the local Realtors Association, and other community leaders work collaboratively with the district to ensure community support for programs and the annual budget. District staff members also support community projects and events, which include the summer community orchestra program, annual parades, and legislative events.
The fine recreational and cultural facilities of Long Island and New York City are within a short driving distance. More than a dozen institutions of higher education are nearby.
The district is easily accessible from New York City and other parts of Long Island. The Southern State Parkway lies within the district. The Long Island Railroad and LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport are only a few miles away.
THE SCHOOLS
Valley Stream’s mission statement reads: Through the efforts of home, school, and community, the schools of Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen enable students to become independent, responsible, self-confident, and motivated towards lifelong learning. To this end, the school district offers its entire community of learners a varried and challenging curriculum in a nurturing environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. Children are expected to consider important ideas, to master basic skills, to develop keen problem-solving skills, to develop social responsibility, and to set high personal goals. Children become literate in the traditional sense, as well as in the areas of technology, science, and mathematics.
To make the mission statement a reality for the District’s 2,189 students, Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen employs 200 teachers and administrators in four schools – James A. Dever, Howell Road, Wheeler Avenue, and Willow Road.
The instructional program is guided by a strong philosophical belief in constructivist practices. These practices engage students in meaningful and challenging learning activities that are differentiated based upon the needs, abilities, and interest of the students. Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is especially proud of its programs and curricular initiatives.
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen recognizes that technology is a tool that has the potential to enhance learning, especially when integrated into an instructional program that engages students in authentic, meaningful learning opportunities.
Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen continues to improve the instructional techniques of its teachers, employ a differentiated supervision model for their teacher evaluations and offer comprehensive professional development programs affiliated with Teachers College Columbia, the Educational Development Center, and City College of New York.
GOALS
1. To foster positive dispositions and improve student performance in English Language Arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
2. To improve students’ ability to think, reason, problem-solve, and compute mathematically.
3. To differentiate instruction in order to meet the diverse needs of our students.
4. To teach students to respect and appreciate differences among people and cultures around the world.
5. To foster a sense of responsible citizenship in a caring and respectful community of learners.
6. To teach students positive strategies for conflict resolution.
7. To challenge students to construct a deeper understanding of the world around them through an inquiry-based approach to science and social studies.
8. To infuse technology applications into all areas of the curriculum.
9. To develop abilities, talents, and creativity in music, art, and physical education.
THE BUDGET
The 2007-2008 budget for Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen is $38,406,605. The tax rate for the district is $573.988 per $100.00 of assessed valuation.
