District News
| Working to Create Healthier Hearts | ||||||
| Students at James A. Dever Elementary School and Wheeler Avenue Elementary School in the Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen recently put exercise to good use as they participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs. At Wheeler Avenue, physical educator teachers, Janet Miller and Robert Primeggia, helped coordinate the school’s fifth annual Jump Rope for Heart on Tuesday, February 23rd for grades 1 through 6. Prior to the event, American Heart Association representative Larry Pfeizer visited the school and spoke with the students about heart disease and how their fundraiser will help the association fulfill its mission. Through donations raised by the students, the school has secured $3,200 to date for the American Heart Association. On Tuesday, February 9th, James A. Dever Elementary School’s students participated in an American Heart Association Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart fundraiser, which was coordinated by physical education teachers, Carrie Lundgren and Peter Schwasnick. Once again, the Dever community demonstrated their overwhelming generosity by donating $8,338. Parents, faculty, and staff members watched and cheered while the students danced and jumped in the fight against heart disease. The donations collected by the students helps to fund the development of educational materials about the importance of heart health and staying fit, and their participation earns gift certificates for physical education equipment for their school. ? | ||||||
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| Hats on for Haiti | ||||||
| In an effort to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti, James A. Dever Elementary School students coordinated a program they called Hats on for Haiti. Students and staff members were excited to donate to the fundraiser and sport their favorite hat during the school day to show their support for the Haitian people. The students also demonstrated their support for all to see by writing words of support and encouragement, which were displayed throughout the school. Through this program and an additional monetary fundraiser, the school collected $1,400 for Haiti relief. The students were very excited about the success of the program, and to welcome a Haitian student who recently relocated to the community. | ||||||
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| Calling All Authors | ||||||
| Visiting Author Inspires Students at James A. Dever James A. Dever Elementary School students learned the ins and outs of the journalism world when visiting author Alan Katz, also know as a silly dilly man, visited the building. Mr. Katz, a print and television writer who has majored in silliness for the past 30 years, spoke with the students about why humor is an important part of storytelling and how reading and writing are two skills you will use throughout your life. Mr. Katz’s visit was both inspiring and entertaining. The students walked a way with a great experience and a better appreciation of books and the writing process. | ||||||
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| Teachers Set the Example for Colleagues | ||||||
| Two Wheeler Avenue Elementary School teachers, Cathy Stirrat and Craig Caputo, have been invited by author and presenter Laura Robb to participate in the creation and publication of her newest book. Ms. Stirrat and Mr. Caputo were selected as a result of their efforts in integrating reading and writing into the studies of science and social studies. More specifically, their unit on Evolution and Species Survival will be used to highlight the power of teaching students to critically process and examine information presented rather than just being expected to memorize factual information. Ms. Stirrat and Mr. Caputo are honored and proud to have their work included in such a publication. | ||||||
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| District Administrator Receives Tenure | ||||||
| The Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen Board of Education granted tenure to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Linda Roth, during a recent Board meeting. Ms. Roth, who joined the district in November 2006, has been an integral part of the school district’s leadership team and has spearheaded several district initiatives over the past several years. “Ms. Roth provides the fuel needed to drive collective change,” stated Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Elizabeth Lison, while addressing the Board and crowd during the Board meeting. “During the past three years, together with the leadership team and educational community, Ms. Roth brought about many changes and advancements in curriculum, instruction, and professional learning. Furthermore, Ms. Roth is an excellent listener and communicator, who has worked collaboratively with our staff and community.” Since joining the district, Ms. Roth has been responsible for developing curriculum focus groups comprised of teachers from each grade level in the areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics; a true grassroots initiative that focuses on helping the district refine the work completed in each of the schools. Additionally, under Ms. Roth’s leadership, the district adopted two new math programs, began utilizing the My Learning Program, uniformed literacy assessments across all grade levels, and fine-tuned the district’s process for data analysis. “I have felt so honored to work in a district that truly values education,” stated Ms. Roth. “I could not have accomplished what I did without the people I do it with. I really enjoy working with this district’s fine Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, leadership team, and all of the district’s faculty and staff members. However, my greatest enjoyment comes from working with and for our students.” Ms. Roth began her career as a teacher in 1973, and has held both building- level and districtwide teaching and administrative positions. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Certificate of Advanced Study from Hofstra University. Prior to joining District Thirteen, Ms. Roth worked in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public School District as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment. | ||||||
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| STUDENTS SAY THANK YOU | ||||||
| Each year, the Governor of the State of New York sets aside one week during the month of October to pay tribute to the members of the Boards of Education who volunteer their time and expertise to serve the school districts across the state. During the October Valley Stream Thirteen Board of Education meeting held at Willow Road School, students, parents, and administrators attended to show their appreciation to the members of the Board for their dedication and commitment to providing a quality high-value education to all students. “It is an honor and a privilege for me to thank the Board, who work closely with parents, administrators, and the community to create the educational vision we have for our children,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Elizabeth Lison. The members of the Board were pleasantly surprised as kindergarten students filled the stage and showed their appreciation, singing songs in their own special style including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “We are the World.” The students also presented each member of the Board with flowers. Following the touching presentation, the Interschool Council of PTAs announced that a mini-grant, donated in honor of the Board of Education, would be given to each school in the district. | ||||||
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| Mystery Teacher Day | ||||||
| Each year in May, students in District Thirteen celebrate Democracy in Action Day held on the same day as our budget vote. Using actual voting machines, the students are invited to cast their ballot on an issue of importance to them. Last year District Thirteen students voted on a theme day for the fall of 2009. The choices were: 1. Mystery Teacher 2. Fun and Fitness 3. Family Jamboree The winner was Mystery Teacher, and all four schools in District 13 celebrated this day on Friday, October 23, 2009. It entailed having each teacher in the four schools exchange places with one another for 100 minutes (2 blocks of 50 minutes). The students enjoyed seeing the building’s teachers and administrators working in a variety of new roles. | ||||||
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| Parents Go Back to School | ||||||
| Parents throughout District Thirteen went back to school during the first several weeks of September to sit in their children’s classrooms and meet their teachers. The schools, which hosted their annual Open House programs not long after the start of school, welcomed new and returning parents to the buildings. During the evenings, parents met with special area teachers, visited their own child’s classroom, and learned about the co-curricular opportunities for students, including music, community service projects, and the schools’ club offerings. Additionally, members of each school’s PTA organization were on hand to speak with parents about the group and sign up new members. | ||||||
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| School Days Begin Again | ||||||
| The first day of school in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen was a huge success. Whether arriving by bus, unpacking their school bags, or having lunch in the cafeteria for the first time, all of the students had smiles on their faces and were eager to begin the 2009-2010 school year together. Students arrived at their respective schools by bus, car, and on foot full of smiles and good cheer. The students and teachers alike are looking forward to the year ahead. | ||||||
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| New Faces Around District Thirteen | ||||||
| The first full week of September this year not only marked the first day of school for the district’s students, but for eight new teachers it was the start of their professional career in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen. Before the doors of the district’s three schools opened for the first time on September 9, the newest members of the faculty attended a summer orientation program geared towards informing them of services offered in the district, along with established policies. Throughout the daylong program, the teachers met with the district administrators and leadership team. During the event, the new employees were provided with an overview of the technological offerings in the district, the schools’ special education services, as well as the district’s educational philosophy. Welcome to the following new District Thirteen teachers: Teacher Name Assignment School Name Damaris Diaz Social Worker James A. Dever/ Howell Road Zennea Hauser Grade 4 Willow Road Dorine Hetzel-Dand Speech Howell Road/ Willow Road Stephanie Iannone Grade 2 Howell Road Janet Miller Physical Education Wheeler Avenue Christine O’Connor Grade 6 Howell Road Lucia Posillico English As a Second Language Willow Road Jana Talamo Speech James. A Dever | ||||||
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