The lazy days of summer that looked so long when seen from June, have ruefully for some become but hours, ticking away too soon, too soon.
Now the two-month vacation is ending and students in the Valley Stream High School District head back to school for opening day on Wed., Sept. 5.
Altogether, an enrollment of 4,282 students is expected in grades 7-12 for the 2001-02 school year, an increase of 160 students over the previous year's figure of 4,122.
Teachers start a day earlier, Tues., Sept. 4, with a Superintendent's Conference Day that includes an all-district faculty convocation keynoted by Superintendent of Schools Ronald D. Valenti, followed by separate faculty meetings in the four schools.
Seventh graders had a chance to get acquainted with their new schools before the upperclassmen arrived, through special orientation programs at North High School, Memorial Junior High and South High School on Aug. 29-31.
Immigrant students new to the high school district and the English language had a chance to become familiar with their new academic setting through a new state-mandated orientation program called "Project Jump Start," which was held at Valley Stream North High School during the weeks of Aug. 20 and 27, under the direction of Dr. Marie Connelly, deputy superintendent for curriculum and personnel .
Also new this summer was a centralized registration system, headed by Lois Colletta, assistant superintendent for administration and support services, for students newly moving into the Valley Stream High School District.
District goals
Dr. Valenti has mapped out an ambitious agenda for the new school year to increase student achievement and enrich student services.
"In the area of student achievement," said Valenti, "we plan to reduce the sizes of academic classes in English, math, science, social studies and modern languages to a 25-29 student maximum; establish performance targets for student achievement on statewide and national assessments; and schedule under-performing eighth and seventh graders in English language arts and mathematics into a ninth period class on alternate days."
"In the area of enriching student services," he said, "we are strengthening guidance services through the new district director of guidance position; expanding the inclusion program for special education students, while reducing the number of students in out-of-district placements; improving the school lunch program; and strengthening the integration of technology into student learning, through increased staff training."
Other goals include initiating a K-12 student electronic profile among the four school districts; concluding professional staff negotiations; and completing the review or revision of all Board of Education policies.
