
The Chronicle
Educating Learners Today...Building Global Leaders Tomorrow
Mr. Singleton Goes to Washington
Last week, Mr. Singleton was part of a New York delegation to speak to members of Congress about the state of our schools in New York and to advocate for our teachers and students. He recently was appointed as the National Association of Elementary School Principals New York State Representative. In this capacity, he attended the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference (NSLAC) which was on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C..
Principals and educational leaders from around the state were in Washington, DC along with over 400 elementary, middle, and secondary school administrators from all 50 states, advocating for public schools, students, and the profession. The NY team met with 13 congressional legislative offices to address the most pressing issues for school leaders and the students and adults in their care. Student and professional mental health legislation was the top issue, including advocating for the Mental Health Services for Students Act and the Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act, among other items.
Our state representatives seemed receptive and the delegation left encouraged as their voices were heard.
The PTA Needs You!
The PTA would like to invite you to our Installation Dinner at Mia's in Vally Stream. The date is June 15, 2023 from 6-9pm. The cost is $40. If you would like to attend, please make the check payable to the Clear Stream PTA.
PTAs are powerful organizations that build strong working relationships among parents, teachers and schools. PTA meetings are important venues to discuss educational issues and wider school or district initiatives that impact our children. Regardless of what your exact interests are, we welcome your participation. In 2023-24, there will be several vacant positions on the Clear Stream Avenue PTA Executive Board. We can only accomplish as much as we do by working as a team – and we need the help of invested parents and community residents like you. Please consider joining our team. We are still accepting nomination forms through Mid May.
– Nyala Jugrag and Dania Hernandez, PTA Co- President
3 Holidays, 3 Cultures
Information about the New York State Exams
New York State Department of Education tests in grades 3-6 require students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Please note that the results of these assessments do not dictate your child’s promotional status. Our teachers have been working all year long to prepare our students with the skills and knowledge to feel comfortable in the testing environment. We encourage all students to participate in these assessments and always try their best.
Students who are absent on a testing day will be administered the exam the next day he/she is in attendance if within the testing window.
Please make sure your child arrives at school on time (8:15 a.m.). Any child arriving at school after the test has been distributed will not be admitted into the classroom to take the exam.
Although we encourage the participation of all students, we respect parents’ rights to make decisions in the best interest of their children. If you do choose to exclude your child from participating in the exam(s), a written notification must be sent to your child’s teacher prior to the first day of the exam.
New York State Testing Tips
As per the New York State Department of Education, students in grades 3-6 will be administered the NY State ELA exams when we return from break. Our teachers have been preparing our children to be life long learners. This test is just one measure of their progress. Parents can play an important role in helping their children to do well in school and to prepare for these tests. Here are some things you can do:
- Talk with your child’s teacher. Parent teacher conferences are an excellent way to gain insight about your child’s performance at school.
- Be supportive. Make sure your child comes to school ready to learn, attends school regularly, and completes all homework assignments.
- Encourage good work habits. You can help your child learn good work habits at home and at school. Explain the importance of carefully following directions, avoiding careless errors, and checking work to make sure that it has been completed correctly.
- Present a positive attitude toward the tests. Let your child know that you have confidence in their abilities. Explain that some of the test questions may be difficult and that it does not matter if other students finish earlier. The test is NOT timed. Let your child know it is okay to proceed at their own pace.
- Taking a test requires a student’s full attention, so your child should have a good night’s sleep before the test. Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast and a nutritious lunch. We are proud of our students and our parent’s commitment to education. Continue to support our students as we build self-sufficient learners.