The Chronicle

Looking forward, our students are celebrating by participating in the annual tradition of making new year’s resolutions. Last year, 2023 changed several global perceptions and impacted every student differently which, in turn, has affected their goals and aspirations. Most Clear Stream students set their aspirations on getting better grades, playing more sports, being kinder and putting more effort into their studies. As we support our students, let's help them to develop resolutions that are reachable, educational and sustainable.

Resolutions should be reachable and realistic. Adults are famous for promising to start exercising on January 1st. Equinox gyms came under fire for banning gym memberships in January because people start off the year inspired and quickly lose interest. Help your children set reasonable goals such as eating right, reading for 30 minutes a night (1 hour for 4th - 6th grade) and less screen time which are all manageable goals.

Encourage your children to set academic goals. Have them build upon the lessons learned over the past few months and assess their progress. Maybe your child needs to concentrate on math facts or the times table. As previously stated, students can increase their time reading and decrease their time on electronic devices or social media. Whatever their resolution may be, there is no time like the present to support your children as they build upon their academic future.

Finally, making a resolution is the easy part. Keeping it going will require some work. Create schedules, provide positive reinforcement, give rewards for small milestones and be a cheerleader for your children. It’s a new year so let’s not just start it off right, let’s keep it going steadily throughout the entire year.

Have you ever wondered how your cell phone works or how a video game is created. It all has to do with coding. Almost everything in our world has some type of electronic or digital component attached to it. Valley Stream District 30 is preparing your children to be digital citizens. Our philosophy is, the earlier students learn about coding, the more successful they will be in the current job force as well as the future. According to LinkedIn (a career and job search website) 85% of the jobs available in 2030 have not even been created yet. Our current kindergarteners will just be leaving Clear Stream in 2030. Exposing them to coding at a young age will give them an advantage in tackling the challenges of a global digital workforce.

Three staff members are preparing your children to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Teresa Eberle is our digital literacy coach. Throughout the year, students will be engaged in activities that they could complete at school and at home to learn more about how to be a good digital citizen!! Mrs. Eberle also provides professional development and assists our teachers in implementing the districts initiatives. Students will have the ability to earn digital badges all year long in their quest to build digital knowledge.

Mr. Terrence Smith, is our STEAM Aide. He helps our students learn how to code using "Coding Mouse," robots and iPads. Students are able to manually and digitally program activities using their device to code directions. Students are learning how to navigate their robots through mazes and around obstacles. Mr. Smith is introducing coding to a new generation of children.

Mrs. Cynthia Gutierrez is our Technology Aide. Nothing that Mrs. Eberle or Mr. Smith does is of consequence if the technology doesn't work. Mrs. Gutierrez updates our devices, trouble shoots and keeps them in good working order. She monitors digital testing and works with our students on video and movie projects.

OTHER DISTRICT NEWSLETTERS

The Chronicle is just one way the district communicates with our community. We also communicate through the District Website, District & School Newsletters.

Starting this Spring 5th graders will have to take state exams for English, Math, and Science on computers over the next 2 years. All students in grades 3 -6 will make the switch from pen and paper.

Our district is working hard to make sure the transition goes smoothly. Yesterday we received CBT (Computer Based Training) to prepare our 5th grade teachers, aides and administrators to administer these exams. All of our children already take the NWEA on computer and our upper grades take Field Tests in CBT format.

In the 2024-2025 school year, all 4th and 6th graders will be required to take the tests on computers, and by Spring 2026, 3rd graders will join the mix, completing the shift to computer-based testing for all students. Accommodations for students with disabilities will be provided.

State officials believe computer-based testing will be more efficient. Teachers will be able to receive results faster. Schools will also have more flexible and expanded testing schedules which could avoid school or community conflicts. We are taking steps to prepare for this shift in academic assessments and look forward to supporting your children in their quest to reach their optimal potential.

Our Sunshine Committee has created a team to spread sunshine every month. The December Sunshine Committee did not disappoint. Everyday they had a different activity for teachers and classes to win prizes. Holiday Bingo was a big hit with teachers running to the Main Office to receive their prizes. Scratch-offs were hung on every door and teachers desperately checked to see if they had won. Students and children searched for Gnomes all around the school. They held special events like hot chocolate on a cart and they decorated the Teachers Lounge with delicious goodies. All in all, the December Sunshine Committee made the holidays festive. A Big shout out and thank you to all of our December teachers for the hard work, kindness and joy they spread throughout the month.

This years “Winter Melodies” was an amazing way to enter the holiday season. It was praised by parents, teachers and administrators alike. It was a combination of the complexity of the music and the skill of the students which made this concert exceptional. The performance was aligned with our district initiative “Express Yourself" as our students introduced each of the musical pieces. Mrs. Gorey taught the orchestra a new selection "Fiesta Time,” which had a bit of Latin flavor and was accompanied by Mrs. Cooke on piano. Our chorus wowed the crowd with perhaps the most poignant song of the evening “Go With A Song in your Heart.” It was a timely message for our students and community to embrace during the season. Mr. Adams and the Band performed “The First Fallen Snow,” a piece that truly lived up to its name as you could envision the flakes fall from the ceiling during the performance. The crowd was amazed. It was definitely a night to remember and our Music teachers and students performed at their optimal potential!