Valley Stream 24 Student Honored with Nassau BOCES Outstanding Student Award

Valley Stream District 24 is proud to announce that student Oakley B. has been named a recipient of the esteemed Nassau BOCES George Farber Outstanding Student Award. This distinguished honor recognizes students who exemplify exceptional character, dedication, and integrity in and out of the classroom.

Established 16 years ago, the George Farber Outstanding Student Award pays tribute to the late George Farber, former President of the Nassau BOCES Board and the longest-serving board member in Nassau County history. Farber, who served from 1971 to 2009, was deeply committed to improving students’ lives and was known for his boundless compassion and unwavering support for education.

Oakley was selected for demonstrating the qualities that Mr. Farber held dear. This includes talent, commitment, honesty, diligence, compassion, and high moral standards. Oakley’s recognition places him among an elite group of students whose achievements and character continue to inspire their peers and community.

The Valley Stream District 24 community extends its heartfelt congratulations to Oakley!

For more information about Valley Stream 24, please visit the District’s website at https://valleystreamschooldistrict24.org and ‘like’ our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VS24SchoolDistrict #MakeTheConnection #VS24 #InnovatingOurFuture

Brooklyn Avenue School Hosts Spark STEM Curiosity with Inspiring Science Fair

Brooklyn Avenue School in the Valley Stream 24 School District recently brought science to life through an exciting and educational Science Fair hosted by the school's PTA. The event showcased the school’s ongoing commitment to encouraging student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while also creating meaningful opportunities for family and community engagement.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Brooklyn Avenue School PTA, the Mad Science team, and all volunteers and visitors for their invaluable contributions,” said Brooklyn Avenue School Principal Dr. Scott Comis. “Their support helped create a vibrant and enriching experience that highlighted the power of community in advancing student learning and enthusiasm for STEM.”

Designed to celebrate scientific curiosity and promote hands-on learning, the Science Fair featured an array of interactive workshops and mini experiments. The activities were facilitated by dedicated parent and student alumni volunteers, allowing students and their families to explore STEM concepts together in a fun, collaborative environment.

One of the highlights of the evening was a slime-making station led by representatives from Mad Science of Long Island. This crowd-favorite offered participants a fun, tactile way to explore scientific principles, leaving students both thrilled and inspired.

In addition to the educational offerings, the PTA provided refreshments and coordinated generous door prizes, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.

The success of the Science Fair underscores the district’s dedication to fostering a vibrant educational environment in which students are empowered to explore, experiment and dream big.

Valley Stream 24 Students Excel at SAAWA Math Contest

Valley Stream District 24 is proud to announce that its fifth and sixth-grade students were the only elementary-level participants to both compete and win in the prestigious South Asian American Women’s Alliance (SAAWA) Recreational Mathematics Contest.

“This recognition speaks volumes about the passion, dedication, and talent of our students and educators,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas. “We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and for representing Valley Stream 24 with such distinction on a regional stage.”

Now in its second year, the online contest was held in March and designed to challenge middle school students with a variety of advanced mathematical puzzles, riddles, and equations across multiple disciplines. Although the competition is on a middle school grade level, Valley Stream 24’s younger students rose to the occasion and delivered outstanding performances.

A total of nine Valley Stream 24 students were recognized for their accomplishments at a special celebration hosted by SAAWA on Sunday, May 18th, at Levittown Hall. The event honored top-performing students from across the region.

During the ceremony, the contest organizer gave Valley Stream 24 a special acknowledgment, commending the district for being the first to express enthusiastic interest in the contest during its inaugural year and for continuing its participation for a second consecutive year.

Valley Stream 24 School District Celebrates Spring with Joyous Student Concerts

In a heartwarming celebration of the season, all three schools in the Valley Stream 24 School District recently hosted their annual spring band, orchestra, and chorus concerts. These highly anticipated events welcomed the arrival of spring with vibrant musical performances, showcasing the exceptional talents of students across the district.

Under the expert direction of music educators Joanna Milanese, Ashley Wilkey, Gary Garzetta, and Nicholas Shmorhun, students presented a diverse selection of musical pieces that reflected months of hard work and dedication. The concerts were attended by enthusiastic audiences of peers, staff, families, and community members, all coming together to support and celebrate the young performers.

One particularly memorable moment featured a chorus performance in which students sang an enchanting piece in dim lighting, their faces softly illuminated by flashlights. The creative staging added a magical atmosphere to the already moving performance and earned resounding applause.

Each concert served as a meaningful and enriching experience for both performers and audience members. The events highlighted not only the musical talents of the students but also the district’s commitment to fostering creativity and the arts within its schools.

Valley Stream 24 Sixth-Grade Students Explore the Ashokan Center

Sixth-grade students from all three schools in the Valley Stream 24 School District recently embarked on an enriching educational journey to the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, New York, where they experienced a dynamic integration of science, history, and nature.

“Throughout their time at the Ashokan Center, students participated in a variety of hands-on learning activities that encouraged critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and an appreciation for the historical significance of the region,” said Brooklyn Avenue School Principal Dr. Scott Comis. “Through collaborative problem-solving and team-building exercises, students were able to connect classroom learning with real-world applications in an engaging and meaningful context.”

Students from Brooklyn Avenue School, William L. Buck School, and Robert W. Carbonaro School came together for the immersive experience that fostered not only academic exploration, but also the formation of new friendships that are expected to flourish as students continue their education in middle and high school.

Activities ranged from hiking trips to hands-on encounters with the various animals and wildlife that inhabit the 385-acre preserve. The day’s events also featured several games and opportunities for students to acquaint themselves with one another. To cap off the excitement, students gathered around to roast marshmallows, concluding a day filled with enriching experiences and cherished memories.

The Valley Stream 24 School District is proud to offer educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. The shared adventure to the Ashokan Center stands as a testament to the district and Board of Education’s commitment to holistic education—one that nurtures intellectual growth, social development, and environmental awareness.

Valley Stream 24 Students Design Prosthetic Arm to Support Northwell Health

Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program, led by Ms. Risa Miller, are engaging in a powerful act of innovation and service by designing and building a prosthetic arm to donate to Northwell Health’s occupational and physical therapy providers. As part of this project, students recently participated in a virtual meeting with physical therapist Taylor Jensen and occupational therapist Rob Carafo to gather insight into the design of prosthetic devices and how they support individuals with physical disabilities.

“This meaningful work was sparked by our Vision 2030 pilot project planning,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas. “Our sixth-grade students partnered with younger peers to co-design early prototypes, embodying the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our district. We are incredibly proud of our teachers and administrators for cultivating these forward-thinking, cross-grade initiatives. We are also proud of our students, whose curiosity, compassion, and dedication to making a difference shine through. By engaging with Northwell providers, our students are not only learning how prosthetics improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, but also how to apply emerging technologies to design functional prototypes that may one day serve others.”

During the session, students engaged with the providers about their careers, the differences between occupational and physical therapy, and important considerations in prosthetic design. Students enthusiastically shared their own ideas, including color-coded sensors to simplify the use of the prosthetic, and motors that enable movement for everyday tasks such as gripping or holding objects.

Building on this knowledge, students will now develop a purpose-driven plan for their prosthetic arm, sketching blueprints to guide their design. Using robotic LEGO materials, they will construct their prototypes and create custom coding sequences to bring their device to life. The final phase will include testing, refining, and presenting their completed prosthetic device to Northwell Health professionals.