The two-month summer vacation of heat spells and thunderstorms is coming to a close.

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, the new school year officially begins, with over 4000 students--about 150 more than last year--expected at Valley Stream Central, North and South High Schools and Memorial Junior High.

Teachers start the new school year a day earlier on Tuesday, Sept. 7, with a Superintendent's Conference Day that includes a brief, all-district faculty convocation followed by separate school faculty meetings and back-to-school preparations.

Seventh graders had a chance to get acquainted with their new schools and to find their lockers and classrooms before the upperclassmen arrived, through special orientation programs at Memorial Junior High, North and South High Schools on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 3 respectively.

For the 1999-2000 school year, the price of a student hot lunch including milk remains at $1.50 on the secondary school level; on the elementary school level it is $1.25. Lunches are provided both to the high school district and to Valley Stream Elementary Districts 13 and 30 by Fine Host/Ideal Management Services, Inc.

Free and discounted lunches costing 25 cents are available for those whose families meet federal income eligibility guidelines. Applications are distributed to students each fall, with additional copies available in each school principal's office.

On the first day of school, the biggest interior change that students may notice as a result of bond issue projects completed over the summer is the replacement of lockers in hallways and in the locker rooms. The locker colors, which vary from school to school, are in tones of hunter green, minuteman blue, marine blue, country blue, crystal cave, shadow gray, red and burgundy. They are of a wide size that will accommodate student backpacks.

Probably the biggest exterior change noticeable to students is the reconstruction of the running tracks at Central, North and South High Schools.

A change that is not visible to the eye but will be noticeable to the ear is the replacement of public address, intercom, bell and fire alarm systems at the schools.

Also nearly finished are the installation of new boilers and burners at Memorial, North and South (Central's were replaced during the 1998-99 school year); the enlargement of the parking lot at Central; and various masonry repairs to the schools.

"I'm looking forward to the 1999-2000 school year as a year that will present a number of interesting challenges to us," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Martin Brooks.

"First, our students performed quite admirably on last June's administration of the new Comprehensive English Regents exam, and next June they will be taking the new Math A and Global History Regents exams. Our faculty has been conscientiously working on ways to prepare students for these new exams."

"Second, our district's enrollment continues to increase. If the projections are accurate, we will have over 4000 students in the high school district next year. While planning for increased enrollment, we are also taking steps to reduce class sizes so that students will have the best opportunity to succeed."

"Third, our bond issue work is in full swing. During this 1999-2000 school year, we will be making renovations to our interior spaces including science labs, guidance suites, technology areas and libraries, as well as installing new windows in the four schools."

"Fourth, we will be taking a look at our district's security procedures. A committee will be examining the deployment of our supervisory aides and will be making recommendations to the Board of Education."

"Fifth, we have a variety of committees taking a look at several important issues, including the possible creation of an alternative high school and the status of our open/closed lunch policy. Those committees will also be making a report to the Board of Education during the year."

"I expect this will be a year of great growth for the Valley Stream High School District," said Dr. Brooks.

Curricular work took place over the summer in a variety of subjects to prepare students for the new state standards and assessments, reports Dr. Marie Connelly, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Personnel.

A major project, undertaken by social studies teachers Maryanne Funai, Mary Moore, Jennifer Naclerio and Kristi Hinkelman was the development of materials for 10th grade Global History classes to prepare students for the new Global History Regents exam to be given in June of 2000.

Science and mathematics teachers revised curriculum for seventh grade Physical Science classes, Biology classes, Math 7 Skills and Liberal Arts Math I and II.

A team of English and social studies teachers at North High School--Jennifer Naclerio, Alisa Testa, Catherine Modzelewski and Nicole Ryan--worked on developing an interdisciplinary curriculum for seventh and eighth grade English and social studies courses.

And North occupational education department head Ellen Palazzo and new Central High teacher Kerri Abitabilo developed the curriculum for the district's new vocational education program in Child Care, to be housed at Central. The program, which leads to national certifications as a Child Development Associate, is the sixth vocational education program in the district--the other five being Cosmetology, Auto Technology, Commercial Foods, Computer Business Operations, and Facilities Management.

For the 1999-2000 school year, the Valley Stream High School District Board of Education will be led by William P. Stris as president and Frank Nuara as vice president.

"We will be addressing many important issues such as full implementation of the NYS Learning Standards, student achievement, district security, a full study of the open/closed lunch policy, a review of all Board of Education policies, and residency review," said Mr. Stris.

The first Board of Education committee meeting for the new school year is Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. in the Board Room at One Kent Road. The first Board of Education business meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 8:30 p.m. On the agenda for a special presentation on Sept. 14 is Summer School Principal Marsha Iverson, who will be reporting on Summer School 1999.

Educational presentations planned for the remaining Board meetings are:

Oct. 12: Technology

Nov. 9: School Survey Results

Dec. 14: Open vs. Closed Lunch

Jan. 11: Alternative High School

Feb. 8: Special Education

March 14: School Report Card

April 11: Budget

May 9: Budget

June 13: CDEP (Comprehensive District Educational Plan)

All meetings are open to the public, and attendance is encouraged.