Valley Stream 24 Welcomes Students Back on the First Day of Classes

Students across all three schools in the Valley Stream 24 School District returned to classes on Wednesday, September 3, bringing excitement and energy to the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The halls of Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School, Robert W. Carbonaro Elementary School and William L. Buck Elementary School were filled with smiles and enthusiasm as teachers and staff welcomed students back and set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas visited classrooms throughout the district to greet students and staff alongside Dr. Christopher Keogh, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and the district's building principals. To help ensure a smooth and welcoming first day, faculty and staff engaged students in conversations about their summer experiences and their hopes for the new school year, helping them feel connected, comfortable and ready to learn. Educators also began incorporating strategies highlighted during Superintendent's Conference Day, engaging students through immersive learning experiences, movement-based activities and hands-on instruction designed to activate multiple forms of sensory input and deepen student engagement.

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"Every new school year brings a renewed sense of possibility, and it was wonderful to see our schools filled with such enthusiasm on the first day," said Dr. Karakas. "Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to creating learning environments where every child feels valued, supported and inspired to reach their full potential. As we continue advancing our Vision 2030 goals, we look forward to another year of innovation, collaboration and meaningful growth across our district."

The 2026-2027 school year marks another important step in Valley Stream 24's Vision 2030 journey, with a continued focus on creating innovative, nurturing and engaging learning environments that prepare students for future success. The Board of Education's investment in district initiatives provides a strong foundation for expanding meaningful opportunities and experiences that enrich teaching and learning across the district.

As the new school year gets underway, Valley Stream 24 remains committed to fostering innovation, connection and excellence in education. With dedicated educators, engaged families and a strong school community, the district looks forward to a successful year of learning, growth and new opportunities for every student.

For more information about Valley Stream 24, please visit the District's website athttps://valleystreamschooldistrict24.organd 'like' our Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/VS24SchoolDistrict#MakeTheConnection #VS24#InnovatingOurFuture