Valley Stream 24 School District Welcomes School Year with Inspiring Superintendent’s Conference Day

The Valley Stream 24 School District recently held an inspiring and informative Superintendent’s Conference Day designed to educate, motivate and prepare faculty and staff for the 2026-2027 school year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas opened the day by delivering a powerful message about the lasting impact educators and school staff can have on students, particularly during their formative years. His remarks emphasized the important role every member of the school district community plays in helping students feel supported, confident and prepared to succeed. Another emphasis of the program was the importance of engaging students through activities that utilize the six kinds of sensory input, including immersive learning experiences, movement-based activities and hands-on instruction.

“Our work in education extends far beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Karakas. “Every interaction we have with a student has the potential to make a lasting difference. As we begin a new school year, I am incredibly proud of our staff and excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we will continue building a school district where every student feels seen, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.”

Dr. Karakas also highlighted the continued progress of the district’s Vision 2030 initiative, along with several new programs and enhancements being introduced during the 2026-2027 school year. New features this year include three newly redesigned classrooms being completed this month, a second 8:1:3 inclusive classroom at Robert W. Carbonaro School, a K-2 ELA pilot program, Orton-Gillingham training for reading specialists, a new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, the second year of the Drama Club, and third-grade chess as part of the district’s Enrichment for All initiative.

Joining faculty, staff and administrators for the opening of the new school year was Board of Education President Annette Matthew, who attended on behalf of the Board of Education and helped welcome staff back for the year ahead.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Peters, Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the Successful Practices Network (SPN). Dr. Peters discussed future-focused education in the age of AI and encouraged educators to cultivate a culture of deep belonging, emphasizing that when students feel safe, seen and valued, they are more likely to engage meaningfully in their learning.

The district officially welcomed students back to classes on Wednesday, September 3, kicking off an exciting year ahead.

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