Congressman tours District 13 schools

Congressman Gregory Meeks visited District 13’s Wheeler Avenue Elementary School and Howell Road Elementary School on Oct. 29, touring classrooms and speaking with parents and students.

“I came to Valley Stream to find out about the issues facing schools here in Valley Stream,” Meeks said. “I wanted to make sure I know the similarities and differences between schools in Valley Stream and schools in New York City, so I can know how best to serve both areas.”

Meeks sat in on a class at each school, including teacher Noelle Villa’s grade 5 class at Howell Road. Students in the class conducted experiments in water purification as part of an ongoing emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

Meeks told students he was glad to see them learning about clean water because of the health risks associated with unsafe drinking water. “I am truly amazed at how hard you’re working to make sure the water is pure and clean,” Meeks said. “Water is one of our most valuable resources.”

The Congressman took questions from the class, including questions about President Obama and the first family, and what it was like to be famous. After fielding the questions, Meeks had a message for the students.

“There is nobody more important than you,” he said. “You are the future of this country, and I am very proud that the future is in good hands.”

After saying goodbye to students, Meeks spoke with members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Adrienne Robb-Fund, principal Frank Huplosky, PTA members and parents about his role in Washington and how he could assist the district. He said the visit provided him with information he would use to make sure schools in the district are taken care of.

“I’m glad I was able to come down and see everything that is going on here at these schools,” Meeks said. “I’m glad to see the focus on STEM here and I think it’s an important area to invest both time and money into. I also heard from parents that they want foreign language instruction to start earlier. I agree that the best time to learn a foreign language is when you are young, in grade school, and I would really like to find a way to invest in that for these schools.”