Valley Stream District 30 to mark 100th anniversary

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Valley Stream District 30, with its flagship Clear Stream Avenue School turning a remarkable 100 years old.

A centennial celebration will occur on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 8:45 a.m., on the front steps of Clear Stream Avenue School, located at 60 Clearstream Ave. Hometown, regional, and state legislators have been invited to participate in the ceremony. Former and current principals, teachers and students will also be on hand to join in the celebration.

Before Valley Stream District 30, otherwise known as “The Friendly Schools,” was formed, students living west of Merrick Avenue had to attend either Wheeler Avenue in District 13, Brooklyn Avenue in District 24, or Elmont.

Families were concerned about these schools becoming overcrowded and worried that the children from the western end of town would have to travel far to get an education.

This matter was brought to the attention of Nassau County Second District Superintendent Wellington C. Mepham, who after reviewing numerous potential alternatives, declared on May 22, 1923, the formation of Common School District No. 30. 

On June 19 of that year, the district superintendent, under the authority of the New York State Education Department, changed the district’s structure to a union-free school district which allowed the district to provide education on a broader and more effective basis to its students.

By September of that year, its first school, a wooden structure located on Joseph Buscher’s estate, was up and running. Its doors opened to welcome a new generation of eager minds, ready to learn and grow in the nurturing environment the district had created.

Near the end of the 1923–24 academic year, an eight-room brick building opened on Clear Stream Avenue and was named after the street.  Instantly, the district began to expand and by 1929 Clear Stream Avenue Elementary School needed 11 teachers.

“Over the years, Valley Stream Union Free School District 30 has evolved into a diverse and vibrant community that seeks to empower its children to achieve greatness,” said Superintendent Roxanne Garcia-France.

“The leaders, teachers, staff, families, and community members are committed to cultivating the minds of students and inspiring them to become Global Leaders of Tomorrow.”

Garcia-France added, “With our values rooted in academic excellence, we strive to make sure each student is given individual attention to reach their fullest potential—to be independent and collaborative learners who can contribute meaningfully in this 21st-century world.

She continues: “Our district is dedicated to fostering strong, honest relationships based on integrity, respect, and inclusivity. This resolute commitment has and will continue to have a long-lasting impact on the students of Valley Stream and beyond, allowing their bright futures to shine far into the future.”