Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School has been redesignated as a New York State and National School to Watch by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and National Forum. On Friday, May 26, the school celebrated this special recognition.
The Essential Elements: Schools to Watch Program is a partnership between NYSED and the educational nonprofit National Forum. The program recognizes middle schools in New York and across the country that have shown continuous improvement in academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure. Memorial Junior High School was one of 11 schools recognized in New York State this year and one of only 189 schools recognized in the country. This is Memorial Junior High School’s second designation as a School to Watch since 2017.
“This is an outstanding accomplishment for Memorial’s staff and students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Wayne Loper. “We know that Memorial’s administrators and teachers are constantly looking for new ways to reach their students and push them toward success. For their efforts to be recognized, again, is a great honor. Congratulations to Principal Bret Strauss and his staff. This honor is well deserved.”
The accomplishment was also recognized by Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa. “Congratulations to our outstanding students and educators on these impressive accomplishments,” she said.
To celebrate the achievement, students and staff members all wore matching School to Watch t-shirts on May 26, and held a special assembly featuring the Harlem Wizards. Local businesses One in a Million Printing, iSland Realty, and Air Design Inc. provided the shirts, and the Central-Memorial PTSA organized the assembly.
“It is a great honor to once again receive this designation, especially when it reaffirms our efforts to guide our students,” said Principal Strauss. “This distinction could not have been achieved without our wonderful staff at Memorial, and I thank them for all of their hard work.”
Students wore Memorial School to Watch t-shirts during a special assembly featuring the Harlem Wizards.
Students in attendance for the assembly, which celebrated Memorial’s redesignation as a School to Watch.
taff and PTSA members with the Harlem Wizards.
The Harlem Wizards perform at the interactive assembly.