- View the Viking Voyage Google Slideshow.
- Printable Viking Voyage – Superintendent’s Newsletter-September 2025
Valley Central’s Mission
At Valley Central we champion curiosity and set high expectations. Our mission is to empower every member to achieve at high levels and embrace the joy of continuous learning.
Superintendent’s Message
Dear Valley Central Families,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope your summer was filled with rest, joy, and time with loved ones. As we begin this new year together, I am inspired by the opportunities ahead for our students and energized by the shared commitment of our community. School buildings open their doors for students on Thursday, September 4th.
Over the summer, significant construction projects took place across the district. These improvements are helping us create safer, more modern, and more engaging learning environments for students.
We are deeply grateful for your patience and support as our dedicated crews worked tirelessly—often through weekends—to prepare our schools for opening. While a few finishing touches will continue after the first day, we are confident our schools are ready to welcome students back with excitement and pride. If you haven’t had a chance to watch the Construction Video that was posted in July, I encourage you to take a look as it offers a glimpse into the progress being made to improve the District’s facilities. A full update on summer projects will also be shared by the end of September!
This year, Valley Central continues into the second year of our Strategic Plan. Our focus is on creating schools where every student feels celebrated, confident, and empowered to grow. Some highlights you’ll see this year include:
- iReady: All students in grades K–8 will now use iReady as their new diagnostic assessment. This tool provides immediate feedback and personalized learning paths, ensuring each child receives the right support to grow with confidence.
- Questioning: Teachers will be deepening classroom dialogue by focusing on student questioning, which builds curiosity, critical thinking, and stronger engagement in learning. Families can support this at home by encouraging children to share their thoughts and wonderings about their school day.
- CKLA Literacy: Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts will now be fully implemented in grades K-5. This is a research-based program rooted in the Science of Reading and aligned with New York State’s Back to Basics Literacy Initiative. It was piloted in classrooms last school year, and received highly positive feedback from students, families, and pilot teachers. The program will strengthen reading, writing, and critical thinking skills across classrooms.
- MTSS: Our Multi-Tiered System of Supports will continue to guide how we meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of every student, ensuring they have the resources to thrive.
I also want to note that the printed district calendar contained a misprint for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. These holidays remain on December 25th and 31st. You can find a new printable December calendar page on our website. If you have any questions or comments about the calendar or our district website, please reach out to communications@vcsdny.org.
At Valley Central, we believe deeply in the power of working together—families, staff, and students—as one team, one district, one community. With that shared commitment, we can turn challenges into opportunities and achievements into celebrations.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. I look forward to a school year filled with growth, curiosity, and joy for every student.
Warm regards,
Superintendent Avila
Construction Updates
