Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen celebrated the start of the new year with an inspiring districtwide literacy event that brought students, teachers, and families together in the spirit of kindness and community. On January 14, 2025, students from all grade levels participated in a special read-aloud of Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light by Apryl Stott. This heartwarming book encourages spreading kindness as a guiding light.
The event, designed to foster literacy and a sense of unity, featured a shared reading experience where students, along with their teachers and family members, enjoyed the story of a young girl who discovers the power of kindness in her community. Following the reading, each student created a lantern, much like the one featured in the book, symbolizing their commitment to leading with kindness in the year ahead.
“We are so proud to bring our district together for such a meaningful event,” said Dr. Judith LaRocca. Superintendent of Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen. “This event was not only a celebration of literacy, but also an opportunity to instill important values of compassion and empathy in our students. By creating lanterns as a symbol of kindness, we hope to inspire them to be a light to others in their communities.”
The lantern-making activity, where students crafted their illuminated symbols of kindness, was a fun and creative way to reinforce the theme of the story. The districtwide event was also an opportunity for families to bond over a shared love of reading, creating lasting memories while discussing the values of kindness and light.
As Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen looks ahead to the year, the district remains committed to fostering a positive learning environment where students are encouraged to embrace the power of kindness and community. The success of this event marks just the beginning of many more engaging and thoughtful initiatives aimed at bringing the district together in the months to come.
