Since March of 2020, we have all been under enormous stress. However, we “powered through” these difficult times and continue to strive for the light at the end of the tunnel. During these times, I was asked to reflect on the accomplishments of Berea Elementary School. When I started my look back, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The Valley Central School District developed a five year strategic plan in 2017. In that plan, each school developed a list of “Big Idea Goals.” Essentially, this list was a combination of wish list items and items that were needed to improve facilities, operations, and academics.

We are fortunate to have two professional consultants in our school, one for literacy and one for math. With careful planning these consultants were able to embed professional development during the school day for teachers with minimal loss of instruction. Teachers appreciate the time to plan and talk to one another about current and new methods of instruction that they are able to use in their classrooms immediately.

In 2019, the sidewalks at Berea were replaced with new concrete designed to allow for better accessibility for the physically disabled. Along with the concrete redesign, our entire parking lot, bus lanes and playground area were resurfaced. New crosswalks were created for safe crossing from the parking lot to the building. In the summer of 2019, an Eagle Scout created an outdoor classroom that is at the back of Berea’s property just beyond the swings. Students from all grades continue to enjoy this space.

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) program for fourth grade students started several years ago as an after school program. Through careful planning and many meetings at the District and building level, we now have a STEAM program offered to all students in the building during the school day.
This year the District created a before school academic intervention services program. This program is for students who are struggling with the mastery of skills necessary to achieve grade level success. This program started in October. We will evaluate this program as the first session draws to a close. Along the lines of providing academic support, the District also put a summer school program into place for all elementary buildings to help students fill the gaps that developed during the pandemic. This was the first time summer school was offered in many years. Through the hard work of the lead teachers and the teachers of the program, students completed their coursework and moved on to the next grade.

Finally, Berea has eight self-contained special education classes that often integrate cooking simple dishes into their curriculum. We had a plan to extend the counter top in one of our small classrooms to allow for these projects. To our surprise and delight, we were able to have a full kitchen installed including a stove, dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator. This could not have been done without the funding and support of the Valley Central School District. This kitchen allowed our special education students to participate in a grand Thanksgiving feast that they thoroughly enjoyed. To all those involved, we are most thankful.

Berea Elementary School achieved many of its goals over the course of the last five years. Now our school will create new goals that will continue the long standing tradition of educational excellence. Berea looks forward to opportunities to collaborate with the greater Valley Central community to help support the Berea Elementary School community.