The Valley Voice

Thanks to Joyce Septimus Kent (Class of '55) for sending the 1955 issue of the Queens Valley School News!

1955 Queens Valley School News

1975 New Year's Resolutions   Class 4-2

This year I promise to help my mother and my father and do everything they say.  I want them to be very proud of me in school.   In school, I am going to mind my own business and do everything Mrs. Glaubman says.   I am writing this because I am proud of the jobs and things that I do.

Garbis Hartusion

My New Year's Resolutions for 1975 are the following:
I will try to behave and not make my parents mad at me.
When my teacher is talking I will pay attention all the time.
I will try to help my mother stop smoking.

Amy Schleichkoven

Now that it is 1975 I am going to brush my teeth everyday.
I am going to be good in school.
I'll go to church every Sunday.
I'll do all my homework.
I won't be lazy anymore.
I won't fight anymore.

Richard Simon

How I Would Change the World in 1975
by Robert Chorny, Class 4-2

I would give money to the poor so they could get food, clothes, better schooling and books.  I would get everyone to like each other.  I would stop inflation and help to get everyone back to work again.   There would not be anymore wars.

I would clean up the pollution in the air and clean up all the crimes in the cities.  I would make the streets safer for children to play in.

These Are the Days  (May 1975)

PS 164, Queens Valley School, on the site of a golf course, was formally dedicated on Monday, October 10, 1949, at 9:30 am.

With this start 1,400 children and over 50 teachers worked together, in double session, under the leadership of David Karow, Principal, and Beatrice Duffy, Assistant Principal.

Many people moved into this school district to be in the "Charm School" area.  Children progressed to higher education with a good, basic knowledge of historical documents, which were conceived, written and taught by the school Principal, David Karow.  Grammar, good english usage, spelling, and primary reading development were high on the list of educational achievements.

The years passed.  We were blessed with new education at the helm.  In the Principal's seat were Thomas A. Gannon, Howard Ellenber and George Pisa.  Anne Miller followed Beatrice Duffy as Assistant Principal.

Today, 26 years later, we have 670 children, 26 class teachers, medical team teachers, 1 Guidance Teacher, 1 Reading Teacher, 1 Art and French Teacher, 1 Library Teacher, 4 Educational Assistants, 6 School Aids, 1 Security Guard, 2 School Secretaries and Speech Teachers.

Louis R. Ricca, our Principal today, is a talented, artistic, modern educator - creative and knowledgeable in educational, scientific and mechanical areas.  He is very conscious of family life and children's growth.  Our Assistant Principal William J. Minogue, Jr. fits into the pulse of the school, handling problems, supplies and discipline with remarkable, quiet efficiency.

There were many changes in the world affecting our school as the years passed.  PS 164 lives on, touching the lives of many children and educators.

There are 3 people at 164 who are part of the original staff.  You may know them.  They are Mildred Goldstein, School Secretary "Supreme", Dora Finkelstein, Efficiency and Output, and Yours Most Sincerely,

Elsie M. Zobler

What's New?

Class 6-3 has been scheduled to visit the
Queens Botanical Garden to plant a Crape Myrtle
which the school is donating to the Garden on April 21, 1975.

The children in Class 6-3 wrote poems about the Myrtle Tree.

The Myrtle Tree by Alan Resnick

The flowers of a myrtle tree
Are very beautiful to see.
One kind of tree has an edible berry
Which may be mistaken for a cherry.

The Myrtle Tree by Edward Baker

Planting a myrtle tree is good for us,
Yes, you and me,
It brightens up the scenery
And is good for the ecology.

1975 Queens Valley School Science Fair

Winner - Gonen Haklay, Class 6-3

Mr. Haklay's project will be entered in the District Science Fair.

Best Chart - Chisako Mitsumatsu - What Makes the Sky Blue

Honorable Mentions, Class 5-4

Branly Cadet - Traffic Light
Mara Reiss - Conversion of Energy
Sandra Salama - Automatic Traffic Light
Sandra Wiseberg - How Plants Get Their Food and Water
Andrew Roher - Water Wheel

"You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" by Class 3-3
and Mrs. Goldrich was a fine closing to the third
and fourth grade assembly year.
Adapted directly from the newspaper comic strip "Peanuts"
the presentation was comprised of 21 skits.
The humor was wonderful and the individual
performances were a delight.

1975 Chess Championship

On December 29th the 10th Annual Greater New York
Elementary Chess Championship was held at the Hotel McAlpin.
The following 5th and 6th grade students represented our school
in this important local competition:

Ricky Blum
Ronald Brawer
Patrick Byrnes
Danny Katz
Kris Kelkar
Gonen Haklay
Wally Lane
Andrew Roher
Robert Schacter
Eric Sterling

My Thoughts on Graduation by Mark Siegel, Class 6-3 

For me, some of my happiest days have been spent at PS 164Q.  Now I am faced with the knowledge that I will be going to a new school next year.  I have mixed feelings about this.  Here are some, first the good:

For years now I have waited to do something new and to see different and exciting things.  When I go to Campbell Junior High School I expect to do all this.  Going to a junior high school makes me feel more mature since I will be faced with new responsibilities and problems.  I am sure I will enjoy my years at Campbell.

Now for the sad news:  I have to leave the school which in some respects I grew up in.  I started in kindergarten, a frightened little kid.  Now when I am just beginning to feel at home here, I have to leave.  All the teachers were just great to me and I enjoyed almost every minute of it.  I am lucky to realize that there are a lot of other things to look forward to, and to make me as happy as when I went to PS 164.

Do We Have to Graduate? by Chisako Mitsumatsu, Class 6-3

I have been in this school for only two years but I feel as though this school is home.  I have become quite attached to PS 164.  I have visited Campbell Junior High School, where I will be going next year, and I honestly like this school much better.

This school has some of the greatest teachers a school could ever have.  This school also has a super principal.

This past year has been great for me.   I have learned a lot and can read any hard book with ease.  I will miss this school terribly.  This whole summer vacation might turn into a horrible one, although I never thought I'd be saying that about a vacation.

This is the school where I have made friends, worked hard, learned and studied with the greatest teachers.  I just won't be able to get over leaving this school and will cherish my memories of it.

Graduation practice is fun but when it comes to the real thing, it is sad.  I still can't believe we'll be graduating.   Of course, junior high school will be a new experience and it should be interesting.  Everybody has to graduate sometime, but I really wish I could put this graduation off for another 60 million years.

How I Feel About Graduation by John Cosachov, Class 6-3

I feel a little nervous about graduating because it seems like a big step from elementary school to junior high.  Besides once you are accustomed to one school, it's a little hard to adjust yourself to another school.   Another thing is sixth graders go from the highest group in elementary school to the lowest group in junior high school.  Since most sixth graders live fairly far from Campbell we'll have to get up much earlier to go to school, even though most of us enjoy sleeping a little bit later.  Most children will have to take the bus to get to Campbell and it's a little bothersome to wait for the bus, especially if it's raining or snowing.

Many children like me look forward to graduating but feel nervous and sad about going to junior high - nervous because they will probably feel inferior to the older children and sad that they will not be able to see or visit their teachers often.

My Graduation by Michael Majoros, Class 6-3

While I sit here trying to think what to say the first thing that comes into my mind is my mother and father trying to get me into kindergarten.  It was a tough battle but they won.  When I first came into the school I was a scared little boy and now I am a big educated one.  Now that I think about what I am, I realized I owe it all to them and the school I'm about to graduate from.  I've grown mentally and physically and am really glad I made it.

When I leave this school I'm going to leave a lot of memories behind, such as my teachers, my classrooms and some of my younger friends.  When I go into junior high school I'll do my best to remember them.   I'll never forget you PS 164!

Leaving PS 164 by Laura Torrents, Class 6-1

PS 164 is the greatest school in Queens.   Why?  Because I've gone to this school from kindergarten through 6th.   All of the teachers I've had were very good, nice and helpful.  Mr. Ricca is one of the nicest principals that I've heard of.  The teacher I shall miss the most is Mrs. Rohrs.  Why?  Because she is so wonderful.  Did you know that last year I wished for her?

Leaving PS 164 by Lee Shapiro, Class 6-1

I can remember the day I first came into this school and graduating from kindergarten.  Then going to first grade and learning my ABCs.  Writing my first word CAT, learning to write my name and learning to add 2 + 2.

My life of learning started right here.   Getting my first class picture, putting on plays, going to music, art and french; joining the Glee Club and getting my first report card.  I will miss this school.   I loved every teacher I ever had.  I will miss Mr. Ricca, Mr. Minogue and Mrs. Farkas.  I'll never forget Mrs. Rohrs, my graduating teacher.  She is the most exciting teacher I ever had.  She did things that would go out of her way for us.   She would spend lunch times with us.  She helped us put on one of the greatest plays this year.  She is so fair and treats us like grown-ups.  I wish I could stay here another year.

Blue Beret Trip

On June 11th the Blue Beret Monitors had an all-day
outing at West Point and Bear Mountain Park.
It was a wonderful day and a special reward for our
fine monitors who worked hard all year.

1976 Plays

April 9th at 9am
4th Grade - Mrs. Glaubman
"Bunnies and Bonnets"

April 30th at 9am
6th Grade - Mr. Gordon
"South Pacific"

1976 Science Fair Winners

Linda Brandon - The Heart
Claire Forchheimer - The Effect of Salt Water On the Scindapus Aurous
Kevin Hughes - Digital Number Converter

Spring Thoughts from Class 3-225 (1976)

Spring by David Michael Rossatt

The sun shines down on me.
The breeze feels like a flea.
The leaves on the tree
bloom on your big toe.
Children go outside to play.
They go far and stay by the bay.

Spring by Joey Milstein

Spring is nice.
Spring is lovely.
Spring is joyful.
Spring is one of the best seasons.
The flowers come up.
The trees get leaves.
Everything happens in spring!

Spring Poem by Sean Galligan

I like spring.
I like to sing about the sun
because the rain is gone.

Spring by Nancy Bauman

Spring!  Spring!   It's fun in spring!
Daffodils sing and ringing bells chime.
That's what I like about spring.
We take out the ping pong table and play.
We play ball and we play tag.
That's what I like about spring!

Final Assembly - Sixth Grade

June 22, 1976

Louis R. Ricca, Principal
William J. Minogue, Jr., Assistant Principal

Songs

"No Man is an Island"
"Freedom" from Shenandoah
"Meditation"

Announcer - Patricia Weppler
Soloists - Helen Anagnostos and Jody Weston

"This is My Country"
Class 6-327 Choral Speaking - "Our Country 'Tis of Thee"

Presentation of School Gift - Claire Forchheimer

Principal's Message by Louis R. Ricca

My, what a joy it has been to have you.  It seems the world is of many "hellos" and "goodbyes."   I feel very lucky to have been able to say so many times to you, "Good morning boys and girls."  In itself the expression seems no more than a social greeting, but to me - and I hope to you - it was always more than that.  How nice it was to walk among you, touch your hands, see your smiles, or listen to your stories.  These were and are the finer things in life.  All of us were like one family sharing each other's happiness and feeling each other's sorrows.  There is great comfort in being under familiar surroundings, good routines, and understanding friends.  This was our home away from home.

So, now we pause and look back.  We remember the kindergarten beginnings, each in our own way.  We remember our teachers and our buddies.  We remember each grade and significant happenings.  Truly the good things outnumbered the bad.  And, miracle of miracles, how we have all grown.  We know things we didn't know before.  We're able to do things now that we weren't able to do before.  We are ready to learn things that we weren't able to be ready to learn before.

But there is no need for "good byes."  We can and do keep all of the nice things in our minds.   There are all types of "good byes."  Let's keep ours the open "good bye" which means we may be out of sight but not out of heart. 

From Our Assistant Principal William J. Minogue, Jr.

As graduation approaches each year I become a little wistful.  I don't know why this happens because many of our former graduates return during the year to tell us how they are doing in junior high, high school and college.  However, all do not return - so for some the parting is final.    We have watched this year's graduates grow and mature over the years.   Now they are ready to leave us.

They have shared with us their youthful enthusiasm and marvelous curiosity.  They have received from us not only literacy but an appetite for knowledge and a feeling for the dignity of each individual.

In the 1700s Henry Fielding wrote, "To whom nothing is given, of him nothing can be required."  This year's graduates have been fortunate in many ways and we expect great things of them.   Godspeed.

"It was the best of times...it was the worst of times..."  by Lois Rothburd

This quotation from Charles Dickens' Tale of Two Cities probably most aptly describes our school year 1975-1976.  After a horrible beginning, marred by a strike, lay-offs, and catastrophic budget cuts, the school year began and Class 6-327 and I were stunned to be informed that we were destined to spend the year together.  This initial reaction didn't last very long.  Almost immediately, we plunged into a schedule that was as varied as it was edifying.  Together we visited the Botanical Gardens, wrote and performed our social studies skits, and worked and worked and worked.  During all this we got to know each other very well and it soon became apparent to me that this was a class unlike any class I've ever had.  I won't easily forget you, Class 6-327.   You were a lively bunch, to be sure, but you were also a group that was eager to learn anything I introduced you to.  At the same time, I cannot minimize the number of things I learned from you.  I'll miss you, Class 6-327, but I know you no longer belong in elementary school.  You are ready for the next step up on the educational ladder, where I'm sure you'll experience as many successes as you did here at P.S. 164.

Graduation by Annette Irizarry

P.S. 164 Queens has been my school for seven years and I have had a great time coming here.  My graduation will put an end to those years like a period at the end of a sentence.  Although I am leaving and going on to junior high school, high school and perhaps college, I will never forget P.S. 164, the school shaped like an 'H' - 'H' for happiness!  It's not just the school itself I'll miss, it's the people in it - the principal, the assistant principal, teachers and, of course, the students.    Super Duper Day, the Olympics, being a Blue Beret, graduation, trips and parties are all things I will remember.  P.S. 164, thank you for seven great years!

A "Thanks" to Everyone by Helen Anagnostos, Class 6-327

All the years I spent in P.S. 164 are very precious to me - not only because I had a lot of fun, but also because I learned many things I can use in the years to come.  I'll remember all my teachers - the ones I liked and the ones I didn't like.  Regardless of how I felt about them I thank them for all the fun and all the education I received.   I think we were very fortunate to have Mr. Ricca and Mr. Minogue as our principals.   I appreciate all the special days they planned for us and the visits they made to my classroom, and the lessons they taught which were very interesting.  Even though I'm leaving this school, I'll always remember what everyone taught me.  I give all my thanks to Mr. Ricca, Mr. Minogue and all my teachers for seven wonderful years at P.S. 164.

What Graduation Means to Me by Lori Hoberman, Class 6-327

Ever since the end of May the thought that I will be leaving P.S. 164 has been with me.    This entered my mind at the beginning of the year but I shoved it aside, telling myself I had a long way to go before graduation.  That's not true now.   The days are racing by and every day brings me closer to graduation.  When I graduate from this school it will be like leaving a good friend that I've known for a long time.  I know things have to change, time has to move on.  And that's why I'm looking forward to junior high, meeting new people and making new friends.  It's like moving up one rung on the ladder of life.  I am sure I will enjoy Campbell but I will always remember P.S. 164 and all the fun I had here.

What Graduation Means to Me by Kevin Hughes, Class 6-327

As graduation day comes nearer I am reminded of all the fun and happy times I have had in P.S. 164. The first thing that comes to mind happened when I was in second grade when we had Super Duper Day.  It was really neat being with all my friends and doing fun things all day. The second thing that I remember happened when I was in the third grade and our class got to do our play at the end of the year Trilogy.  I thought that was one of the best things that ever happened to me in this school. Skipping some things that are important, but not important enough to mention, I come to the sixth grade where I am Captain of the Blue Berets. I really think it's an honor and a great privilege and that I am very lucky to have gotten this position.    Besides all these things, everything I have learned, all my great teachers, all of the school staff, my friends, everything put together has made this a really great seven years for me at P.S. 164.   I am sure going to miss it all.

My Thoughts on Graduation by Claire Forchheimer, Class 6-327

I will always miss P.S. 164.  It's a great school where you can learn a lot and the work is fun.  Cake sales, assemblies, flea markets, Trilogy Night, Super Duper Day, plant sales and science fairs all made my seven years here just fly by.  Moving on to junior high is a very exciting experience.  Graduation ends my first step in education.  Meeting new people and having a variety of teachers will make going to junior high seem very important, but I will be very sad because I will have to leave this terrific school.  It's amazing how 164 made it through all the budget cuts.  I hope it continues to be as good.

What Graduation Means to Me by Mara Reiss, Class 6-327

Now that I am graduating I know how much P.S. 164 means to me.  As I think back it doesn't seem like that long since I started kindergarten.  Why has the time gone so fast?  Maybe it's because of the very special teachers who have seemed more like friends.  Whenever a reassuring word or a helping hand was needed they were always there. Their warmth and friendliness that greeted me as I walked through the doors encouraged me to do my very best.  I know this will be a very proud day for my parents and that makes me feel good.  I hope all the other schools I attend will be a great experience.

What Graduation Means to Me by Patricia Weppler, Class 6-327

As  I think over my seven years at P.S. 164 there is one word that describes it best - happiness.  I have had a lot of fun in this school.  All of my teachers and friends, Mr. Ricca and Mr. Minogue, special events, trips and contests have made this a great seven years.  I am sad about leaving this wonderful school but I am happy to be taking a big step in my life.  I know there will never be another school like P.S. 164 but I hope I will be going to good schools in the future.  Graduation means departure from 164 but it also means growing up.  Sixth grade has been my best year.   I have learned so much this term and my teacher has been great.  P.S. 164 - I'll always have room in my heart for you!

Goodbye PS 164 by Darrell Adams, Class 6-323

The reason I don't want to leave PS 164 is because I like Mr. Ricca and Mr. Minogue and my friendly teachers.  I like it when Mr. Ricca says, "Holy Swiss Cheese!"  I like Mr. Minogue because deep inside he is a nice man.  I love everything you ever did for me and I will never forget.

Leaving PS 164 by Steven Meyerson, Class 6-323

I hate to leave PS 164.  I was in this school since kindergarten and I liked all my teachers.  Mr. Ricca and Mr. Minogue are the best principals ever.  To me, PS 164 is the greatest school.  Mr. Csaposs was very nice.  We had the Olympics and it was a lot of fun.

Memories of PS 164 by Scott Zirkin, Class 6-318

I can remember the first day I came into this school in kindergarten.  That was probably the most scary time I ever had in this school.  Every year I would think back to the other years and some of the things I was nervous or upset about.  But now that I am graduating I could look back at everything that happened to me during the time I was at this school and it was not as bad as I thought it was.  I sure will miss this school.

Farewell 164 by Irene D'Andrea, Class 6-318

This year I'm graduating.  Next year I'll be in junior high school.  I really liked being in this school.  I liked most of my teaches.  Some yelled, some didn't.  They were all nice.  What really counts is what I learned in school.  I'll probably visit 164 sometimes.   I will always remember the good times I had in this school.

Memories of PS 164 by Mary-Louise von Thenen, Class 6-318

I will miss PS 164 when I go to junior high school because it is a very nice school.  I will miss Mr. Ricca and Mr. Minogue because they are the nicest people I've ever met.  Someday I hope to be a teacher at PS 164.  I will always have lots of memories from PS 164.  I will miss the class trips, contests and all the plays.