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January 15, 2025

Dear GNPS Community:

As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day of reflection and inspiration, I am excited to share an extraordinary announcement. On Thursday, February 6, we will have the incredible honor of welcoming Mr. Martin Luther King III to the Great Neck Public Schools. Mr. King, son of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will visit our district and address students in grades 5 through 12, sharing his reflections on his father’s enduring legacy.

This visit carries profound historical significance for our community. In 1967, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself visited Great Neck—including a brief visit to Great Neck South High School—and inspired the community with his powerful message of justice, equality, and hope. Now, nearly six decades later, we are honored to welcome his son, who continues to champion those same ideals.

To prepare for this event, our schools are engaging students in meaningful, age-appropriate lessons that explore the lasting impact of Dr. King’s work. These classroom discussions and activities will help students connect Dr. King’s vision to their own lives and the world around them. These preparations will culminate in Mr. King’s visit, providing a unique opportunity for our students to learn directly from someone who has lived and carried forward his father’s legacy.

I am grateful for the efforts of our educators, Board of Education, parent-teacher organizations, and other community partners who have helped make this visit possible. It is a rare privilege to connect with history in such a personal and meaningful way, and I am confident this will be an unforgettable experience for our students.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools and for joining us in celebrating this occasion. As a reminder, schools will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As we look ahead into the holiday weekend, let us honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and continue working toward the realization of his dream. 

Warm Regards,
Kenneth Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools