January 2, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

I hope everyone enjoyed a happy holiday and a rejuvenating recess.  We certainly missed seeing all of our students, faculty and staff over such an extended period!  May 2025 bring good health and happiness to your home and family. 

As we resume our daily school routines in the new year, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to participate in two important and exciting ongoing initiatives:

On Monday, January 6, the UPTC will host a General Meeting with a focus on the district’s news media literacy initiative.  This event will feature Professor Howard Schneider, Executive Director of the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University, to speak about Separating Fact From Fiction in the news.  Please join us on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the South High School library.  See the flyer below for details.  Professor Schneider has been met with rave reviews when engaging with faculty and staff and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to share his wisdom and insights with parents and community members.

Additionally, we continue to seek community input in the first stage of our Portrait of a Graduate project.  The initial Thought Exchange survey, which launched during our kick-off webinar in December, remains open through January 17.  The entire GNPS community is encouraged to take this brief survey: https://tejoin.com/scroll/217910524  Your voice matters — we would love to hear from you!

Please be aware that President Biden has declared Thursday, January 9 as a National Day of Mourning to honor the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.  All Schools will recognize the occasion by lowering flags to half-staff for a 30-day period by order of Governor Hochul.  In addition, a special remembrance passage will be shared with all students on that day and a brief moment of silence observed.  It is important to note that all schools will be open and in session on January 9. 

Thank you for your participation in these initiatives and your continued support of all our exceptional programs in the Great Neck Public Schools.  We have much to look forward to in 2025 as we continue the race for excellence. 

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