August 20, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year. I hope that the summer months have allowed you to spend time with family and friends engaging in all of the activities that make this time of year a special one, and that the memories are cherished ones that will last throughout our upcoming school year.

Having now completed my first year as Superintendent of GNPS (and beginning my 30th year as an educator), I have had the honor and pleasure to meet and engage with many of you. For those who I have not yet been as fortunate to meet, I hope the coming school year provides ample opportunities to do so. The 2024-25 calendar is most certainly filled with many occasions to come together in celebration of our students. We look forward to a year filled with academic achievement, athletic competition, music, drama, the visual arts, and all of the other co-curricular activities that make GNPS such an exceptional place for students to learn and grow.

While our students were not in attendance, the administration, faculty, clerical staff, custodial, and buildings/grounds crew steadily worked to ensure the smooth opening of our schools for the 2024-25 school year. Our instructional staff, including some exceptional new members of the faculty and administration, has been diligent in preparing lesson plans, revising curriculum, examining new programs, and technology integration initiatives. You will also note the successful completion of several, wonderful capital projects (such as Science labs at NMS and NHS) across the District, while others remain ongoing (Baker extension) in an effort to best meet the needs of our learning community. You will also note some new “spirit” throughout the campuses as we celebrate the unity of our GNPS school community.

As we continue the “race for excellence” in 2024-25, our professional development opportunities will focus on the continued investment in News Media Literacy, careful examination of the K-8 Literacy Program, effective uses of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in an instructional setting, exploration of Restorative Practices to enhance and improve student discipline strategies, just to name a few. We will also continue to focus on anti-hate initiatives and celebrate the diversities that exist within our exceptional community. Please look forward to reading more about these initiatives in District newsletters, on our newly redesigned website, through ParentSquare notifications and other forms of communication. We will also continue to use our Thought Exchange platform to elicit feedback and increase engagement with parents and community. We look forward to your participation.

Once again, please refer to our website and district social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram) to stay updated regarding all school activities. In addition, please consider following me on X (formerly Twitter) to gain some additional information and insight about what is happening in both our district and the educational community. My account can be found at Dr.Bossert@GreatNeck_Super and our hashtag - #DiscoverGreatness

As previously mentioned, please recall that the monthly meetings of the Board of Education will now take place exclusively at E.M. Baker elementary in the beautifully constructed auditorium. We hope this provides the GNPS community with an optimal experience when attending our meetings in person or viewing from home via livestream (link found on our website). The Board of Education is excited to continue to recognize outstanding students and staff as we progress throughout the school year. We hope you will join us.

I look forward to working with you to make the 2024-25 school year one to remember for all students. We look forward to collaborating with you to #DiscoverGreatness.

Warm Regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools