August 18, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year! I hope the summer months brought you well-deserved rest and meaningful time with family and friends. The beginning of a new school year always brings a sense of renewal, and I am confident the memories created over the summer will inspire the year ahead.

As I begin my third year as Superintendent—and my 31st in public education—I remain honored to lead Great Neck Public Schools. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many members of our school community and witnessing firsthand the spirit and excellence that define GNPS. It has been a joy to watch our students grow and excel in so many ways these past two years. This year promises to be just as exciting, with our students continuing to shine academically, athletically, and artistically through countless celebrations of learning and achievement.

Over the summer, our staff worked diligently to prepare for a successful school opening. Instructional teams revised curriculum, integrated new technologies, and welcomed outstanding new colleagues and members of the district leadership team. Capital improvements like the South High School gymnasium and the North High School library, stand as a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence across the curriculum. You'll also notice renewed school spirit across campuses, a reflection of our united GNPS identity.

As required by New York State Law, and Board of Education policy 5695 (Personal Electronic Communication Devices), all school buildings throughout GNPS will enforce a “bell to bell” ban on cellphones. As you have likely read in various media accounts, this was an initiative strongly supported by Governor Hochul over the last year (or more). The intent is to minimize the distraction of cell phone use during the instructional day.

While our practices will go mostly unchanged from Pre-K through grade 8, there will be some modifications at each of our high schools to meet the requirements of this new mandate/ban. Each of our principals will communicate with parents/guardians/students directly regarding storage of devices, how to contact students throughout the day, and the very small number of exceptions to the ban. We appreciate your partnership and patience as we attempt to make the accommodations necessary for compliance and to truly create distraction free learning spaces. We anticipate that there will be a learning curve/growing pains as we change our internal
practices—particularly at our high schools. 

We have applied for the very limited funding available from New York State to assist in the
implementation of the cellphone ban. Once secured, these funds will be used for professional development/speakers to work to help students (and adults) understand the dangers of excess screen time, social media, and digital media literacy. The mental health and well-being of our students remains a primary focus throughout GNPS.

Looking ahead, we will continue advancing key initiatives, including our focus on News Media Literacy, K–8 literacy development, responsible AI use in classrooms, and Restorative Practices. We remain committed to anti-hate education and to celebrating the diversity that enriches our community.

Please continue to stay connected via our website, ParentSquare, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and livestreamed Board of Education meetings held at E.M. Baker. My personal account (should you care to follow) can be found on Instagram at: dr.bossert_great_neck_super and our hashtag - #DiscoverGreatness. Let’s continue working together to #DiscoverGreatness
in all that we do!

I look forward to working with you to make the 2025–26 school year one to remember for all students. We look forward to collaborating with you to #DiscoverGreatness and continue the race for excellence.
 

Warm Regards,

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