August 7, 2025
 
Dear Garden City School Community,
 
I hope you are enjoying some well-deserved relaxation this summer! Now that we are officially halfway through the summer, I want to provide you with several important updates as we prepare for the start of the 2025-26 school year. While summer offers a much-needed break, our team has remained hard at work to ensure a smooth opening to the new year. I thank all staff who have worked so diligently the past several weeks to ensure the stage is set for another productive year!
 
Capital Improvements
If you’ve been on campus lately, you might have noticed construction taking place on several projects—most of which are part of the 2024 bond referendum. It is exciting to see the improvements taking shape that will support and enhance our students’ experience for years to come.

Below is a snapshot of the progress across our district:

• High School Gym Bleachers – Completed: The installation of new bleachers, divider curtains, and a basketball backboard are finished. 
• High School Fitness Center: Site preparation and foundation excavation are complete for the fitness center. 
• High School Turf Fields: All three fields have been excavated. Installation of the turf fields are underway.        This work will not be completed for the start of the school year.
• High School Boiler:  Replacement of the boiler is underway.  
• District-Wide HVAC Improvements: Air conditioning work continues in Stewart, Stratford, and Middle School cafeterias, as well as in primary classrooms. 
• Stewart Parking Lot: An additional parking lot is being built to accommodate our staff and families.        Significant work has been completed already.
• Bus Garage Repairs: The cement slab has been excavated, and underground plumbing and drainage work are ongoing. Installation of the helical piles began last week and continues.

As a reminder, construction will impact access to the high school fields and student parking lot this fall. Mr. Ramirez has made alternate arrangements for practices and games.  We encourage our high school students to take the bus for the start of the year.  We appreciate your patience and understanding during this exciting time of progress.
We are grateful to our facilities team and contractors for their dedication and care. These upgrades are an investment in the future of our students and community.
 
To see the work in progress, please view this short video. We look forward to sharing more updates with the community as the improvements continue.
 
Lunch for Every Learner
We are proud to announce the introduction of our Lunch for Every Learner program, which will provide free lunch to all students throughout the district for the upcoming school year. The New York State budget for 2025-26 included funding for Universal Free School Meals for all students, regardless of income level. We are excited to bring this state-funded program to Garden City students at each of our buildings. More information on the program, including how the elementary and primary meals must be pre-ordered, will be found on our website. More detailed information will be shared with families in the coming weeks.
 
Summer Enrichment Program
SCOPE recently concluded our district’s summer enrichment program which provided a diverse range of program offering to 944 Garden City students. These students enrolled in 2,338 course registrations. Offered through SCOPE, our program continues to be one of the largest on Long Island and included lessons in STEM, the culinary arts, theater, physical education and art for students in grades K-8. Older students also had the opportunity to engage in academic enrichment programs, including college essay and SAT preparation. In addition, many of our high school students volunteered in the program.  We thank SCOPE for their continued partnership, and Mr. Seid for coordinating and overseeing the program. A video and newsletter capture highlights from this year’s program. 
 
New York State School Cellphone Ban 
As you are probably aware, Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a “bell to bell” cellphone ban for all public schools throughout the state for the upcoming school year. All public school districts were required to submit their individual policy to the state by Aug. 1.   Our “distraction free schools” policy can be viewed here. The policy outlines where students can keep their electronic devices, how parents can contact students during the school day and exceptions that may be made for specific purposes.
 
I know this will be a difficult transition for some of our students and families; however, I appreciate your flexibility and adherence to the policy as we work together to enact these new procedures.
 
Administrative Updates
In addition to the administrative changes announced at the end of the 2024-25 school year, we will also soon welcome a new assistant principal at Stratford Avenue School, as Lauren Quezada has accepted a principal position in another district. We congratulate Ms. Quezada on her new role and thank her for her years of service to our district. I will share more information once the new assistant principal has been officially appointed.
 
Important Upcoming Dates
As a reminder, the first day of school for all students is Tuesday, Sept. 2. Additionally, please mark your calendars for our annual homecoming parade and celebration, planned for Saturday, Sept. 20. Please note that due to the field construction, parking locations and traffic patterns will be adjusted for homecoming; we appreciate your patience and understanding and hope that our entire community will join us for the celebration.
 
Please enjoy the final month of summer recess. While I do not want to wish your summer break away, I look forward to welcoming all students and staff back in a few weeks.
 
Sincerely,

Kusum
 
Kusum Sinha, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools