Looking Ahead to the 2026-27 School Year and Updates
August 24, 2026
Dear Garden City School Community,
I hope you and your family are enjoying the final days of summer. It is hard to believe that another school year is almost here! As we get ready to welcome our students back, I wanted to share a few updates from across the district.
Looking Ahead to the First Day of School
We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Our faculty, staff and administrators have been busy throughout the summer preparing our classrooms, buildings and programs. Over the past week especially, it has been wonderful to see our schools coming back to life as teachers and staff return and prepare for our students.
Curriculum and Instruction
A great deal of work also took place this summer around curriculum and instruction. Teachers and administrators spent many hours writing curriculum, planning together and preparing for the year ahead.
Our Portrait of a Graduate competencies continue to be an important part of this work. We want our students to leave Garden City with a strong academic foundation and the skills and confidence they will need for what comes next.
Literacy
Last year, our elementary teachers piloted several literacy programs as part of our review of K-5 literacy instruction. Following that work, we adopted Benchmark Advance as our primary K-5 literacy resource beginning this fall.
Our teachers and administrators have spent considerable time this summer preparing for its implementation. We also know that families want to understand what their children are learning and how they can support them at home. We are developing a dedicated resource for families that will be available on our district website.
Technology
I know that technology and screen time continue to be important topics for many families. We share those concerns and remain thoughtful about how and when technology is used in our classrooms.
There is an important difference between recreational screen time, social media and technology used purposefully for learning. In our schools, technology is not the lesson; it is one tool a teacher may use to strengthen the lesson.
At the same time, we have a responsibility to prepare our students for a world in which technology, including artificial intelligence, will be part of their lives. Before they leave Garden City, we want them to know not only how to use these tools, but how to use them thoughtfully, responsibly and ethically. Learning when to use technology, and when not to use it, is equally important.
As always, our focus is on balance. We want our students reading books, writing, talking with one another, moving, creating and learning through hands-on experiences. When technology is used, it should have a clear educational purpose, protect student information and add something meaningful to the learning experience.
Summer Construction Update
If you have driven by our schools this summer, you have probably noticed quite a bit of activity. We have made significant progress on several projects across the district.
At the high school, renovations to our physics classrooms and construction of the new business and finance center and art room and gallery are expected to be completed for the start of school. The replacement of the turf on our main field has also been completed.
Work on our new high school fitness center continues, with an anticipated opening in November. I am excited for our students to begin using these new and renovated spaces and grateful to our community for continuing to support investments in our schools.
Summer Programs and Student Opportunities
Our schools were also busy with students this summer. We had strong participation in our SCOPE enrichment program, and our Extended School Year program provided continued learning and support for our students.
Thank you to our teachers, staff, student volunteers and families who made these programs possible. It was wonderful to see so many students engaged in our schools throughout the summer.
Welcoming New Staff
This year, we will welcome approximately 65 new staff members to Garden City. I had the opportunity to spend time with our new teachers during orientation last week, and it was wonderful to welcome them to the district. I know our community will join me in making all of our new staff feel at home in Garden City.
Transportation Information
The first few weeks of school always require some adjustment with transportation, and we ask for your patience as routes and pickup and drop-off times settle into a routine.
Like many districts, we continue to face challenges in recruiting school bus drivers. We have consolidated several routes to improve efficiency and maintain reliable service, which means some students may have a different driver this year.
Please allow approximately two weeks for pickup and drop-off times to become consistent. Thank you in advance for your patience as our drivers and students adjust to their routes.
Free Lunch Program
We will once again provide free meals to all students during the 2026-27 school year through New York State's Universal School Meals program. Individual schools will share additional information about meal services and building procedures. We have also expanded options for students this year.
More information about our Lunch for Every Learner Program can be found on our website.
Personal Electronic Devices Including Cellphone Policy Reminder
As we begin the year, I also want to remind families that student cellphones and other internet-enabled personal devices must remain off and away throughout the school day.
We know this will be an adjustment for some students as they come back to school, and we need the support and partnership of our families to make this successful. Please help us by reinforcing these expectations at home and reminding your children of the importance of keeping their devices off and away during the school day.
Our approach at school will be to educate and reinforce expectations. Ultimately, we want our students focused on learning, engaged with their teachers and classmates, and more present throughout the school day.
Here is a link to the Students and Personal Electronic Devices.
Student Safety Updates
The safety of our students remains our highest priority. Over the summer, we continued working with the Village of Garden City and local officials to address pedestrian safety in the Stewart Avenue area.
Roadway markings near Stewart School have been expanded to help keep the intersection clear and improve visibility for pedestrians. These changes will also support stronger enforcement of traffic regulations in the area.
I am grateful to the Village and our local officials for listening to our concerns and working with us. I also want to thank the Garden City Police Department for their continued partnership and support of our schools.
Water Safety Reminder
Beginning this school year, New York State requires school districts to provide families with information on drowning prevention, water safety and safe swimming. With a few more summer days ahead of us, this is a good opportunity to review these important practices with your children. New York State water safety information is available on our district website.
Save the Date: Homecoming
Homecoming comes early this year! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 19. Homecoming is always a wonderful event for our entire Garden City community and one that I look forward to each year.
We will once again have our Homecoming parade and festivities leading up to the football game. I hope to see many of our students, families, staff and community members there. It is always a wonderful day for Garden City!
Looking Forward
We are ready and excited to welcome our students back! Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our schools. I am looking forward to all that the new school year will bring.
Enjoy these last few days of summer with your families. We look forward to seeing your children on September 1!
Sincerely,
Kusum
Kusum Sinha, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools