Garden City Public Schools

On Nov. 21, students at Garden City Middle School attended a “TRACKS: Together Railroads and Communities Keeping Safe” presentation, led by the MTA Police Department and Garden City Police Department Youth Detective Steve Roumeliotis.

The assembly focused on educating students about safety around railroad tracks, crossings and platforms. Students also learned important tips on bicycle safety and staying safe in crowded areas. The program included a demonstration by the MTA Police Department K-9 unit, giving students a firsthand look at safety in action.

“We are thankful for our partnership with the MTA and the Garden City Police Department,” said Dr. Daniel Fasano, assistant principal of Garden City Middle School. “Our number one goal is to do all we can to keep our children safe both inside and outside the classroom.”

Garden City High School social studies teacher Mr. Mike Zagari was recently featured on the podcast “Why I Teach,” hosted by Cindy Schwartz of the radio program “Rockin History,” a longtime resource in his Soundtracks course.

In the episode, Mr. Zagari and Ms. Schwartz discussed their shared passion for teaching and history, reflecting the Mr. Zagari’s belief captured by historian David McCullough: “History tells a story.” Their conversation also inspired new ideas for the YouTube channel “US History Underground,” which Mr. Zagari co-runs with teacher Mr. Kevin O’Hagan.

“Recording the podcast was a wonderful experience and it was a pleasure to sit down with Cindy Schwartz and talk about all things education,” said Mr. Zagari. “Her show, ‘Rockin' History,’ has been influential in developing curriculum for my course, ‘The American History Soundtrack,’ which focuses on U.S. history through the lens of music.”

To listen to Mr. Zagari’s interview, please click here to visit spotify.

The Garden City High School Parent Teacher Association recently announced the launch of a new digital wellness campaign, the "NoSo (No Social Media) November" challenge, designed to raise crucial awareness about screen time and encourage healthier digital habits among students and parents.

The initiative, introduced by PTA member Dawn Dennis, seeks to encourage students and parents to actively reduce screen time throughout the month. "NoSo November" is being implemented directly in physical education classes, where students were guided to look at their current screen time usage and set personal goals for reduction. Assistant Principal Connor Cohn directed students through the activity, and then their goals were anonymously posted on banners inside the school so that students can see what their peers are working toward achieving.

To maximize awareness, statistics and slogans are being utilized to inform participants about the issue, including data on the average time teens spend on social media and discussions regarding the dangers associated with various social media platforms. The main goal is to build self-regulation and encourage healthier habits among GCHS students.

Parents are an integral part of the initiative, as they are encouraged to have conversations with their children about screen time and work together to set personal goals. By promoting these discussions, the program aims to create a healthier balance in students’ lives and actively reduce the time spent on social media.

The organizers recognize that success can be measured broadly, believing the program is successful if it reaches even one child and helps them feel better about reducing their screen time. The PE classes will include a review of students' progress and will encourage them toward continued self-regulation beyond the duration of the challenge.

“This initiative was an outstanding success,” said Assistant Principal Cohn. “Staff and students alike participated and collaborated to do assessments of their screen time usage and their overall usage of social media. It was a useful and enjoyable initiative we will surely proceed with next year.”

The Garden City School District’s Transportation Department launched a districtwide food drive to benefit Long Island Cares Food Bank, which grew into a collaborative effort led by members of the CSEA. The initiative expanded when union volunteer Suzann Krudener suggested involving all CSEA members, and with district approval from Superintendent Dr. Kusum Sinha, the effort spread across schools. Over the course of three weeks, more than eight boxes of donations were collected.

“With so many people facing food insecurity, we wanted to share our blessings and support this important cause,” CSEA Unit Vice President Anna Marasia said. Krudener added that the middle school and Stratford School communities “really pulled through,” expressing hope to double contributions next year.

Dr. Sinha said she is “thankful and proud” of the union members’ initiative and generosity. Transportation Supervisor Linda Greene also noted that the union is currently running its annual coat drive, with donations accepted through the end of the year at the district’s transportation facility.

The district would like to thank everyone who contributed to supporting families in need.

Garden City High School’s Marching Band, the Marching Trojans, finished a strong fall season with standout performances at both state and national competitions. Throughout the season, the Marching Trojans consistently placed second in local and state competitions, receiving recognition in every caption category.

On the weekend of Nov. 1, the Marching Trojans competed at the New York State Championships in Lindenhurst, delivering a spectacular show that earned an overall score of 87.7. The band received awards for Best Visuals, Best Percussion and Best Color guard, and earned second place overall. The percussion section received the highest score of the entire competition, surpassing bands larger in size and higher in overall ranking.

“Receiving Best Percussion at this competition is a remarkable feat that we have never achieved before,” said Dan Dellamonica, band director. “I am incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and precision.”

On Nov. 8, the Marching Trojans traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to compete in the National Championship at the renowned J. Birney Crum Stadium. After a night of team bonding, the students rose early to prepare, spending an hour and a half warming up and fine-tuning their performance. Despite brisk temperatures, the band delivered the strongest performance of the season, earning sixth place in their class with an overall score of 89.8 and the award for Best Music.

For the first time in the history of the National Championship, the Garden City Marching Band earned a caption award, taking home Best Music. Out of 17 competing bands, the Marching Trojans were recognized for their outstanding musical performance, marking a historic milestone for the program.

“Congratulations to the Garden City Marching Band on an extraordinary season,” said Akira Regan, Garden City’s director of music and the arts. “Their talent, dedication and teamwork have been exceptional, and this season’s accomplishments reflect their hard work and commitment.”

On Nov. 17, Garden City High School students from the Kids Are Scientists Too Club visited Stewart School’s fourth graders to lead a hands-on, holiday-themed science project titled “Light Up Hand Turkeys.”

The high school students guided the lesson, beginning with a presentation on the fundamentals of electricity, including its definition, various types and examples of its presence in everyday life. They also introduced the concept of electrical circuits, outlined the components required for a circuit to function and demonstrated how circuits, created by the high schoolers using copper tape, a battery and an LED light, would be incorporated in the students’ artwork.

Following the presentation, fourth graders designed and colored hand turkeys or other designs of their choosing. Once the artwork was complete, the KAST Club students assisted each fourth grader by adding a circuit to their creation, lighting up an LED integrated into their design.

“We look forward each year to the Garden City High School KAST students facilitating hands-on science activities with our students,” said Rachel Lindsey, assistant principal at Stewart. “It is important to show our young learners that the science they learn in elementary school builds a foundation for their future years as scientists, and that many students in the high school choose strong science educational pathways.”

“Our KAST Club students look forward to this trip every year,” said Dr. Steven Gordon, science research teacher at Garden City High School.

The Garden City School District remains dedicated to building meaningful, hands-on learning experiences across all grade levels.

On Nov. 18, Garden City Public Schools hosted its Elementary Literacy and Mathematics Family Fun Night at Stratford School, offering families an evening of hands-on learning throughout academic activities and exploration. The event featured 12 teacher-facilitated workshop sessions in literacy and mathematics, along with opportunities for families to visit the Scholastic Book Fair.

Mathematics workshops included “Factors and Fraction Fun,” where students practiced fractions and multiplication through a competitive “Five in a Row” game with family members; “Multiplication Squares,” a fun and creative twist on the traditional “Dots and Boxes” that challenged participants to roll dice, generate multiplication expressions and complete the board strategically; and “Building with Base Ten Blocks,” which invited families to explore place value, addition and subtraction while designing towers, patterns and houses.

Literacy sessions offered equally enriching experiences. In “Word Stack,” participants used 10 letter-labeled cups to build as many word towers as possible, and in “Sight Word Bingo,” students sharpened essential reading and writing vocabulary through an interactive game format. In “Literacy Rotation Stations: Content Area Book Talks and Vowel Team Fun,” families moved through a series of hands-on activities including bookmark-making, reading informational texts in science and social studies, and practicing vowel team word mapping to connect sounds to letters.

Throughout the evening, families also visited the Scholastic Book Fair, made possible through the partnership of Garden City Schools, the PTA and PARP. Students browsed a wide selection of books, discovered new stories and celebrated a shared love of reading.

“It was great seeing the enthusiasm of our students and families,” said Dr. Kusum Sinha, Superintendent of the Garden School District. “Students enjoyed sharing books and exchanging ideas about how they can continue reading with their friends. It truly felt like a gathering centered on the joy of reading.”

The event highlighted the district’s commitment to bringing families and educators together in support of student learning while supporting literacy and mathematics growth across all elementary levels.

On Nov. 12, Garden City High School celebrated its annual Commitment Day, honoring 34 student-athletes who will continue their academic and athletic journeys at colleges and universities across the country.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Director of Athletics Ed Ramirez, who thanked the athletic staff, coaches, teachers and parents for their ongoing support. He also commended the athletes for their dedication and success in balancing both academics and athletics.

“Work hard, stay focused and humble, and stay on track,” Ramirez told the students. “Today isn’t the end result, but rather a milestone to let you know you’re on the path toward even bigger and better things down the road.”

Each student was then invited to officially sign with their respective schools, joined by their parents and families in celebration of this significant achievement.

Congratulations to Regan Backer (lacrosse – University of Virginia), Joseph Carey (baseball – College of the Holy Cross), William Carroll (baseball – St Joseph's University), Briana Ciccone (soccer – Hofstra University), Ashley Clark (lacrosse – Harvard University), Ella Clark (wrestling – Marist University), Gabe Cohen (wrestling – Washington and Lee University), Kimberly Colucci (lacrosse – The College of William & Mary), Angelo Cupani (lacrosse – Merrimack College), George Curth (soccer – Sewanee: The University of the South), Charlotte Debler (rowing – Rutgers University), Elizabeth Gaffney (lacrosse – American University), Ciara Hegarty (lacrosse – College of the Holy Cross), Katie Horn (lacrosse – Bucknell University), Emily Ingersoll (softball – University of Mount Saint Vincent), Charles Koester (lacrosse –  Lehigh University), Chase Kraus (lacrosse – Stevens Institute of Technology), Kyea Lekanides (track and field – Providence College), William Mattice (lacrosse – College of the Holy Cross) Michaela Molgano (lacrosse – University of Pennsylvania), Jack Murphy (baseball – St. John Fisher University), Katherine O’Hanlon (lacrosse – American University Cross), Zach Olson (lacrosse – Harvard University), Kennedy Palmer (lacrosse – The Catholic University of America), Marisa Patrissi (soccer – Misericordia College), Anthony Pica (wrestling – Franklin and Marshall University), Deanna Prisco (lacrosse – Northwestern University), Keira Rouff (lacrosse – Florida Southern College), Merit Ruckh (lacrosse – University of Tampa), Kaitlyn Santopietro (softball – Adelphi University), Kate Scuderi (lacrosse – James Madison University), Averie Smith (lacrosse – Yale University), Kyle Walsh (baseball – College of Staten Island) and Kirsten Wiese (rowing – Franklin Pierce University) on their athletic commitments.

Garden City High School’s Latin Club has had an exciting fall season with its competitive Certamen teams. Certamen, Latin for “competition” or “contest,” assesses students’ knowledge of the Latin language and culture through a variety of formats. GCHS has two varsity teams in the Latin League competition, sponsored by the National Junior Classical League, in which students complete 100-question examinations and compete against other regional schools. This season, the varsity teams hold one win and one loss, with the next round of the competition approaching.

In addition to written competitions, students participated in two in-person, fast-paced “buzz-in” quiz bowl events this fall.

On Nov. 1, 11 GCHS students competed in Yale University’s annual Certamen event, which included more than 80 teams from schools across the country. The intermediate team made its debut, finishing fifth in their bracket, while the advanced teams scored impressively against national competition, with one team placing eighth in the preliminaries and the other tying for second place.

On Nov. 15, 15 students attended Certamen Autumnale at Harriton High School in Bryn Mawr, PA. Two intermediate teams and two advanced teams advanced to the semifinals, with one advanced team reaching the finals. Seniors Olivia Allsbrook, Sinae Cho and Gabriella Tromba, joined by junior Nikki Geiger, secured an exciting win against the host school with a correct answer to the final question.

The GCHS Certamen teams are looking forward to upcoming competitions, including Princeton Certamen in February, Classics Day at Stony Brook University in March and a renewed appearance at the University of Pennsylvania Certamen.

Congratulations to all Garden City High School competitors on an outstanding season thus far.

Garden City High School’s production of “Pride and Prejudice” will be held at Garden City High School on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

Kate Hamill’s version of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is a lively, modern adaptation of the classic novel that brings humor, energy and a fresh feminist perspective to the beloved story. While staying true to Austen’s wit and social commentary, Hamill reimagines the characters and dialogue in a way that highlights the timeless themes of love, class and independence for today’s audiences.

This year marks the 250th birthday of Jane Austen, making Hamill’s playful and spirited retelling a fitting celebration of choosing your own path — and finding connection where you least expect it.

Tickets are $12 for students and senior citizens, and $15 for general admission. They can only be purchased online at https://gchsny.booktix.com/

Garden City High School lacrosse coach Steve Finnell was inducted into the 2025 National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual award dinner on Oct. 18 at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, New York.

Coach Finnell has guided the Trojans to a remarkable 304 victories and among this incredible tally are 14 Nassau County Championships, 10 Long Island Championships and six state championships. His teams have been consistently ranked nationally — in 2012 as No. 1, and in the top 25 most recently in 2025.

Finnell is known for his deep knowledge of the game, tireless preparation and embodiment of everything an interscholastic program could hope for in a coach, teacher and mentor. Beyond his leadership at Garden City, he serves as an ambassador for the sport of lacrosse and carries the school’s reputation proudly when competing against the nation’s top programs in other lacrosse strongholds.

“Coach Finnell has been the heart of Garden City Lacrosse for two decades” said Mr. Ed Ramirez, Garden City director of athletics. “He set the standard for excellence, sportsmanship and tradition and his induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame is a proud moment for our entire community.”

The NILCA is dedicated to the support and education of secondary school lacrosse coaches. Dating back to 1968, the NILCA has supported educational clinics, conventions, and high school lacrosse record keeping, and has conferred national Coach and Man of the Year awards.

On Sept. 30, Garden City High School inducted 41 new members into its chapter of the National Art Honor Society. The ceremony, led by the chapter officers, was attended by family and friends who gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the inductees.

The National Art Honor Society aims to inspire and recognize high school students who demonstrate exceptional talent and dedication in the arts, while promoting art education within the school and broader community.

Alumna Alexandra Debler served as the guest speaker, sharing her artwork and highlighting various projects she has collaborated on with current students. Her message encouraged students to pursue their passions, embrace new experiences and continue exploring their creative potential, which left a lasting and meaningful impression on all in attendance.

The district congratulates the newly inducted members of the National Art Honor Society.

Garden City High School has been ranked No. 2 on Long Island, No. 16 in New York State and No. 147 nationally by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 annual list of nearly 18,000 public high schools across the country, released on Aug. 19. These 2025 rankings reflect an improvement over the school’s already outstanding 2024 standings, placing Garden City High School among only 11 Long Island schools in the top 50 in New York State.

The 2025 “Best High Schools” edition evaluated schools based on college readiness, curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiencies and performance, underserved student success, and graduation rates. Garden City High School excelled across the board: 92% of students took at least one AP exam, 81% passed an AP exam, 99% are proficient in math and reading, 98% are proficient in science and the school has a 100% graduation rate, earning an outstanding overall score of 99.18 out of 100.

“This ranking affirms the sustained commitment to excellence that defines Garden City High School, reflecting the dedication of our staff, the talents of our students, the support of our community and our ever-striving push to keep getting better,” said Garden City High School Principal Mr. Kevin Steingruebner.

“I am so proud of our students, teachers and staff for their commitment to excellence,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha. “This recognition is a reflection of their hard work and the strong sense of community that makes Garden City a place where every student can grow and succeed.”

From Aug. 19–21, Garden City Public Schools hosted its new teacher orientation, welcoming the district’s newest educators. Throughout the program, attendees explored the district’s mission and values, learned about the teaching goals and experiences the district strives to provide students, and received important information on policies and procedures.

Nanine McLaughlin, assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development, greeted the group and introduced them to key district leaders, followed by a welcome from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha. The orientation also included workshops, school tours, bus tours and opportunities for new staff to meet with their building principals and coordinators at their respective schools.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented group of educators to Garden City,” said Dr. Sinha. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our students and community.”

The district is excited to welcome:

Lauren Abrams – elementary education teacher, Stratford School

Antonella Alessi – teacher aide, Stewart School

Nisha Bakhru – nurse, Stewart School and Stratford School

Sean Brady – English teacher, Garden City High School 

Ildiko Brancaccio – reading teacher, Homestead School

Andrew Castle – science leave replacement teacher, Garden City Middle School

Alyssa Darragh – elementary education leave replacement teacher, Homestead School

Zachary Downing – special education teacher, Garden City High School         

Danielle Dunne – business teacher, Garden City High School

John Esposito – music teacher, Garden City Middle School

Elissa Frein – speech pathologist leave replacement, Hemlock School

Amy Gernon – nurse, St. Josephs

Laura Kelly – occupational therapist, Stewart School and Garden City Middle School

Matthew Kranitz – special education leave replacement teacher, Garden City High School

Amanda Lee – physical education leave replacement teacher, Locust School and Hemlock School

Autumn Majorana – science teacher, Garden City Middle School

Olivia Maynard – social studies teacher, Garden City Middle School

Christina Nugent – special education teacher, Stewart School

Elizabeth O'Callahan – special education teacher, Stratford School

Brigid Olson – special education teacher, Stratford School

Shannon Roberts –special education teacher, Garden City High School

Gabriella Schettino – elementary education leave replacement teacher, Hemlock School

Anne Vassel – occupational therapist, Locust School and Garden City High School

Graziella Vitaliano – teacher aide, Stratford School

Emma Wieland – elementary education leave replacement teacher, Stratford School

Victoria Buonpane – coordinator of social studies and world languages

Allison Robb – assistant principal, Stratford School

Jaymie Alonso – assistant director of Pupil Personnel Services

Ed Escobar – interim principal, Garden City Middle School

Akira Byng-Regan – coordinator of music and arts

Amanda Hauser– assistant principal, Garden City High School