Garden City Public Schools

The Garden City music department is proud to announce that 70 students were selected to participate in this year’s All-County Music Festival and 11 musicians took part in this year’s Parents, Educators and Kids (P.E.A.K.) Festival.

Band, chorus and orchestra students earned All-County recognition based on their 2025 NYSSMA solo performances and will represent Garden City Schools at the festival, held at the Tilles Center throughout January.

Congratulations to the following students on being named All-County musicians:

From Stewart and Stratford School: Aria Apostolides, Giuliana Botti, Oliver Clark, Olivia Ding, Aurora Curtin, Hailey Hendrickson, Isabella Johnson, Anna Lee, Valentina Marin, Dean Nick, Daniela Muzio, Ella Power, Nolan Smith, Kelvin Su, Logan Schmidt and Adaline Zhai; from Garden City Middle School: Sabrina Bilello, Aayan Kabir, Luke Ellis, Leah Follette, Gianluca Fusco, Jovana Marin, Owen Murphy, Erin Na, Emmett Owens, Caitlin O'Mullan, Grace Pospisil, Aiden Schmidt, Jack Viskovich, Ella Viskovich, Allison Wong, Avery Xiao and Oliver Wu; and from Garden City High School: Martina Cantalupo, Eton Lu, Audrey Pressoir, Alessandra Pinto, Madeline Power, Emily Pulver, Olivia Vendetti, Caroline Weber, Roger Wang, Elizabeth Vitale, Azra Zirhli, Alexandra Butvick, Beatrice Briganti, Rebecca Chau, Ava Chen, Sean Corrigan, Grace Corrigan, Caroline Ciullo, Hannah Cianciotto, Matteo DiLoreto, Clare Gardner, Grace Gibson, Fiona Gibson, Grace Immordino, Grace Kumpel, Leah Lotito, Ryan Ludwig, Maximilian Mariacher, Kaitlyn McDonald, Genevieve Mohan, Mariella Parlanti, Sarah Phinney, Susanna Phinney, Amelia Scianablo, Elsie Ross, Juliet Stampfel and Ryan Schmidt.

On Nov. 22, music teachers and students from Stewart and Stratford attended and performed at the annual NMEA P.E.A.K. Festival, designed for fourth grade students as an introduction to All-County. The event highlighted the importance of music education, allowed students to display their achievements and informed parents about classroom music goals.

Congratulations to the following students:

From Stewart: Lincoln Franzella, Layne DiMascio, Vivienne Jamal, Juliana Jamal, Angelina Shalhoub and Stella Stewart; and from Stratford: Skylar Ding, Penelope Gunther, Hazel Ngan, Frederick Wong and Luke Zychowicz.

In honor of Disability Awareness Month, Stewart School in Garden City held a weeklong initiative in early December to promote inclusion, kindness and understanding, highlighting the unique strengths and experiences that make each student and staff member shine. Following the week’s activities, students also learned about the important role of service dogs in supporting people with disabilities, including how they are trained and matched with their future owners.

On Monday, Dec. 1, students participated in “Shine Bright for Inclusion” by wearing something sparkly or bright to show that everyone shines in their own way. Tuesday was “Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes” day, where the school wore mismatched or unique shoes or socks to celebrate differences. Wednesday was “Words Matter Wednesday,” which encouraged shirts with positive messages or kind words. On Thursday, students took part in “Sensory-Friendly Day” by wearing cozy, soft or comforting clothing. The week concluded on Friday with “We ALL Belong Day,” which featured Garden City apparel or maroon and gray to celebrate the district’s inclusive community.

As an additional part of Disability Awareness Month, representatives from Canine Companions visited Stewart on Dec. 8 with service dogs in training to share the process of becoming a service dog, how service dogs differ from therapy dogs and how they are matched with their future owners. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about the dogs’ training, size, diet and interactions with both humans and other animals, gaining a hands-on understanding of the important work these dogs do to support people with disabilities.

The week’s activities built empathy, understanding and community, leaving students with a deeper appreciation for the ways everyone can contribute to an inclusive environment.

On Dec. 9, Garden City’s primary and elementary students and staff presented instructional updates to the board of education through hands-on demonstrations and discussions.

Primary principals Dr. Suzanne Viscovich, Ms. Eileen Vota and Mr. Jim Curran shared updates from Hemlock, Homestead and Locust Schools, highlighting growth in literacy and math through WIN time, abbreviated for “What I Need” time, where students deepen skills in fluency, phonemic awareness, phonological concepts and foundational math.

Primary students then guided the board through math and literacy activities, including numerical reasoning tasks, sentence-building games and phonics exercises. A second group led a science demonstration focused on inquiry-based learning, showing how students observe, think and wonder to spark curiosity. Using flashlights and paper gnomes, they modeled a lesson on shadows, illustrating how changes in light position affect shadow size and direction — connecting their findings to prior observations of the sun’s movement throughout the day.

Elementary Principals Chris Hartigan and Keri Hand followed with updates from Stratford and Stewart Schools, noting the continued success of Enrichment for All and Monumental Math, two student favorites that emphasize collaboration and engagement.

Two Stewart third graders then introduced their interdisciplinary monumental math unit, guiding the board through a virtual tour of the Pyramids of Giza using Google Arts & Culture’s Talking Tours feature to ask and receive information in real time. They explained how studying global landmarks supported math learning, including height and scale, which they applied in designing their own monuments.

Stratford students, who completed the same unit, shared their finished monuments with the board. They described their inspiration, collaborative process and how they integrated social studies content with mathematical design concepts to bring their creations to life.

The presentations and discussions highlighted the depth and creativity of learning across Garden City Schools. From hands-on math and literacy activities to inquiry-driven science and interdisciplinary projects, students are engaging in meaningful, real-world learning experiences. The board of education witnessed firsthand how Garden City Schools build curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking to ensure that every student has the opportunity to grow as an innovative and confident learner.

This year marked the 27th annual Friends of Garden City Boys Lacrosse Poinsettia Sale, a cherished tradition that brings together athletes, families and community members. Players sold poinsettias throughout Garden City to support the upcoming spring season, while also offering the option to donate plants to the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola. In addition, the team dropped off poinsettias at the Garden City administration building to spread holiday cheer locally.

A highlight of the tradition each year is when senior lacrosse players personally deliver the donated poinsettias to the center. “We love this tradition,” said child life specialist Kimberly Krupa. “It brings such joy to our families during the holiday season.”

“It’s great to be part of something that gives back,” said GCHS senior Charlie Koester. Fellow senior Chase Kraus added, “It’s an honor to deliver the plants and spread some holiday cheer.”

On Dec. 11, the Garden City boys basketball team received a special donation from New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek ahead of their first game of the season. Kolek, who played college basketball at Marquette University, formed a friendship with Garden City High School alumnus and assistant basketball coach Cyrus Lalehzar, who worked as a student manager for Marquette’s basketball program.

Through that connection, Kolek provided the team with new sneakers, supporting the players as they prepared for opening night. The donation reflects the strong community connections and ongoing support for Garden City athletics.

“One of the most impactful lessons I learned at Marquette came from head coach Shaka Smart, who spoke about the ‘pyramid of identity’ and the importance of remembering yourself and who helped you along the way. Relationships were a key pillar of his program, and that perspective has stayed with me as a coach,” said Lalehzar. “Tyler and I both transferred to Marquette and built a strong friendship on and off the court. He’s followed my coaching over the past three years, and as I enter my fourth, he wanted to do something special. Giving back to our players means a great deal to our program and reinforces the values we teach every day.”

“High school is such an important stage for players, not just for basketball but for learning who they are and what they want to become,” said Kolek. “Seeing how invested Cyrus is in his players and the culture he’s helping build makes it easy to want to support a program like Garden City. If this donation helps motivate those guys, reminds them they’re supported, and pushes them to keep working as they start their season, then it’s meaningful.”

Garden City School District is excited to once again host Camp Invention, a nationally recognized STEM enrichment program that inspires creativity, problem-solving, and innovation through hands-on learning. 

This year’s program will run June 29 through July 2, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, at Stewart School. Camp Invention is open to Garden City students entering grades 1 through 6 and is facilitated by trained local educators.

Throughout the week, students will collaborate with peers, explore real-world engineering challenges, and design original solutions through engaging STEM experiences. Campers are grouped by grade level to ensure developmentally appropriate instruction and meaningful collaboration.

Program Details:

• Dates: June 29 – July 2, 2026 (no camp on Friday, July 3)

• Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

• Location: Stewart School, 501 Stewart Avenue

• Cost: $360 before discounts

• Eligibility: Garden City School District students entering grades 1–6

Families can take advantage of payment plans, sibling discounts, and a $30 early registration discount when using code GIFT30 prior to the stated deadline. Space is limited and enrollment is first come, first served.

For registration, discount details, and additional locations, visit invent.org/cisave. Questions may be directed to Camp Director Kelly Benito at benitok@gcufsd.net.

Camp Invention is a nonprofit program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and is widely recognized for its high-quality STEM curriculum and student-centered approach to learning  

Garden City High School librarian Ms. Margaux Calemmo recently co-authored her second book, “The Whole-School Community Read: A Comprehensive Guidebook,” with retired Garden City social studies coordinator Ms. Jeannette Balantic. As whole-school community reads gain momentum on a global level, the book provides practical tips, tools and strategies to unite communities through reading, offering clear guidance for educators and administrators looking to implement this reading initiative but unsure where to begin.

The inspiration for the book came from the success of Garden City High School’s whole-school community read program, which began nearly 10 years ago and has grown into a cornerstone of the school community. Over the years, the initiative has evolved to include students leading peers in discussions, building stronger connections across the student body.

“My goal was to take the lessons I have learned on this journey and package them into a practical guidebook that other educators, librarians and community leaders can use to implement this special type of programming in their schools and communities," said Ms. Calemmo. “It is my hope that patrons within our local community, and beyond, will access this book to plan and coordinate with school districts to establish community reads inside and outside of the school setting. The goal is to unite students, educators and community members through shared themes found within the pages of a book.”

“Margaux has been a driving force in shaping our high school, and her insights are invaluable,” said Dr. Kusum Sinha, Superintendent of Schools. “The ‘One School, One Book’ program is a wonderful way to bring our students and staff together by building connections, conversations and a shared love of reading.”

For more information about the book, please visit the Bloomsbury Website.

Fifty German students from Garden City Middle and High School traveled to Bethlehem, Pa., for a day filled with culture, history and holiday cheer. Upon arrival, they toured the Historic German Moravian Settlement, founded in 1741. Guided by hosts dressed in traditional 18th-century Moravian clothing, students stepped inside the buildings where early settlers lived, worked and worshipped.

Throughout the tour, students discovered that Bethlehem was once home to speakers of 15 different languages and learned how progressive the Moravians were for their time — believing in equal education for all, advocating for women’s rights within the community and emphasizing collaboration across race, gender and ethnicity for the common good.

After exploring the settlement, the group visited a local bookstore to enjoy hot cocoa, candies and unique gifts. In the afternoon, they visited the Christkindlmarkt, an outdoor German Christmas market set inside heated tents and filled with traditional foods, beverages and handcrafted holiday items from both the United States and Germany.

The trip was a memorable experience for everyone, and the annual Bethlehem visit remains a beloved tradition for German students and their families each December.

On Dec. 5 and 6, the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying visited Garden City Middle School’s health classes to deliver engaging, age-appropriate presentations. Their aim was to help students better understand the impact of bullying, build meaningful prevention strategies and learn how to seek help for themselves or others.

Throughout the sessions, students explored what bullying looks like in its various forms, how to distinguish conflict from bullying, and how to recognize the emotions of those around them. They also deepened their understanding of empathy — including its different levels — and discussed ways to take positive, compassionate action in their daily interactions.

The LICAB program supported Garden City Middle School’s ongoing commitment to building a safe, supportive school environment where all students feel respected and valued.

Garden City’s third grade students at Stratford School and Stewart School recently completed an interdisciplinary unit that connected mathematics with social studies. Throughout the unit, titled Monumental Math, students practiced adding and subtracting within 1,000 and explored real world contexts by learning about famous monuments around the world and their cultural significance.

To complete the project, students worked in small groups to select a personally meaningful topic and design a monument that represented their chosen theme; chosen topics included healthy eating, school pride, honoring police officers and principals, kindness, and the village of Garden City.

On Nov. 24, each class rotated through the displays to view their peers’ creations, while students presented their monuments and shared the inspiration and research behind their work. District Coordinator of Mathematics and STEAM Ms. Christina Cardella and District Coordinator of Social Studies and World Language Ms. Victoria Buonpane also participated in the showcase by speaking with students, asking questions and celebrating the thoughtful work that went into each project.

“It was incredible to see how hard our students worked and how confidently they presented and shared their ideas,” said Ms. Jenny Campbell, teacher at Stratford. “Their creativity and dedication truly shone through in every project.”

Trojan Watch, a Garden City School District YouTube channel, recently featured a spotlight on the Project Lead the Way program at Garden City Middle School.

The PLTW course, taught by technology teacher Paul Cimmino, serves as the final technology experience for eighth graders. The class emphasizes real-world problem solving, hands-on challenges and collaborative STEM learning. After completing the introductory technology and PLTW courses, students may advance to the high school PLTW program, where they can earn college credit in a more specialized setting.

The Trojan Watch segment highlights the students’ orthosis boot project, in which eighth graders worked in teams to design, prototype and refine assistive devices. The feature showcases their design choices, collaboration and problem-solving throughout the process.

To watch the full video, visit this link.

Garden City’s first grade students across Locust, Hemlock and Homestead Schools participated in a meaningful service-learning initiative supporting the 16th annual Scholastic Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive. The drive donates pajamas and books to Beyond Bedtime, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting equitable access to healthy sleep.

To contribute, students completed age-appropriate chores at home to earn money for purchasing pajamas for children in need. For every pair donated, Scholastic matched the contribution with a new book. Students also created handmade bookmarks to accompany the donated books, reinforcing the spirit of giving and connection. Teachers guided discussions to help students understand how their efforts directly supported children who are in need.

The day before Thanksgiving break, all first graders wore pajamas to school and attended an assembly with principals, teachers and PTA directors. During the program, the schools showcased the collected pajamas, and students were invited to explain the steps they took — from completing chores to selecting pajamas — and reflect on how their hard work made a difference for others.

This districtwide effort was organized by the Garden City PTA, which introduced and spearheaded the program in Garden City.

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/

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