Great Neck Public Schools is embarking on the process of establishing its Portrait of a Graduate, a model it strives for its students to embody by graduation.
“We really want to help bridge the gap for our students who are exiting our secondary programs and getting ready to enter life, be that college, career, military or whatever pathway they choose into adulthood,” Superintendent Kenneth Bossert said.
The district is partnering with Molloy University to develop its Portrait of a Graduate.
The portrait is developed around various learning priorities, skills, life skills and the application of knowledge.
The project goals are four-pronged: identifying key skills, mindsets, and traits critical for post-grad success; infusing these into the district’s education mission and ensuring each student masters them; identifying common ground among the community to influence the district’s collective vision; and finally developing the Portrait of a Graduate model.
Liz Mandracchia, the university’s marketing and events coordinator who is helping lead the portrait development, said community involvement could include live, moderated sessions where they can directly provide feedback on what they want and their priorities. Other methods would include Zoom sessions and student sessions.
The Portrait of a Graduate Process is in its beginning stage. Phase one, which involves conducting community outreach, begins in November and will continue until February.
Phase two would consist of data analysis. This would be done from February to March.
Phase three would pick up in March with a report on the research results and the development of the graphic art for the portrait. This would continue until June.
Once finished, the district would work to integrate the designed Portrait of a Graduate into its curriculum, programming and community interaction.
The district will discuss the initial kickoff of the development at its next board meeting.
The school district is also considering a new policy for cell phone use in schools, which would ban it entirely at all school levels, with exceptions for high schoolers.
At the high school level, students would be permitted to use their phones during non-instruction times so long as the use abided by school policy.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a state-wide ban on cell phone use in schools. Bossert said that if implemented, the district would be in compliance.
The board conducted the first read of the policy Tuesday night and it will brought forward for a vote at its next meeting in November.
It is School Board Recognition Week, and the Board of Education was honored with various recognitions presented to its members.
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena presented certificates to all of the Board of Education members.
“I continue to be just knocked out by the Great Neck School District,” DeSena said. “What your students do, your facilities, this facility is amazing, the adult education program, I’ve never seen anything like it. And so I want to congratulate you, board members, for your tireless work. Some say that it’s a thankless job, but I came here to thank you.”
Board members were also honored by Rep. Tom Suozzi, state Assembly Member Gina Silitti, state Sen. Jack Martins, Nassau County District 10 Legislator Mazi Pilip, North Hempstead Council Member Christine Liu and the New York State School Boards Association.
The Great Neck Board of Education will meet again on Nov. 13.
