Superintendent highlights district unity work and plans to expand Unity Day to all secondary schools

Superintendent Ken Bossert and Dr. Dan Holtzman used the Nov. 5 meeting to recap presentations the district delivered at the New York State School Boards Association and State Administrators conferences showcasing Great Neck’s unity, anti-hate initiatives and community partnerships.

They described partnerships with groups including the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC), Stand With Us, and the Anti-Defamation League, and said the district has emphasized consistent programming, messaging and professional development. Bossert and Holtzman said they used the Brandeis University Summer Institute and other training to inform classroom practice and community engagement.

The district announced it will expand Unity Day from North High to all secondary schools and middle schools, with multiple assemblies and student volunteer speakers; district officials said every secondary student will participate. The superintendent and staff screened a short video of recent program events and student testimonials.

During open time public comment, Judy Lyman asked whether Unity Day would include all students (administration confirmed it will), sought details on how the district teaches the events of Oct. 7, and raised questions about an NEA-distributed map and what map material is presented in curriculum. District leaders said the forum format is not interactive at open time but promised a follow-up and noted recent curriculum meetings with HMTC staff to review materials.

Board members also reported continuing safety work with law-enforcement partners and a planned Dec. 10 statutory review of the districtwide safety plan.

The presentation served as an informational update; no formal action was taken during this portion of the meeting.