Garden City Public Schools

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.

The Garden City School District recently celebrated Unity Day on Oct. 22, a day dedicated to standing against bullying and promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Students and staff across the district wore orange and participated in activities designed to create a safer, more supportive school community.

At Garden City Middle School, the day began with student and teacher volunteers lining the entrance to form a tunnel, greeting peers with cheers, balloons and streamers. Band and media students added to the excitement by performing and recording the morning’s festivities, while volunteers handed out wristbands to arriving students.

Throughout the day, GCMS students engaged in a variety of activities, including signing the No Place for Hate Pledge, completing icebreaker exercises to strengthen connections with classmates, participating in an anti-bullying Upstander Idol Contest, and working through a team-building Escape the Classroom activity centered on kindness and empathy. During lunch, students enjoyed a virtual trivia game and later in the day learned about the 30 Days of Kindness Challenge and a Mindful Minute, which promote daily acts of kindness and reflection.

Students also attended assemblies with special guests, including Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, who presented the S.T.O.P. program, Dr. Dan Fasano, who shared GC Cares with strategies for promoting inclusion and having an action plan, and author Jen Calonita, who spoke about the importance of kindness.

At Garden City High School, students participated in a tabling event outside the cafeteria, where students were able to stop by and write messages of kindness, acceptance and inclusion. SADD and the PTA provided corresponding giveaways to reinforce the positive messages.

At the elementary level, Stratford School students watched a read-aloud presented by social worker Ms. Kristyn DeMartinis and completed follow-up activities to reflect on its message. Students further engaged in “What Would You Do?” and “Learn with the Crew” scenarios, exploring empathy, problem solving and positive decision making.

At Stewart School, students pledged to “Stand Up Against Bullying” by signing a pledge and read “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig, which began discussions about including others and creating a more inclusive school community.

Both Stratford and Stewart students also participated in Project Connect by writing ways they make their school a safer and kinder place on strips of orange paper, which were then stapled together to create a kindness chain displayed in classrooms.

At the primary level, students at Hemlock School met with primary school social worker Mrs. Tracy Martinez to read “The Power of One” and learn how small acts of kindness can affect others. Similarly, primary school psychologist, Ms. Dina Mulstay, read “The Not-So-Friendly Friend” and did an activity with students at Homestead School. At Locust School, students and teachers lined up outside to spell out the word KIND, a visual representation of their commitment to promoting respect and empathy.

The Garden City School District remains committed to growing a safe, inclusive environment focused on kindness, acceptance and community — values celebrated during Unity Day and every day throughout the year.

On Oct. 4, the Garden City Marching Band traveled to West Milford, New Jersey, for their first competition of the season. Despite the heat, the Trojans delivered an outstanding performance, earning second place overall with a score of 80.80, along with the awards for Best Color Guard, Best Percussion and Best Visuals.

“The level of commitment from our students and staff is exceptional, and it shows in their field performance,” said Ms. Akira Regan, district coordinator of music and the arts. “This achievement reflects the vision, skill and teamwork of everyone involved. Our students’ hard work at every rehearsal pays off, and I’m excited to see their continued growth this season. We are also grateful to our parent association for their support on and off the field.”

On Oct. 18, the band performed at MetLife Stadium, delivering another spectacular show. Competing against 11 bands from across the Northeast, GCMB again earned second place overall with a score of 84.80 and repeated their win for Best Visuals.

“A highlight of our season is always performing at MetLife Stadium,” said Mr. Dan DellaMonica, GCMB director. “Earning second place at this prestigious venue is especially meaningful and is a testament to the dedication of our instructors, staff and most importantly, our students.”

The Garden City Marching Band continues to demonstrate excellence, teamwork and dedication, setting the stage for a remarkable season.

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.

On Oct. 16, members of Garden City High School’s senior class, along with German teacher Susanne Basile, participated in the annual German American Day Flag Raising Ceremony at the Nassau County Executive Building in Mineola.

The annual event, hosted by Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Ute Wolff Lally and the German American Culture Council, celebrates the contributions of German Americans, German American heritage and the reunification of Germany.

The ceremony began with a presentation of the flags of the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany, followed by the national anthems of both nations. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman presented a proclamation recognizing the many contributions of German Americans to the nation’s history and development.

Garden City students shared speeches in German, expressing what they enjoy most about studying the language, including the sense of Gemütlichkeit, meaning warmth and good cheer, and the extracurricular activities and cultural trips organized by their dedicated teacher, Frau Basile.

On Oct. 10, Garden City’s Locust School hosted its fall festival, an annual tradition that brings together students, families and staff for a day of fun games through a fall-themed celebration. Kindergarten and first grade students each had the opportunity to attend throughout the morning, with parents also invited to participate and enjoy the festivities.

The event featured a variety of autumn-themed games and activities, including fall bingo and “I Spy,” a pumpkin can toss, candy corn ring toss and relay races. Students also received goodie bags as a special takeaway from the day’s festivities.

The Garden City School District thanks the Locust PTA and Family Fun Committee for organizing this memorable event and for their continued efforts in creating engaging experiences that strengthen the school community.

Garden City’s Stewart School third grade teacher Mrs. Kristy Chiafair was selected as an honoree at Assemblyman Ed Ra’s 12th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony. The Women of Distinction Awards celebrate women who make a meaningful difference through community service, education and leadership, consistently uplifting and inspiring those around them.

Last year, Mrs. Chiafair worked closely with the Katz family — particularly their son, Sebastian — alongside a team of professionals to provide support. In recognition of her compassion, dedication and commitment to her students, the Katz family nominated her for this award.

“When we received notice from Assemblyman Edward Ra’s office about nominating an outstanding professional woman for the Women of Distinction Awards, we knew immediately we wanted to nominate our son Sebastian’s third grade teacher at Stewart School, Mrs. Kristy Chiafair,” said Mrs. Darienne Segura-Katz and Dr. Douglas Katz.

“Mrs. Chiafair guided Sebastian through a challenging year and gave him constant support, structure and encouragement while balancing the needs of her whole class. Patient, caring and firm, she taught him gentle discipline, knowledge and life and learning skills to our son and to all his classmates. She frequently took extra time, even outside of school hours, to help us with the education of our child. Her positivity, practical teaching methods, and flexibility truly exemplify what makes a great teacher.”

“Imparting practical information, employing techniques to learn, remember and understand information, utilizing structured yet, when necessary, flexible scheduling and having an extremely positive attitude toward teaching are things we believe epitomize a great teacher — attributes which summarize Mrs. Chiafair,” they said.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition,” said Mrs. Chiafair. “The most rewarding part of my job is watching my students every year become part of our classroom family and grow in so many ways. I love to watch my students become confident young learners who can navigate challenges and take pride in their success. I feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful community!”

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