Office of the Superintendent

Dr. Jared T. Bloom, Superintendent of Schools
516-481-4100 - Ext. 3600

Ms. Catherine Mione, Secretary to the Superintendent/District Clerk
516-481-4100 - Ext. 3615

Ms. Laura Langstrand, Secretary
516-481-4100 - Ext. 3620

Message from the Superintendent

August 2024

Dear Franklin Square Families,

As we transition from summer to the new school year, I am continually amazed at how quickly these months fly by. This summer, I had the privilege of participating in several professional development opportunities with colleagues from across the nation. These experiences were not only enlightening, offering best practices and innovative ideas, but also deeply inspiring as we explored new ways to connect and communicate the remarkable work happening within our districts. I returned with a renewed understanding that Franklin Square is a very special place and what we offer is unique and special and we must do a better job sharing that with our community.

In light of these discussions, we are excited to implement new strategies at both the building and district levels to enhance our communication with all families. Our goal is to make sure that important updates, curriculum resources, and the achievements of our staff and students are shared effectively, keeping everyone informed and engaged. In the coming weeks, you can expect two significant updates: our draft Code of Conduct and new parent pacing guides for each grade and subject area. The Code of Conduct will be shared along with a ThoughtExchange to gather your feedback, with the aim of presenting a final version to the Board of Education in September or October. The pacing guides, paired with our grade-level parent guides, will provide a clear roadmap for understanding what is being taught and encourage more open communication between home and school.

I am beyond excited for this school year and confident that our students, staff, and community are in for a fantastic year ahead. If you haven’t had a chance to visit our buildings this summer, you’re in for a treat. Our facilities have never looked better, thanks to our amazing custodians and cleaners. With numerous upgrades, including air conditioning in all large spaces and continued progress toward fully air-conditioned classrooms, we are committed to ensuring that our buildings are comfortable, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

As a reminder, the first day of school is Tuesday, September 3rd, and our Morning Care program and ACE program will begin on September 9th.

This year, we are thrilled to offer several new clubs in addition to the Scope Saturday Enrichment program. Keep an eye out for an email in the next few weeks with updated information and directions for signing up. New this year, we’re excited to introduce a district-wide non-competitive intramurals program for 5th and 6th graders, which will take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at John Street School from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The three sessions will be as follows:

• Session 1: Kick-Ball & Soccer

• Thursday, September 26th – Thursday, December 5th

• Session 2: Neucomb / Volleyball & Hockey

• Tuesday, January 7th – Thursday, March 13th

• Session 3: Outdoor Capture The Flag / Cooperative Games & Softball / Wiffle Ball

• Tuesday, March 25th – Thursday, May 29th

The District will provide one-way bus transportation from Washington Street School and Polk Street School. Since this program ends at 5:30 p.m., all students must be picked up from John Street School. We will offer 15 spots per school per session, selected by lottery, with preference given to students who have not participated in a previous session. All 5th and 6th graders are encouraged to participate in the lottery. To sign up for the Session 1 lottery, please fill out the form available at https://shorturl.at/VTq0k no later than September 6th.The names will be drawn electronically during the first week of school, and families of selected students will be notified by the instructors.

Finally, I invite you to join me for our first Coffee with the Superintendent on Monday, October 7th at Washington Street School at 7 p.m. This informal gathering is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, or simply connect with other parents and members of our school community. If you are interested in attending, please call or email Cathy Mione at 516-505 6975 or cmione@franklinsquare.k12.ny.us.

I look forward to seeing you all soon and am eager to embark on another exciting year together where we can, we will and WE DO! Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Franklin Square a wonderful place for our children to learn and grow.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jared Bloom