The district is proud to announce that it has received a National School Boards Association (NSBA) 2025 Magna Silver Award for its Daily Living Space. The district is one of 15 winners — three Grand Prize winners and 12 Silver Award winners — receiving this honor nationwide.
Sponsored by NSBA’s flagship magazine, American School Board Journal, the Magna Awards has recognized exemplary school district programs for 30 years. This year’s awards program focuses on innovation in education and districts that solved an educational challenge with creativity and out-of-the-box strategies. Members of the NSBA Board of Directors Awards Committee selected the winners from district submissions.
Franklin Square’s Daily Living Space program is an innovative initiative designed to equip students with essential life skills in an inclusive, real-world learning environment. The program, the first of its kind in New York State at the elementary level, features a fully functional apartment setting, including a kitchen, laundry station, dining area, reading nook, bedroom, living room and sensory space. This dynamic environment allows students, particularly those in the district’s Intensive Support Program (ISP), to practice essential skills such as cooking, cleaning and self-care, fostering independence and social-emotional growth.
The Daily Living Space was created to address the need for hands-on, practical skill development for students with intensive learning needs while also providing a collaborative space for general education students to engage with their ISP peers. The program promotes social integration through buddy class partnerships, structured activities and play-based learning, ensuring that students develop not only functional life skills but also empathy, teamwork and confidence.
Franklin Square Board of Education President Stephen Toto expressed pride in the district’s commitment to fostering innovative programs that support students. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff and school community who work tirelessly to ensure that every student has access to meaningful, real-world learning experiences. The Daily Living Space program exemplifies our district’s belief in inclusive, hands-on learning that prepares students for success beyond the classroom.”
Franklin Square and the other winners will be highlighted in the April issue of the American School Board Journal, set to be published online on March 20.
Date Added: 3/14/2025