“Progress is fueled by the undying belief that the future is bright.”~ Simon Sinek

June 25, 2026

Dear District 26 Community,

As we come to the close of the 2025–2026 school year, I want to reflect with gratitude and pride on the many wonderful celebrations, accomplishments, and experiences that have made this year so special across District 26.

This time of year always brings a unique energy to our schools. It is a season filled with performances, celebrations, expos, showcases, family events, leadership opportunities, and culminating experiences that reflect just how much our students have learned and grown. Across District 26, our students, families, teachers, leaders, and staff have continued to demonstrate the excellence, joy, and strong sense of community that define our schools.

Over the course of this school year, I have been proud to witness the incredible work taking place across District 26. In every visit, I see students engaged in meaningful learning, teachers and staff creating thoughtful and supportive classroom environments, and school communities working in partnership to help every child succeed. Our families remain essential partners in this work, and I am grateful for the many ways parents and caregivers continue to support our schools and students each day.

Across the district, students continued to thrive through rich academic experiences that brought learning to life. At PS 26, students proudly presented their work during the school’s STEM Expo, explored coding during Computer Science Education Week, and participated in hands-on learning in both the school’s new art studio and science lab. At PS 18, students showcased their creativity and scientific thinking during the Art and Science Expo. At PS 162, students participated in a STEM Fair, a second grade art residency, and planting in the school garden, reflecting the school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners. At PS 188, students demonstrated both artistic and scientific talent through musical performances, STEM Night, visits from former students, and the school’s Science Expo, with first-place winners advancing to the District 26 Science Expo. These experiences reflect the curiosity, creativity, and academic growth that continue to flourish across our schools.

Mathematics also remained a major area of focus and pride across District 26. Our district’s Mega Math Professional Learning Series, led by teacher and school leaders from PS 18, PS 133, PS 173, MS 158, and PS/IS 178, continues to strengthen instruction and collaboration across schools. Monumental Math Moments at PS 186 brought families into classrooms to actively problem-solve alongside their children, while PS 221 hosted a district math intervisitation that allowed educators to learn from one another and spread best practices. Family math learning was also visible at PS 98 and PS/IS 266, where students and families engaged together in joyful, hands-on math experiences.

Our schools also provided students with exciting opportunities to explore the world beyond the classroom. At PS 94, students engaged in powerful environmental learning through a sustainability grant that supported the creation of an outdoor garden and student workshops led by the Green Team. Students at PS 94 also participated in robotics, Climate Action Day, College and Career Week, Family Fitness Night, and a culminating arts celebration featuring music, dance, and visual arts. At PS/IS 266, students showcased their innovation through a Genius Fair and Career Exploration Day, and student journalists traveled to Columbia University for the Scholastic Journalism Conference. These experiences help students connect classroom learning to the wider world and inspire them to see new possibilities for their futures.

The arts continued to shine brightly across District 26. At PS/IS 266, the Festival Choir had the honor of performing the Star-Spangled Banner at Nassau Coliseum and later earned an “Excellent” rating and a third-place overall finish at Music in the Parks. The school’s music program also received national recognition as one of the Best Communities for Music Education for 2026, while music teacher Ms. Kelly Parra was named a quarterfinalist for the 2027 Grammy Foundation Music Educator Award. PS/IS 266 also hosted a joyful Spring Concert and middle school drama production, giving students meaningful opportunities to express themselves and shine on stage. At PS 41, students participated in theater arts performances including West Side Story, Mary Poppins, and Alice in Wonderland-related activities throughout the year. At PS 31, students engaged with visiting artist Adam Fujita and were recognized in Talking Points for outstanding student artwork. At PS 205, students showcased their growth and confidence through Dancing Classrooms performances. Across the district, these experiences continue to strengthen creativity, self-expression, confidence, and school pride.

Student voice, leadership, and civic engagement remained central to our work this year in every District 26 school. At PS/IS 266, Civics Week included Soapbox speeches, Participatory Budgeting results, a Civics Bingo Board, and the annual Freedom of the Press retreat for the school newspaper team. At PS 26, students engaged in participatory budgeting, Civics Week activities, Family Friday learning, and a schoolwide PBIS celebration. At MS 172, students elevated their voices through guest speakers, Soapbox grade assemblies, a “My Voice Matters” wall, and a “Most Wanted Citizen” nomination wall. At MS 74, students premiered their powerful Names, Not Numbers documentary in the presence of Holocaust survivors and their families, creating a lasting tribute rooted in empathy, remembrance, and learning from history. These experiences reflect our districtwide commitment to ensuring that students understand the power of their voices and their ability to make a difference in their communities.

Our Student Leadership Program also continued to play an important role in developing student voice, confidence, and service across District 26. Through this work, students are given authentic opportunities to lead, serve, and advocate on behalf of their peers and school communities. Whether through student council speeches, community service projects, open house presentations, schoolwide announcements, peer mentoring, or participation in district and citywide events, our student leaders continue to show what is possible when young people are trusted, supported, and empowered to lead.

Family engagement remained a defining strength across District 26 all year long. Schools welcomed families into classrooms and school communities through Family Fridays, Family Tuesdays, math nights, STEM nights, parent workshops, PTA events, heritage celebrations, open houses, and special celebrations honoring fathers, grandparents, and other important family members. PS 221 created meaningful family connections through Family Friday, lantern-making events, a pep rally, and strong parent involvement efforts. PS/IS 178 deepened family partnership through Together Time, cultural celebrations, and PTA-sponsored events. PS 46 brought families together through Mini Golf Night, Fall Festival, Multicultural Day, and celebrations such as Diwali. PS 205, PS 213, PS 221, PS 173, PS 188, PS 191, PS 203, and PS 390 all found special ways to celebrate fathers and father figures through joyful opening-of-year events. These efforts remind us that when families and schools work together, students benefit in meaningful and lasting ways.

In addition to the many school-based celebrations, District 26 also continued to bring families together through communitywide events and leadership opportunities, including our Family Craft Workshop, parent learning experiences, District Leadership Team meetings, District 26 AI Working Group, District Parent Advisory Council meetings, PTA election support sessions, Community Education Council meetings, Presidents’ Council gatherings, and our Chancellor Town Hall in partnership with the District 26 CEC. These districtwide opportunities strengthened connections among families, schools, and the district, and helped ensure that parent voice remained a central part of our work.

This year also brought many special moments of celebration, inclusion, and school pride. At PS 46, students and staff came together for an awareness pep rally in recognition of Down syndrome and developmental disability awareness month, celebrating inclusion through music, dance, and community. At PS 159, an SEL kickoff assembly challenged students to complete 50 acts of kindness, while student ambassadors helped educate peers about food allergy safety. At PS 191, the SEL team relaunched the school’s PBIS initiative, Building One Leader at a Time, helping students connect positive behavior to leadership and belonging. At MS 216, more than 700 students qualified for the school’s first PBIS Glow Party, celebrating students who demonstrated respect, ownership, positive attitude, responsibility, and safety. These moments reflect our continued commitment to ensuring that every child feels seen, supported, and connected.

Culture, heritage, and community pride were also beautifully celebrated across our district. PS 213’s annual International Fair, PS 46’s Multicultural Day, PS 376’s Lunar New Year celebration, PS 188’s Diwali celebration, PS/IS 178’s Hispanic Heritage events, and the many heritage month and cultural celebrations held across our schools al reminded us of the richness and diversity that strengthen District 26. At PS 115, families came together through heritage celebrations and parent socials that highlighted the beautiful diversity of the school community. These events gave students the opportunity to celebrate their own identities, learn about others, and experience the joy that comes from belonging to a vibrant and inclusive community.

Athletics, wellness, and enrichment also remained vibrant throughout the year. MS 67 celebrated a District 26 soccer championship and outstanding cross country accomplishments, and the boys volleyball team won the District 26 Championship against MS 158. MS 74 captured both the boys and girls district basketball championships, and the girls volleyball team won the District 26 Championship against MS 67. At MS 172, students enjoyed a Broadway trip, a world cup soccer tournament, and wellness experiences at Queens Farm. At PS 94 and PS 376, students learned about health, movement, teamwork, and positive choices through family fitness and Islanders assembly experiences. At PS 203, students and families came together through concerts, PTA events, gingerbread making, hot cocoa stories, and community service efforts. At PS 390, students enjoyed Family Fun Fridays, spirit weeks, assemblies, awards celebrations, Career Day, Read Across America, and the CASA production of The Lion King. These experiences reflect the energy, joy, and sense of community that make our schools such special places to learn and grow.

As we close out the year, we also celebrate the powerful experiences that help students grow not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. From Career Day to literacy celebrations, to music, art, robotics, theater, civics, environmental learning, and student leadership opportunities across the district, our students have continued to engage in experiences that build empathy, confidence, resilience, leadership, and pride.

Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and support throughout this school year. District 26 is strong because of our students, families, educators, staff, and community working together with a shared commitment to children. I am incredibly proud of all that has been accomplished this year and grateful for the opportunity to serve this remarkable district.

I wish all of our students, families, and staff a joyful, restful, and well-deserved summer. We look forward to the 2026–2027 school year.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Anthony M. Inzerillo
Community Superintendent District 26