THE HISTORY OF GREAT NECK

Around 1794, Great Neck School (then known as West Neck) was one of nine or so one-room schoolhouses in the state. In fact, this original structure still remains as part of Great Neck School. By 1930, construction was completed on the school to produce an eight-room schoolhouse to replace the East Neck and Graniteville Schools.

Interestingly, in the mid-afternoon of September 21, 1938, then Principal Mrs. Gertrude Bezanson found it necessary to keep the students in the building overnight when a vicious, unannounced hurricane blew onto the coastline and through Connecticut. Winds were recorded at 120 mph that day (before recording instruments were blown away).

During the last 78 years, Great Neck School has had seven principals. Mr. Powers, being the current principal, has been the school leader since 1999.

The present Great Neck School was built in three stages. The original section was built in 1928 - the area housing grades 4 and 5 classrooms. The first addition to the 1928 building was in 1956 - the area housing grades 2 and 3 classrooms and the multi-purpose room and the last section was added in 1989. Kindergarten and grade 1 classes, the library, the office and a foyer are housed in this wing.

In the spring of '89, the dedication to the new wing was held. Community leaders, district educators, parents, and former Great Neck administrators attended. A time capsule that included dated materials, a Great Neck tee shirt, and a copy of approved texts, etc. was buried. This time capsule is slated to be opened on April 27, 2014. The P.T.O. hosted the reception that followed the dedication ceremony.

Today Great Neck School has thirteen classrooms and a school enrollment of approximately 250 students.

GREAT NECK SCHOOL'S MISSION

The mission of Great Neck School, a dynamic community school with strong parental collaboration, is to ensure that each learner master academic skills develop creativity and demonstrate responsible citizenship, in order to embark on a journey of lifelong learning by:

• Promoting high expectations that inspire individual achievement and confidence
• Providing a safe, engaging learning environment
• Fostering communication, cooperation, and respect