Thursday, October 1, 2026
This time of year always gives me an opportunity to reflect on what makes the start of a school year in Franklin Square so special. In a few weeks, nearly 1,900 students will walk through the doors of our schools, and our work of preparing them for a future we can only begin to imagine begins anew.
Our theme for the 2026-27 school year is “Balanced. Bold. Built for Tomorrow. Human First. Future Ready.” It’s more than a slogan. It’s a promise about how we educate our children at a moment when technology is reshaping nearly everything around them. While innovation continues to accelerate, our responsibility remains constant: to help children become curious learners, thoughtful problem solvers and compassionate people.
For us, balance means embracing innovation without losing sight of the experiences that make childhood, and learning, so meaningful.
In an era dominated by screens, we take an intentional approach to technology. We believe in the power of purposeful play, collaborative projects and hands-on learning to foster creativity and critical thinking. Our students have access to tools that prepare them for the future, but we continue to evaluate how and when those tools are used. This year, iPads will remain at school for our kindergarten and first-grade students, allowing them to spend even more time engaged in hands-on learning both at school and at home. As we evaluate this change, we will consider a similar approach for second grade.
Coding starts early here, and starts unplugged. Students build computational thinking through puzzles, patterns and teamwork before a device ever enters the picture. Those skills, including problem solving, resilience and collaboration, transfer far beyond the classroom.
Balance also means remembering that some of the most meaningful learning happens when students are creating, performing, building and working together. Whether they’re painting in art, conducting a science investigation, practicing fractions, rehearsing for a concert or reading alongside classmates, those experiences help shape confident, well-rounded learners. Technology should support those experiences. It should never replace them, or the relationships our teachers build with students daily.
That balanced approach also gives our students the confidence to take on ambitious challenges. In 2025-26, our fifth-grade hackathon team made the leaderboard while competing against middle-school students. Our sixth-grade robotics team earned third place against top eighth-grade squads. Elementary students held their own against older competitors, and it’s no accident. When you nurture curiosity and give children authentic challenges, they rise to meet them. More important, they develop the confidence to tackle problems they’ve never seen before.
Yet some of the moments that made us proudest had nothing to do with technology. This spring, more than 1,000 guests filled the Franklin Square Historical Society to celebrate our students’ artwork. The evening captured what we mean by Human First. Innovation matters, but so do joy, connection, empathy and community. We want our students to embrace innovation without ever losing sight of what makes us human.
Preparing students for tomorrow is about far more than the tools they use. It’s also about the environments we create, the decisions we make and the values we model every day. Our teachers use data-informed insights to identify and support learners faster than ever before, helping us meet students where they are and celebrate their progress. At the same time, privacy remains paramount. Our community can rest assured that we’re making thoughtful decisions about technology while keeping children, relationships and hands-on learning at the heart of everything we do.
This summer, Built for Tomorrow is quite literal. Capital improvement projects are underway across our buildings, investments that will serve Franklin Square students for years to come. Work associated with our capital bond is also beginning, including roof-replacement work at our three schools, along with improvements to the Washington Street School parking lot. These projects represent an important investment in the safety, functionality and long-term future of our schools.
Behind the scenes, our custodial teams spend the summer cleaning, painting, repairing and preparing every classroom, hallway and gym. Their work plays an essential role in creating safe, welcoming schools.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back in September. Together we will remain balanced in our approach, bold in our thinking and committed to building a future in which every child is prepared not only for tomorrow’s technology, but for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Dr. Jared T. Bloom is superintendent of the Franklin Square school district.
