Principal Appreciation Month: Celebrating Our School Leaders

Every October, schools across the country mark National Principals Month, a recognition created by the National Association of School Principals, to honor the people who lead our schools.

Let’s start by recognizing what that leadership actually looks like. A principal’s day rarely follows the plan it started with. Between the first bus arrival and the last dismissal, they are instructional leaders, budget managers, crisis responders, community liaisons, and often the familiar adult a student seeks out on a hard morning. Research consistently finds school leadership second only to classroom teaching among the school factors that influence student achievement. But families already know this intuitively. The tone of a building comes from the top.

Here in East Providence, that work is carried by the following leaders:

Myron J. Francis School, Jamie McKenzie, Principal
Agnes B. Hennessey School, Tonianne Napolitano, Principal
Kent Heights School, Soledad Barreto, Principal
Orlo Avenue School, Lisa Pita, Principal
Silver Spring School, Allison Amodie, Principal
Waddington School, Karen Moore, Principal
Whiteknact School, Kelly Guglietti, Principal
Pre-K and Early Learning Center, Karen Rebello, Principal
East Providence High School, William Black, Principal
East Providence Career & Technical Center, Robert Hanlon, Director
Edward R. Martin Middle School, Jill Usenia, Principal
Riverside Middle School, Michael Gilmore, Principal

Recognition doesn’t require much. A note from a student, an email from a parent, a word at pickup. Principals remember these far longer than the plaques and awards. If there’s a school leader who has made a difference for your family this year, this is a good week to tell them so.

To all of our principals: Thank you for the long days, the hard calls, and the steady presence you bring to our schools and our students.