District principals are prepared for day of classes class

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BLOOMFIELD, NJ — With another school year around the corner, principals and teachers pulled up stakes on their vacations and headed back to the classroom to prepare. We caught some of them hard at work going over schedules, decorating corridor walls, or, if they were a new hand, being given a primer by an old pro. So, what do the principals have in mind at this time?

At Watsessing Elementary, Principal Gina Rosamilia will have a new office secretary, custodian and music teacher. There will be a number of new paraprofessionals and two leave of absences. The language learning disability program has moved into Watsessing, coming from Oak View Elementary. She is looking forward to the world language program. This is new to the district. Rosamilia has been an educator in the district for 35 years; seven as Watsessing principal.

At Carteret Elementary, Principal John Baltz has one new kindergarten teacher. He said he is looking forward to the second year of the math investigation program because he anticipates a smoother implementation this time. He said the school will continue with its readers and writers workshops with a focus on guided reading. Baltz has been in the district for 11 years; five as Carteret principal.

The principal at the Early Childhood Center, Linda Colucci, will be starting her first year as principal. She has two new teachers and is looking forward to incorporating the Reggio Emila philosophy on child-centered learning. Colucci said this is the first time the center has had a principal. Prior to this year, it was guided by the special-education supervisor.

Another new principal is Lauren Barton, at Brookdale Elementary. Barton is coming over from the middle school where she ran the gifted and talented program. She has been an educator in the district for 17 years. There will be four new teachers at the school and a new office aide.

“I am just looking forward to continuing the excellence at Brookdale and working collaboratively with the staff to provide the best learning experience,” Baron said.

Mary Todaro will be starting her 10th year as principal at Demarest Elementary. She has been a Bloomfield district educator for 34 years, having taken a number of years off during that time. She will have five new teachers and a new custodian. Todaro is looking forward to sitting down with the school improvement panel to develop goals for the school. The improvement of student writing, she said, is her primary concern this year.

At Berkeley Elementary, Principal Nastha Baxter will be going into her third year as principal and in the district. She will have two new teachers, two new custodians and a new office secretary. She is looking forward to a strong commitment from her teachers in the reading and writing workshop. Baxter is also optimistic about implementing the Dove Self-Esteem Program, which is sponsored by the soap manufacturer.

“It’s all about empowering girls to be comfortable with the skin they’re in,” she said.
Baxter will be starting the program with girls, grades 4 to 6, and hopes to expand it to boys next year.

Marianne Abbasso, the principal for eight years at Franklin Elementary, has been a district educator for 28 years. She has no new teachers but one maternity leave this year. She is looking forward to the new scheduling being implemented in all district elementary schools. The scheduling change will allot more time on task and provide consistency in all schools, according to Abbasso, and better differentiate time blocks for subjects.

“We’re tightening everything up,” she said.