By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen K. Zrike at last week’s school board meeting formally introduced recently hired Galvin Middle School principal Adam Colantuoni.
Colantuoni will succeed Mark Bedrosian and will begin work on Wednesday, July 1.
“As a Wakefield native, Mr. Colantuoni returns to the Galvin Middle School with a passion for his home community and a commitment to providing all students with a dynamic educational experience,” Zrike wrote in a letter to the Galvin community.
“He is a career middle school educator with six years of middle school administrative leadership experience.”
Colantuoni responded, “Many exciting things are happening under Dr. Zrike’s leadership.” He added that he has met with the Galvin’s PTO president and other school leaders in recent weeks.
Colantuoni’s career began as a middle school guidance counselor and assistant principal at the Wynn Middle School in Tewksbury. He joined the Galvin Middle School as an assistant principal in 2010 and spent three years establishing strong relationships with students, staff and families.
He left the Galvin in 2013 to serve as a principal of the Hanover Middle School. While there, he made an immediate impact building a student centered culture and improving student achievement, said Zrike.
Colantuoni holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Merrimack College and a master of arts degree in school counseling from Lesley University.
“Through the interview process, Mr. Colantuoni distinguished himself as an energetic, reflective and collaborative leader who is a fierce advocate for children,” Zrike continued.
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School board members approved the school calendar for academic year 2015.
During his presentation of the calendar, Dr. Zrike said that half-days would be spaced out, based on teacher preference.
“We tried to avoid the Wednesday before or after vacations, but we could not do this in April because of PARCC testing,” he said.
He also noted that spring conferences at the middle and high schools will be replaced by spring showcase where students and staff can demonstrate and exhibit the work they have completed throughout the year.
Also, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten school year will be shortened by three days so that teachers can hold screening at the end of the school year.
“This way, services for other students will not be interrupted mid-year so that staff can hold screening,” said Zrike.
Holidays remain the same as previous years.
Students will report for the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The winter holiday break will begin on Thursday, Dec. 24. Students will return to their classrooms on Monday, Jan. 4.
PARCC testing will be held March 14 through April 11 and again from May 9 through June 3,
The final day of school is currently set for Friday, June 17 and Monday, June 20 for staff. June 24 has been set as the final day in the event there is a need for five snow days.
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School board members gave their approval for an overnight field trip for grade 5 students to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth from Oct. 26 through 28. The cost of the trip is $170 each for between 175 and 200 students.
Student who do not participate will attend Camp Galvin at the middle school.
The cost includes bus transportation, meals, admission to museums and overnight accommodations.
Camp Bournedale is a hands-on learning experience that focuses on environmental education, including science, math, humanities and social studies.
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At the next school board meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Dr. Zrike will be formally evaluated by board members. He will be assessed on instructional leadership, management and operations, family and community engagement and professional culture.
