LCE Principal: Temporary Gig Turned into 4 Years

Elissa DeAngelo is the pulse of .

As the principal, she reaches out to the teachers, staff, students and parents in a professional, yet loving manner. If a parent can’t volunteer to do their car line shift, I’ve personally seen DeAngelo don a bright orange vest and happily assist students into waiting cars that pull up to Encinas Drive. She greets children cheerfully and asks how they are doing.

Superintendent Wendy Sinnette announced this week that after four years as principal -- a period of time that surprises even DeAngelo.

“I took the position as a temporary principal for six months,” shared DeAngelo while we sat in her office overlooking the front of the school. “I had already retired from being a principal at another district, and was just doing some consulting work.”

DeAngelo was the ideal candidate to Jim Stratton (the past superintendent) and the school board.  DeAngelo shared with me that she accepted the position because “it was thrilling to work in a community with such support for higher levels of education. This school has such a strong spirit to bring out the best in each child.”

Sitting outside her office is Sharon Hancock, her secretary and dear friend. “Now that I have made my decision, I get teary when I look at Hancock. I have such a great team,” said DeAngelo.

Her team also consists of Nancy DeBoer; the school counselor, Laura Johnson; the compassionate health clerk/ nurse, Angela Deno; the speech therapist and Carol Bridgewood helps with attendance. “The team in my office has been the best experience I have ever had in my career,” shared DeAngelo.

De Angelo has never seen such a commitment from parents and teachers at any other school either. Her teachers are highly qualified and eager to work inside and outside their classrooms with the students.

“The PTA Board touches my heart daily with the work that they do for this school,” stated DeAngelo. “PTA works above and beyond with my office, the teachers and the needs of the school.”

She admires the PTA’s commitment in supporting the educational and family-fun programs. “The parents never let me down,'' she said. She appreciates their help with Nutrition Week, Art Week, Movie Night, Assemblies, Teacher and Staff Appreciation lunches, Yard and Car line duty, to name just a few.

In mid-June, after the 6^th grade graduation, DeAngelo will retire officially. Afterwards, she plans to travel to Philadelphia to visit her ailing mother. “My mom hasn’t been well and it’s time I be with her,” said DeAngelo. Later, she will visit her grandchildren, ages 13 and 15 years old in San Francisco.

DeAngelo said she will miss LCE with it’s unique setting and wonderful hospitality. The families, staff and teachers at LCE will deeply miss Elissa DeAngelo’s pulse.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the time that Elissa DeAngelo has been with the District. She started in 2008. Patch regrets the error.