New Principal Appointed At Greenwich Elementary School

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced this week the appointment of Mary Dolan Collette as principal of Riverside School, effective July 1.

Dolan Collette, the school's assistant principal, succeeds Jason Martín, who announced earlier this month that he is leaving for a school district closer to his home.

"Ms. Mary Dolan Collette has been instrumental in helping Riverside School move forward as an incredibly knowledgeable assistant principal at Riverside for the past three years," Jones said in an announcement.

"She immediately embraced the unique and special culture that defines the outstanding success year after year in a school environment where administration, families, and staff work hand in hand. She has high expectations for all students to succeed, and her mastery of early literacy is at the highest level," Jones added. "In fact, many of our GPS staff members have been lucky enough to take her reading class at Sacred Heart University where she has been an adjunct professor for many years. The committee was impressed with all aspects of her leadership and goals of taking Riverside to the next level of excellence."

Dolan Collette has worked in education since 1993. Before joining GPS, she served as elementary program facilitator at Fairfield Public Schools' North Stratfield Elementary School for six years. She also served as Fairfield's summer school principal from 2017 through 2022, supervising staff while focusing on early literacy and summer boost programs.

Dolan Collette began her career as a second and third grade teacher at Fairfield's McKinley and Jennings elementary schools before becoming a language arts specialist at those schools.

"Serving the Riverside community as principal is an opportunity to build upon an exceptional legacy of success," Dolan Collette said.

"As the assistant principal, I have had the privilege of working alongside our talented staff, engaged families, and remarkable students while gaining a deep appreciation for the values, high expectations, and commitment to excellence that define both Riverside School and Greenwich Public Schools. In partnership with our staff and families, I am committed to fostering a student-centered learning environment where every child is known, challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential."