New Principal for Hamilton Avenue School Is Appointed

Superintendent of Schools William S. McKersie has announced the appointment of Cindy C. Rigling as the Principal of Hamilton Avenue School (HAS), effective July 1.

An educator for 27 years, Rigling is the founding principal of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) International Magnet School (IMS) for Global Citizenship in South Windsor. She was selected by CREC in 2008 to create this lottery-based, elementary magnet school focused on rigorous, inquiry-based learning in order to close achievement gaps between and among student sub groups. In 2011, IMS became a fully authorized International Baccalaureate World School and received the 2014 School of Excellence Award from Magnet Schools of America for demonstrating “a high commitment to academic standards, curriculum innovation, desegregation/diversity efforts, specialized teaching staffs, and parent and community involvement.”

Rigling will succeed Cynthia Womack who has been HAS principal for the past five years. Womack announced her resignation in January as she will be getting married and relocating to Maryland.

McKersie said in a statement, “It is great news for Hamilton Avenue students, staff and families, and the entire district, that Ms. Rigling has accepted our offer to be the new Hamilton Avenue School principal. She is a highly successful educational leader, with a record of excellence, dedication, caring and compassion. Her appointment was unanimously supported by the HAS principal interview committee and she has been widely lauded for her leadership in launching the International Magnet School in Greater Hartford.”

Rigling said in a statement, “I am honored to be joining the team of quality educators in the Greenwich Public Schools and am very excited to work with the committed teachers and staff at Hamilton Avenue.” She added, “I believe wholeheartedly in the value of inquiry-based learning at the elementary level, and look forward to working with the school staff and families as we implement the STEM theme.”

Administrative candidates are selected after a comprehensive search and appointment process, which includes widespread recruitment efforts, multiple interviews with school and District administrators, teachers, and parents, as well as extensive reference and background checks. Principal appointments also include a site visit.

HAS teacher Kim Papa participated on the interview committee and attended the site visit to IMS. She said in a statement, “During the interview process, Ms. Ringling demonstrated outstanding knowledge of inquiry based instruction, which will be a tremendous asset as Hamilton Avenue moves to becoming a STEM school.” Papa added, “Administrators, parents and teachers in Hartford all spoke of her commitment to creating a positive school community with a clear vision of raising student achievement. I am excited to have someone of her caliber come on board and welcome her to our community.”

Rigling began her career in education providing support programs and counseling services for children and families at the Klingberg Family Day Program in New Britain, the Boys’ Village Family Services in Milford, and the Northwest Village School in Plainville. From 1998 to 2001 she worked at the Thomaston Center School in Thomaston, first as a School Counselor, then as Head Teacher for Grades 4-6. In 2001, Rigling took on her first administrator assignment as principal of the Webb School, an alternative K-8 school in Cheshire. She also served as Assistant Principal/Acting Principal at Pearson Middle School in Winsted.

She also has served as principal at the John J. Allison, Jr. CREC Polaris Center, an alternative middle/high school.

Rigling received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from State University Center at Binghamton, Binghamton; a Master of Education degree in Counseling and School Psychology from Boston College; and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University.

Contributed photo: Cindy C. Rigling.