New Canaan Middle School Principal Announces Retirement

NEW CANAAN, CT — Greg Macedo, who has served as principal of New Canaan's Saxe Middle School for the past quarter-century, has announced his retirement following the end of this school year, according to the school district.

Throughout his time at Saxe, Macedo "experienced and oversaw a remarkable number of changes" at the middle school, both in class composition and physical size.

"In addition to the changes in the physical campus and grade level configurations, other notable changes over the past 25 years, have been the increased level of student involvement in extra-curricular activities and the increased influence of the internet and the associated technologies," said Macedo in a statement. "However, 'kids are still kids' and will forever share the ups and downs of growing up and through the middle school years. This 'constant' is what will always determine the rewards of being a middle school teacher and administrator."

From the announcement:

Macedo began his tenure with New Canaan Public Schools in August, 1993, as principal of Saxe, which was then a grades 6-8 middle school. In 1995-6, Saxe inherited the 5th grade from each elementary school, and its
8th grade program was moved to NCHS for five years. The 1997-2000 Saxe construction project doubled the square footage from 100K to 200K square feet, with the addition of a new library, new cafeteria, new music wing and 30 new classrooms.

In 2000-01, the 8 th grade program returned to campus, and Saxe became a grades 5-8 middle school divided into the 7-8 grade Upper Division and 5-6 Lower Division - on staggered school day schedules. The recently completed 2016-2018 Saxe construction project added approximately 20K square feet, 12 classrooms, a completely renovated auditorium and expanded music classrooms. Saxe Middle School continues to receive high rankings statewide for its academic successes and helps to anchor a school district considered in the top 1% of the country (Niche.com).

"People who work in schools have discovered a secret," noted Mr. Macedo. "The 'fountain of youth' is coming to work every day and being able to support and guide emerging adolescents, as they begin to transition from childhood to young adulthood. One enduring variable about working in a middle school is that every year, you can count on the fact that our students will always encounter the challenges and joys of growing through the ages of 10-14."

Mr. Macedo added: "I have been truly blessed to be able to live the life of a 'life-long learner,' as I have benefitted greatly from the professionals that I have had the pleasure to learn from. They are truly 'life-long teachers.'"

Mr. Macedo and his wife, Rosanne, are relocating to the Delaware shore, which is still close enough to travel back to their grandchildren in Rockland County, NY. After 39 years of professional service, they are each looking forward to a more relaxed schedule of life-long learning and service to the community. Prior to joining New Canaan Public Schools, Mr. Macedo was Assistant Principal at Redding Elementary School in Redding, CT, and before that, he taught middle school and high school History.

"I will always be grateful for the support of the middle school parent community, the parent leadership, successive Boards of Education members and the community at large," said Mr. Macedo. "I have tried to represent their interests, so that our school would always be the best reflection possible of the New Canaan community."

Photo: Greg Macedo. Photo credit: New Canaan Public Schools

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