New Principal Named At South Norwalk Neighborhood School

Information via Norwalk Public Schools

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk Public Schools announced Friday that Amaris Melendez has been named the new principal of the South Norwalk Neighborhood School.

According to a news release provided by the district, Melendez most recently served as the Director of Early Childhood for Norwalk Public Schools.

Melendez worked closely with families and staff at the South Norwalk School during school's first year, helping to establish a warm and welcoming environment for the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. The school will add one more grade level this fall, enrolling students up to first grade.

"We are excited to see Ms. Melendez transition into this new position following her great work for the district and her prior experience," Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said in a news release. "She has shown great enthusiasm for the South Norwalk Neighborhood School and has worked well with the students, staff and families to make them feel welcome and appreciated."

Melendez brings 15 years of educational work experience to her new role. Prior to her arrival in Norwalk, Melendez worked in several districts across the New York City Department of Education.

From 2018 to 2021, she served as the early childhood education administrator in District 4, an underserved community in the East Harlem area of Manhattan. She piloted New York City’s first-ever initiative to provide full-day quality care to students as young as 2.9 years old, according to the district.

Melendez also served as the Pre-K Site Coordinator for District 2, located in Manhattan, from 2016 to 2018.

Melendez began her teaching career at P.S. 094, an elementary school in Brooklyn. She taught for seven years, then served as an instructional coach her final year.

The school offered dual language programs in Spanish and Chinese, both designed to promote biliterate, bilingual and bicultural student communities, according to the district.

Melendez received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Brooklyn College, CUNY. She then earned a master’s degree in childhood urban education from Long Island University, Brooklyn and a master’s degree in school leadership and supervision from the College of Saint Rose.