Beloved Wallingford Elementary School Principal Dies, Mourned

WALLINGFORD, CT — The Wallingford school community and beyond is mourning the death of Pond Hill Elementary School Principal Kristin Vollero.

Vollero died Dec. 24 after a courageous battle with cancer, Superintendent of Schools Danielle Bellizzi announced in a message to families over the holiday weekend.

“Mrs. Vollero was the principal of Pond Hill Elementary School for the past five years where she touched the lives of so many students, staff, and families with her kindness and dedication to everyone in the Pond Hill community,” Bellizzi wrote in the message. “As well, she was a trusted and dearly loved colleague to all of the administrators in our district.

“Kristin is survived by her husband, Sal, and her children Ally and Tori. Please keep Kristin’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Vollero, 47, of North Haven, was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and earned her bachelor’s degree from Assumption College, her master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University and her administration certificate from Sacred Heart University, according to her obituary.

In addition to her time at Pond Hill, Vollero’s career in education included St. Bernadette Parochial School, New Haven Public Schools and North Haven Public Schools.

“The faculty and staff at Pond Hill Elementary School and the entire Wallingford school system have been incredibly loving and supportive during her illness and her family will be forever grateful,” the obituary reads. “The family would also like to thank her many friends & colleagues who have provided their support and comfort to Kristin and her family during this extremely difficult time. Her greatest joy was to be the mother and cheerleader to her two daughters, Victoria and Alexandria. She attended every one of their lacrosse, tennis, and basketball games and loved every minute of it. She and Sal encouraged the girls to succeed academically and to always do what was right.”

In the message to Pond Hill families, Bellizzi said the school did not tell students about Vollero’s death and “we defer to you to share with your children as you deem appropriate.”

The school was open on Monday and Tuesday with counselors available to respond to the “emotional needs of the students, staff, and those in the community affected by this tragedy.”

A candlelight vigil will be held in memory and celebration of Vollero at 5 p.m. on Jan. 2 at Pond Hill Elementary School. A rain date is set for 5 p.m. on Jan. 3.

All are welcome to attend, and officials noted that parking is limited. Guests are encouraged to carpool and/or use the free shuttle service from the Lutheran Zion Church at 235 Pond Hill Road. Organizers also said that one flameless candle will be provided to each family while supplies last. Open flames are not permitted on school grounds, according to officials.

“To everyone who knew and loved Kristin, I share my profound condolences with you,” Bellizzi said in the email. “As a loved member of our WPS family, we all share in her loss.”

Read the full obituary at Iovanne Funeral Home here.