New Bishop Principal Meets and Greets

Last night was the first public meet-and-greet with Bishop Elementary's interim principal, Steven Silvestri, a person about whom retiring principal Steve Carme said he "couldn't say enough good things."

Accompanied by both Superintendent Kathleen Bodie and Carme,  Silvestri spoke to the small crowd gathered at Bishop Elementary School about his past experiences and his excitement for the upcoming year.

"While we are very grateful for all the years Steve Carme has given us, I am very pleased with the newly appointed (Silvestri)," Bodie told the crowd of mostly parents. 

The three have been working together since June, but Silvestri's position as interim principal was not official until last week.

"I've been through 25 Septembers and 25 openings," Silvestri said. "I'm especially looking forward to this upcoming one."

Silvestri started as a Kindergarten teacher's aid in the early 1970's. His career as a teacher, from 1974 to 1985, spanned grades Kindergaren, four, five, and six, where he taught all subjects. He served as a principal in Westwood for four years, and Chelmsford for 19. In 1997, he was named the Massachusetts Elementary Principal of the Year.

"It's never been a job," said Silvestri, who tried ot retire a few years ago, but could never completely leave. "I love what I do."

He returned to education as headmaster of a small private school in Gloucester for two years, but came back to public. "I really like the public school environment," he said.

As interim principal of Bishop Elementary, Silvestri said: "I view my role as caretaker, while also moving ahead."

"Everyday is unpredictable," said Silvestri, adding that he is confident that these will be "manageable challenges."

Attendees asked questions, mostly about an increase in the 2nd grade class size and a reduction of physical education classes (from twice a week to once), as well as some traffic concerns.

Silvestri cited parental volunteerism as "one of the strategies" he hopes to employ to enrich the classroom experience.  "Parents play a huge role," he said. "The door is always open, and you can always call me."

Starting August 23, Silvestri will be working in the school full time, during which he plans to meet with teachers individually and hopefully set another public meet-and-greet up with the Parent-Teacher Organization within two weeks of the start of school.