Framingham Harmony Grove Elementary Names Interim Principal

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Step one in the search for a new principal at Harmony Grove Elementary is complete, with a school leader for the rest of this year.

Andrew Bernabei has been appointed as interim principal for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year as a search for a permanent principal gets underway.

Read more: Framingham Search For Harmony Grove Elementary Principal Begins

Bernabei steps into the role after a mid-year departure from Harmony Grove Elementary School Principal Juliana Kessler-Marcos.

The Harmony Grove Elementary School community was informed that Kessler-Marcos had "decided to pursue a unique career opportunity, allowing her to work closer to home and the ability to focus on starting a family," in December, officials said.

Her last day with Framingham Public Schools was Dec. 29, 2023.

Bernabei will begin on Wednesday and Amy Bright will "remain on site at Harmony Grove during the transition as he becomes acclimated to the school," district officials said.

Bernabei comes to Framingham with a resumé spanning almost three decades and a "wide range of special education and multilingual program experience supporting students in Early Education through Elementary School in Marlborough and Franklin Public Schools," officials said.

"I have full confidence that Mr. Bernabei will lead Harmony Grove Elementary School by fostering relationships with both staff and students and supporting the exceptional Vice Principals at Harmony Grove," said Superintendent Robert Tremblay. "Collaboratively, and with the backing of the District, we will ensure that every student experiences a profound sense of belonging within their school community."