New Principal for Jefferson School

On Thursday, Aug. 13, the school district sent a letter to parents of students at Jefferson School announcing that Schools Supt. Brian Osborne will recommend that the Board of Education appoint Susan Grierson as the new Principal of Jefferson Elementary School. Grierson has been the principal of the K-8 Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City for the last eight years.

The appointment is not official until the school board votes on it at their Monday, Aug. 17, meeting. The full letter is below.

The search for a new principal for Jefferson Elementary School is reaching a conclusion.  This Monday, August 17, 2009, I will recommend to the Board of Education that it appoint Ms. Susan Grierson as principal of Jefferson Elementary School.  Should the Board of Education approve the recommendation, I hope that you will join me in welcoming Ms. Grierson to the Jefferson School community. 

The process for recruiting and hiring began in May, with postings in Education Week, the Star Ledger and TopSchools.com, as well as at schools of education and in every district location.  Thirty-four candidates completed applications.  Ten candidates were interviewed in June and July by a panel organized by Assistant Superintendent for Administration James Memoli and comprised of Kim Vivenzio, outgoing PTA Co-President; Adrianna Donat, incoming PTA Co-President; several Jefferson School staff members; Jefferson School’s assistant to the principal; two principals of other district elementary schools; and the district’s K-12 fine arts supervisor.  Interviews included questions regarding curriculum and instruction, professional development, parent involvement, the social and emotional needs of students, use of data, school management, and leadership style. Interviewees also completed on-demand tasks to determine leadership, problem solving and communication abilities.  Finalists were interviewed by a committee of district level leaders.  I am deeply appreciative of the thoughtfulness and dedication of the committee members.

Ms. Grierson will bring to Jefferson School a wealth of experience as a school leader, having served nine years as an assistant elementary school principal and for the last eight years as principal of the K-8 Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City.  As an educational leader, she has a strong commitment to improving instruction for all students using child-centered and data-driven decisions, generating enthusiasm in learning, and engaging families and the community into action through a collaborative approach.  Ms. Grierson will be both a leader who develops vision and sets the direction for the future as well as a manager who organizes and directs the staff and resources to reach the school’s goals.  I am fully confident that she will lead Jefferson School to the next level of excellence for every one of its students. 

Since Ms. Grierson’s start date will be October 12, 2009, the school year will begin with an interim principal, Mr. Ralph Celebre.  Mr. Celebre served as an elementary principal in the Livingston Public School District for 33 years, and has completed 15 interim administrative positions in various school districts in New Jersey, including Livingston, Millburn, Springfield and South Orange-Maplewood.  He served successfully as interim principal at Maplewood Middle School from October 2003 to January 2004 and as interim principal at Clinton School from January 2005 to June 2005.  We are fortunate to have Mr. Celebre return to the South Orange- Maplewood School District to assist in the transition to a new principal.

Enjoy the rest of your summer,

 Brian Osborne