Babylon Memorial Grade School Selects New Principal

The Babylon Union Free School District has named Lauren Fretto the new principal of Babylon Memorial Grade School. She replaces Jeffrey Haubrich, who has been hired as Babylon’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Ms. Fretto had previously served as assistant principal of Babylon Memorial Grade School since the 2019-2020 school year.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher,” Ms. Fretto said. “I was inspired by my own elementary school teachers, and I consider myself to be a lifelong learner who is passionate about teaching and learning.”

Ms. Fretto earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education Grades 1-6 from Molloy University and a Master of Science degree in Literacy Birth-Grade 6 from Queens College. At Touro College, she earned certification extensions in Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 2 and Students with Disabilities Birth-Grade 6. Ms. Fretto has also earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Administration after completing the CITE Educational Leadership Program through the College of Saint Rose. She holds both school building leadership and school district leadership professional certifications.

Ms. Fretto began her career in education as a teaching assistant for the Rockville Centre School District in 2008. “It was all that I had hoped for,” she said of working in the classroom setting. Beginning in 2009, Ms. Fretto taught in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District as a leave replacement teacher, which included third grade, fifth grade, and reading support positions. In 2012, Ms. Fretto became a probationary reading specialist in that same district. For seven years, she worked with students in grades three through six in the reading support classroom, where she also earned her tenure. From there, Ms. Fretto began transitioning into leadership roles, while working closely with administration, participating on building and district-level committees, and serving as an instructional resource for colleagues by providing professional development. During these experiences, Ms. Fretto saw the impact that she was making on a much larger scale, so she decided to begin her journey into administration.

Ms. Fretto has spent the previous four years at Babylon Memorial Grade School building relationships with various stakeholders including administrators, teachers, students, and parents, all while contending with the pandemic. “Each year has been a unique experience,” Ms. Fretto said. “I have spent a lot of time getting to know the school and our instructional programs.”

“It is an honor and privilege to serve as the next principal of Babylon Memorial Grade School,” Ms. Fretto said. As principal, she looks to build upon the solid educational foundation that currently exists and maximize student learning and development. “My goal is to keep the best interests of the students at heart, while continuing to promote student-centered classrooms that set high expectations for teaching and learning.” Ms. Fretto is excited and grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to her continued partnership with the Babylon community.

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/.