Mrs. Latto Retires as Principal of PS 41; Mr. Ferrara to Take the Reins

The last day of the school year at Bayside’ PS 41, the Crocheron School, was also the end of an era, as Sari Latto retired after 17 years as principal. In much-anticipated news, Assistant Principal Joseph Ferrara was announced as the new principal that same day.

Mrs. Latto, a teacher and administrator with the New York City Department of Education since 1973, had worked at MS 172, PS 46, MS 216, and MS 158 before being named principal of the 35th Avenue elementary school in 1998. Since her appointment the school has consistently achieved top performance ratings, including the 2007 designation as a National Blue Ribbon School — the first in District 26 to receive that honor. In 2013 and 2014, PS 41 was also designated a “reward school,” one of the highest performing schools in the state.

Hundreds of students, parents, teachers, and staff members wore “Thanks, Mrs. Latto!” stickers, then gathered at the front entrance to surprise their outgoing principal with a rally, including letters spelling out “Thank you Mrs. Latto” as a loving sendoff.