New Principal Named For Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School

From Croton-Harmon Schools: Michael F. Plotkin has been named the new principal at Croton-Harmon’s Pierre Van CortlandtMiddle School, effective July 1. Mr. Plotkin, who has served as PVC’s Assistant Principal for the last decade, will replace Dr. Barbara Ulm, who announced her retirement last fall.

“The Board of Education is pleased to select Mr. Plotkin as PVC’s new principal, and we look forward to bringing his many ideas and plans to fruition as he builds on the sturdy framework that Dr. Ulm so carefully constructed during her years as principal,” said Iris Bugliosi, Board of Education President. Superintendent of Schools Edward R. Fuhrman, Jr., who also will be retiring at the end of the school year, said that Mr. Plotkin would be the perfect choice to head up PVC. “Mike is a middle-years expert who is child-centered. His passion and dedication will lead PVC forward.” said Dr. Fuhrman. “We are pleased to select him as the new principal.” As assistant principal, Mr. Plotkin has worked with Dr. Ulm and the teaching staff at PVC to organize a grade 5-8 advisory committee that writes and updates the school’s curriculum, used SMART Goals and Frameworks for Teaching to direct his own professional growth and that of PVC teachers, implemented the school’s student-centered recess program, and chaired the school’s Response to Intervention and Olweus Bullying Prevention committees.

He also created and implemented standards-based report cards with the help of the teaching staff, co-chaired the Campus Leadership Team in conjunction with the Culture of Respect program, and helped to design the framework for the district’s social-emotional curriculum. He actively collaborates with district leadership on the Strategic Coherence Plan and helped to orchestrate a student exchange program with a sister school in Shanghai, China. “I am honored to be transitioning into the role of Principal of Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle
School,” said Mr. Plotkin. “For the last decade, I have worked to create a middle school that puts learning and the social-emotional growth of students as its paramount function. I am dedicated and determined to build on these achievements and work with the community to ensure that our children have a great middle school experience. I am also thankful and humbled by the support I have received from this community and my colleagues.” Mr. Plotkin, who lives in Holmes, earned a BA and an MA, both in history, from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College. He went on to the Columbia University Teachers College Future School Administrator’s Academy in 2005, where he earned certifications as a New York State School District Administrator and a New York State School Administrator/Supervision. He was recognized as Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year in 2015 by the School Administrators Association of New York State/National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Before joining PVC in 2007, Mr. Plotkin served as a social studies teacher for six years at Chappaqua’s Horace Greeley High School, assistant principal for the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Regional Summer School, and a social studies teacher and administrative dean of students at James Madison High School in Brooklyn.

PHOTO/ Croton-Harmon school district