Sassarini principal resigns

Bethany Wilson, Principal of Sassarini Elementary School for the last nine years, has resigned, as of June 30. In a letter to the Sassarini students’ families, she said that it was an honor to have been their principal and to have worked with “an incredible staff of experienced, dedicated and loyal teachers and support staff,” and that she is proud of the school and all that has been accomplished. Now, she said, “it is time for me to do something new,” though she did not elaborate on what that might be.
In her letter, she listed the highlights of some of the programs at Sassarini, as an “opportunity to reflect on the riches offered your children.” Among the accomplishments she mentioned were Team Time, Accelerated Reader, SHARP (the Sassarini Homework, Arts, Reading and Physical education program), and the monthly recognition program for exemplars of Lifeskills, Effort, Academic Achievement, Improvement and Positive Attitude. “Most importantly,” she wrote, “Sassarini is not in program improvement.” While this may sound like faint praise, she assured parents that it means that all students – English learners, low-income, Latino, and Anglo – are performing at high levels. This, she wrote, is something “to be proud of.”
Sassarini parent Gary DeSmet, who was a teacher in the district for 16 years, was impressed that the school is not in program improvement. “That’s really a major accomplishment,” he said. “It’s not at all uncommon to be in program improvement these days.” DeSmet had nothing but praise for Wilson. “She’s been one of those very positive people over the years, delightful to deal with, full of spunk. You don’t often find people like that.” He praised the school for its inclusive spirit. “It seems like Sassarini is just at the tip of the spear, trying to get our little community to be one community, instead of two communities. I think the school has done a great job.”
Wilson assured parents, in the conclusion of her letter, that despite the “doom and gloom budget cuts,” she expects no staffing cuts at Sassarini. “Our school site budgets will adequately fund the instructional assistant positions, computer lab and the intervention teacher positions in 2007-2008.” She said the superintendent would keep families informed about selecting the next principal.