Dear Norwalk Families, Teachers and Staff, and Community Members,
I am pleased and proud to have the opportunity to serve this city as
your new Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools. Although my tenure
has started only recently, I am energized by the warm welcome I have
received from so many, and by the enthusiasm and support expressed by a
wide variety of stakeholders.
With
the start of school just a few short weeks away, my immediate priority
is to ensure a strong start to the 2015-16 school year. After the
end-of-year retirements of several administrators, the Norwalk Board of
Education recently approved the appointment of new principals for Ponus
Ridge, Columbus, Tracey and Wolfpit schools, as well as a new director
for the Center for Global Studies. Together with our existing school
leaders, these new appointments give Norwalk a full team of talented and
experienced administrators leading all our schools.
At
the same time, we are actively recruiting and interviewing to identify
highly qualified candidates for key Central Office administrative
vacancies. We will announce additional appointments, either permanent or
interim where necessary, as soon as possible. In addition to searching
for a permanent director for pupil personnel service, we are also
preparing to work with the State of Connecticut to fully review District
procedures for providing special education.
Finally,
there’s also a lot of behind-the-scenes work underway in preparation
for the start of school. New teachers are being hired. Kindergarten
registrations and class assignments are being finalized. School cleaning
and maintenance is underway. Chromebooks are being serviced and
technology enhancements installed. All in all, I’m confident that our
schools will be ready to welcome your children back at the end of
August!
Once
school is in full swing, attention will turn quickly to the future. I
will be working closely with all stakeholders to develop the next steps
needed to fully implement the District’s Strategic Plan. Many of the
plan’s initial focus areas are already in progress, giving us a solid
foundation on which to build. At the same time, the best strategic plans
are living documents capable of adapting to new opportunities and
ever-changing circumstances.
An
excellent school system is one that seeks ways to continually improve.
Programs need to be robust and exciting; they need to motivate both
current and future students; and they need to meet the needs of our
diverse community. To accomplish our goal of closing the Achievement
Gap, Norwalk must continue moving forward. Where there are challenges,
we will attack them head on. Our work needs to be inspired by vision,
driven by data, and supported by the unified commitment of the entire
community.
In
closing, it is a great privilege to join you as we work together to
take Norwalk Public Schools to the next level. I look forward to meeting
many more of you in the weeks and months to come.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Sincerely,
Dr. Steven Adamowski
Superintendent
Posted: August 2015