McCarthy Arts Choices Grade 5

Dear Center Community,

It is with great enthusiasm and honor that I join Center Elementary School as your principal. My journey to educational leadership was a unique one. Meeting the needs of the whole child has been a lifetime commitment, having served as a social worker and supervisor for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for 20 years. After this career, I decided to pursue my passion for education.  As a first-generation college student, I know personally the opportunities a quality public education can provide.

During my first years working in a public school, I was a school social worker, meeting students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs. I was aware of the critical role the instructional leader served and believed my skills could be valuable in that role. The first years of a child’s education lay the foundation for future learning. We are meeting the needs of the whole child: helping children often in their first transition from home, learning how to get along with others and mastering numerous academic tasks. As an elementary school assistant principal for the last six years, I was a student-centered building leader.  I believe a school administrator needs to be kind and compassionate, to listen, understand, and willing to learn. To be collaborative and work with and for our students, staff, caretakers and community. These are the aspects of my job as an assistant principal that I found most rewarding and why I sought a principal position at Center Elementary School.

Now I am eager to get to know you! Living up to my last name (Fulreader), I’d love to read some of my favorite books to you and hear about the books you have been reading over the summer. Please join me, if you are able, during one of the following times:

•    August 1st, 1:30-2:30 at the Chelmsford Public Library (outside weather permitting or inside in the McCarthy Meeting Room)
•    August 2nd, 1:00-2:00, Sully’s Ice Cream Stand, 55 Graniteville Road, Chelmsford (weather permitting, please bring blankets in case we have a big crowd and need to move to the ball field)
•    August 3rd, 9:00-10:00, Playground at Center Elementary School (weather permitting)

Also, students, please email or write to me to share what you have been reading. I’ll write back, post your note on a bulletin board at school, and raffle off some of my favorite books to those who write to me.

I look forward to meeting many of you next week.

Warm Regards,

Dianna Fulreader
Principal
Center Elementary School
84 Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us