Schools

OFFICIAL from Haddonfield School District on May 29, 2020

We all have heard that “as one door opens, another closes.” This is something I am particularly aware of as we begin to close the 2019-20 school year. As I open the door to my new position as Superintendent of the Haddonfield School District on July 1, and as I close the door on my two-year service as Assistant Superintendent, I am proud to say we are also closing the door on our New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) review.

As you are probably aware, NJQSAC is the New Jersey Department of Education’s monitoring and self-evaluation system designed to ensure that students are provided a high-quality education and safe learning environments while the district is fiscally responsible to the community. Many view NJQSAC as a “cross your i’s and dot your t’s” process; that is simply not true. The NJQSAC process requires districts to be evaluated in five areas: Program and Instruction, Governance, Finance, Operations, and Personnel. Generally, review occurs on a three-year cycle; however, Haddonfield had experienced a nearly 10-year exemption based on student performance scores. In the fall of 2018, Haddonfield School District (HSD) was found to be subpar in four of the five regulated areas, only passing Governance based on an appeal.

There were many questions as to how such a high achieving and successful school system could perform so poorly. In short, our five schools were siloed. Each school performed well based on focused students, dedicated staff, and supportive families. What was lacking were the systems in place to guarantee that the level of services provided to our students would continue and grow. The challenge, starting in the summer of 2019, was to put in place the systemic changes necessary. This would require the cooperation and efforts of all HSD staff members.

I am proud to say that, over the last 18 to 20 months, HSD staff members rose to the challenge. Central Administrative Office procedures were honed and corrected. Building-level administration and office staff developed systems that centralized data, curriculum, training, and record-monitoring. Teachers across the district revisited, rewrote, and published a rich and rigorous curriculum. All of this resulted in revised NJQSAC results with HSD passing in every area. This did not come easily. The focus and efforts of everyone in the organization was necessary for HSD to grow, improve, and impose systemic changes that will guarantee continued growth for the district. At the conclusion of this two-year process, I am happy to say HSD is ready for new challenges in the future.

An additional note. As we look to close the door on one school year and open the door on another, building principals have been working to create safe and efficient processes for the closure of school. Each principal has been developing plans to collect school-owned materials and return student materials left in school buildings, provide transitional support for grades five and eight, and to organize ceremonies to honor promotion from fifth grade and eighth grade as well as high school graduation.

Also it should be noted that, while we are still four months away from the opening of the new school year, we have already started to discuss ways in which we can support our students academically, emotionally, and socially as they return to school in the fall, whether that return is “in-person,” virtual, or a blended format.

The finish line for 2019-20 is in sight. We have three weeks of remote education left, and I am confident our staff, students and families will wrap up the year with as much energy, creativity and perseverance as they have demonstrated since March 17. I am proud to step into my new role and to work with all of you.

During its meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2020, the Board of Education named Dr. Gino Priolo as Assistant Superintendent for the Haddonfield School District. He will assume the role on July 1, 2020.

The text below is from the statement released by the Board following its vote to approve Gino Priolo’s appoinement.

Priolo brings 25 years of educational experience to this position. Originally a special education teacher and then principal in the Cherry Hill School District, he first came to Haddonfield as principal of Tatem Elementary School in August 2005. In August of 2011, Priolo became the principal of Haddonfield Middle School, and in 2014 he became the Director of Special Education for the district.

“Over the past decade, I have worked with Dr. Priolo as a fellow administrator and have grown to admire his professionalism, thoughtfulness, and collaborative nature,” said Charles Klaus, incoming Superintendent of Schools. “He is a student-centered and experienced leader who understands the importance of visiting issues from the perspective of all stakeholders. He is not afraid to ask hard questions and is always willing to provide answers to those same questions.”

Priolo earned his bachelor’s degree from Rowan University (Teacher of the Handicapped) and his master’s from Temple University (Master of Education/Educational Administration). In 2010, he earned his Ed.D. in Educational Administration, also from Temple University.

During 16 years as an administrator in Haddonfield, Priolo has accomplished a great deal. Among many other achievements, he developed district-wide Response to Intervention (RTI) protocol, designed and implemented character-focused Community Meetings, created and implemented a district-wide formative assessment writing plan for students in grades K-5, created the area’s first course on ethical use of technology entitled Digital Citizenship, and earned (middle school) designation as a No Place for Hate School by the Anti-Defamation League. In 2014, Priolo was selected as a delegate to represent N.J. at the National Race to the Top summit in Washington, D.C., and also served on an advisory committee for the NJDOE AchieveNJ.

As Director of Special Education, Priolo developed and implemented K-12 intervention for reading and dyslexia support in both general and special education classes and implemented the initiative that resulted in 14 district teachers earning Wilson Level I Certification/Dyslexia
Specialists designation. He served as the district chairperson for the Strategic Plan for SocialEmotional Learning, leading the implemented of Yale’s RULER program, and he created Community-Based Instruction programming at elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Overseeing special education in a district known for its high rate of inclusivity (over 91% of students with special needs spend 80% or more of the school day in general education), Priolo was the 2019 recipient of the N.J. Coalition for Inclusive Schools Honors Award.

“Dr. Priolo has seen the district from many angles and has an excellent working relationship with the administrative team and staff,” said Adam Sangillo, Board president. “The Board is pleased with this choice, and we look forward to supporting our new administrative leadership team as we continue to strive for excellence in nurturing, inspiring and empowering every learner.”

Priolo resides in Hainesport, N.J. with his wife of 20 years, Dawn, and his four children, who range in ages from 17 to 5. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising, coaching youth sports and is an avid music lover.

During “normal” times, students at Haddonfield Memorial High School spend part of the Friday before Memorial Day participating in a variety of activities related to the holiday. On the day itself, members of the Honor Society read a portion of “In Flanders Fields” during the American Legion-sponsored observance at the High School.

Not this year.

To take the place of the regular Memorial Day activities, the Student Council has produced a ten-minute video, viewable HERE.

This Haddonfield Today news story sponsored by Professional Printing Services, 116 Haddon Avenue. 856-429-8644.