Dear Parents and Staff,
I would like to introduce myself as the newly appointed Principal of Memorial School. I am honored to join the North Haledon community and am excited to be part of a district which is strong in its core values of education and that embraces the ideas of the 21st century.
I had previously served as an elementary school teacher for 12 years, in the Ramsey School District. During my previous experiences, I have served as acting principal, written elementary curriculum, mentored new staff members, worked on an Advisory Committee on Student Tolerance and Anti-Bullying, served on a School-Based 21st Century Committees, Special Education Parent Advisory, and Steering and Monitoring Committees. I have worked closely with members of the Parent-Teacher Organization, as well as the district’s Education Foundation on several events. I have worked with the local police department with the D.A.R.E. program, as well as many other educational initiatives. My instructional experience is one that has supported a differentiated approach that embraces multi-sensory learning and supports a student’s individual learning style. Also, as a father of two children, who have attended the same school district that I was an educator, I have a full understanding of how important an outstanding education is to parents. This is why I am committed to academic excellence, not only as an educator and administrator, but also as an involved parent. I am confident that all of these experiences will enable me to further support and enhance the Memorial School community.
A driving force for me has always been the act of connecting with students and guiding them to become aware and responsible for their academic and behavioral choices. The opportunity to impact so many students at the Pre-K to 4th grade educational level is my motivation. A key thread of my administrative philosophy stems from the value and importance of character and citizenship. Although I have many goals, a main focus will be to celebrate the students of Memorial School for their academic, extracurricular, and behavioral successes. This includes promoting good decision-making and the idea of recognizing all of the good things that students are doing.
It is my belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning atmosphere that welcomes exploration, problem-solving, critical-thinking and enhances student confidence and achievement. A child’s development follows individual patterns and timing; children also vary in temperament, personality, and aptitudes, as well as in what they learn in their family and within the social and cultural context or contexts that shape their experience. Having high and clear expectations for our students are essential while responding to each child as an individual. This is fundamental in developing independent, productive, life long learners that embrace the challenges of the 21st century.
I look forward to building strong parent and community partnerships, which are essential to foster student success. I am confident in my ability to work with such dedicated parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and the greater community of North Haledon, which will play an integral role in supporting and reinforcing academic and behavioral expectations. It will also be vital that I collaborate with the Memorial School staff to continuously provide students with the tools and resources to be successful. As an instructional leader in a professional learning community whose sole purpose is to promote student-centered learning and achievement, I am committed in continuing to prepare our students for the world of tomorrow and in making Memorial School one of the best elementary schools in the state.
I encourage you to e-mail or call throughout the school year to communicate with me. In addition, if anyone would like to arrange a meeting prior to the opening of school to discuss specific behavior, social, or emotional concerns regarding your child, please call the main office for an appointment.
I look forward to being a part of the Memorial School team and effectively contributing to the overall safety, academic program, climate, and sense of community in North Haledon.
Giovanni Giancaspro
Memorial School, Principal
| File | Description | File size |
|---|---|---|
 Little Steps Brochure Outside | 364 Kb | |
| Little Steps Brochure Inside | 361 Kb | |
| Little Steps Registration Form | 87 Kb | |
| Little Steps | 87 Kb |
