At an informal 'meet and greet,' more than 100 school employees met the new superintendent.
New Westfield school superintendent Suzanne Scallion plans to tour the district's 13 schools over the next two weeks.WESTFIELD – Newly appointed Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Scallion is scheduling tours of each of the city’s 13 public schools within the next two weeks.
She has already toured the tornado-damaged Munger Hill Elementary School and was off Tuesday to visit Southampton Elementary and Westfield High School.
An informal meet and greet, hosted by the School Committee and Volunteers in Public Schools, drew more than 100 school staff members from all schools and all departments on Tuesday.
“I can feel the really great energy being generated by everyone,” Scallion said during the coffee-hour session held at School Department offices on Ashley Street.
“I will be out to each school within the next two weeks for more formal introduction, especially our schools that have projects underway this summer,” she said. “Then there will be more visits, to each school, when the kids return,” she added.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to pull this entire team together,” Scallion said, explaining that will occur in August during a traditional School Department convocation.
Ward 4 City Council member Mary L. O’Connell, who took time Tuesday to introduce herself to the new superintendent, said “I am impressed with her attitude. She understands the challenges here.”
VIPS coordinator Barbara G. Trant said the event was scheduled “as an opportunity for staff to meet our new superintendent at an informal setting. Attendance was great with representation from all schools and all departments.”
Scallion will succeed the retiring Shirley Alvira, who has served as superintendent for the past four years.
Scallion’s official start date is Friday.