BC News

It's back to kindergarten for new elementary dean
Release Date: Sept. 12, 2007

In his new position as elementary dean, Tom Reardon has traded Shakespeare for snack time.

Reardon, who spent 5 years as an English teacher at BC Middle School prior to taking the new elementary dean position in August, plans to be very visible to kindergarten students at the Early Learning Center, which he oversees as part of his job. Prior to the start of the school year, he called the family of each kindergarten student to welcome them to school and wish them a great year.

“Kindergarten is often the first contact students and families have with a school environment,” Reardon said. “I want to do my part to make it a warm, positive experience for them, and I want them to see administrators as people who are part of students’ lives and truly care.”

In anticipation of major initiatives at the elementary level and ELC Supervisor Helene Salamone’s retirement at the end of last year, the district created the elementary dean position. Next September, the district will open its sixth elementary school, Eagle Elementary, and debut new elementary attendance boundaries that will take shape through a redistricting process this year. In September 2009, the district will begin a full-day Kindergarten program.

“The opening of Eagle and the introduction of full-day Kindergarten will make the district’s academic program even stronger, and I’m thrilled to be a part of both,” Reardon said.

Reardon received his bachelor’s degree from Siena College, a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from the University at Albany, and his administrator’s certification from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

And, although he will miss bringing William Shakespeare to life for middle school students, Reardon said he couldn’t be happier making the rounds at the ELC and watching the district’s youngest learners start their school careers.