EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral is pleased to announce the administrators who will lead the future Blanche A. Ames Elementary School.
Principals Sam Cederbaum, Tom Higgins and Ann Weintrob, who currently serve as the principals of Easton’s three elementary schools, will each hold a leadership position at the new school.
“Sam, Tom and Ann are highly capable, experienced, valued principals at our current elementary schools who enjoy the support of staff and the community,” Superintendent Cabral said. “They have significant experience as educators and leaders, and I am excited to see each of them grow in their new roles. I am confident that they will lead the Blanche A. Ames School with exceptional professionalism, and I am grateful to each of them for their outstanding service to the district.”
Cederbaum, current principal at Parkview Elementary, will serve as the Blanche A. Ames principal. Cederbaum is in his third year as the Parkview principal. He previously served as a principal in Douglas for five years.
“I am very excited to be the Principal of the Blanche Ames Elementary School. I am looking forward to building a caring community of learners with our amazing Pre-K-2 students, staff and families,” Cederbaum said. “Our staff and students will have a state-of-the-art school in which they can create, learn and play, which will only enhance the excellent teaching and learning that already exists here in Easton.”
He added, “The Blanche Ames School will also add greatly to our school community as its construction will finally allow all Easton students Pre-K-12 to be on the same campus. In addition, this beautiful new facility with multiple playgrounds, sports fields and gymnasium can be utilized by our entire community. Blanche Ames was many things in her life – inventor, activist, artist – and I hope to inspire our youngest learners to reach for their dreams as well!”
Higgins, current principal at Moreau Hall, will serve as the associate principal for grades 1 and 2. Higgins has been the principal at Moreau Hall since July 2013. He had previously been a third grade teacher within the district for 13 years.
“I’m most looking forward to supporting our wonderful educators, the life blood of our district, in their daily endeavors to help our youngest learners love school,” Higgins said. “Having spent much of my career in deteriorating buildings with multiple limitations, I’m excited to support teachers in a building that matches the quality of the work they do! This beautiful building is not just a school but a community hub to be enjoyed by generations of Easton residents. To be a small part of this lasting legacy is an honor and privilege.”
Weintrob, current principal at Center School, will serve as the curriculum coordinator for Pre-K-2 and district coordinator of the English Language Learner Program. Weintrob is in her 28th year as an educator in the district. She has been the Center School principal since 2013.
“I am grateful to the Easton residents for supporting this amazing project. The community is providing our youngest learners with a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for their developmental needs,” Weintrob said. “I am confident our students will thrive as the learning environment will now match the high quality instruction provided by Easton educators.”
She added, “In my new role as Curriculum and English Learner Program Coordinator, my priority will be to build upon the previous work of our curriculum leaders and teachers to facilitate the completion and implementation of units of study. As an educator, Easton resident and School Planning Committee member, it is with immeasurable pride and excitement that I look forward to the opening of the Blanche A. Ames School.”
A groundbreaking for the new school was held in April. Construction on the new building, which is being built on the current Parkview site, is scheduled to be completed in October 2022. Students, faculty and staff are expected to be in the building at the beginning of 2023, at which time demolition of the old Parkview School and completion of the fields and grounds will take place from December 2022 to May 2023.
