Interim Bridge Principal Shares Her Vision For 2010-2011

Meg Colella has taken on the role of interim principal at Bridge Elementary School since Dr. Jade Reitman's retirement last year. With a strong background in education, including working side-by-side with Reitman as assistant principal, Colella said she is ready to face whatever challenges come her way during the new school year.

In an interview with Lexington Patch, Colella shares her hopes for Bridge as well as what she likes most about her job.

Q. What or who inspired you to get into the education field?

Colella: Growing up in a family that highly valued education and teachers, I knew that education was the field I wanted to pursue. As a child, one of my fondest memories was spending my final days of summer vacation helping my neighbor set up her second grade classroom. I have always enjoyed working with students and loved school as a child.    

Q. What did you like about school when you were an elementary student?

Colella: The teachers, assemblies and activities that allowed families to participate

Q. What are your future hopes for Bridge Elementary School?

Colella: Bridge School is a school that  values its teachers, staff and the community. My hope for Bridge Elementary School is that it will continue to educate students in a collaborative, positive environment that celebrates both staff and students, promotes high academic and social achievement, ensures that all students' needs are met and enables staff to continue seek to expand one's potential as an educator. 

Q. What do you like most about your current position – your favorite part of the job?

Colella: Working with the students, visiting classrooms, providing professional development for staff, working collaboratively with staff to find new and innovative ways to meet each child's individual needs, working with the Bridge Community of parents and families.

Q. How many students currently attend the school? How many staff?

Colella: 518 students, approximately 90 staff members comprised of classroom teachers, specialists, instructional assistants, custodians, office staff, support staff.

Q. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Colella: Bridge School was just awarded the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Dept. of Education. We are one of 304 schools nationwide to receive this honor. The Blue Ribbon Schools Award honors public and private schools that are either high-performing or have improved student achievement to high levels. The Blue Ribbon award goes to public schools in the top 10 percent of academic performance in their state. We are truly honored to receive this award, and it is a true testament to all of the Lexington Public Schools and the quality of education that is provided here in Lexington.

Q. What challenges do you face this coming year at Bridge?

Colella: With any school year, challenges arise. Bridge School, like other elementary schools in town, saw a growth in the student population. Over the summer, the custodians, school leaders and parent community worked hard to reconfigure space, paint classrooms and utilize all available space in order to continue to provide the quality education that Bridge School, and the Lexington Public Schools, prides itself on.

Q. What do students and teachers have to look forward to this coming year?

• Morning Meeting: 30 minute, bi-weekly assemblies in which students will be celebrated, classrooms will perform, music will be incorporated. Open Circle topics can be discussed, and teachers can share their expertise.
• Bridge School Patriots-Students who are "caught" doing something nice for others – achieving success, working hard – will be announced over the loudspeaker.
• National Geographic Traveling Map of Africa: Like all of the elementary schools, Bridge will be visited (for one week) by an enormous map of Africa that will be housed in the gym. Classrooms will do social studies and other curriculum lessons using the map. A parent night is scheduled for Sept. 28 for families to view the map. 

Q. When do you expect a permanent principal to be hired?

Colella: I am hopeful that my tenure at Bridge School will be long. The transition into the role as interim principal, from assistant principal, has been smooth. Knowing the staff, students and parents allowed for the opening of school to be a success and has enabled me to carry on the valuable work the staff has done over the past three years.