Dear NFA Family,

 

As we start the year today welcoming our ninth graders to campus, I’m writing to share information related to transitions on our administrative team just finalized this week. 

 

After three dedicated years at NFA, Win Columbano, our associate principal who oversees alternative programs at our Sachem Campus, will be transitioning to West Hartford to become an assistant principal at Hall High School. Win has done an amazing job here at NFA, and his work will benefit our students long into the future. We wish him the best! To fill this position, Clarence Cooper will be moving to the Sachem Campus where we are fortunate to have his steady voice, experienced leadership and deep commitment to our kids. As our new associate principal overseeing alternative programs, I am confident in Mr. Cooper, and I look forward to working with him in this new role.

 

Bryan Burdick, who has been the dean of students in Cranston, will move to the Tirrell Building and serve as the dean of students there, overseeing grade ten. I am excited to have Mr. Burdick in this role where his experience and skills make him an excellent fit for the year ahead. His continuity and understanding of his students' needs, coupled with his natural ability to form relationships, will continue to be great assets for our school community. As part of this transition, Jason Bakoulis has been named interim dean of students, and he will be located in Cranston, working with our ninth graders. Mr. Bakoulis’s ability as a leader and motivator align extremely well with our ninth grade students, and I am excited to see the impact I know he will have.  Accordingly, Anthony Turgeon will be moving into the interim head of department for physical education and health, the role held by Mr. Bakoulis. In similar fashion, Mr. Turgeon brings the right blend of leadership and poise that will allow us to grow and move forward in this moment of change.  

 

While the timing of these shifts is less than optimal, I am incredibly grateful that we have a deep bench of talent at NFA that has allowed us to adapt to a change at this critical time without skipping a beat. I am excited about the opportunity these changes provide and look forward to working together with our team in their new roles.

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school, our staff and our students. I’m looking forward to a great year! 

 

Respectfully,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nathan D. Quesnel, Ed.D.

Head of School