New Principal aims to build community at School 18

Before the dawn of the school year, new School 18 principal Maria Vitillo has already begun her campaign to increase parental participation and build community around the school.

In early August, Ms. Vitillo went door-to-door handing out back-to-school letters and an invitation to the first-ever School 18 Summer Social. The social was held at the school on Tuesday, Aug. 22, and drew more than 100 participants.

Dani Bennett and her children, Tamir Ford, 3rd Grade, and Tiani Nabors, 5th grade, choose afterschool activities at the social.

Many attended with their children, and socialized with teachers and staff and fellow community members as they considered which afterschool activities their students would participate in.

"I thought both hand delivering the letters and holding the social would be a great way to start to build community spirit around the school," Ms. Vitillo said. "I'm so pleased that so many parents and students came out for the event, and that so many faculty and staff members helped to make it possible."

School 18 is currently being housed at the former Montessori School on Park Avenue, as a new state-of-the-art building is under construction at its original site at 43 Bertha St.

"These late summer activities serve as a great warm-up for the big community event we will hold when our new school opens in January 2007," Ms. Vitillo said. "We are all lookinig forward to moving into our new home."

New School 18 Principal Maria Vitillo greets Lisa Kelley and her daughter, 2nd grade student Caylee Kelley, at the social.

Parent Dani Bennett attended the summer social with her children, Tamir Ford, grade 3, and Tiani Nabors, Grade 5. Tamir signed up for karate as an afterschool activity, while Tiani chose dance.

"I think the social was a great idea," said their mother said. "Especially since it gave us an opportunity to meet our new principal."