Newly appointed principals to welcome

elementary students in September

ALBANY, NY (June 11, 2007) -- When the 2007-08 school year begins Sept. 5, students at two City School District of Albany elementary schools will be welcomed by newly appointed principals that are focused on student achievement and community involvement.

Rosalind Gaines-Harrell, Arbor Hill Elementary School
At Arbor Hill Elementary School, Rosalind Gaines-Harrell will return to where she started her career as a sixth-grade teacher 14 years ago.

Mrs. Gaines-Harrell, currently an assistant house principal at North Albany Academy, received her undergraduate degree in elementary education and her master's degree in reading from The College of St. Rose. She has been an assistant house principal at Albany High School for four years. Prior to that, she was the ATLAS (Authentic Teaching and Learning for all Students) Community Schools Coordinator for Arbor Hill.

“I'm excited to be returning to the Arbor Hill Elementary School team to lead both new and veteran educators in our quest to build a strong educational foundation for all students,” Mrs. Gaines-Harrell said. “I will also focus on establishing myself and the school as a strong presence in the Arbor Hill community. We want our students and families to know that this community school is there for them, we care about them, and we are focused on their development.”

Mrs. Gaines-Harrell replaces Arbor Hill Principal Robert White, who is retiring after 37 years of service to the district.

Cecily Wilson, Sheridan Preparatory Academy
At Sheridan Preparatory Academy, Cecily Wilson takes the place of Jeremiah Spicer, who is retiring after 35 years of service to the district.

Cecily Wilson, a 1995 Albany High School graduate, has an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her master’s in education from New York University. She has been a teacher at Arbor Hill Elementary School for the past seven years.
At Sheridan Preparatory Academy, Ms. Wilson said she will focus on continuing the school’s academic gains in recent years. She also will bring teachers together to work collaboratively to improve teaching across grade levels.

“I’m overjoyed at the opportunity to contribute to a community that has contributed so much to me,” said Ms. Wilson, who also attended Arbor Hill Elementary School. “In addition to a strong focus on academics, I want to create a community atmosphere at Sheridan Preparatory Academy where all students feel safe and all parents know they are welcome.”

The City School District of Albany serves almost 9,400 students in 19 elementary, middle and high schools. The district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students succeed in the 21st century.