Adam Israel, Co-Editor in Chief
Dr. Lorrie Rodrigue is back in Newtown after heading Pomperaug High School for six years. The former NHS English teacher and assistant principal returns to the district to replace Chip Dumais who left Newtown to become superintendent at Amity Regional School District.
Rodrigue spent six years in Newtown Middle School as an English teacher before two years at Newtown High School, where she went on to serve as assistant principal for the next five years of her career.
Following her tenure as AP in Newtown, she worked in Region 12 as principal of Shepaug Valley Middle School and soon after, Pomperaug High School, where Rodrigue was Principal since 2008.
“My most important years were here and this is a district I loved, so when the job opened up, I knew I would have to take it into consideration,” Rodrigue said.
As principal in Newtown, Rodrigue comes to the district at a time of transition. Over the last two years, the district has hired five new principals for its seven schools.
Rodrigue exceeded her goals in Pomperaug, increasing test scores school-wide and also helped in bringing the community together; she hopes to do the same here in Newtown.
“I want staff and students to continue working together to solve problems. This will help bring everyone together and regain normalcy in the school,” Rodrigue said.
In addition to being big on bringing the community together in the school, Rodrigue is an advocate of increasing school spirit as a whole.
“Students need to be engaged in meaningful ways that interest them and connect them with the school because everyone needs a place to come together here,” Rodrigue said.
Rodrigue has big plans on how to help the school increase spirit and bring the student body together. In order to do this, she has scheduled pep rallies and another spirit week.
“I really like how we are bringing back pep rallies. I always liked the feeling of energy out on the field when we used to have them, so good job Dr. Rodrigue,” NHS senior Alex Daignault said.
Recently, Rodrigue agreed to open the F-Wing parking lot near the baseball field for junior parking as it was in previous years. This is an example of how Rodrigue is doing her best in trying to help out as many people as she can in this school.
“We are all very lucky to have her back here in Newtown. She’s one who clearly gets it about kids and she is one who possesses a great balance of educational expertise and common sense which helps with approaching young adults,” NHS History teacher Jason Edwards said.
If the first few weeks are any indication, Rodrigue’s desire to connect to her staff, her students, and our community will pay off immensely in the near future.
Photo Credit; ctpost.com
