Dear Hunnewell Community,
Today marks my final day as the principal of Hunnewell. Serving this vibrant community for the past 11 years has been a profound honor. I thank you for your support during the good times and especially during the challenging times.
First, I must applaud Donna McFarlane for her remarkable 38-year dedication to our kindergarten students in Wellesley. A special thanks to Beanie Spangler and her daughters, Riley and Georgia, who graced our final assembly to honor Donna’s lifetime commitment to fostering growth and a love of learning in our kindergartners.
Reflecting on my tenure, I am filled with nostalgia for the countless shared memories. A heartfelt thank you to Roxanne Scott, who always chose our fun and creative staff costumes—be it Minions, Waldo, McCormick spices, Scrabble words, or Superheroes—for the Halloween parade. I fondly recall our spirited assemblies focused on teamwork and the “Seven Habits of Happy Kids.” Our home-built events, from making pom-poms to engaging in the marshmallow challenge, playing Pictionary, and engaging in “Minute to Win It” competitions, brought joy and laughter. Especially memorable was the sled pull by Mr. Knapp and Mr. Ligon during our COVID assemblies in the chill of winter.
Our newer families, those who joined us during COVID or swing space, might just be learning the rich traditions of Hunnewell. I can assure you this is a community committed to the academic and social/emotional health of every child in this school. We pride ourselves on providing structures that allow all children to feel safe and seen, while also building opportunities for students to take risks and make mistakes.
While I look forward to my next chapter, I am proud to have worked with the best of the best. The Hunnewell staff is nothing short of exceptional. The dedication of our teachers and staff, who have navigated structural repairs, a fire, the pandemic, and swing space over the past six years, cannot be overstated. We have all appreciated the support and kindness of our parent community. At the center of all our shared efforts are the students of Hunnewell. I will most definitely miss working with children. There is nothing better than watching a child grow from age five to age 11. I have said it before, and I truly mean it, “Hunnewell is a great place to grow up.”
A special thank you goes to Jen Mock, Niki Ofenloch, Molly Bruni, Brittany Barber, and Heather Conway for the heartfelt farewell words last Thursday. Thank you to Katie Dexter for leading the students in song to T. Swift’s “Retirement” aka “Shake It Off,” and to the staff for honoring me with a red carpet welcome and a video directed by Lisa Mortarelli to “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves.
I am confident that the legacy we built together will continue under the leadership of Mr. Jeff Dees. I wish Jeff and the entire Hunnewell community the very best!
Thank you, Hunnewell, for the wonderful memories and the opportunity to lead such an exceptional community. I leave with a full heart and endless gratitude.
Sincerely,
Ellen