GREENFIELD — Oak Avenue School will have a new principal for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year when Sonia Aramburo, current principal of Mary Chapa Academy, takes over the position.
“I’m excited,” Aramburo said. “I think it’s going to be a good thing for Oak Avenue and for myself.”
Aramburo began at Mary Chapa Academy six years ago. At the time, the academy was one of the lowest performing schools, and new systems were put in place to raise the students’ learning. According to Aramburo, the school and the staff were very targeted about what they did for professional development and as a result, there was a huge shift in the school.
“Our students are reading, our students are performing well, and we exhibit program improvement,” Aramburo said. “Oak, on the other hand, has had a lot of change since I’ve been here. They’ve had multiple principals, and I feel that Mary Chapa is in a really good place.”
Once Aramburo starts at Oak Avenue, she wants to see what structures and procedures are in place and combine that with things that Mary Chapa is doing so that the Greenfield students enter Vista Verde ready.
Due to Aramburo’s impact at Mary Chapa, the teachers and staff honored her during the May 4 meeting of the Greenfield Union School District Board.
First-grade teacher Sam Tidwell talked about Aramburo’s kind leadership skills.
“She is open to all who step into her office,” Tidwell said. “She always makes time for any staff member or parent.”
Tidwell said Aramburo was the heart of Mary Chapa because under her leadership it has always been the child who comes first.
“She knows every student’s name, she visits their homes and advocates for them in meetings that shape their education,” Tidwell said. “She enriches the lives of all our students and engages them in their education of music, dance and the annual school play.”
Aramburo will take over for Oak Avenue Principal Jeannette Ramirez, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
“We hope that our next leader continues to build along the path Ms. Aramburo has paved for us over these past six years,” Tidwell said. “Our students need someone who will be passionate about making them the No. 1 priority.”
Selecting the next principal for Mary Chapa Academy will be a group effort, with each grade level having a say in who they would like to see take on the role. Once they are chosen, Aramburo will mentor the newcomer.
