Mira Loma HS Starts New Year with New Principal

Rich Nichols, who starts Monday as the new principal at , knows the school well.

Nichols is a 1976 graduate of the school, did his student teaching there, and served as vice principal from 2004-08. He replaces Paul Oropallo as Mira Loma principal. Oropallo is now a human resources director in the district office, said school secretary Ann Silberman.

"I'm ecstatic to be here," Nichols said earlier this month. "To have the opportunity to come back here is a big thing, to come back as a principal is huge."

Nichols is one of two new principals for Carmichael-area schools in the this year. Melissa Bassanelli takes over at . Stephen Moses is a new vice principal at .

Nichols takes over at Mira Loma, which offers the , or college preparatory studies.

"I believe in the school and what we stand for," he said. "There's diversity here and we're about giving every student a chance to succeed."

Nichols attended Sierra College in Rocklin and received a teaching credential and bachelor's degree in education from the California State University, Sacramento.

Last year, Nichols served as vice principal at Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks

"(At Mira Loma) my goal is to continue to bring the community together and align our resources to benefit the students," he said.

Nichols said he was working with the school's international studies group to host a spaghetti dinner and invite the community in September.

"What makes this a good community is that all the students are valued by the staff," he said.