Greenwich Public School Principal Resigns

Parkway School Principal Patricia Allen has tendered her resignation so that she can return to Massachusetts where she began her education career more than 35 years ago.

Allen has accepted a position as principal of the Smith College Campus School in Northampton, MA, effective July 1. Allen worked at several schools in Massachusetts until her appointment at Parkway School in July 2011.

Superintendent of Schools Bill McKersie said in a statement, “I am pleased that Patty has earned an impressive appointment, one closer to her Massachusetts-based family. She has been a valuable member of our leadership team, thoughtfully guiding Parkway School for five years. We will miss her wisdom, warmth and energy.”

In a statement Allen said, “While it is with extremely mixed emotion that I move into this next phase of my career, I’m excited to join Smith College as the principal of the lab school on their campus. I’ll have the opportunity to work closely with the education department at Smith in developing our next generation of teachers, and look forward to continuing to deepen my own understanding of best practices in the ever-evolving field of education.

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Allen also said, “It has been my absolute privilege to be a part of the Greenwich Public Schools as the principal of Parkway School for the past five years. Parkway teachers and staff are a remarkable group, and have been an absolute ‘dream team’ to work with. I have been honored to serve as coach to this talented group of educators, and know that the delightful children and families of backcountry Greenwich will remain in very capable hands.”

Deputy Superintendent Ellen Flanagan spoke of Allen’s numerous contributions to the school. “In her five years at Parkway School, Ms. Allen has been an exceptional leader whose work is hallmarked by collaboration with teachers, parents, and the greater Greenwich community in support of student learning. Her trailblazing work to bring environmental education to life at Parkway exemplifies her teamwork approach as the school partnered with the Greenwich Audubon Society, Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission, Junior League of Greenwich and many others to promote education in the environmental sciences, reduction of the carbon footprint of the school and promotion of healthy lifestyles for all members of the school community.”

Allen and the Parkway staff received two recognitions for their efforts to develop the next generation of environmental leaders. In November 2014, Parkway School was named a Connecticut GreenLEAF school and in April 2015, was recognized as a 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.

“Ms. Allen’s strong advocacy for her students, her instructional expertise and her deep knowledge of curriculum and assessment will be sorely missed both at Parkway School and in our district. We wish her only the best as she begins a new and exciting chapter in her career,” Flanagan said.

The search for a new Parkway School principal will begin promptly, school officials said

Contributed photo: Patricia Allen.