Commack School Selects New Principal

COMMACK, NY — Melissa Blady was named the next principal of North Ridge Primary School, the Commack School District announced.

Blady has served as an assistant principal, math and technology coordinator, and as a teacher during a 15-year career in elementary education.

She formally was approved by the Board of Education on Thursday night. She will succeed retiring Katherine Rihm, who has led the primary school with distinction for 17 years.

"Melissa’s experience, energy and enthusiasm stood out among a talented group of candidates for the position," said Scott Oshrin, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources, in a news release. "We are excited to welcome her to our team. I also would like to thank Mrs. Rihm for her years of dedicated service to North Ridge and the Commack community."

Blady has served for the past two school years as assistant principal of Center Street Elementary School in the Herricks Union Free School District. In addition to administrative duties, she spearheaded the implementation of Makerspace, including the room design and curriculum development. That program fosters exploring, engineering and inventing.

She previously served as Herricks’ elementary math and technology coordinator.

Her teaching experience includes serving as a fourth-grade teacher in Herricks from 2015 through ’21 and previously for five years at the first-, second- and third-grade levels at PS 18X in the Bronx.

Blady earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from SUNY Oneonta as well as a master of science degree in childhood special education from Queens College and an advanced diploma in school leadership and technology from the New York Institute of Technology.

"I am just so honored, thrilled and excited to be a leader of a school where such amazing things are already happening," Blady said. "I can’t wait to continue the work that Kathy already has begun."