Arts Academy Charter School Appoints Principal, Executive Director

The new , an arts-enriched middle school in Salisbury Township scheduled to open in August, has appointed two administrators, according to a news release.

William Fitzpatrick was appointed executive director and Jan Labellarte was appointed principal.

Fitzpatrick has been the artistic director of the figure skating program at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts since 2004. While there, he developed curriculum for the first public school figure skating program in the country.

Fitzpatrick spent 33 years in management at the Steel Export Corporation, while serving in a leadership capacity for a variety of figure skating associations. He is currently a judge and referee for the United States Figure Skating Association and has participated in numerous national and international skating competitions.

Fitzpatrick earned a bachelor’s degree from Moravian College and is a Vietnam veteran.

Labellarte comes to the Arts Academy from Warren County Technical School, where she was a teacher and director of the theater program. She has been teaching at the elementary, middle and high school levels since 1991.

Labellarte holds a bachelor’s degree in speech and theater from Lewis University, and an English certificate from Montclair State. She earned a master’s in education with an administration focus from East Stroudsburg University, and also studied theater at Northern Illinois University. Labellarte has been active in the area theater community as both an actress and playwright.

The Arts Academy Charter School, which will serve students in grades 5-8, will open in August at the former KidsPeace building, 1610 E. Emmaus Ave. The academic curriculum will be enriched by classes in dance, figure skating, instrumental music, theater, vocal music and visual arts.

Enrollment is still open and applications will be accepted throughout the spring and summer. For more information, please call 610-403-8888 or email artsacad@ymail.com.