Mary DeAngelo is the new principal at Sacred Heart School in Lynn. Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke
By Michele Durgin
LYNN — Sacred Heart School’s new principal knows the school community.
After three years as a pre-kindergarten teacher there, Mary DeAngelo, 30, will start the school year in a new role.
“Because I know the staff and so many of the students and their families, the transition from the classroom to the main office will be fairly easy,” she said.
Being seen in the school is key and her daily activities will include frequent visits to classrooms, DeAngelo said. She plans to focus on science, technology, religion, engineering, art and music learning at the pre-K through grade 8 school for 225 students.
“It’s important to provide rigorous and current academics, especially when parents are sacrificing so much in order for their children to be part of the Sacred Heart community,” she said.
The school’s success stems from the family environment that has been created through the years, she added.
“I hope everyone sees me as approachable and engaged,” she said. “I will have an open-door policy, because listening to the concerns of the community in a warm and welcoming atmosphere is important.”
Retired principal Joanne Eagan, who worked at Sacred Heart School for 34 years, said she is confident in her successor’s abilities to be the school’s next leader.
“Mary’s love of her faith, dedication to academic excellence, compassion and kindness toward the children and their families, along with her enthusiasm and commitment to the mission of the school, are just some of the strengths and gifts she brings to her new role,” Eagan said.
Pastor Brian Flynn said he looks forward to a smooth and successful transition as DeAngelo begins her tenure.
There were four other applicants, he said. But Flynn said he is confident DeAngelo is the right person for the job.
“She will help us continue the great tradition that is so important to all of us at Sacred Heart, now and in the future,” he said.
Christy Merryman, 36, is the parent of three children who attend the school: Omri, 11, a sixth-grader, Rowen, 7, a second- grader and Bobbi, 5, who is preparing for kindergarten.
“My two youngest had Mary as a teacher and we think she’s special,” she said. “I’m sure she will be a wonderful role model and open her door and her heart to the children and their families.”