New Saugus principals getting ready for school

SAUGUS – Students at the Veterans and Oaklandvale elementary schools in Saugus will be greeted with a pair of new faces this fall as two new principals have officially started.Jean Perry, the former principal of West Parrish Elementary School in Gloucester, took over at the Veterans School last week and Eric Jones, former vice-principal and special education coordinator at Berkowitz Elementary School in Chelsea, started at the Oaklandvale School.?Right now I?m really just unpacking and just trying to dig through things,” said Jones on Monday. “It?s a little difficult right now because there?s no one here, so I?m really just trying to feel things out before I start asking some questions.”Jones has a bachelor?s degree in elementary education and psychology as well as a master?s degree in educational technology. He is also certified by the National Institute for School Leadership.While Jones admitted he still has a lot to learn about the Oaklandvale on the inside, he said he?s become very familiar with the school on the outside.?I?ve passed this school for the past three years going to my school in Chelsea,” said Jones, who lives in Wilmington. “It?s one of those weird things where every single day I?m driving by, reading what?s on the sign outside the door. Then when I saw the posting for the position and it just felt right.”Jones said he is hoping to build a strong team within the school among staff, students and families.?We need to have open communication,” said Jones. “There?s always going to be different thoughts on how things should work, but everybody should be able to voice that and work together. It?s a completely different environment for me. I?m coming from a large school of about 500 students to a small school with about 250 students. It?s very different.”Because of this, Jones said he?ll be able to spend more one-on-one time with students.?I had a great experience at the end of the year when I came to visit,” said Jones. “Everyone seemed very friendly and open. I met the students, I met the families and the teachers. It seems like it?s a great place to be.”Jones said he plans on being at the school for much of the summer to “get a true feel” of what?s happening in the building and to get to know any staff members who may drop in.?Once the year gets going, some of that beginning-of-the-year anxiety will be gone,” said Jones. “I?m excited to be here. I?m really looking forward to it and I?m just trying to get to know the school as much as we can before we get started.”For Perry, taking the helm at the Veterans School means working in a “nice community school.”?I hear really good things,” said Perry. “It had larger diversity than I had in Gloucester. It also has a strong special education component which is my background. It seems like a wonderful staff and they?re diverse in their own ways as well. There?s some very seasoned staff and some very young staff. There?s just a nice vibe in the building.”Perry has a bachelor?s in education and special education, and a master?s in special education and has an administrative license from the Merrimack Consortium.Since starting on July 1, Perry said she?s been meeting with parents and staff alike to see what direction they want to take the school.?I?m talking with the staff, talking with the parents, talking with the (Parent Teacher Organization),” said Perry. “I?m finding my way around the building and getting to know the kids that are here for summer school.”Perry also said she?s been getting visits from parents and staff who have been dropping in to say hi.As the school year fast approaches, Perry said her goals are to keep the school “on the right path” and to make “academic gains” for the kids.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].