In a press release, the New Canaan public schools announced that John Grasso, a seasoned educational leader has been appointed as the Interim Principal at East Elementary School in New Canaan. This development comes as Kris Woleck transitions to a new role as Assistant Superintendent in the New Fairfield School District.
Grasso’s career, marked by his leadership in various public elementary schools in the county, including a previous stint in New Canaan, showcases his extensive experience in educational administration. He retired from the Greenwich district in 2012 after a notable tenure as principal at Riverside School. Post-retirement, Grasso continued to contribute to education, taking on interim roles at several schools. His assignments included leading Royale Elementary School in Darien from 2014 to 2016, Parkway Elementary School in Greenwich from 2016 to 2017, Hamilton Avenue STEM Magnet School in Greenwich from 2018 to 2019, and South School in New Canaan from 2019 to 2020.
Grasso’s academic background is equally impressive, holding a bachelor’s degree from St. John University in Queens, N.Y., a master’s in curriculum development from the City College of New York, and a 6th year Administrator Certificate from Fairfield University. He has also engaged in professional development activities such as The Arts and Passion Driven Learning at Harvard and The Writing Project at Columbia University Teachers College.
Dr. Bryan Luizzi, Superintendent of Schools, expressed confidence in Grasso’s ability to lead and his positive impact on students, staff, and the community. Luizzi highlighted Grasso’s previous successful interim role at South School in New Canaan, emphasizing the district’s fortune in welcoming him back.
Grasso’s appointment as Interim Principal at East Elementary School is effective from February 6, 2024, for the remainder of the academic year. His return to New Canaan is seen as a valuable addition to the school community, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of effective school leadership.
