'The
guy bleeds red and blue'
"Franklin friendly" principal
takes over.
Sunday, September 18, 2005 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER
• The Express-Times
FRANKLIN TWP. -- Principal Paul Rinaldi
keeps a special gift in his office at the Franklin Township
elementary school that reflects his goal at the
district.
The set of bookends is shaped like
children playing a game of tug of war. It's not the game
that's important, but the act of banding together for one
cause.
"What we do best is pulling together,"
Rinaldi said. "We work together as a group; we're Franklin
friendly."
Rinaldi has been with the district for 32
years and officially assumed the post as principal July 1.
Throughout his tenure with the district, he taught five
grades and served in several instructional and
administrative positions.
For the past five years, he has been the
enrichment coordinator and the basic skills instructor. This
school year, he will continue to be the enrichment
coordinator but also replaces Mary Sullivan, who was pulling
double-duty as principal and child study team
coordinator.
Student enrollment has almost doubled
since Sullivan became the principal about 10 years ago, and
she decided to focus on her role with the child study
team.
"The whole point is to do what you do
well, and I want to be able to facilitate the students the
way they need to be facilitated," Sullivan said.
When Sullivan announced her decision,
district members interviewed different candidates for the
position, but Rinaldi's experience, knowledge and endless
enthusiasm fit the bill.
"The guy bleeds red and white; he lives
and breathes Franklin community," said Superintendent Roger
Jinks. "We are very fussy here, and hiring is probably the
most important thing we do here."
Rinaldi holds a masters degree in
education and an administrative certificate. But along with
his college credentials, he has a vast amount of innovation
and creativity.
"He sees a need or a circumstance, comes
up with a solution and a way to improve it," Jinks
said.
Last year, he organized and led the
students' project to build a veterans' monument outside the
township municipal building. Students from each grade
participated in the project, and they raised funds, planned,
designed and dedicated the monument.
This year, Rinaldi wants to spearhead
another student project, this time to revamp the courtyard
in the center of the school. The building wraps around it in
a box-shape, and he wants students to clean it up with
gardens, possibly a pond and other work.
As the enrichment coordinator, Rinaldi
heads up in-class and after-school activities that cater to
students' interests and needs. The program ranges from the
arts to physical education, and is intended to help students
explore the areas they excel in as well as getting them
interested in a variety of other areas.
As principal, Rinaldi will head up the
areas of curriculum, discipline, transportation and other
programs. His plate is full, but he is up for the
challenge.
"What I'm most looking forward to is a
successful year," he said. "I want to try to make myself
visible for the students. My main concern is the well-being
of the students."
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at
908-475-8044 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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