Gayhead Elementary School

Dear Gayhead Family,

It is with great excitement that I write this letter of introduction as the new Principal of Gayhead Elementary School. I am honored to have the opportunity to join a school community with such persevering students, an extremely dedicated staff, and supportive families. I hope this message finds you enjoying the rejuvenating days of summer.

A little about me, professionally, I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than twenty years, having worked with students ranging in age from Kindergarten through and including college. I have been a middle school science teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. Most recently I served as the Principal of Netherwood Elementary School in the Hyde Park Central School District. Before that I enjoyed fourteen years in the Wappingers District, ten as the Principal of Sheafe Road Elementary School and four as the Sixth Grade Assistant Principal at Van Wyck Junior High School (joining the Gayhead community is a homecoming to the WCSD for me).

In addition to my role as an educator, I am a father and husband. In September my wife, Carrie begins year 25 teaching Middle School English Language Arts; our son, Carter begins eighth grade, and our daughter Lily, begins fifth grade. Poor kids, mom is a teacher and dad a principal, they can’t get away with anything!

I have learned, through my experiences, that above all else, relationships matter. My goals for our first year together include being present and visible, building relationships with our students, staff and community, focusing on student growth, and actively listening and learning as much as possible about the history and culture of the Gayhead community. We wil keep our work around Social Emotional Learning a focus by continuing with the Positivity Project, Schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), and through open communication with our students and families. Everyone at Garyhead is eager and excited to begin what promises to be an exceptional school year, and we hope that you and your children are looking forward to beginning a new school year in September as well. We will continue to provide academic experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and help our students build relationships; we will do all of this, while also having a little FUN!

As your Principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors is excited to be here, know that my door is always open, so please feel free to stop by and say hello.

Go Grizzlies!

Jim Daley