'Big Blue’ shoes to fill West Milford Jennifer Cenatiempo knew coming in to Paradise Knoll School on Jan. 3 that she would have some big shoes to fill. She replaced the popular former principal Dr. Stephen Wisniewski who resigned his position to become principal of Millstone Elementary School near where he and his family planned to relocate. Students felt a bit more at ease when Cenatiempo announced “Go Giants!” over the loudspeaker on her first Friday as principal, a weekly tradition by Wisniewski during football season. Qualifications Cenatiempo comes to Paradise Knoll with much experience. This is Cenatiempo’s 10th year in public education, having experience in a variety of capacities including teaching kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and basic skills for grades 1 through 8. Most recently she was in the position of language arts specialist in Sparta with a supervisory capacity for grades 3 through 5. Cenatiempo received her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University in elementary and early childhood education and holds two master’s degrees: the first in curriculum, instruction, and assessment; the second in educational leadership. “My educational philosophy centers on the concept of working collaboratively with teachers, parents, and students to create an optimal learning environment where all students are supported to reach their highest potential in a safe and supportive learning environment,” Cenatiempo said. She was hired at the Dec. 13 board of education meeting at a prorated salary of $97,500 with health benefits through June 30, 2012. Personally speaking One of five children in her family, Cenatiempo grew up in nearby Ogdensburg. She attended Ogdensburg Elementary School and Wallkill Valley Regional High School. “I have always loved school, even as a young child I knew that I wanted to be an educator,” she said. She currently lives in Hardyston with her husband, Luigi, and their son, Luca. Principal goals Cenatiempo says her goal as principal is to serve as a resource for Paradise Knoll teachers, parents, and students and to work together to provide the best possible learning environment for the students. “My hope is to extend the already positive school climate at Paradise Knoll to include some additional proactive approaches towards managing student behaviors so that we can further reduce student conflicts and other disciplinary concerns,” said Cenatiempo. In terms of discipline, Cenatiempo said her objective is “to closely monitor all student issues and concerns and address all incidents consistently, swiftly, and in accordance with the code of conduct.” Open communication With her warm and inviting smile, Cenatiempo is easy to talk to. She said she believes one essential piece of the home and school connection is open communication. “Parents can expect that I will always address student and parent concerns swiftly," she said. "It is my objective to remove potential barriers and obstacles in the way of student learning so that all of our students may reach their highest potential.” She said maintaining open communication is a critical piece of reaching this goal. A warm welcome and an open-door “I would like to share how truly honored I am to have been selected to be the Principal of Paradise Knoll School.” Cenatiempo said. “The teachers, parents, and students, have been so welcoming during my first week here in district. Paradise Knoll is certainly a special place where the sense of community is evident in all that we do.” She said she looks forward to meeting with all of the students and parents, and invites parents to stop by the school to meet with her. “I will be hosting a monthly 'Coffee and ' for parents and community members alike to drop in to the school and utilize this open forum to share their thoughts and ideas about current issues or ideas for Paradise Knoll, as well as the larger school community,” Cenatiempo said. She will be hosting these open-door events on the last Friday of every month from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; the first of these events is planned for Jan. 27 in her office. Share you r thoughts on Paradise Knoll’s new principal. Go to www.westmilfordmessenger.com and let us know what you think.