Principal Announcement

May 13, 2022

Dear St. Mary’s Parish and School Community,

As many of you know, Mrs. Griffin is expecting to give birth to her second child in July.  She and her baby have graciously shared this year with us. In light of this upcoming change, she has made the beautiful decision to be a full-time mom to her children.  While we rejoice with Mr. and Mrs. (Michael) Griffin in their growing family, it is also sad for us to see our brilliant Principal depart. Mrs. Griffin has served us so beautifully and wonderfully for ten years: five years as a teacher and five as Principal.  

Throughout Mrs. Griffin’s tenure at St. Mary’s, our academic program has grown, and enrollment has remained strong and on an upward trajectory. When some of our local schools were forced to close, Mrs. Griffin was quick to welcome those families to our school. With an open door, she has developed strong partnerships with the parents and teachers of St. Mary’s Elementary School and has been a stellar leader and role model to our students. Mrs. Griffin leads through her faith, making difficult decisions with the students’ best interests at heart, and her enthusiasm and passion for St. Mary’s are remarkable. St. Mary’s Elementary School is a thriving Catholic school on Long Island as a direct result of the efforts of Mrs. Griffin and so many others.

Alongside Mrs. Griffin has always been Mrs. Kemp, whose support first as Assistant Principal grew this year as Co-Principal, a position which she will continue to hold. In addition, Mrs. Griffin will support the school administration in a part-time capacity, especially as we conduct a thorough search to identify a new Principal. I will be engaging some school and parish community members to assist me. I ask you for your prayers and patience as we begin a national search for the best possible candidate to fulfill this most important and essential position. This new person will share in the educational mission and vision of the Church and Schools of Saint Mary to educate the whole child in the joy of the Catholic faith.  Although we will miss Mrs. Griffin’s daily presence in the school, we look forward to the day when we will welcome her children among the future graduates of their mother’s alma mater, the Elementary and High Schools of Saint Mary.

Let us invoke the Holy Spirit as we embark on this journey together.

In Jesus and Mary,
Reverend Fr. Robert A. Romeo
Pastor