Principal promoted to regional director

Tulip Grove Elementary scored 100 percent on an MSA test under Scuccimarra’s leadership

Scuccimarra served as Tulip Grove’s principal for six years, and he said Wednesday that it was a tough choice given his attachment to the school.

‘‘It was very difficult to leave the students, many of whom I’ve been with since kindergarten,” Scuccimarra said. ‘‘It was a hard decision, but I had the opportunity and I felt I had accomplished what I wanted at the time at Tulip Grove. I’m leaving behind a wonderful team.”

Under Scuccimarra’s leadership, Tulip Grove excelled to become one of the top-scoring county schools in the Maryland Schools Assessment tests last year. Tulip Grove scored a 100 percent in the fourth-grade reading test, the only school in the county to accomplish such a feat.

Between 2005 and 2006, Tulip Grove improved its reading scores from 88 percent to 95 percent, and its math scores from 79 percent to 92 percent. The school had the highest percentage of students who were proficient in math and reading in Bowie.

Scuccimarra told The Gazette-Star in July that frequent hour-long meetings to discuss reading strategies at all grade levels contributed to the school’s success in last year’s MSA tests.

‘‘Every week, each grade level would meet and talk about what’s going on in the classrooms,” Scuccimarra said.

In his new role, Scuccimarra will be developing curriculum for schools and helping to oversee that the county’s standards are implemented, he said.

‘‘He clearly demonstrated his effectiveness and leadership at Tulip Grove,” said John White, spokesman for the county school system. ‘‘Now he will be able to work on instruction methods with principals in the over 40 schools in that region.”

Tulip Grove staff said they would miss the popular principal.

‘‘We are very proud, but we’re also sad,” said Joyce Gomes, who was Scuccimarra’s secretary. ‘‘[The promotion] was well deserved. Under his leadership, the school and the staff did well.”

The daughter of Bowie City Councilman Todd Turner (Dist. 3) attends the school, and he commended Scuccimarra’s tenure at Tulip Grove. He said the council plans to honor him at its April 16 regular meeting.

‘‘He’s done an excellent job there,” Turner said. ‘‘I was impressed with him as a principal and his response to parents. I know his staff has high marks. It is a loss to the school and the community. I wish him well, as I know this is what he wanted.”

Kristin Pfeltz is the acting principal for Tulip Grove. Pfeltz was the former principal of nearby Kenilworth Elementary and came out of retirement to finish out the school year with Tulip Grove. ‘‘She’s already feeling like family,” Gomes said.

With Scuccimarra’s departure, Bowie is now in need of two principals. The county has started the selection process for principals at Tulip Grove and at the newly constructed Northview Elementary, which opens its doors in August.

E-mail Jason Flanagan at jflanagan@gazette.net.