By Ed Birch, Special Writer
Glenn Famous, Principal for nearly the past 20 years at Kendall Park’s Cambridge Elementary School, will be leaving at the end of the school year to become the new Principal of Crossroads South Middle School.
Bonnie Capes, presently the district’s Director of Professional Development, will succeed Mr. Famous. Both appointments are subject to approval of the South Brunswick Board of Education at their next meeting June 11.
In a letter included in last week’s Friday Folder, Mr. Famous called Cambridge “my second home and family. He went on to call the Cambridge community “a warm, caring, and highly supportive group who are dedicated to ensuring a home and school educational partnership.”
He thanked the parents for “allowing him the privilege to work together with you to provide an excellent award winning elementary school experience for the children,” according to the letter.
”I will never be able to say enough about the dedication of the staff who are employed at Cambridge,” Mr. Famous said this week. “What these staff provide to our students each and every day is simply incredible.”
Mr. Famous has special roots to Cougar Country, which is the school’s nickname.
Many years ago, while serving as Assistant Principal at Monmouth Junction School, he met his wife Angela, who was teaching at Cambridge. Later, his three children, Alexander, Jonathan, and Carina, all attended Cambridge.
Mr. Famous said he is looking forward to both re-connecting and continuing his relationship with his Cambridge families and meeting and working with the families of the other feeder elementary schools in the district.
”Schools all across the state are facing tighter budgets, increased state and public scrutiny, and demands for improved standardized test scores,” Mr. Famous said. “At the same time budgeting issues are not very favorable to salary increases to the staff who are performing at increased levels. Regardless of these challenges, we will succeed in providing a first rate education to our children. I know that Jim Warfel and Ray Tucholski, the current Principal and his predecessor have kept educational, social, and emotional needs of the children as their main priority. I look forward to keeping that strong tradition.”
Mr. Famous went on to say that there are many talented and dedicated teachers at Crossroads South that makes him know it will be an honor and privilege to serve as their new principal.
He also said that Cambridge students, faculty, and parents have expressed some sadness about him moving on, but all have been very enthusiastic and happy about his new venture.
In listing his accomplishments, Mr. Famous said that Scholastic-Intel has named the school as a semi-finalist “School of Distinction” in its national ratings, the Star-Ledger ranks the school in the top 10 percent of schools statewide, NJ Monthly rates the school as one of the top 31 elementary schools in New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Education declared the school as a Blue Ribbon School, and the school programs have been the recipients of many private grants for some of its programs.
In describing Mr. Famous, Assistant Principal William Ciullo said that “Mr. Famous has shaped the education of thousands of students and the successful careers of hundreds of staff members. He has built a true learning community of highly capable, conscientious, and loyal staff members. He encourages staff to take risks, to try to improve teaching strategies, and to be secure in the knowledge that he will support and encourage their efforts.”
Mr. Famous received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Education from LaSalle University and his masters in Educational Administration from Rider University.
In addition, Mr. Famous said he is an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan despite his son’s rooting for the New York Mets.
Taking his place at Cambridge will be Bonnie Capes, an 11-year employee and product of the South Brunswick School District.
Ms. Capes is a product of both the Greenbrook and Monmouth Junction elementary schools, Crossroads Middle School, and South Brunswick High School.
She earned her undergraduate degree from West Chester University and Masters Degree from the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York.
She started her career in the district as a Music Teacher at Constable and Brooks Crossing elementary schools for nine years.
After a brief assignment as Assistant Principal at Monmouth Junction and Dayton and Deans Schools, Ms. Capes was named District Director of Professional Development in 2010.
”I have big shoes to fill in succeeding Glenn Famous’ tenure at Cambridge,” Ms. Capes said. “Mr. Famous is leaving an incredible mark on the Cougars community.”
”In each assignment in this district, I have been enabled to work with incredible students, families, and staff members who care deeply about education,” Ms. Capes said. “I hope that I can continue the long running tradition of success and excellence that Cambridge students and families bring to our district.
In describing the Cambridge community, Ms. Capes said she would continue to serve the families of Cambridge in the way that they have been the school system.
Ms. Capes said she comes from a family of educators “who from a very young age instilled a love of working with children and a dedication to nurturing the minds of our future.”
Ms. capes is married to her husband , John, a product of the Monroe Township educational system and has two children, a daughter autumn and a son, Spencer.
”Ms. Capes is widely known and highly respected by our staff and faculty,” Mr. Famous said. “I could not be more pleased that Bonnie will be succeeding me as the Cambridge School principal.”
