Dedham Resident Will Become New School Principal In Norwood

DEDHAM, MA - A Dedham educator will become the new principal of Norwood's Calahan Elementary School beginning this upcoming school year, Norwood Public Schools Superintendent David Thomson announced Monday.

Scarlett Grandt of Dedham comes to the Callahan Elementary School from the Horace Mann Laboratory School in Salem, where she serves as the interim principal. She served as assistant principal at the same school for three years. Grandt has additionally been an assistant principal in the Everett Public Schools and the Hartford Public Schools. Prior to her administrative career, Grandt was the teacher-in-charge and a fourth-grade teacher for seven years.

Grandt believes in building meaningful relationships with students and families and wants to serve as a role model for all. She is an advocate for social justice and educational equity and believes in working with all stakeholders to create a positive and inclusive school culture. She will aim to work in collaboration with teachers, support staff and coaches to strengthen instructional practices and engage families in the education process.

Grandt received her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Connecticut. She is currently working on completing her doctoral studies.

She has a nine-month-old son and, along with her husband, resides in Dedham. Scarlett was born in Hong Kong and came to the United States at age 13 knowing limited English.

Grant replaces current Principal Donna Brown at Callahan Elementary School, who is retiring.

Grant is one of three new principals joining the Norwood Public Schools. Michael Baulier will become the principal of the Little Mustangs Preschool Academy and the Willett Elementary School. Kerry Hutchins will be joining the administrative team as principal of the Cleveland Elementary School.

"We are very excited to be welcoming Michael, Scarlett and Kerry to the Norwood Public Schools and look forward to seeing them continue the great work going on at each respective school," Thomson said. "They were selected following a thorough and detailed review process, and we are confident that they will each be an asset to the Norwood Public Schools leadership team. I would also like to thank Search Committee members for their time and effort throughout the process, ensuring the selected individuals would be a good fit for their school and the Norwood community as a whole."