Melissa Orfitelli, assistant principal at the Middle School of Plainville, has been named principal of Linden Street School, according to Superintendent of Schools, Brian Reas.
Orfitelli was selected through an extensive search process conducted by the Linden Principal Search Committee, composed of Linden teachers, staff, parents, Board of Education members, and district administration. Over 30 candidates applied for the position. After two rounds of interviews and performance tasks with the Search Committee, two finalists were selected to move on to final interviews with the Plainville Board of Education held on June 24th, where Orfitelli was ultimately selected as the next Linden Street School principal.
Orfitelli currently serves as an assistant principal at the Middle School of Plainville, where she has been since 2019. Prior to that, she served in a hybrid role as assistant principal at both Linden Street School and the Middle School of Plainville. Additionally, she has held the roles of literacy and instructional resource teacher, head teacher, and classroom teacher at Linden Street School. She began her career as an educator in 2011, as a classroom teacher in the New Britain, Connecticut school system.
Orfitelli holds an Intermediate Administrator Certificate of Advanced Study from Sacred Heart University, a Certificate of Advanced Study from Lourdes University, a Master’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Connecticut State University. Her professional affiliations include the Literacy Leadership Institute at the Connecticut Council for Education Reform, Teacher Leader Fellowship and CT Writing Project Fellowship at Central Connecticut State University, and membership in the International Literacy Association.
She will begin as the Linden Street School principal on July 1, 2024.
“I am eager and ready to lead our Linden Street School community toward a future where every student thrives, every educator inspires, and every family feels proud to call Linden their school. My heart is full as I return to Linden Street, my home within our Plainville community,” said Orfitelli.
"I have no doubt that Linden Street School will make a smooth transition with Mrs. Orfitelli at the helm," noted Superintendent Reas.