New House Principal Joins BHS Administration

By Aziley Crespo

Branford High School will welcome new House Principal Jessica Cavallaro to the school this year as part of a realignment of the BHS administration organization. 

Having spent her career in the North Branford school system, Cavallaro is ready to step into the role and connect with students and staff in the BHS community when school starts next week. 

Before joining BHS, Cavallaro worked as a math teacher and math director in North Branford for 15 years. In North Branford, she worked with grades 6 through 8 and also at the high school with grades 9 through 12. This is where Cavallaro became very experienced with students and along with the many roles she has taken on in her career, she said.

Cavallaro grew up and lived in northern Connecticut before moving to the Branford area. “I just think the community at Branford is just so incredible,” Cavallaro said. “When this opportunity presented itself, I was just really excited to come to this district.”

Cavallaro was selected for this position after a rigorous interview process in the spring of last school year that involved an interview committee with staff, administrators, parent and student input. She was appointed by the Board of Education in April.

At Branford High School, Cavallaro’s office will be located in the cafeteria alongside the D wing lockers in the commons – the office last year housed Athletic Director Brian Zacklukiewicz – where she will be available to meet with students and staff when school begins. 

For Cavallaro it’s more than just a job, It’s an opportunity to become part of a new school culture. Cavallaro is also looking forward to contributing to new initiatives that are being implemented at BHS, including a personal device policy, a new daily schedule, and the “house principal” program.

Each “house” in the school will be led by a house principal – Stephanie Byrd, Joseph Briganti, or Cavallaro. The dedicated house principals and staff will support students’ academic progress, social-emotional growth, and overall high school experience, according to school officials.

“This shift is designed to foster smaller, more connected learning communities within our larger school setting,” Principal Lee Panagoulias wrote in a recent email to the school community, explaining the new administrative realignment. “This structure supports our shared goal of creating a school environment where all members take ownership in building a strong, inclusive community in which students feel a true sense of belonging and are empowered to engage in deep, meaningful learning.”

Cavallaro said she is eager to bring her collaborative approach and commitment for student growth to Branford.

“I’m really excited to work with the students and staff in my house,“ Cavallaro said. ”And help build what the identity of our house will be together and watching that take shape this year. I think it will be really fun and interesting.”

Cavallaro is a graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Spanish. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education and a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Quinnipiac, according to a press release from the Branford Board of Education.