More than 400 students, teachers, faculty and parents showed love to Michele Zarcaro last Friday, as she steps down as principal after 15 successful years at Winsor Hill Elementary School.
Zarcaro is doing so, she told the Sun Rise, to spend more time with her daughter Lilliana Rose, 7, a student at Immaculate Conception Regional Catholic School in Cranston.
Matthew Yates, 33, a married father of four young children who lives in Warwick, has been named Zarcaro’s successor.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to coming to Winsor Hill Elementary School,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zarcaro had no idea she was going to be the recipient of what many people called “the best celebration in the history of Winsor Hill Elementary School.”
It was around 2 o’clock Friday afternoon when nearly three-dozen former Winsor Hill students arrived and met with teachers Dina Needham and Susan Parillo. They coordinated a surprise send-off with music, dancing, a slideshow and a video surprise that resembled an award-winning movie production.
The scene inside Winsor Hill’s gym began with lively hip-hop music, as the entire student body and alums lined the corridor to the gym.
Suddenly, a teacher hurried into the gym informing Needham and Parillo that Zarcaro was on her way and about to make her entrance. The music, hand-clapping and cheering intensified as Zarcaro entered the gym. She immediately broke into tears and was greeted by her father and mother, Bob and Claire Zarcaro, and Lilliana Rose.
“I’m blown away,” Zarcaro said. “I had no idea what was going on.”
For the next 45 minutes, Zarcaro was honored as different student groups sang songs, held life-like handmade billboard posters, presented her with gifts and flowers and even made a video that began with a play on Dr. Seuss’s famed story “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”
The assembly also featured various forms of entertainment and a special appearance by dancing phenom Joey Acciardo – son of Johnston High School football and baseball coach Joe Acciardo – who graduated from Winsor Hill in 2015 and put on an acrobatic demonstration that ended with the entire student body dancing to the music.
“I’m blown away,” Zarcaro kept saying while wiping her eyes with tissues supplied by her long-time right arm, secretary Donna Pingitore.
While there were many marvelous moments during the well-orchestrated special send-off, a highlight was a group of students singing Dionne Warwick’s “I Say A Little Prayer.”
“Michele has been a great, great principal and friend to all the students,” were testimonial words from a host of people like Elaine Cabral, John Graham and parents of many Winsor Hill students who showed up with flowers and gifts to honor Zarcaro’s years of service.
Taylor Russo, who just graduated from the University of Rhode Island and is attending Roger Williams University Law School, was one of three-dozen former students to attend the celebratory bash.
They formed a welcoming party and held cards with their names and the year they graduated from Winsor Hill Elementary School and moved onto the sixth grade.
“Michele Zarcaro has been such an incredible mentor to our staff and has made our Winsor Hill School years by memorable,” Parillo and Needham wanted it known. “She was always supportive of our initiatives and made our school a welcoming place. She will be missed by teachers, staff and especially the students.”
Zarcaro, who will be taking a classroom teaching position in Johnston that will enable her to spend more time with her daughter, said: “It was an amazing afternoon and I was truly overwhelmed by the acts of appreciation, the kind words, and the love the community showed.”
Zarcaro, who has three brothers and a sister, went on: “It touched me to see so many former graduates of Winsor Hill come out to show their appreciation. There were parents from the past 15 years that came out, too … I am at a loss for words. This is a very emotional time for me; I loved being principal of Winsor Hill and have taken pride in what I do. Leaving the school has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life thus far. It has been an amazing journey.”
The journey was memorable not only for Zarcaro, but for the students she impacted along the way.
“The support and love of the faculty, staff and students have been the reasons I was able to succeed,” Zarcaro said. “I have been truly blessed. Although I am sad to say goodbye, I am excited to embark on new career opportunities.”
Zarcaro said she would look back at her experience at Winsor Hill and remember it as the highlight of her career.
“My daughter is one happy camper and is looking forward to spending even more time with me,” she said. “I look forward to sending more quality time with my family.”
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