DeCiccio named Hendricken principal; President Jackson plans retirement

Posted 6/19/18

Mark. R. DeCiccio, a graduate of the Bishop Hendricken High School Class of 2003, has been appointed principal of the school. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence announced the appointment June 12. It was also announced that John

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DeCiccio named Hendricken principal; President Jackson plans retirement

Posted

Mark. R. DeCiccio, a graduate of the Bishop Hendricken High School Class of 2003, has been appointed principal of the school.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence announced the appointment June 12. It was also announced that John A. Jackson plans to retire after spending the past 46 years as a teacher and administrator at his alma mater, and most recently as the school’s first lay president.

In an address to Hendricken’s faculty and staff on Wednesday, Jackson said, “Today I am announcing my retirement; I will, however, stay on until a new president is named, and for a period of time after that in order to help him or her with the transition. In all likelihood my retirement will be effective toward the end of this calendar year. I would like to emphasize that I came to this decision in December of 2016.”

Jackson entered the doors of Hendricken as a 14-year-old freshman in 1967, and since 1976 has worked in many capacities and for the last 8 years as president.

“I will remain a Hawk forever – the 46 years I have spent as a member of this community have been awesome. I always said that I could not imagine how my life would have turned out without Bishop Hendricken, but I cannot imagine it could have possibly been any better,” Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson has served in the dual roles of president and principal since the abrupt resignation of Joseph “Jay” Brennan earlier this January. Brennan left in the wake of 10-second recording, aired on television locally, in which he made a racial slur. Neither the source of the recording nor the contest in which it was made was revealed.

On Wednesday DeCiccio was introduced to the Hendricken faculty and staff for the first time by Daniel J. Ferris, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Providence. A 2003 graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School, with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Springfield College (Springfield, Mass.) he is currently the principal of Samuel Slater Middle School in Pawtucket, and formerly an assistant principal at Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts. Recently, he was awarded the 2018 Rhode Island First Year Principal Award by the RI School Principal’s Association.

"Being the principal at Bishop Hendricken High School is a great responsibility, it is a great privilege, and it is an honor to lead this amazing community. It is a dream come true to be back at my alma mater guiding the next generation of Hawks,” DeCiccio said.

DeCiccio is known as a highly collaborative educator who focuses on creating a positive and safe school culture through supportive relationships and dedicated leadership. His educational portfolio includes leadership and implementation with integrated STEAM instruction, Blended Learning and Professional Learning Communities. He is an advocate of a school-wide Response to Intervention process to ensure growth and achievement of every student. He is ALICE trained and knowledgeable in school safety and security. He also has NEASC experience, which will be beneficial as the school begins its re-accreditation self-study next year.

DeCiccio, with his wife and young son, is a practicing Roman Catholic and active member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cranston.

Ferris said, “With Mr. DeCiccio’s experience and his emphasis on academic achievement and building strong relationships with student, faculty, staff and parents, he is more than qualified to lead the school forward at this time. With his active faith, I’m confident he will advance the school’s mission of seeking to bring all members of the school community into a deeper relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”

Jackson expressed his excitement and optimism over the appointment. He added, “Our mission is truly alive and well, and our Catholic identity has never been stronger. I am confident that as our school moves forward we will continue to provide the very best Catholic, college preparatory education for young boys in the region.”

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