FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information contact: Michele King, Director of Communications, mking@hendricken.com, 401.739.3450, ext. 131
WARWICK, RI (June 13, 2018) – Yesterday, June 12th, 2018, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, appointed Mr. Mark. R. DeCiccio ’03 principal of Bishop Hendricken High School. Today, Mr. John A. Jackson ’71 officially announced his planned retirement 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 emotional address to Hendricken’s faculty and staff this morning, Mr. 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.”
Mr. 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 added.
Mr. 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, MA) 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.
Mr. 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 reaccreditation self-study next year.
Those who have worked closely with him cannot say enough about his exceptional decision-making skills, his communication skills with families, and his positive relationships with the faculty, staff and students in his school. In his current school with over 700 students, he knows every student by name.
Mr. DeCiccio, with his wife and young son, is a practicing Roman Catholic and active member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cranston.
Superintendent 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.”
Mr. Jackson expressed his excitement and optimism over the new principal 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.”
Mr. Jackson then summarized “I would like to sincerely and from the bottom of my heart, thank anyone and everyone who made it possible for a young man to attend our great school. We often say that Bishop Hendricken turns young boys into young men, and I have seen some remarkable transformations over the years. Your time, talent, and treasure has been invaluable to this institution, and from my perspective as an alumnus, and now the President of the school, I cannot adequately express in words the depths of my gratitude.”
Please join us in congratulating both of these exemplary Hawks as they embark on their new life journeys.
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