Dear Groveland Park Elementary School Community,

With mixed emotions, I am writing to announce that after 12 years as your principal, I have decided to retire at the end of this school year. My respect and appreciation for Groveland Park Elementary School students, families and staff made this an especially difficult decision.

Together, we have been a part of the lives of hundreds of students as they have come through the doors each morning with boundless energy. Groveland has changed in many ways over the past decade. We now have a wider geographical enrollment area, a PreK program, an expanded special education program and have made many additions to our academic programs.

With collaboration between staff, parents and the community, Groveland students have long benefited from partnerships with the Groveland Recreation Center, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the University of St. Thomas and countless volunteers. I have been truly grateful for families and the PTO who have worked so hard for all students by making sure they have had extra experiences in the fine arts to enrich their lives.

I am thankful to a staff who make strong academics and meeting students’ social emotional needs their top priorities. They never hesitate to put fun and joy into each day for the students.  

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you and your child. While our method of “lesson delivery” has changed to distance learning recently, the school and community’s strong commitment to the students remains the same. I will miss everyone who made my work so enjoyable. 

Members of the school community will be part of a small interview team. Assistant Superintendent Andrew Collins will convene the group for principal candidate interviews in early May. You will receive a communication from Mr. Collins detailing the hiring process and timeline in the next few days. All families will also have a chance to meet the new principal before school starts in the fall. If you have questions about the process, please contact me.

As Groveland Park looks forward to its 100th Anniversary in 2021, the community can be proud of a school that has had a tradition of educating students in the building and is now also shaping the future with distance learning. I am so happy to have been a small part of educating your students. 

With Gratitude and Best Wishes, 

Becky Pedersen, Principal
Groveland Park Elementary School