Greetings SJLES Families,

I am excited to share some recent good news that impacts me personally and professionally but shines a spotlight on the meaningful partnerships that we have fostered together and the good work happening here at SJLES. 

I will be attending the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) Annual Conference in Ocean City on November 2nd - 4th to receive the 2023 MAESP Connected School Leader Award. This award is given to Maryland school leaders who coach and develop others, identify and grow teachers and colleagues, and embody the spirit of collaboration in Maryland schools. Connectedness is not possible in isolation. Our outstanding community, students, and staff, and my HCPSS colleagues have allowed me to grow personally and professionally in this work and build and sustain relationships that meaningfully impact teaching and learning here at SJLES. I look forward to representing our school community and HCPSS at the conference, learning from my Maryland principal colleagues, sharing all the good happening here at The Lane, and bringing back ideas to better inform our practice and improve our service to our students and community.

I am also happy to share that I was voted 2023 Best Principal in Howard Magazine’s Annual Best of Howard County. This honor is especially meaningful because it took so many people voting on my behalf to make it happen. When I learned of my nomination, I never imagined that I would win this Best Of for several reasons including the size of our school compared to others, that I took zero action steps to garner any votes, didn’t even vote for myself, and the fact that there were so many truly outstanding principal colleagues and friends that I admire who were also nominated for the award. The efforts to ensure I received this recognition embody the spirit, kindness, and connectedness of our SJLES school community. It warms my heart because our staff and community cared so much to vote early and often, to spread the word, and to really just make some magic happen for their principal. Please know that these beautiful intentions and efforts mean so much. Thank you! I tell our students and staff all the time how lucky we all are to be a part of this learning community. This is just one more example that shows what a special place SJLES is and another reminder of how fortunate I am to have the privilege of serving as SJLES principal. 

I share this good news with you because I share this recognition with you, our staff, and our students. Over the past 25 years as an HCPSS educator, I have had the good fortune to be led, coached, and inspired by truly outstanding colleagues and mentors. I’ve had the privilege of serving as a teacher and/or administrator at six wonderful elementary schools including SJLES. These experiences have provided me with the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands of students. I’ve met so many simply wonderful families that model the importance of a positive and meaningful home-school connection. I am thankful to our SJLES community for embracing me from the very first day of my principalship. Thank you for trusting me to do right by your children and our school, for thoughtfully partnering with our school team, and for supporting all that we do in all the ways that you do. I am happy to share this good news with you and thank you for making it possible.

With Jaguar Pride,

Dan Notari 

SJLES Principal