Vickie Longo now in charge as principal at St. Patrick's School
By Bill Rea

Vickie Longo is settling in as principal at St. Patrick's Catholic School in Schomberg.

It's not easy to take over at a school in the middle of the academic year, but Vickie Longo is managing well.

Longo took over as principal at St. Patrick's Catholic School Feb. 5, and so far, she said she has found herself in a "nice community."

Schomberg isn't exactly strange territory for her. She said she has a brother who lives in the village, so she's been in the area a couple of times.

"I know there's a lot of community involvement - community activities," she said.

Longo has come to St. Patrick's from three and a half years as principal at Christ the King Catholic Elementary School in Richmond Hill, and prior to that, she had spent a year at the helm of St. Luke's Catholic School in Thornhill.

"I've been at lots of schools," she commented, reflecting that she is into her 29th year of teaching, all in the York Catholic system.

"I can't see going to any other board," she remarked.

Having only been at the school a couple of weeks, Longo said she has no immediate plans to change anything, but she is expecting a lot of activity in the months to come. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of St. Patrick's, and she said a committee is looking into plans for the celebration. "Forty years is quite an event," she observed.

Coming to a new school in the middle of the year was a little awkward, and Longo's situation had some added complications from the fact the oldest of her three daughters was married just days before she started the new job. She said the hardest part was leaving her old school, and the bonds she had made with that community. But the reception she's received here has been very positive.

"Everyone's been very welcoming and very accommodating," she said.

As well, she pointed out the school was already set up and functioning when she arrived, so she didn't have to worry about that.

Longo also observed that Schomberg is a smaller community than Richmond Hill, but it doesn't lack activity.

"This is a very busy school," she said.

Longo has replaced Richard Amos, who has taken over as principal at Canadian Martyrs Catholic School in Newmarket after five and a half years at St. Patrick's.

He recently said he was looking to the change with mixed emotions.

"I've loved my time here at St. Patrick's," he declared. "It's a wonderful place to be at school."

"Every day, I come into the school and am greeted by happy, positive people," he added.