Greetings Cradlerock Families,

As you may already be aware, on Thursday I was administratively transferred to serve as Principal at Cradlerock Elementary School. I want to start with an apology for the delay in my personal communication to you all regarding this change in leadership at CRES. I was on a Southern Caribbean cruise with my family when I learned of my new assignment. The trip was simply awesome and one my family and I will always remember; however, the overall lack of consistent Wi-Fi and limited cell connectivity won’t be missed by any member of the Notari family.

Please know that I couldn't be more excited to serve as your principal for the 2024-2025 school year! I’ve been learning all I can as quickly as I can about our school’s strengths, history, traditions, and data since I learned about this next chapter together. You have my word that our school team will give our absolute best effort to ensure that this next chapter together is a great one for your child and family. It is a true honor and privilege to join and lead this extraordinary learning community that has earned an outstanding reputation throughout HCPSS over the years and has such a proud history.

As principal, my responsibility is to bring our HCPSS Strategic Vision to life for our Bulldogs. As I enter my 15th year as an HCPSS administrator I fully understand and whole-heartedly embrace my responsibility to ensure the academic success and social-emotional well-being of each one of our Bulldogs in an inclusive and nurturing environment that closes opportunity gaps. You can expect me to work collaboratively and transparently with all stakeholders to make this happen. Additionally, it is very important to me that your child knows me, knows that I am an advocate for them, and that I am another trusted adult in their life that they can turn to for support, encouragement, or simply to connect with at any time throughout their school day. I believe that every student, regardless of their circumstance, deserves an engaging, rigorous, inclusive, and accessible learning environment where they can excel socially, emotionally, and academically.

My lens to do this work has been shaped by my professional experiences as a teacher and administrator here in Howard County over the past 25 years. I served in various teaching positions spanning grades K-5 at Stevens Forest Elementary, Bushy Park Elementary, and Longfellow Elementary. I have served as Leadership Intern at Waterloo Elementary and Assistant Principal at Longfellow Elementary and Deep Run Elementary. For the past five school years, I had the privilege of serving as the proud principal of St. John’s Lane Elementary. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University, and an Advanced Certificate in Study in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations from Notre Dame of Maryland University. I was honored to be recognized as the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals 2024 Connected School Leader Award and voted 2024 Best Principal in the annual Best of Howard.

My approach to this work is profoundly shaped by the incredibly important job of being Dad to my two sons Luke (16) and Drew (13) and husband to my wife of 22 years, Laurie. I promise to make decisions on behalf of your children just as I would my own. My family is excited to meet my new school family, as well! 

I am truly grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve our school community as your principal. As I transition into this new assignment this week, I will be connecting with members of our school community and PTA to plan opportunities to meet our Bulldogs and your family.

Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself to me in this initial year at CRES and contact me at any time at dnotari@hcpss.org if I can be of service to your child or family in any way. I look forward to moving in, meeting you all soon, and partnering with your family as we work together to ensure a simply wonderful school year here at The Rock!  

Sincerely,

Dan Notari

CRES Principal