Assistant Principal Coplon-Newfield Leaving Chenery

Photo: Daniel Coplon-Newfield

A week after the Chenery Middle School’s principal announced she was stepping down in June, her second-in-charge told parents and staff Monday, March 7, he is also leaving the Belmont middle school at the end of the school year.

Daniel Coplon-Newfield, a long-time teacher and assistant principal for the Upper School since 2011, wrote in an email he leaving the Chenery to become Head of School at the Vassal Lane Upper School in Cambridge. One of five public schools for 6th-8th graders, Vassal Lane accepts students who have completed local Montessori schools.

“This represents a great opportunity for me as I continue to develop as a school leader and I am excited about this big next step,” wrote Coplon-Newfield, who first came to the school in 2005 as a Behavior Specialist; Special Education Teacher.

“I cannot overstate my respect for the tremendous teaching staff here at Chenery. They are, without a doubt, some of the best middle school educators in the country and I will miss working with them,” said Coplon-Newfield

Coplon-Newfield statement comes a week after Chenery Principal Kristin St. George announced she was stepping down from her role. The departures leave a large gap in experience and leadership to be filled before the last week in August when classes begin in the 2016-17 school year.