Good afternoon, this is Steve Mares, Interim Principal of Heritage Middle School, with a special message for Wednesday, August 21^st. A copy of this message will be posted on our school website (https://www.wcpss.net/heritagems) and emailed and texted to our school families.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NEW PRINCIPAL NAMED FOR HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL! As you all are aware of by now, the WCPSS School Board has named Ms. Amy Light as the new Principal at Heritage Middle School! She will begin serving as Principal on Monday, September 16^th. She is a wonderful leader and passionate educator, and I know she will do great things at Heritage! I also know how fortunate she is to be able to re-join the Heritage family! This is a wonderful place for students, staff, families, and teaching and learning!

Ms. Light has asked me to share the following message with our school families:

Heritage Middle Staff and Families,

I am excited to share that the WCPSS School Board approved my appointment as the next principal of Heritage Middle School, effective Monday, September 16, 2024. Having worked at Heritage Middle School before, I know firsthand the pride that this community takes in this school of excellence.  I am truly honored to be your next principal.

In my 22 years in education, my experiences have varied from elementary to middle to high school.  I taught high school mathematics at Wakefield and Heritage High Schools for 11 years, became a National Board certified teacher, was selected as a NC Principal Fellow where I earned my Master's degree at East Carolina University (go Pirates!), led as an Instructional Resource Teacher and Assistant Principal at Heritage MS from 2014-2020, and most recently serving as the Principal of North Forest Pines Elementary since 2020.  I am happily married with two step-children; a stepson at Appalachian State University and a stepdaughter who is a junior in high school. I enjoy traveling, completing puzzles, reading, being outdoors, and attending concerts in my free time.  

As I step into this new role, I look forward to getting to know the staff, students, and families, listening to your thoughts, understanding your hopes for the future, and collaborating with you to continue making Heritage MS a place where all students thrive. Over the next few weeks, I will invite staff to meet with me 1:1 or in groups so that I will be knowledgeable of your work as I learn or relearn the school’s culture and traditions as we forge ahead this school year.

I will also meet with the PTSA President to learn more about the partnership and the support provided to the school. I look forward to meeting students and families at school and HMS Patriots’ events. I am excited to learn more about you as we begin this adventure together and carry forward the strong traditions and values that make Heritage special!  Go Patriots!

With excitement and gratitude,

Amy Light

Please know that we will be working with our PTA and Ms. Light to schedule a day and time for Heritage families to meet Ms. Light, and I will communicate that information with you all when those plans are finalized.

Please know that I will remain in my Interim Principal capacity until Ms. Light begins as the Principal at Heritage Middle School. I would ask that we all understand that Ms. Light wants to finish her responsibilities and service at North Forest Pines Elementary School in a professional manner, so please continue to let me know how I can serve you all at Heritage Middle School until Ms. Light completes her work as the Principal of North Forest Pines Elementary School.

Thank you for providing a warm welcome to her as she begins her service as the Heritage Middle School Principal!