There's some new faces coming to Fairhaven Public Schools. Get to know them here.

FAIRHAVEN — Students and families of Fairhaven Public Schools will have new faces to get acquainted with this year, with four new administrators coming onboard, and two teachers expanding their roles to include athletic director.

"It's been a fast and furious summer for the Elizabeth Hastings Middle School," said Superintendent of Schools Tara Kohler before introducing new Hastings Principal Kyle Alves, and then new Assistant Principal Jeremy Kennefick.

Alves had served as an English teacher for eight years at Somerset Public Schools, he said, before becoming an assistant principal there, and then a dual principal/assistant superintendent role at his alma mater, Diman Regional Vocational Tech High School in Fall River.

"[I] was there for four years until ... my child got sick and my wife and I decided to take care of him instead of spending our time working," he told the School Committee at their most recent meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Alves then served as assistant principal of King Philip Middle School before taking the job in Fairhaven.

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"I've had this yearning desire to get back to being a school leader who really is passionate about building relationships with families and students," Alves said, noting he feels like "the sixth round draft pick."

"I want to help those kids who feel like they're sixth round draft picks achieve to the highest level they can achieve, but also those kids who are naturally gifted, to give them those opportunities to exceed."

Hastings assistant principal grew up with 'Blue Devil pride'

Kohler said Alves had to hit the ground running soon after he was selected as principal of Hastings, taking part in hiring Kennefick as assistant principal.

"I am so happy to be back home," Kennefick told the School Committee Wednesday.

Kennefick said he grew up in the center of town and attended the Rogers School, Hastings Middle School and graduated from Fairhaven High in 1997. His education career, according to his LinkedIn page, has included teaching science at New Bedford and Acushnet public schools and Bristol-Plymouth Vocational Technical High School.

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"One thing growing up around here is you learn the tradition and the history fast and that just grows a lot of pride, like the Blue Devil Pride you always have," he said. "If it wasn't for the staff ... I don't think I would have been as successful as I am today."

Fairhaven High assistant principal is a familiar face

In introducing Andrew Davey, new assistant principal at Fairhaven High School, Kohler reminded the School Committee that he's no stranger to the district.

"Andrew Davey was formerly at the middle school as an assistant principal, you might remember," she said. "He went off to be an assistant principal over at Apponequet for quite a while, went over to be a principal at a middle school, and then decided to come back to high school [as an] assistant principal and decided Fairhaven was where he wanted to do that."

"The traditions and the history here, the mentorship that I received … it’s just so amazing," Davey said after expressing his gratitude for the position.

New admin gets her start in central office

In introducing Nicole McNeil, Fairhaven Public Schools' new assistant director of student services, Kohler said "She has a passion for kids and seeing the best in all of them and working with kids who might appear to not be giving you their best and loving them in spite of it."

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Little was said on McNeil's prior work, but McNeil shared that a role in administration is a first for her.

"I'm looking forward to being a part of a community that is steeped in tradition and starting my administrative career with an amazing team that's all about kids all the time," she said.

"I'm looking to build relationships with those staff and students to be a support in any way that I can, to help kids do their best and to help teachers do their best with kids."

Two teachers add athletics onto their plates

Noting that they'll be present to be recognized at a future meeting in person, Kohler shared that Fairhaven High teachers John Ricciardi and Donald Joseph will be taking on additional responsibilities as co-athletic directors.

Kohler said in Fairhaven Public Schools, athletic directors are existing staff members who receive stipends for the extra work.

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"They’re working well together and they bring really two unique skillsets," Kohler said.

Kohler said Richarde will take on most of the athletic director responsibilities during the fall sports season; Joseph and Richarde will double up during the winter; and in spring, Joseph will bear the brunt of athletic director duties.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New admins introduced at Fairhaven Public Schools