Schools

Arbor Day Tree Planting Honors Principal Pavia

A scarlet oak was planted in front of the high school today.

The town celebrated by planting a tree in honor of Principal Tony Pavia, who will retire at the end of this school year. 

 “Planting a tree is the best way to be honored," tree warden Bruce Pauley told the group that assembled on a clear and blustery day for the ceremonial planting. "Long after we’re gone, this tree will still be here.”

 After reading a formal Arbor Day proclamation, dedicated the tree to Pavia, with praise for the principal’s stewardship of the high school.

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 “He’s done a great job for this town,” Walker said, “We shall miss him. I shall miss him. This is one way we can honor his performance over the last nine years.”

The tree planting is the first of what promises to be many ‘goodbyes’ to Pavia, who will be after nine years at its helm. The principal, who is known for his outgoing nature and sunny disposition, said he’s having a difficult time thinking about leaving New Canaan.

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“I feel like an adolescent,” he told Patch. “I get kind of grumpy sometimes.”  

 CL&P helped underwrite the cost of the tree, which Pauley said cost about $1,000.

The plan was to plant a white oak in Pavia’s honor. Pauley said when they got to the nursery, they selected a scarlet oak instead. Which seems fitting for a school whose colors are red and black. 


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