As your principal for 2012-13 school year, I look forward to meeting and connecting with all of the students and their families. I am a retired principal who was asked to serve Pine School for the current school year and I look forward to doing so. My MCAS administrative experience includes nineteen years as the Niemann principal followed by 12 years as the Joy principal.

My life-long professional fantasy has been to serve as a principal for a school with the visual and performing arts as its foundation for learning. Little did I know that opportunity would become a reality eight years after my retirement. I now embrace that opportunity with full-fledged enthusiasm.

Pine Elementary School, Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts, is located in northeastern Porter County near the towns of Beverly Shores, Michigan City, and The Pines.  Grade level teams of teachers collaborate on science and social studies themes and integrate the arts using the State of Indiana approved standards. Each grade level team presents a showcase of their work once a year to the community. These showcases consist of live performances, student portfolios and classroom displays. 

The school partners with local artists, community organizations, and local universities in order to accomplish this. We believe that we are living proof that the arts are transforming education in Michigan City! 

Students are expected to meet the high expectations in place for behavior which are consistently and firmly supported by the entire Pine community. Following school procedures and displaying the virtues of respect, honor, and effort is important to all of us for maintaining a safe, positive environment for maximum learning.

As the partnership between home and school is vital to the success of all students, I encourage you to become involved in school activities as often as possible. Your time and commitment are highly desired and greatly valued. Together we will make Pine the best it can be and then some.

Dale Ferraro

Principal, Pine School