On behalf of the Norfolk Public Schools community, Superintendent Dr. Ingrid Allardi would like to thank H. Olive Day Elementary School Principal Linda Balfour for her many years of dedicated service to the district upon her retirement.

Following an over 50-year career with Norfolk Public Schools, Principal Balfour retired from the district at the end of July.

“Linda’s deeply held core values have made the H. Olive Day School the outstanding educational institution that it is. Families regularly comment on how welcoming the school environment is and how well school staff know their children. Principal Balfour’s leadership, compassion and dedication will be missed by students, staff, parents and the community at large,” Superintendent Allardi said.

Throughout her tenure at Norfolk Public Schools, Principal Balfour served in a variety of different roles since joining the district in August 1972 as a second-grade teacher. She went on to become a special education resource teacher before becoming a part-time special education coordinator.

In 1990, Principal Balfour left the classroom and became a full-time administrator, serving as the part-time assistant principal for the Freeman-Centennial School and part-time special education coordinator.

She was appointed to the principalship of the H. Olive Day School in June 1993 and was there to open the doors of the new school building on Jan. 10, 1994. While serving at the H. Olive Day School for the past 30 years, Principal Balfour led the efforts to implement social-emotional learning into curriculum, specifically the Open Circle curriculum that has been a staple in the school for the past 25 years.

In 2019, Balfour was honored with the Thomas C. Passios Massachusetts Elementary School Principal of the Year award which was presented to her at the National Distinguished Principals Convention in Washington, D.C.

Added Superintendent Allardi, “We are grateful for all that Principal Balfour has done for the Norfolk Public Schools over her lengthy and impactful career. It is hard to think about H. Olive Day School without thinking of the face of early childhood education in Norfolk -- Mrs. Linda Balfour. We wish Linda the very best in her retirement.”

Tami Rebello succeeds Principal Balfour, beginning her new position on July 1, with Balfour working with Rebello to support her transition.