Two Stone Oak schools welcome new principals

Lola Folkes, former principal of Jackson-Keller and Oak Grove elementary schools, will now take the reins at Hardy Oak Elementary.  Folkes replaces Sharon Newman, who quietly retired at the end of the 2009-10 school year. 

“I first want to say that filling Mrs. Newman’s shoes is next to impossible. I have been a personal friend of Sharon’s for the past 12 years, and I know what a fabulous leader, communicator, and friend to each and every one of you she has been,” Folkes recently wrote in letter to Hardy Oak parents.  “I firmly believe that with the foundation she has provided for this fabulous school, together we will be able to continue the excellence that has been woven into the history of Hardy Oak.”

Newman was principal of Hardy Oak Elementary since the school opened 10 years ago.  Often credited for its challenging curriculum and supportive parent base, Hardy Oak has earned many accolades over the years and was most recently named the best elementary school in San Antonio by a Houston-based children’s advocacy group. 

“Please know that I will miss everything about Hardy Oak and I leave with fond memories and a grateful Heart,” Newman wrote in the last PTA newsletter of the 2009-10 school year. 

Her successor has been employed by NEISD for 26 years, was a teacher at Garner Middle School and assistant principal at Larkspur Elementary.  For the past three years Folkes was the principal of Oak Grove.  Before that she was principal of Jackson-Keller for eight years.   

“I know what a fantastic school Hardy Oak is, not only as a colleague of Mrs. Newman’s, but also as a parent,” Folkes continues. “My child has attended Hardy Oak since kindergarten.  My husband teaches at Lopez Middle School, so this new move to Hardy Oak has been a dream come true for our family.  I am so blessed to be a part of this community.”

Canyon Ridge Elementary School Principal Peggy Peterson also retired at the end of the school year.  She will be replaced by Laura Huggins, former principal of Walzem Elementary.

Classes resume at Hardy Oak, Canyon Ridge and all NEISD schools on Aug. 26.