Principal Melissa Pietricola of Fairgrieve Elementary School in Fulton was recently recognized as the O²CM School Library System’s Administrator of the Year, earning the award for her dedication to the school community and her school’s exceptional library program.

The award is given out by the O²CM School Library System and seeks to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to envisioning and building the future of school libraries. The selection of recipients is determined by a committee of SLS members based on submissions.

Pietricola has served as Fairgrieve Principal since the fall of 2023 and has led major efforts to bolster family connections and library engagement at the school. She was nominated by Julia Brodock, the school’s library media specialist.

“Melissa always encourages a culture of reading,” Brodock noted in her submission. “She is always celebrating our students and encourages them to take responsibility for their library. She steps in and helps facilitate collaboration, because she believes in the value of the library and the lessons it teaches.”

Pietricola was honored at a luncheon on the OCM BOCES campus.