Administration
Welcome to Griswold High School, Home of the Wolverines!
Griswold Public Schools educates for excellence by ensuring our students are connected, by nurturing individual student talents, and by fostering a future-focused mindset. Our students benefit from an impressive variety of academic, athletic, and extracurricular offerings, and close connections with staff members that are truly dedicated to their success. The Administration and staff of Griswold High School are dedicated to educating for excellence by empowering students to become compassionate, confident, creative, resourceful members of society. Griswold High School provides a safe and accepting atmosphere in which all individuals learn, broaden their horizons, and achieve their full potential. Graduates of Griswold Public Schools journey into the future as engaged citizens, effective communicators, critical thinkers, and resilient problem solvers.
Griswold Wolverines, you are embarking on the final years of your public school experience in preparation for your future! Your administrators, teachers, school counselors and staff are all here to support you.
We are proud of our students. We are proud of our school. We are proud of our community. We are Griswold, Wolverine Strong!
GHS Administration Team
Principal
Erin Palonen
EPalonen@griswoldpublicschools.org
Mrs. Palonen was appointed Griswold High School Principal on July 1, 2016, after serving as Director of Special Education for the District. Mrs. Palonen has worked as a member of Griswold Public Schools since the start of her teaching career in 2005. She graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Comprehensive Special Education and Elementary Education, went on to receive her Master’s in Special Education from Southern CT State University, and her Sixth Year in Educational Leadership through Sacred Heart University. She works as an Adjunct Professor/Student Teacher Supervisor for the University of St. Joseph. Mrs. Palonen has taken a very active role in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), serving as a Visiting Team Chair for public high schools seeking Accreditation. Griswold High School is proud to have received continued Accreditation following our Decennial Visit in the spring of 2020.
Mrs. Palonen takes great pride in the Griswold community, attending Griswold Public Schools from kindergarten through high school graduation. She resides in town with her husband Eric and daughter Josie, who is a student at GES. Mrs. Palonen enjoys spending time with her family, attending events at the school, staying active and outdoors, and playing volleyball.
Associate Principal
Arthur Howe
AHowe@griswoldpublicschools.org
Mr. Howe was appointed as Griswold High School Associate Principal in June of 2022. Mr. Howe started his teaching career at Griswold High School in the business department and also coached the girls volleyball and tennis teams. Mr. Howe worked for Stonington Public Schools as a business teacher, Dean of Students, and golf coach.
Mr. Howe's leadership experience includes chairing the Climate & Culture committee during NEASC, Interdisciplinary Coordinator for the Fine and Applied Arts department, and curriculum development for new and existing business courses. Mr. Howe graduated from Bryant University with a degree in Marketing, has a M.S. in Education from the University of New Haven, and a Sixth year degree from Sacred Heart University in Advanced Studies in Administration. He lives locally with his wife Jennifer and two sons Matthew and John.