NEW PALESTINE — After missing the first six months of the school year and most of last year to battle health issues, Principal Keith Fessler has returned to work.
Fessler, who headed back to school in his new position as principal of New Palestine Junior High School on Monday, March 1, had a smile for everyone on his first day back.
“It feels great, really great,” Fessler said. “I can’t thank everyone enough for the support and the prayers and the people who sent notes, messages and kind wishes. It’s really overwhelming.”
Fessler, a longtime district administrator, formerly was principal at New Palestine High School. He essentially has changed places with Jim Voelz, the former junior high principal who moved to the high school on an interim basis and then was handed the job permanently.
Voelz was moved to the high to oversee the district’s high school renovation project after Fessler took leave to seek treatment for colon cancer. Officials said that Voelz’s experience with construction projects was reason to keep him at the high school.
Superintendent Lisa Lantrip said she was thrilled to see Fessler return to school and hoped students, staff and the New Palestine family all felt the same way about welcoming him back.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Mr. Fessler back today,” she said in an email to the Daily Reporter. “He is an integral part of our school culture and the New Palestine community.”
Fessler noted while he was given clearance by his doctors to head back to work, he does have a few more treatments to deal with. Still, he’s ready to make a new home for himself at the junior high school and said he’s gotten off to a great start.
“Everybody here has been so welcoming and open,” Fessler said. “Yes, I can make this place my new home.”
Fessler had visited the school a few times during his absence as he started to make plans for his return. He said the administrators, including Craig Moore, who has been the interim principal in his absence, have been supportive.
“So many people have welcomed me and it feels so good,” Fessler said.
As for his health, Fessler said his recovery is going as well as can be expected. He said he’s taking his recovery a day at a time now that his doctors have given him the clearance to return to work.
“I think it’s good for me to be back and start doing things and get back into a good routine,” Fessler said.
Fessler had one final thought as he closed out his first day back to work: “I always knew New Palestine was a special place, but everyone has really showed me what New Pal is all about; and I can’t be any more happier and appreciative than I am for that.”
