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 Administrators
Principal Erin Palonen
EPalonen@griswoldpublicschools.org
Mrs. Erin Palonen has served as Principal of Griswold High School since July 1, 2016, following her role as Director of Special Education for the District. She began her career with Griswold Public Schools in 2005 and has remained dedicated to the District since. Mrs. Palonen holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Rhode Island College, a Master’s Degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a Sixth Year in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University.
Mrs. Palonen is actively involved with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) where she serves as a Visiting Team Chair support public high schools from all over New England through the process of Accreditation. She was recently awarded the NEASC Service Award in December of 2023. Griswold High School earned continued NEASC Accreditation in the spring of 2020, and looks forward to the next visit in 2028!
Mrs. Palonen is a very proud graduate of Griswold High School herself, attending Griswold Public Schools from kindergarten through high school graduation. She is a member of the Griswold community, and loves watching her daughter grow up Griswold green! She notes that this is a very special, tight-knit community, and feels so fortunate to be alongside the very best students and staff every day. In her words, “GHS is the BEST!”
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.