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Date: 4/12/2022
SOUTH HADLEY – Members of the Plains Elementary School community, and the school community at large, are mourning the death of beloved principal Henry “Hank” Skala.
Skala died over the first weekend of April and families of students were notified of Skala’s passing via an email from Assistant Superintendent Mark McLaughlin.
“I’ve worked with a lot of principals and I’ve never met a principal who has been more singularly focused on the well being of students than Hank,” McLaughlin said. “That’s not to say principals aren’t focused on their students, but Hank was unique. It was always about his students.”
The youngest students of the Plains School to the oldest students in the community crossed paths with and knew the principal as he was an integral part of the school for close to a decade, McLaughlin said in his letter.
Skala had been out of the school building with an illness since students returned from February vacation, but he kept close contact with his staff and administrators the entire time according to McLaughlin. The assistant superintendent added that Skala had always been available to colleagues and students and deeply cared for his profession.
The feeling appeared mutual between Skala and his students and staff. This school year, the Michael E. Smith Education Endowment had agreed to fund a mural promoting positive behaviors and kindness at Plains School. The mural was just completed about three weeks ago and was dedicated to Skala by students and staff in hopes he would return soon.
According to McLaughlin, Skala would commonly refer to his students as “Tiger Cubs” in reference to the South Hadley High School mascot. The mural had a cartoon depiction of the principal as a tiger wearing one of his many signature ties, which were illustrated with characters from classic books, cartoon figures and other things that aligned with his students’ interests.
Skala was hired as the Plains School principal in 2016. An East Longmeadow resident, Skala received two master’s degrees and had a long career as an educator, spanning over 40 years. He also previously served as a principal in East Granby, CT, and had worked at the Gateway Regional School District. He leaves a wife and two daughters.
“You wouldn’t find a sweeter man. Just a genuinely sweet man. He just was a sweet, kind, considerate person,” McLaughlin added.
Plains Elementary School was closed on April 4 following the news and Moiser Elementary School, Michael E. Smith Middle School and South Hadley High School had a two-hour delay in opening, McLaughlin said.
Counseling staff from the district’s care team were available for all Plains Elementary students and staff who needed assistance and support. In the letter to families, tips on how parents and guardians can help children upset about Skala’s death were offered.
The care team stayed on location at the Plains School during the week to provide “tap-out time” during which a teacher could step out for a few minutes for emotional purposes while a member of the care team stepped in with the class.
McLaughlin added that counselors will be available for students and their families for emotional support going forward and that children will also be able to participate in age-appropriate memorial activities with their classmates and caregivers.
“That’s been very, very helpful, and we’ll continue to provide that one way or another for as long as it’s needed,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin added that Skala was a total professional who kept note of the latest educational data and studies and often would share the new information with his staff. He also worked closely with other principals in town to ensure that his students were leaving with the skills they needed to excel in the upper classes.
“He was sweet, but don’t let the sweetness suggest that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about because he does and people would be smart to listen to him,” McLaughlin said.
In a statement from the School Committee and their Chair Alli Schlachter, more thoughts were shared on what made the principal such a special part of the South Hadley schools and the heart of Plains Elementary itself.
“We are all devastated by the loss of Hank Skala. He was a cherished member of our South Hadley community. He was the kind of principal who had a healing and uplifting presence. When he spoke, he inspired an easy smile and a sense of calm with his kindness and quick wit. He made all his tiger cubs feel important, safe and loved. Mr. Skala was a mentor and a friend to his colleagues and a guiding light for our whole district. Words cannot fully express the loss we feel. We, as a community, will pay tribute to his life and work as the weeks ahead of us unfold.”
McLaughlin also noted that Skala served as a mentor to many and overall was the “go-to guy” for multiple educators in South Hadley and would often be willing to move into areas around the school to assist with students.
“If it was best for the cubs, he’d do it,” McLaughlin said. “He was a good man.”
The Plains School Parent-Teacher Association members referred to Skala as the “greatest principal” on their Facebook page.
“We will forever remember your kindness. Your excitement to help your Tiger Cubs and your unwavering support of our school, students and community was infectious,” their post stated. “You will forever be in our hearts and we will continue to act with kindness in your memory.”