Principal for a Day gives local business, community members insight on schools

Principal for a Day gives local business, community members insight on schools By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

BOSS FOR A DAY-Willow Elementary School principal Garry Galvan gets the day off, handing the reigns to Las Virgenes Education Foundation Chair Red Godfrey, right, during the district's annual Principal for a Day program.

Local city officials, business members and other community leaders recently experienced first-hand the duties of a principal in the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

The district’s annual Principal for a Day program landed noneducators at each of the 15 schools located within the district’s borders.

The program allows community members to experience a school day as a principal. At the end of the day, the wannabe principals shared their experiences during a luncheon at school district headquarters.

District Interim Superintendent Donald Zimring gave an overview of the district’s history and accomplishments.

Ralph Kenney, owner of KB Contract Interiors, took Mary Sistrunk’s place as principal for Alice C. Stelle Middle School, in Calabasas.

Kenney said said the students he saw were welcoming and open.

At Agoura High School, Denise Daniel and Jill Mortrell, co-chairs of the "Every 15 Minutes" program, shared the principal position.

Mortrell said that it was wonderful to "see, hear, feel and know what’s going on" at the school.

Added Daniel, "It was an amazing experience. "I feel that the staff is right there for the children."

A student at Sumac Elementary School asked temporary principal Ed Corridori, mayor of Agoura Hills, if he knew George Washington.

Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem Barry Groveman served as principal for Bay Laurel Elementary School. He said, "You know happy kids when you see them."

Steve Freedland, mayor of Hidden Hills, got first-hand experience as the principal of A.E. Wright Middle School, while Michael Miller, honorary mayor of Woodland Hills, handled the duties at Round Meadow Elementary School.

Former professional baseball player Brett Saberhagen, now head baseball coach at CHS, served as principal at Calabasas High School.

At Chaparral Elementary School, Toni Yamin, chair of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, enjoyed seeing how the school operates.

Robert Slavin, mayor of Westlake Village, was put in charge of Lindero Canyon Middle School. Slavin started his day by riding the bus to school with students.

Slavin also had the opportunity to attend a meeting with parents weighing whether to send their children to the school or pay for a private education.

Westlake Village Councilmember Phillippa Klessig took over as principal at White Oak Elementary.

Michael DeGiosa, owner of Italia Deli and Bakery in Agoura Hills, enjoyed the principal position at Yerba Buena Elementary School.

Steve Woods, manager of Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Calabasas, served at Lupin Hills Elementary.

Red Godfrey, chair of the Las Virgenes Education Foundation, enjoyed her stint as principal for Willow Elementary School.

"What I confirmed, as a district we are beyond, beyond superb," Godfrey said.

Next week, Stephanie Bertholdo will recount her experience as principal for a day at Buttercup Preschool in Westlake Village.

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