Principal of the Day


You Have Been Called to the Principal's Office!

Ever wonder what it's like to be a school principal? Now you have the opportunity through the Education Foundation's seventh annual "Principal Of The Day" event, scheduled for Friday, November 4, 2011.

About The Event

Each fall, business and civic leaders are invited to serve as the "honorary principal" at one of our area schools to learn about the challenges, responsibilities and decisions that principals face. For four hours, stride for stride with the school principal, community leaders get a taste of the realities, stark choices, and deep commitment that defines the job of an urban school principal.

"Principal of the a Day" is a proven way for leaders in schools and the business community to share ideas, resources, and a sense of responsibility for public education. By providing a first-hand perspective of the decisions and responsibilities principals face daily, participants are encouraged to take a greater interest in public education. Participants are encouraged to develop a direct relationship with a school, while principals have the opportunity to create relationships with peers outside of the education world.

This two-way experience is a critical first step towards:

  • Increasing knowledge of and commitment to public education within the business and civic community;
  • Leveraging new resources (expertise, volunteers, funding, in-kind donations, etc.) for schools;
  • Creating partnerships to help increase student achievement.

Event Schedule

The upcoming November 4th Principal Of The Day event starts at the beginning of the school day, which, depending on school assignment, means the day starts between 7:30 and 8:00 AM for most participants. Participants shadow the school principal until around 11:00 or 11:15 AM (depending on school location) and then travel to downtown Bend for an 11:30 AM school lunch with the Principals and Superintendent of Schools. The event culminates with a fun and inspiring leadership and networking luncheon at the Education Center hosted by the Education Foundation and sponsored by BLAST (Bend-La Pine Schools Administrators and Supervisors Team). The event will conclude at approximately 1:00 PM.

Principal Of The Day has been a resounding success in many communities across the country and we are excited to be holding our seventh annual event this year.

How to Participate

Each prospective participant must complete the Principal Of The Day interest form. To receive a form, please call our office at 541-322-5493 or click here to complete an online interest form. For the 2011 event, please return your forms to our office no later than Monday, October 24, 2011. Once you form is processed, all participants will receive their school assignments and information about the event. While we make every effort to place participants at schools they request, we cannot always guarantee specific assignments due to limited space availability. The Education Foundation will send all participants an information packet prior to the event. The principals will also contact participants with additional information and directions to their assigned school.

Interested in attending the November 4th event? Click here to complete the online interest form or contact Heather Vihstadt, Executive Director at education.foundation@bend.k12.or.us or 541-322-5493.