On Thursday, February 15, the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation hosted its fifth annual "Principal for a Day" event. On this day, 30 business and community leaders spent the morning at district schools, shadowing the principal, visiting classrooms, talking with teachers and students, touring schools and discussing challenges schools face.

The day began with the community leader "principals" reporting to their assigned school and getting acquainted with the principal and staff. The guests then proceeded to spend "a day in the life of a principal". At lunch time, the volunteers and principals gathered at the administration building to share their experiences with other participants.

Tim Brown of Bethany Nazarene Church, who visited Western Oaks Middle School, said he was "very impressed with the care and concern" that school staff has for its students. Another participant, Brad Ferguson of Rose Rock Bank, was surprised at the "level of technology available to students" in the Putnam City district.

Principals enjoyed the day, too. Pam Miller, principal at Will Rogers Elementary School, said the experience helped her to learn the importance of communicating with the public about what goes on in schools.

The Principal for a Day program was designed by the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation to create an awareness and understanding of the issues facing Putnam City schools and open the door to business-education partnerships.