BUENA PARK, CA – Elected officials, business owners and even Medieval Times actors learned about the texture of mint leaves, the correct usage of a band saw and how students are preparing for college and careers through rigorous academics during Buena Park School District’s Principal for a Day event.

The District hosted 27 guests onto its seven campuses on Sept. 25 for its Principal for a Day. The event provided guests with insight into how each school operates, what students are learning and ways to build partnerships between lawmakers, business owners and educators.

“Principal for a Day is an extremely important event because it allows guests to interact with students and teachers to build community connections,” Gilbert School Principal Leslie Ramirez said.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, who was one of Buena Park Junior High’s guest principals, said Principal for a Day provided her with new ideas on ways that she and other policymakers can support teachers and students in public education.

“The most interesting thing is to see everything firsthand,” Quirk-Silva said. “We work on the policy in Sacramento and we talk about it, but here I actually get see it in action where the kids identify plants and the wood shop where they build things.”

Quirk-Silva said she loved the sights and smells of the junior high’s horticulture class and said she would recommend the school for several agriculture education-based grants to expand classroom offerings.

“I love giving back to the community, especially to schools,” said Betty Porto, co-owner of Porto’s Bakery, which has a location in Buena Park. “It reminds me of when my own children were young, and it reminds me just how hard teaching is and I enjoy supporting those who do it; I wish I could do it every single day.”

Porto was guest principal at Corey School, where she spoke about her family’s beloved bakery and encouraged students to continue striving for excellence in their education and to go to college to achieve their dreams.

“Today our guests saw a snapshot of the love and services that our principals provide to our students on a daily basis,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “Principal for a Day is a remarkable event that shows how Buena Park School District is going above and beyond to prepare our students for the rigors of high school, college, the workforce and life.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

093019_BUENAPARK_PRINCIPAL1: Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva visits a horticulture class at Buena Park Junior High as students inspect the details of mint leaf plants. Quirk-Silva served as guest principal during the school’s Principal for a Day program on Sept. 25.

093019_BUENAPARK_PRINCIPAL2: Beatty School Principal Seri Hwang meets with realtor Laurie Chrispen, Wells Fargo Branch Manager Desiree Garcia and Buena Park City Council Member Sunny Youngsun Park for Principal for a Day on Sept. 25.