WEST COVINA, CA – West Covina Unified School District welcomed community members, business leaders and city officials to step into school leadership roles during its second annual Principal for a Day event on Oct. 11.

The guest principals were greeted by colorful signs and student-led cheers at the District’s 14 campuses, where they gained insight into the responsibilities of managing a school site and learned about the academic and extracurricular offerings in West Covina Unified.

“I am so impressed by all of the programs they have to help build the character of students,” said Reya Steele, a health and nutrition instructor who visited Vine Elementary. “They have a social contract that uses special hand signals to foster respect among students and staff. I had never seen that before. I loved every minute of it. It’s great to see how everything works.”

At Cameron Elementary, local dentist Dr. David Alfaro led the morning announcements, visited classrooms, read an excerpt from “Dragons Love Tacos” for kindergarteners and led them in the alphabet song. He also met with the PTA, talked to fifth graders about his career and supervised recess.

Walnut Grove Intermediate School Principal Rich Nambu invited fellow West Covina Rotary Club member Thomas D. Allison, an attorney, professor and social justice advocate, to visit classrooms and learn about the school’s 1:1 device initiative, intervention programs, STEM and robotics instruction and peer mentoring programs.

“Our community plays a vital role in supporting the education process and raising children successfully,” Nambu said. “We are thrilled to be able to invite local leaders onto campus to see firsthand what our schools have to offer. This also lets our students know that there are people in our community who are looking out for them and rooting for them to succeed.”

The guest principals – which included West Covina’s mayor, city manager, city council members and police chief – concluded the day with a luncheon at the district office, where they discussed partnership opportunities and recounted the day’s events.

“West Covina Unified offers a wealth of engaging, rigorous educational opportunities, and we are thrilled to open our doors and showcase these offerings to our community,” WCUSD Superintendent Dr. Charles D. Hinman said. “Thank you to our community for sharing an interest in the academic success of our students.”

PHOTOS

WCUSD_PRINCIPAL1: Attorney Thomas D. Allison discusses art projects with Walnut Grove Intermediate School students during Principal for a Day on Oct. 11.

WCUSD_PRINCIPAL2: Acting as principal for the day, health and nutrition instructor Reya Steele visits with Vine Elementary students on Oct. 11.