Education

Holy Rosary Catholic students serve as Principal for the Day

By Cindy Gladden, Correspondent
Posted 4/15/24

Two Holy Rosary Catholic School students were able to work behind the principal's desk for a day after winning an auction item.

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Education

Holy Rosary Catholic students serve as Principal for the Day

Posted

Not often are students given the opportunity to see what school looks like from the desk of the principal. The opportunity to be Principal for the Day has been an auction item during the Holy Rosary Catholic School’s fundraiser for several years.

This year two students, a brother and sister, won the right to be principal for a day. Brailynn, 9, and Keegan Caswell, 10, shared the role under the direction of Holy Rosary Principal Mary Wooley. Their parents are Ashley Eckhoff and Edward Caswell.

Brailynn began the day by giving morning announcements, observing teachers, greeting students and heading up the special scavenger hunt she organized. Each class had to find items in their classroom for each letter of the alphabet. Then she and Mrs. Wooley checked off all the items. The winning class was first in line during the afternoon ice cream social, which was headed up by Keegan.

“Both of them were able to see all the little things the principal does,” said Wooley. “I wanted to make this special for them. I had badges made for them and they had their own email for the day. I wanted them to get a good feel for what I do.”

As Brailynn observed the teachers, Wooley set the example.

“Make sure you are giving them good feedback,” she coached her.

Keegan said he was happy to find out about the opportunity.

“I really wanted to do it,” he said. “I get to do what she does best — helping out all the kids, being nice to them, and handling a lot of problems. Sometimes she has to make tough decisions.”

Keegan said he might consider being a principal in the future, but what he really wants to be is a paleontologist. 

The siblings also gave out virtue tickets, which Wooley carries around in her pocket. When a behavior is noticed, a student may be the recipient of a ticket showing appreciation for their kindness, helpfulness or forgiveness.

“I like the idea of having the students learn more about what a principal does,” said Wooley. “I like being able to interact with the students. That’s why I’m here.”

In addition to their other principal duties, Brailynn and Keegan were in charge of a special dress down day. Nearly $400 was collected for the LeAnn Davis family to purchase a memorial tree in her honor to be planted on school grounds. Two of the Davis children attend Holy Rosary School.

Wooley said Holy Rosary is a very active school and parish with a great group of parents supporting their efforts. Activities in the near future include Grandparents Day in conjunction with a Book Fair, First Communion and Confirmation, plenty of field trips and field day in May.




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