BY SYDNEY HOOVER
From playing pickleball with middle schoolers to learning about elementary social and emotional programming to sharing a meal cooked by high school culinary students, community and business leaders from across Douglas County got a behind the scenes look at Eudora schools through Principal for a (Half) Day.
More than 30 guest principals this year came from businesses in town, such as Zeb’s Coffeehouse, to across the county, such as the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Even Kansas Sen. Tom Holland took the morning to visit the schools.
Shanda Hurla, Eudora Schools Foundation executive director, said the foundation has seen the event grow each year since it began four years ago. This year was the first time they had to put a waitlist on the event, she said.
“I think when we started this four years ago, we really didn’t know how exciting and how big it would get,” Hurla said. “They want to know how they can contribute back, how students can get into their businesses and learn more.”
The principals were split up between the three schools, where they got to interact with students and teachers. They did activities with students, stood in for classes and toured the schools.
Hurla said many guest principals will return in following years, often interested in visiting one of the schools they didn’t see the year before.
Guest principal Jennifer Schurle, of Schurle Signs, toured the elementary school, where she has a fourth grader. She said next year she would like to return to see the middle school where her older child is in school.
Hurla said this year, many of the guests, particularly those who visited the high school, were interested in how they could involve the students more in their businesses.
“The community and business leaders were really wanting to know how students can get more involved in their business and learn some of those skills to help them be career and college ready,” Hurla said.
Following tours of the schools, the guests attended the Superintendent’s Luncheon, where they shared feedback from the day with administrators, faculty and foundation members.
“I felt like it just helped me get to know just the way the community kind of works together to help our young ones grow and develop in the way they need to and that they have the resources that are needed,” said guest principal Renee Rettele, a physical therapist at the Eudora Therapy Clinic.
Following the lunch, superintendent Steve Splichal thanked the guest principals for participating in the day and for their continued support of the schools.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us to show off some of the really innovating and exciting things that we’re doing every day on behalf of our students,” Splichal said.
Reach reporter Sydney Hoover at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
We rely on donations to be able to cover the city of Eudora. Please email us at eudoratimes@gmail.com if you are willing to show your support to continue our journalism.
Comments