May 2000 Eureka community leaders go back to school By Sheldon J. Reber, Director of School and Community Relations

F or one day, 16 Eureka business and community leaders went back to school as a “Principal for a Day” to learn firsthand about the challenges and the achievements in Eureka City Schools. Principal for a Day took place on Tuesday, March 21 during Eureka City Schools’ third annual Open Schools Week. All 14 Eureka elementary and secondary schools participated. The event was co–sponsored with the Eureka Chamber of Commerce. During their day on campus, the new school administrators participated in a variety of tasks as they job–shadowed the school’s principal. Principals for a Day also received a firsthand look into school technology, facilities management, parent involvement, school–to–career, curriculum, and service learning. The result was a better understanding of how Eureka schools are working to face a changing population and society; and the Principals for a Day also got a clear picture of how their company or agency can support school improvement. According to Dr. Jim Scott, superintendent of Eureka City Schools, “Principal for a Day is a call to Eureka’s business and community leaders to get involved at the point of change in our schools. By engaging the community in public education, we hope to mobilize the expertise and resources of our community, build lasting partnerships, and make our schools better.” All Eureka City Schools have ongoing educational partnerships with local business and community groups. Eureka City Schools is guided by a comprehensive five–year strategic plan developed in partnership with the Eureka community. Strategy 10 of the plan states: We will aggressively pursue innovative support from public and private sectors. For Zani Weber, director of marketing at General Hospital, it was time well spent at Marshall Elementary with principal Paul Gossard. “I have a truer picture of education in 2000. The many extra programs and family integration and involvement at Marshall are wonderful,” said Weber. J Warren Hockaday, executive director of Eureka Chamber of Commerce, was impressed with the extracurricular student and family support at Jefferson Elementary. Hockaday job–shadowed principal Bill Cannady and spent time with various staff members. “I was moved by the dedication of Jefferson’s staff and the commitment to succeed with or without adequate resources,” noted Hockaday. At Alice Birney, Carrie Sams, office manager at Leon’s Muffler’s and Brakes, spent time in classrooms and on the school’s playground.

“I was impressed with the dedication and heart of the entire Alice Birney staff. These teachers and principal Teddie Lyons are expecting these children to exceed and excel. They haven’t waited for accountability mandates. They have always distinguished themselves by being accountable,” stated Sams. Edwina Bordman, branch manager of Humboldt Bank, was Principal for a Day at Grant School. Bordman and principal Kevin O’Brien spent the day visiting classes and discussing school issues. “This day has certainly cemented the admiration and appreciation I have for our education system and providers. I was most impressed with the quality of the teaching at Grant, as well as the teachers and staff,” Bordman said. Eureka High School had three Principals for a Day; Dave Edmonds, director of external affairs for Pacific Bell; Maxine Hunter Meeks, Eureka City Council member; and Connie Rux, editor of the Times–Standard. The three job–shadowed Eureka High’s principal Bob Embertson, associate principal Bob Steffen, and vice principals Larry Nicoll and Joel Johannsen. Edmonds commented, “The job of educators is much more than just teaching—Eureka High’s staff deals with so many issues besides just basic classroom work. It’s a demanding, complex job that the public may not fully appreciate.” Connie Miller, Eureka City Council member, spent a day at Lincoln Elementary. “Pam Lindstrom and the Lincoln staff have created a positive learning environment where a broad scope of needs are being met—many of those needs are far beyond the scope of what the public perceives as ‘education.’ Lincoln is truly a remarkable school,” Miller observed. Chuck Petrusha, president of Advanced Security Systems, spent the day at Washington Elementary with principal Kathleen Honsal. Petrusha appreciated the opportunity for an inside look. “It was a great experience to see such a dedicated staff and helpful parents working together educating tomorrow’s leaders,” Petrusha commented. Other community leaders who participated in Principal for a Day included Eureka police chief Arnie Millsap at Zoe Barnum High School with principal Pat Faeth; St. Joseph Health System assistant vice president/marketing and public relations Laurie Watson Stone at Humboldt Bay High School with principal Georgeanne Fulstone–Pucillo; and Schmidbauer Lumber forester Mark Anderson at Worthington K–8 School with principal Hank Beck.

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