Business and Civic Leaders Head to the Principal

ome ‘PRINCIPALS for a DAY’luncheon at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa together
Over 170 members of the business community towith all participants to hear from San Diego Unified
shadow principalsSuperintendent Carl A. Cohn about how the local
SAN DIEGO — It’s back to school forbusiness community can form lasting partnerships with
over 170 San Diego area business executives, as theyschools in order to enrich the quality of education in
are matched with San Diego Unified School DistrictSan Diego. 
principals to become “Principal for a Day” on“First-time participants are usually very surprised at
October 19.  The program is sponsored by Merrilljust how busy a principal’s day can be,” said
Lynch, supported by San Diego Regional Chamber ofCohn. “It’s always an eye-opener, and we
Commerce and the San Diego Padres andappreciate that they’re taking time out of their
coordinated by San Diego Unified.  The Principal for afull schedules to learn about San Diego’s
Day program joins business executives with schoolschools.”
principals to foster a new spirit of civic involvement“Principal for a Day provides us with an opportunity
and commitment to San Diego public schools.  Locally,to experience first-hand the challenges and rewards
Principal for a Day was launched in the earlythat many of our principals and educational leaders
90’s in an effort to keep the businessface daily,” said Joseph Campano, Honorary
community in touch with educational needs. Co-Chair, Director, Merrill Lynch, San Diego Complex. 
"San Diego's public schools have done an outstanding“Merrill Lynch looks forward to translating this
job forging a strong partnership with the region'sone-day experience into long-term relationships that will
business and civic communities," said Mayor Jerryhelp our future workforce.”
Sanders. "The 'Principal for a Day' program recognizesStudents have the opportunity to interact with business
that preparing today's students for tomorrow'sleaders in their capacity as principal for a day and learn
workforce is a vital investment in San Diego's future."about executives’ professional responsibilities
Each year, volunteers contribute more than 990,000and how to best prepare for the workplace setting. 
hours. Their time is valued at nearly $19 million.  ForTeachers will also share their experiences, challenges
many guest principals, it will be years since they haveand ideas with executives.  The program helps
set foot on a school site — for some, it will beeducators reshape classroom instruction to meet the
their first visit to a San Diego Unified campus.needs of today’s demanding workforce.
“Merrill Lynch is pleased to participate in the Principal“This program aligns with the Padres Community
for a Day program, both in San Diego and nationally,Relations mantra — LIVE, LEARN and PLAY
because it provides our employees with a unique— and we are honored to be a part of it,”
opportunity to interact and connect with children andsaid Richard Freeman, Honorary Co-Chair, President &
professionals of the community, said Eddy Bayardelle,COO, San Diego Padres.  “For one day, members
president of the Merrill Lynch Foundation. of the business world get to learn from these fine
“Together, we are forming strong partnershipseducators, as well the students.”     
between business people and educators.”# # #
The program allows business executives and civicErick Laseca
leaders to spend a half day working on campus withBurson-Marsteller
school principals and later gathering at a debriefing312-596-3404erick.