Making Matches Last

Posted on October 19, 2017 in CEO Updates

Dear Friends –

Last week 130 local leaders stepped into the hallways and classrooms of schools and district offices throughout Multnomah County as a part of our 17th annual Principal for Almost a Day (PFAD) experience. This PFAD photo album captures some of the special moments from this year’s event.

Founded 17 years ago, PFAD continues to serve a critical role fostering a greater sense of responsibility for our schools. We know that when business and civic leaders walk alongside educators, it creates understanding and awareness.

Here are a few reflections from the day:

“PFAD never gets old–after seven years, I continue to be humbled by what I see and by what our principals do every day for our kids. Business needs to partner with our schools to create a pipeline for new employees.” – Emi Donis, General Counsel, Senior Aerospace SSP, who visited Petra Callin, Principal, PPS’s Madison High School

 

“Every time I walk away from an event like PFAD, I am inspired, motivated, humbled and driven to figure out how we develop these relationships throughout the school year to benefit the kids.”

– Ken Richardson, Superintendent, David Douglas School District, who hosted Travis Merill, President, Commercial Business Unit, FLIR Systems, Inc.

 

“Comcast has been a part of PFAD since the beginning. This year I was able to experience how Principal Madison and her staff are doing tremendous and innovative work with limited resources. PFAD gave us the opportunity to explore how we can collaborate more often to support and develop our future leaders.”
– Rebecca Brown, Director, Community Investments, Comcast, who visited Beth Madison, Principal, PPS’s Robert Gray Middle School

 

 “No one gets into this line of work for accolades, but often times as principals we are the last to be thanked if we are thanked at all. It was nice to get a little recognition and acknowledgement that the work we do is both challenging and impactful. It was also great to speak with leaders in other sectors and see parallels between our different worlds.”
– Jeb Hubbs, Principal, Centennial School District’s Harold Oliver Elementary School who hosted Jessica Getman, President, Brown & Brown

 

Please consider stretching beyond a one-day-a-year event to stay connected throughout this school year. These new relationships become deeply valued community assets.

Sincerely,
Dan

 

P.S. Need more stories from Principal for Almost a Day? Check out PPS’s deeper coverage of Emi Donis’s visit to Madison High School or these reflections from Multnomah County Commissioners who participated.

 

Special thanks to our sponsors for helping to make Principal for Almost a Day possible!