Rachel Starke decided to shirk her principal responsibilities on Wednesday for something much more important: recess.
Starke, a kindergarten student at Iola Elementary School, was one of two students selected to serve as “Principal For a Day.”
Two other students were picked to be “Superintendent For a Day,” and two others took over the role of physical education teachers.
The honorary principals and superintendents were tasked with delivering cookies and Gatorade to faculty and staff on Wednesday as part of Teacher Appreciation Week activities.
Starke kicked things off by leading the school in the “Pledge of Allegiance” during morning announcements. But when it came time to deliver refreshments, she decided she’d rather be a kid and joined her class for recess.
“Principal” Clara Belinski, a first-grader, stayed the course and joined IES principals Andy Gottlob and Tiffany Koehn as they made the rounds in visiting classrooms.
Superintendent Stacey Fager planned to take honorary superintendents London Hutton, fifth grade, and Maicy Kimball, fourth grade, with him to visit Iola Middle and High schools. He also planned to take them to lunch.
The students earned the honors when their names were drawn out of all those who sold raffle tickets for the school carnival on April 15.
Students Emmerson Roush, first grade, and Dawson Robertson, fourth grade, also were selected to be physical education teachers for a day. They would help teacher Chris Weide to choose games and help lead his classes.
“They’re going to have the best job in the world for a day,” Weide said.
